Of the three Universal Hotels ... RPR / HRH / PBH ... which gets your vote and why?

[Fºoºz]

Am staying at the RPR in October but have been having thoughts of switching to the HRH or PBH ... let's hear what you have to say ...

 

[PartyofSix]

We have stayed there with kids and w/out kids. Our kids are 2/2/2/&10. They loved the pools. As adults we loved the service, the rooms and just the overall experience of the Portinfino. We were luck enough to get the 180 del pool view for our rooms. I can't say enough about the service the PBH delievers it's guest, it's quite amazing. I have heard complaints from the other two hotels about poor room attention services and check in services, I have yet to exp. that at PBH> Oh and the beds there are amazing!

 

[Fºoºz]

Hi PartyofSix ... thanks for the info. Just wondering that since the RPR has more of a convention focus, if the service would not be up to par to the other resorts, especially with almost double the number of rooms. After watching the Travel Channel spotlight on the HRH, have been tempted to make the switch although it would be a bit more pricey, would it be worth it ... since we're looking for a more "personal" touch as we will be there to celebrate our Anniversary and my brother/"wife to be" will be on their honeymoon ... and the best beds I have ever experienced were at the Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta ... wow!

 

[PartyofSix]

I don't think there is a single sole on this board that would disagree with stayint at the PBH. The couple we are going down with is celebrating there Anniversary and we are booked at PBH. This place will blow you wife away! It's just romantic and magical there. The beds are to die for! You'll want to bog up in them! Even if you budget is tight you can get the garden or bay view rooms entertainment rate for 150.! That's a steal trust me. The service is impeccable there. They'll treat you like your there only guest and see your every whim! If you want to make up for the $$ on the room order in pizza from flippers pizza with your favorite beverages one night. I can almost say your wife will be very appricative of the thought and effort you put into your trip. Also, you may want to check with concierge there. They will put flowers in the rooms for you, they have choc covered strawberry's that run about 22 bucks and champangne starting at 37 buck a bottle. I found I like the less exp champangne better. So for 60 bucks you can have her eating outta your hands with drinks and a romatic enturlude.LOL If I can help you let me know. Pick up some of her favorite bubble bath and draw her a bath and if you have kids at home "leave" her alone for a bit and let her enjoy the bath. She'll love you much for that thoughtful gift and it's not exp. to do! I hope you have a spectacular trip. If your not leaving soon I am going this weekend with camera in hand and I'm going to try to get a tour of the suites and will take some of our room to give you an idea of the place.

 

[paulakim]

Hello! We too have 4 children and wanted to know what kind of room you had that would take 6. We are planning on staying at HRH in nov. do you think we will need 2 rooms or possibly a suite? Also, did you get 6 keys for fotl. We were wondering how that worked if you wanted to split up. Any info you could share would be very helpful. thanks! Paula

 

[crazyme5kids]

We stayed at PBH in March with six kids and had two rooms. We will be staying in Dec. trying RPH this time, 5 kids two rooms again. If your kids are small and you can fit 3 in one bed and 1 in bed with you it is do able, but it will still be a lot of people in one room. If your budget allows get two rooms, if not just get the one.

 

[paulakim]

Thanks for the info! do you know how the fotl access works? if we do end up in 1 room or suite will they give us 6 room keys or 1? paula

 

[PartyofSix]

Paula: each person can get a key and every room gets front of the line. Have you given anythought to a Kid's suite Paula? There about the same price as two rooms so it's really a toss up imho. If the kids are small you may want the kids suite so they have to go through your room to exit the room. If there alittle older you could move a chair in front of the door and lock it and it would be the same difference. I would not do 6 people in a room I like my space and it's worth it to me to have it so it's really a personal choice.

 

[paulakim]

I also like my space! I think we have decided on the kids suite. Called and got a AAA rate of $299. kinda pricy but considering that we were going to be paying $180 per room (x2) for a standard the suite actually turns out to be cheeper (but we would have an extra bathroom in the standard). I think we will feel safer in the suite though. HELP! I cant decide what to do. Have you ever been in the suites? If so are the rooms large enough for the 6 of us? thanks! I feel like such a pain in the you know what!

 

[PartyofSix]

I'm gonna be at the PBH this weekend and hope to tour and get pic's of the suites. How old are the kids? That rate you got? did you ask for the entertainment rate? They are always deeper discounted than anything else.

