Wish you'd given the exact age of the kids, but I would guess that the closer they are to being teenagers, the more they'll prefer HRH.
The HRH's single pool is quite large (12,000 sq ft) with beach on one side and room for volleyball. There is a water s lide (260 ft if I'm remembering correctly). There is also a way cool underwater sound system.
The PBH has three pools. One is quite small and secluded. Of the other two, the Beach Pool is probably the more kid-friendly. It has a beach side (as the name w ould suggest) and a waterslide that is themed as an old ruin. (HRH's slide too is not themed so much as concealed in a mock desert rock formation.) The other pool is a formal pool with poolside cabanas that looks like its from a luxury villa on the Rivie ra. Great for swimming laps but probably less interesting for kids, unless their into bocce. There are two bocce courts mearby.
If you have big bucks, PBH has bigger rooms overall, although you can pay for space at either hotel, in the form of kids suite s or other suites. PBH has deluxe room with 500 sq ft.
The themeing of PBH is exceptional, but I don't know how "knocked out" your kids will be by a hotel that is a near photographic reproduction of Portofino Italy. PBH is also spread out quite a bit, wi th interesting little nooks and crannies. I remember as I kid I liked this sort of thing.
HRH, on the other hand, is a very hip hotel, with not so much in the way of themeing. There is, of course, rock memorabilia scattered about but not in the same prof usion you see at the Hard Rock Cafes.
Hope this helps.ÃÂ
Kelly Monaghan
Author of "Universal Studios Escape: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure" and
"The Other Orlando: What To Do When You've Done Disney & Universal"â¡