PB concierge vs. HR concierge

[jaycns]

I am looking for some information on the pros and cons of staying at each one. Do you have a favorite? We are a family of 5 (kids ages 10, 8 and 6). Also, how would you compare the concierge services at US vs. Disney? Any hints or tips?

Thanks!

 

[AlexandNessa]

I have visited PBH club and stayed in a club room at PBH. The PBH lounge is huge, but it is not on the "club floor" like HRH and RPR. The PBH club lounge is off the main lobby, so your room will be a few floors up from the lounge, and you will need a separate key to enter the lounge, which I personally think is a PINTA. But that's just me. Nonetheless, it has a pool table and computer, and beers are out for the taking (you must ask for beer and wine at the HRH/RPR). Bonus, your club room is a Deluxe room, so larger than a regular room.

HRH has a club floor, floor 7. HRH has standard rooms and Deluxe rooms on the club floor. You can request a Deluxe room on the club floor, but it is only a request and not a guarantee.

Disney concierge v. Loews Club? You will have no pre-trip planning at any of the UO resorts. Do not expect them to contact you pre-trip and ask you to fill out an itinerary planner like they do at Disney. You will get a generic message on your confirmation like everyone else to contact the hotel concierge should you need help planning any part of your trip. Truth be told, you do not need pre-trip planning for Universal. There are no hard-to-get ressies, and booking restaurant ressies 6 months to a year in advance is pretty much unheard of. Want a ressie at Tchoup Chop or Emeril's or NBA City? You'll find it easier to visit http://www.opentable.com and book it yourself.

Other than that, you will find the standard continental breakfast fare at UO. I have only stayed RPR Club, but I've done so 6x. Its continental breakfast offerings were better than when I stayed BWI and GF RPC Concierge. I would not recommend RPR Club for your family of 5. The rooms are a bit small for that, and you will be a bit crowded. They have light snacks, sodas, and bottled water out throughout the afternoon (as do HRH and PBH), and then beer and wine is complimentary from 5-7 (cocktails are available for a $5 pour), with hot and cold appetizers. Desserts, unlike BWI and GF RPC and other Disney concierge resorts I'm sure, do not feature cordials. But, the dessert spread, at least at the RPR, is better than BWI and GF RPC.

All club lounges at UO are staffed with a concierge team who will help you get reservations during your visit, print your boarding passes, and help you with whatever else you might need. Whether you're a Loews First member or not, when you stay club, access to the fitness center is free and you also get a discount on cabana rentals.

Bottom line: Loews Club is like Disney Concierge minus the pre-trip planning and evening cordials.

 

[kirbsam]

we did not need a separate key for the lounge at pbh.

 

[jaycns]

WOW...thanks for the great answer! I went ahead and booked at PBH. Hopefully I made the right choice! Thanks again for taking the time to help me figure things out!

I have visited PBH club and stayed in a club room at PBH. The PBH lounge is huge, but it is not on the "club floor" like HRH and RPR. The PBH club lounge is off the main lobby, so your room will be a few floors up from the lounge, and you will need a separate key to enter the lounge, which I personally think is a PINTA. But that's just me. Nonetheless, it has a pool table and computer, and beers are out for the taking (you must ask for beer and wine at the HRH/RPR). Bonus, your club room is a Deluxe room, so larger than a regular room.

HRH has a club floor, floor 7. HRH has standard rooms and Deluxe rooms on the club floor. You can request a Deluxe room on the club floor, but it is only a request and not a guarantee.

Disney concierge v. Loews Club? You will have no pre-trip planning at any of the UO resorts. Do not expect them to contact you pre-trip and ask you to fill out an itinerary planner like they do at Disney. You will get a generic message on your confirmation like everyone else to contact the hotel concierge should you need help planning any part of your trip. Truth be told, you do not need pre-trip planning for Universal. There are no hard-to-get ressies, and booking restaurant ressies 6 months to a year in advance is pretty much unheard of. Want a ressie at Tchoup Chop or Emeril's or NBA City? You'll find it easier to visit http://www.opentable.com and book it yourself.

Other than that, you will find the standard continental breakfast fare at UO. I have only stayed RPR Club, but I've done so 6x. Its continental breakfast offerings were better than when I stayed BWI and GF RPC Concierge. I would not recommend RPR Club for your family of 5. The rooms are a bit small for that, and you will be a bit crowded. They have light snacks, sodas, and bottled water out throughout the afternoon (as do HRH and PBH), and then beer and wine is complimentary from 5-7 (cocktails are available for a $5 pour), with hot and cold appetizers. Desserts, unlike BWI and GF RPC and other Disney concierge resorts I'm sure, do not feature cordials. But, the dessert spread, at least at the RPR, is better than BWI and GF RPC.

All club lounges at UO are staffed with a concierge team who will help you get reservations during your visit, print your boarding passes, and help you with whatever else you might need. Whether you're a Loews First member or not, when you stay club, access to the fitness center is free and you also get a discount on cabana rentals.

Bottom line: Loews Club is like Disney Concierge minus the pre-trip planning and evening cordials.

 

[Dagny]

I would think that the overall atmosphere of the HRH would be better for your family, in my opinion. My kids, now 16 and 7, have always prefered HRH over PB and we have stayed at both many many times. Do not get me wrong, the PB is a beautiful hotel, but the HRH seems more geared towards kids.

RPR is also a beautiful hotel, but the above poster is correct. With 5, you are going to be a bit cramped as their rooms are quite a bit smaller.

Either way, you will have a great time.

 

[macraven]

all but a few of my stays have been at hrh.
their club is fine but the lounge is smaller than rph.

rph has the smallest rooms of the three hotels.
a family your size would not have as much space there.

 

[jaycns]

I would think that the overall atmosphere of the HRH would be better for your family, in my opinion. My kids, now 16 and 7, have always prefered HRH over PB and we have stayed at both many many times. Do not get me wrong, the PB is a beautiful hotel, but the HRH seems more geared towards kids.

RPR is also a beautiful hotel, but the above poster is correct. With 5, you are going to be a bit cramped as their rooms are quite a bit smaller.

Either way, you will have a great time.

Being as I don't know much about any of the Universal hotels...I would love some information on the HRH. What do your kids like about it? I am not "commited" to any of them at this point. Although it does sound like we want either the HRH or PB size wise.

TIA!!

 

[pixieprincess423]

I am looking for some information on the pros and cons of staying at each one. Do you have a favorite? We are a family of 5 (kids ages 10, 8 and 6). Also, how would you compare the concierge services at US vs. Disney? Any hints or tips?

Thanks!

When I stayed at the HRH the concierge Mary. She saved my sisters life. It was make your own sundae night and the ice cream was moose track as you may know moose track ice cream contains peanuts, my sister is deathly alergic to peaunts or any nut for that matter. I noticed that their was penauts in the ice cream. My sister got upset because of her allergies. My mom said "Maybe tommorw." Mary (concierge) realized that my sister was upset nad she went out of her way cleaned ALL of the ice cream materials, got a BRAND NEW tub of ice cream, and sprinkels. I only went ther about 5-6 months ago so she should still be there