Just back from the Portofino!

[lovelyk68]

We absolutely loved the express. We spent Thanksgiving at Universal and Friday at IOA and saw almost everything.

The Portofino is beautiful. We paid the $129 Fan Club rate for a garden-view and felt that it was worth every penny just for the express access. The resort seemed to be full or close to it. There were a lot of families there and the courtyard and pool were always active.

My husband presented our Lowes First card at check-in and was asked if he wanted red or white wine (I asked for cookies and milk). He choose white and it was delivered a few hours after check-in. The presentation was beautiful. For some reason we didn't drink it and on the third day it was missing when we came back to our room. I called star services and asked them to deliver milk and cookies instead and bring more washcloths (there were only three for my family of 5, despite 2 previous requests). The milk and cookies came about 3 hours later but I never received my washcloths.

My husband and teenaged son really enjoyed IOA. There were fewer things for my little ones (5 and 20 months), but they enjoyed the play areas.

We walked to the HRH one night and that place was great! I think it would be better for my family. We felt that the Portofino was a little stuffy, although very nice. Hopefully the HRH will get their service issues together. All in all we had a wonderful time and would definetely stay on-site if they continue to offer express access.

If anyone has any questions, I will try to answer them.

 

[kellymonaghan]

Glad to hear the park attendamce is getting back to what it deserves to be.

As to "stuffiness", PBH was hoping to become Orlando's first 5-star hotel (I think they've pulled back from that goal) and the quiet elegance that goes along with the 5-star image is probably what accounts for the stuffiness. I think it's kinda nice for a change.

 

[BarryHom]

PBH is kind of stuffy, but the beds are comfy and the bathrooms are huge! The only bad part is the loud, annoying Italian opera music.

 

[lovelyk68]

Kelly--
I think you are right -- "Quiet elegance" is more appropriate than stuffy. It was beautiful and I would absolutely stay there again, but our family enjoyed the rocking atmosphere of HRH more. I really thought that after a day in the park, we would prefer coming back to a calm and relaxed hotel, but I guess we needed a little more partying!

I also forgot to mention that we usually walked from the Portofino to the parks and back. It only took us around 15 minutes and it was always quicker than waiting for the water taxi if the dock was full.

We also ate at the Trattoria Del Porta for Thanksgiving and it was awesome! The selection and quality of food was wonderful. I highly recommend this restaurant.

 

[Melanie1001]

Did you eat breakfast there? Do they have the buffet back yet for breakfast?

 

[BarryHom]

I had the breakfast buffet a few weeks ago.

 

[Melanie1001]

dang Barry you're fast! I had just sent that thing!

thanks for responding, I know that in a previous post JessicaR had told me they had cut back on serving the buffet after Sept. 11

I sure hope they do have it when we go in a couple of weeks...

 

[lovelyk68]

Melanie--

No we didn't eat there for breakfast so I am really not sure about the buffet.