 

[paulakim]

I tried to get the entertainment rate and they said they dont offer them on kids suites.

 

[Fºoºz]

Wow Partyofsix ... you sure know how to go all out for a romantic stay ... thanks !! We won't be in Orlando until October ... will check out the Entertainment rates and see what can be done ... have a safe and fun trip ... look forward to hearing about it when you return.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Foooz, why don't you book something special at the spa. you could both get a massage! I sent my husband for one and he loved it.

 

[Fºoºz]

I must be getting brain-freeze for not coming up with all these great ideas ... I don't know why I didn't think of that before ... how much is a massage at the spa crazyme5kids? Is it at the PBH ... or does each of the Universal resorts have one ... better yet, can a guest take advantage of the other resort's amenities? Thanks for another great suggestion!

 

[PartyofSix]

Foz: I know the prices are'nt outragous. Seems like my dh checked on a peticure for me and it was inline with home around 45 i think. Seems like the massages start around 55 and go up depending on the amount of time. The facials are about the same as in good salon in your local town more than likely. There not outragous or anything. I can't wait to see what my husband has dreamed up for this trip he's been very sneaky.LOL This is our first three night stay way from our triplet girls that just turned 2 and our 10yo girl. We are overdue for some grown up play time.LOL I think US/IOA is just the ticket for us. PBH is the only one of the three that I know of that has the spa, and I am certain you can use it no matter where your staying at on site. If you can use the pool for free and eat at the resturants i'm sure they'll gladly take you $$ for the spa. My fun starts in a matter of hours so I'll give you the detailed report when I get home on monday night.lOL

 

[crazyme5kids]

The Spa is at Portofino, and it is called the Greenhouse spa. Call the front desk and they will connect you to it. For some reason I am thinking it was around $150 for a 1 hour hot stone massage, but I could be wrong. They have all kinds of massages, and they are priced differently. There are also things taht are longer (hours longer) with facials and massages, manicures etc... that sound wonderful. Go to greenhousespa.com to get an idea of some things they offer.

 

[Fºoºz]

Originally posted by crazyme5kids
The Spa is at Portofino, and it is called the Greenhouse spa. Call the front desk and they will connect you to it. For some reason I am thinking it was around $150 for a 1 hour hot stone massage, but I could be wrong. They have all kinds of massages, and they are priced differently. There are also things taht are longer (hours longer) with facials and massages, manicures etc... that sound wonderful. Go to greenhousespa.com to get an idea of some things they offer.

ABSOLUTELY first rate crazyme5kids ... that link is exactly what I need to check things out ... thanks!!!!

PartyofSix ... anxiously awaiting your report

 

[Fºoºz]

Originally posted by Fºoºz
... since we're looking for a more "personal" touch as we will be there to celebrate our (10th) Anniversary and my brother/"wife to be" will be on their honeymoon
...

Thanks for all the information! Still debating on which would offer a more special experience for the above noted occassions ... due to the uniqueness of the HRH ...

• music broadcast throughout the property
• complimentary Hard-Rock CD upon check-in
• mini-stereo in your room
• luxury bedding
• open for over a year

... would they be able to go the extra mile in making our stay just that special, or is the RPR still going through "growing pains" of being a new hotel? Just became a Hard Rock Pin Club member and the thought of staying at a Hard Rock is extremely tempting. Would love to stay at the PBH also but it's just a tad over our price range. Any thoughts?

 

[crazyme5kids]

I would call RPH and speak with the manager, voice your concerns and ask questions and ask him/her if there is anything they could suggest. I was going to stay there, but lucked out and got a great rate at PBH, so cancelled RPH. Call the other hotels, and keep checking the rates. I think RPH sounds beautiful, all those orchids! Maybe they could put some in the rooms for you!

 

[PartyofSix]

Foz my DH gave me the Japense Silk Facial it was amazing the cost was 110 and that included a 20 tip on the card. So the service was 95 for an 1hr 15 min treatment. It conctrated mostly on the facial area and they do a foot treatment with that and also you get you upper muscles messaged all included in that package. It was totally relaxing and wonderful and I really enjoyed it. They are open from 9 to 9 and she would need to be there 15 minutes early. I Keisha and I highly recommend her, she was very, very good. Come to think of it, that's not the right price my dh scheduled me for a well being message but they lost the appointment and comped the extra costs of the JS facial. I believe the cost of it was 110.00 w/o tip. A direct number to the spa is 407-503-1244