Just back from HRH...opinions from a newbie!

[lmf70]

First, let me say that this was our first trip to Universal and we absolutely loved it. There is definately a different feel to it than Disney- just a very cool place and we had a blast. I usually do my homework -aka disboards-but there were some things about HRH that I did not know. First complaint in the words of the Grinch himself, oh the noise the noise the noise!! Gotta say that the walls in this hotel are extremely thin. One night the people next door we partying til late and I really hate to ruin someone's good time but at 1:45 am had to finally call the desk to complain and they did send security right up and thankfully the people quieted down. Only to be woken at 7am by barking dogs, screaming children, and flushing toilets-I actually heard someone next door sneeze. Have stayed at many hotels in my time and never had a noise problem like here!!
Second, after check in we were told to pull our car up to the lobby doors to unload and someone would be there to help us. We really don't need help but a guy was there as soon as we pulled up with a luggage cart and started loading our luggage up. Nice but I wasn't expecting this so he didn't get much of a tip cause I had very little cash on me at the time. Then we were ready to take the cart to our room (right on the 3rd floor) but the guy says oh no we will deliver it right to you-will have a bellhop here in 10 mins tops to take care of that for you. Would have rather taken it myself but he insisted this is the way they do things. Went to our room and waited, and waited and to make along story short after 40 mins went to the desk and got someone to find our luggage which had been put in storage because the bellhops had not yet been given our room number. I told the guy I will take it myself but he insisted he will bring it immediately which he did but again another tip. Sorry to sound cheap but this just made things more complicated. Anyone else have experience like this? Do all on-site hotels have this policy?
The good things about this hotel - the theming is just awesome especially if you are into rock memorabilia. The pool is nice but it was always pretty crowded. We ate dinner at The Kitchen and the food was very good with a good variety of choices.
All in all having FOTL was well worth staying here but when I visit Universal again it will not be at HRH!

 

[damo]

You don't have to let the bellhops touch your luggage. Just say you can manage fine on your own. We always do.

Some people have reported that they find the hotel noisy, I don't really notice any difference from any other hotels with lots of kids.

 

[mrebuck]

We just returned from a 6 night stay. Other than one night (when some noisy teenagers were making themselves known), we had no problems with noise. I agree with Damo - our experience was no different than any other hotel.

 

[lmf70]

I hope that our issues with noise were just our bad luck- I can't imagine it's the norm with so many people loving the hotel. Best of luck to all who stay here. Sidenote-we had a connecting room so maybe that upped the noise coming from next door.
Also, I was totally not expecting the luggage/bellhop thing and wished I had known previously. They made it seem like it was not an option. Also got to talking to a family at the park from our home town who were staying at RPR and had the same complaint. Knowledge is key so next time I will be more forceful with a no thank you!!

 

[damo]

I hope that our issues with noise were just our bad luck- I can't imagine it's the norm with so many people loving the hotel. Best of luck to all who stay here. Sidenote-we had a connecting room so maybe that upped the noise coming from next door.
Also, I was totally not expecting the luggage/bellhop thing and wished I had known previously. They made it seem like it was not an option. Also got to talking to a family at the park from our home town who were staying at RPR and had the same complaint. Knowledge is key so next time I will be more forceful with a no thank you!!

If you have a noisy connecting room, take the bolsters that are on the best and lay them on the floor in front of the connecting door. They work wonders.

 

[tfoster]

We had considered the HRH because of its proximity to the parks (and DH is a huge rock geek!) but I was worried about the potential level of rowdiness there. Sorry to hear you had to deal with such noisy neighbors.

 

[mjohnson96]

We usually will just take the luggage ourselves. Let them help us unload everything and tip for that but then take the luggage to our rooms without having to wait. It is not that I don't want to tip them, I just don't want to wait on them Now some hotels have a policy that you are not allowed to use their luggage carts without them taking it to and from your room. It is like that at the Raddison in Branson, and one place we stayed at in Ft. Lauderdale did that too

Next time ask for a room away from the pet area I refuse to stay in tower 2 becuase I know how my sister's little dog barks at everything and that would just drive me crazy hearing it all day and night from other rooms. She did bring her dog and I could hear the little yipper as soon as I got close enough to see her door.

 

[Brit_Jude]

I used to be frequent traveller and I found that at most 4 star hotels it was pretty normal for them to assist you with your luggage. I love this especailly after a long day of traveling, the only time I didn't bother is if I just had my small overnighter. I know this is a theme park but these on-site hotels are part of the Lowes Group of luxury hotels and resorts and as such provide these amenities as standard. The guy probably would have got in trouble if he hadn't tried to assist you. I find that a polite no I'm OK thanks is usually enough if I don't need assistance.

When using this service at a busy or large hotel it is then normal practice to call the bell services when you actually get into your room to request delivery of your bags. They will then deliver them whether you are in your room or not. Did the bell-hop give you a numbered ticket/receipt or take your name by chance? Though as you had already checked in they could have followed you to your room, did the guy understand that you alread had your room?

On Disney unless you have a car you really have to use the bell services at resorts like Caribbean Beach as it is just so big when bringing your own bags from the airport and don't have them transfered by as part of the DME magic.

Sorry you experienced noise issues.