Mixed review of HRH

[FredS]

First off, let me say that our room (garden view) was very nice. It was a bit of a trek from the elevator, but nothing too bad and we figured out a shortcut to the park via the stairs. Staff was very polite at check-in, telling me (without prompting) that unfortunately they could not upgrade us as they were full, and providing my son with a lot of cool stuff for his A report card. They got my cell number and said they would phone when room was ready, but did not. Since they also provided a number for me to call to check on it wasn't really a problem, though. Another "hitch" was that I had to call for our milk and cookies when they weren't there by 9:00 pm. They told me that they would be sent up in 15 or 20 minutes. At 10:45 pm someone who spoke very little English knocked on the door and when it took me a minute to get "decent" kept trying to unlock the door, delivering the milk and cookies. On the positive, it is a beautiful hotel throughout.

My negative feelings came more from a personal standpoint. They are just a little too cool for me, if that makes any sense. I think that I was born a fuddy-duddy and I just was struck at how many people (staff and guests) really, really tried to be oh-so-hip. I also wasn't thrilled at the number of intoxicated people encountered in the evenings in the elevators. (I would NOT feel comfortable letting my kids ride the elevators without an adult later in the day or at night.) Also, I thought Sunset Grill was way overpriced for mediocre food. I was particularly annoyed that the night we ate there was their "character night" and they did not offer the children's menu, only a rather expensive buffet for the kids. The character interaction was Woody Woodpecker and Scooby Doo who spent perhaps ten minutes total in the restaurant.

Again, the room was great and the FOTL perk and access to Universal was nice. We probably would stay again to take advantage of those, but as far as enjoying the atmosphere and feeling at home and comfy, that wasn't really there for us. Guess that is why they have so many different types and themes of accommodations, to suit all our varying personalities!

 

[nicolep91]

Thanks for sharing your opinion. I like to hear it all - the good and bad before making up my mind about anything, so it was nice to have another viewpoint to consider.

I'm glad you had a nice trip regardless!

Thanks again,

 

[pixie dust gal!]

I think I was born a fuddy duddy

FredS, I know what you mean. We have been going there since it opened and it took me awhile to really get used to it. I recall the first year they opened, anytime you make a phone call within HRH, the person would end the phone call with "rock on". Then we went back the second year and we encountered a problem with our room/reservations, so while the phone calls were being made from hotel staff to our room, they kept ending the phone calls with "take it easy". I misunderstood, and thought they were telling me to "take it easy" because I was upset about the mixup with our rooms. By the 4th or 5th phone call to my room, I had about had it with someone telling me to "take it easy" and told that poor person on the other end of the phone to not tell me "to take it easy" - much to my embarassment, they explained it was from an Eagles song "Take it Easy" and in no way did they mean any disrespect.......... God, did I feel old.............

So, now, I never assume and just smile. But I, too, am a bit on the conservative side and found it difficult to adjust too - the PBH is more my style - but my kids love it and that is what matters.

Glad to see you had a good time anyway!

Deb

 

[FredS]

There were lots of little things like that, such as the nice card which came with the milk and cookies that read "Welcome to the Hard Rock -- Rock On!" and the list of amenities which they somehow managed to relate each and every one to some song, some way -- laundry facilities being under "Dirty Laundry" and so forth. Cute for a few, but they tried a little too hard.

Again, it is a beautiful place and staff is nice, but probably a bit too hip for my tastes. There again, if/when we decide to visit Universal Orlando parks again we will be there or possibly Portofino........

 

[prncess674]

I also wasn't thrilled at the number of intoxicated people encountered in the evenings in the elevators. (I would NOT feel comfortable letting my kids ride the elevators without an adult later in the day or at night.)

I am suprised to hear this. At no time did we see elevators full of intoxicated people and we were there Memorial Day Weekend. I don't want others to believe this is like the HRH in Las Vegas. If anything we encountered elevators full of kiddies (unsupervised) even late at night. I didn't complain because I knew I was at a theme park and it was to be expected. Perhaps next time you should try the RPR, it seems more suited to families with small children.

 

[cnderellen]

I saw 4 or so rude drunken middle aged men waiting for the boat to go to City Walk from RPR. They were all standing out on the dock instead of behind the gate waiting for the boat. They gave the boat driver a hard time when he instructed them to get behind the gate. Really obnoxious bunch. It was a full boat. Everyone else was very polite to the driver--trying to make up for the rude slobs, I guess. Struck me as convention types out to have a big time away from home and family. The boat driver made them leave their drinks behind and put out their cigars. Those were the only bad ones I saw but that was plenty!
Ellen