Ok...I've Had It! Please Help Me Choose!

[ADP]

Hi Everybody,

I need a favor. The decision to stay at HRH or PBH is starting to keep me up at night (as sad as that may sound, it's true).

Here is the situation.

It will be me, ADP (39), Wife Kim (37), and Daughter Anna (8).
We want to spend 4 nights at Universal in October 2008.
I can get a Super Saver rate for the week of October 20th - 24th at either HRH or PBH Deluxe Club Level. The difference in price is $20 per night more at PBH; which is not that much to sway me either way.

RPR has no Super Saver Rate available.

Our daughter loves to swim and as you can imagine we will be hitting the parks quite often during the day. We've stayed at HRH once in 2000 and RPR in 2005. This will be our first Club Level experience at any of the Universal resorts.

Thanks for your help.

Editing: Curious if anyone likes the fact that the PBH Club Lounge is on the first floor lobby versus HRH being on the 7th where the rooms are located?

 

[goofy!]

I voted PBH just because you have never stayed there.

We love it and your daughter would probably love the Beach pool. If you want a HRH fix, then you can always reserve a cabana over there for the day.

I can't compare the two club experiences, as we have only done PBH club. But the PBH club was wonderful.

 

[ruzer28]

I've never stayed Club Level at either hotel, but I've stayed at both. I liked HRH ok, but I LOVED PBH. It's just a beautiful hotel, and the atmosphere is much more peaceful than the HRH. I did prefer the HRH pool, but the pools at PBH are very nice too. The rooms, in my opinion, are much prettier at PBH, but that's certainly a matter of taste. I found the on-site dining to be better at PBH (seemed to be more choices), and the parking is much better at PBH than HRH. I don't know if you'll have a car with you, but PBH has a large (although kinda dark and yucky) parking garage. There was never a lack of parking space while I was there. I got over the ugliness of the garage since it was just so convenient. Not so at the HRH lot. Many times I drove around and around looking for a spot. It seems that they just don't have adequate parking for such a large hotel.

 

[Debs Hill]

I'm so glad that you posted this question as I have exactly the same dilema and need some advice! We have stayed at PBH once (bay view room in 2001) and have never stayed at HRH. Now that our son is older and more able to enjoy Universal we want to go back and we're considering club level............would love to hear from anyone who has stayed at either/both? Is it worth the extra money? Can you take drinks away from the lounge like you can at Disney resorts? The only thing I've got as a comparrison is the Poly!!!!
Debsxx

 

[damo]

I'm so glad that you posted this question as I have exactly the same dilema and need some advice! We have stayed at PBH once (bay view room in 2001) and have never stayed at HRH. Now that our son is older and more able to enjoy Universal we want to go back and we're considering club level............would love to hear from anyone who has stayed at either/both? Is it worth the extra money? Can you take drinks away from the lounge like you can at Disney resorts? The only thing I've got as a comparrison is the Poly!!!!
Debsxx

Yes, you can take anything away from the lounge. We filled up trays and took them to our room!

 

[kirbsam]

i have only stayed at pbh club level. i didnt have a problem with the location of the club room.

 

[Debs Hill]

Can anyone tell me what is on offer in the PBH club lounge for breakfast, through the day and in the evening?
Thanks!
Debsx

 

[morningstar]

We have stayed at HRH (club)and RP. I have always wanted to try Portofino.
The only thing that keeps me away from Portofino is the location of the club lounge. I like to be able to send my kids down to the lounge for a soda or snack. They are older than your 8 yo, so I don't know if you have that same comfort level or not. I wouldn't let them go to another floor at Portofino to get something from the club lounge. So for me it's convenience and my kids like the bit of independence they get. If you don't plan to allow your child to grab a drink by themselves, then I would say try Portofino. If its a concern for you, stick with Hard Rock.

 

[goofy!]

Can anyone tell me what is on offer in the PBH club lounge for breakfast, through the day and in the evening?
Thanks!
Debsx

When we were there over Thanksgiving:

Breakfast:
assorted Bagels & toast, with assorted jams, jellies, honey, butter, cream cheese
cereal (individual boxes) usually an assortment of 5 or 6
assorted danishes and pastries
assorted muffins
hot oatmeal with assorted toppings available, ie brown sugar, raisins
low fat yogurt, granola topping available
strawberries
cantaloupe
other fresh fruit such as bananas, oranges and apples
coffee, tea, milk, low fat milk, orange juice, hot chocolate, water, sodas

Midmorning snack - fresh fruit cups, fresh fruit, water, soda, coffee, tea, hot chocolate

early afternoon snack - icees, fresh fruit, water soda, coffee, tea, hot chocolate

appetizers (only made this once) -
fried ravioli with side of marinara sauce,
chicken skewers with sauce,
veggie and meat antipasti (served in individual martini glasses)
fresh fruit
wine, beer,
water, soda, coffee, tea, hot chocolate

dessert:
assorted Italian desserts such as cannolis
large cookies
milk, lowfat milk, water, sodas, coffee, tea, hot cholate

I have posted pictures of the breakfast set-up in the Portofino Bay info thread
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=272204&page=30
starts on post 441

 

[Debs Hill]

THank you so much, the breakfast looks yummy and it's good to know that you are encouraged to take a tray of food away with you!!!
Debsx

 

[goofy!]

THank you so much, the breakfast looks yummy and it's good to know that you are encouraged to take a tray of food away with you!!!
Debsx

Just noticed that some of the pictures weren't posting, so I fixed the links. Now you can see all the breakfast offerings