PBH or HRH? Help, make up my mind!

[Mouseturtle]

My trip is 3 weeks away and I haven't made a hotel reservation yet...can't decide.

My son, 14, like Portofinoo Bay. My newphew, 13, likes Hard Rock. Yes, I made the mistake of askign which one they wanted to stay at.

When I was in Orlando last month I actually stopped in at each hotel, and they each seemed nice in their own way.

Is there any reason you'd pick one over the other? It's our first time to Uuniversal, we are Grand Floridian fans which leads me to lean towards PBH...but HRH just looks so cool

 

[cbsnyber1]

We've stayed at both, and will stay at HRH our next trip. The reasons:

HRH is closer to the parks - easy five minute walk. We took the boat every time when we stayed at the PBH. We loved the convenience the HRH location provided.

Our room at PBH seemed to be miles from everything. Long walk to the lobby/concierge lounge, then to the boat dock. It just seem larger than the HRH, which is not small by any means.

The HRH was just...cool. It had a vibe we really liked. That's just personal preference. Its pool was nicer, but nothing wrong at all with the PBH pool. Both have really good slides.

We stayed club at both and we liked the club setup at HRH better than PBH. The club rooms at HRH are on the same floor as the lounge, whereas the lounge at PBH is off the lobby. Food was comparable, although our visits are several years apart and much could have changed (we went to the HRH in 2003; the PBH in 2009).

You cannot go wrong with either choice so you really can't make a bad decision.

 

[macraven]

i would go with HRH, in a heartbeat.

 

[AJA]

PBH is more luxury and IMO best if you want to enjoy the resort as much (or more) than the parks. For us walking from PBH probably wouldn't be do-able so we'd only use the water taxi. HRH is very, very close easy to walk anywhere you want. And with the young teenage boys I'm sure would be a hit! The ice cream shop rocks if that matters laughing. It's a gorgeous hotel.

The cost difference between the two is enough to make me go with HRH if we were spending the majority of our time at the parks or City Walk.

But, if you are used to the GF then HRH might be too different, the younger louder crowd isn't really my idea of a relaxing vacation.
What do YOU want out of the vacation? The parks or relaxing at the resort?

Remember you can pool hop or take a day to spend at PBH even if you're staying at HRH.

 

[damo]

Toss a coin. They are both great.

 

[heidijanesmith]

We like PBH, but will try HRH next time as it is closer to US than PBH. Walking to US from PBH was just to far for us. The boats were usually very crowded and slow. We liked taking the rick-shaws to US, but that was extra money every day as the drivers work on tips and they are not part us US's transportation.

As my kids are teens now, I think the vibe at HRH will be more their style. The pool looks huge, good slide and has piped in music

We will also have to do laundry and HRH has laundry facilities, PBH does not. Not that I want to do laundry on my vacation, but August is so hot

PBH's rooms are large and the bathrooms are huge. Very clean rooms and good housekeeping. I think HRH rooms are a little bit smaller than PBH's rooms.

 

[dazednconfused]

Heading there in late 2012. I too cannot seem to decide between PBH and HRH. We have reservations at the former, but are open to make changes to our resort choice. I like the idea of having a large room with a large bathroom (PBH). But the hip and modern vibe at HRH is also appealing. DD is a teen and may enjoy the theme at HRH more. But... PBH is classy in its own way. Sigh...

 

[Mouseturtle]

I flipped the coin, and PBH it is

I don't think I can go wrong!

 

[CPA_ESQ.]

I would stay at HRH!!

They are teenagers - the park is closer, music in the pool, bands, DJs and games at the pool - they will love it.

Then place is great, the staff is super friendly, and it is close to city walk at night.

I'd flip again

 

[damo]

You can stay at HRH next trip. I'd stay at PBH simply for Sal's Deli. The boys will spend some good quality time there eating.

 

[Mouseturtle]

You can stay at HRH next trip. I'd stay at PBH simply for Sal's Deli. The boys will spend some good quality time there eating.

Too funny, we did stay at PBH, and we DID eat every day at Sal's - they insisted on it! Best pizza ever, such great service. Very happy with my decision