PBH or HRH?

[fflmaster]

If you were staying with two 14 year old boys and one 17 year old, would you choose Hard Rock or Portofino Bay?

Looks like with the AP Discount versus the AAA the Portofino Bay would be about $50 cheaper per room.

I have to book two rooms since there are also 3 adults.

So there will be six of us.

 

[mjohnson96]

I would go with HRH they have a great pool area and the boys will more than likely like atmosphere there better than PBH. PBH is nice but it is also the furthest away from the parks and has more of a laid back quiet environment too.

 

[bumbershoot]

HRH is definitely "cooler" feeling, and the pool would be great for that age (unless they actually like swimming laps...it's far too shallow away from the slide to do any real swimming).

BUT don't choose just for the pool; Universal encourages their resort guests to pool hop, so even if you stayed at PBH they can just walk over to the pool at HRH and use it. (make sure they have their room keys with them)

 

[francie57]

Another vote for the HRH. We have been staying there for years with our two "kids" and they were teenagers when we started. It is still their favorite resort We also get two rooms, even though there are only 4 of us. We don't have an AP so we book through AAA for their discount and since we book a garden view our two rooms are guaranteed to be connecting.

 

[BluEyezNSC]

I'm traveling with two 15 year old boys and have two rooms booked for 4 nights. My son would prefer the Hard Rock, but I can book the Portofino for a total of $360 less. The difference in cost is not a total deal breaker, but I sure would like to save some $$. I have been obsessing for a week now and just can't seem to decide if the "cool factor" and proximity to the parks is worth the extra money or not. To anyone that has stayed at both, which would you choose? Please help me decide! Thanks in advance!

 

[JessicaR]

I'm traveling with two 15 year old boys and have two rooms booked for 4 nights. My son would prefer the Hard Rock, but I can book the Portofino for a total of $360 less. The difference in cost is not a total deal breaker, but I sure would like to save some $$. I have been obsessing for a week now and just can't seem to decide if the "cool factor" and proximity to the parks is worth the extra money or not. To anyone that has stayed at both, which would you choose? Please help me decide! Thanks in advance!

What room types are you comparing at both HRH and PBH? I really want to tell you to save the $360 BUT you said it wasnt a deal breaker AND the kids are 15 - so I am thinking you would be the greatest in their eyes if you went with HRH.

 

[BluEyezNSC]

What room types are you comparing at both HRH and PBH? I really want to tell you to save the $360 BUT you said it wasnt a deal breaker AND the kids are 15 - so I am thinking you would be the greatest in their eyes if you went with HRH.

The rooms at both hotels are garden view because I wanted them to be guaranteed connecting. (They're sweet boys but I still want them where I can keep an eye on them! )

 

[JessicaR]

The rooms at both hotels are garden view because I wanted them to be guaranteed connecting. (They're sweet boys but I still want them where I can keep an eye on them! )

My teens are crazy for HRH. They have stayed at all three numerous times in the past 12 years. They are now 15 and 19 and only want to stay at HRH. It is pretty much all about the pool scene. But, that is $90 a night more and Portofino is a beautiful property with a great pool, Just the atmosphere is very quiet. The kids could hang out at HRH's pool though as it is allowed to pool hop.

No doubt about which they would like better but they certainly wouldn't be settling with Portofino.

 

[BluEyezNSC]

My teens are crazy for HRH. They have stayed at all three numerous times in the past 12 years. They are now 15 and 19 and only want to stay at HRH. It is pretty much all about the pool scene. But, that is $90 a night more and Portofino is a beautiful property with a great pool, Just the atmosphere is very quiet. The kids could hang out at HRH's pool though as it is allowed to pool hop.

No doubt about which they would like better but they certainly wouldn't be settling with Portofino.

Thanks for your thoughts! It really helps me to hear from someone with similar aged kids who has experienced both!

 

[cbsnyber1]

Definitely HRH. Closer, cooler, better pool - well, maybe not better, just livelier, but you can pool hop so try all the resort pools.

IMHO the closeness to the parks from HRH is key. The walk from PBH is just a bit too long after a day at the parks. We always took the boat, meaning we had to wait for the boat, the unloading and loading, then the trip. It's amazing how much time you'll waste just from that process every time you go back and forth.

And something else: did you know that HRH offers the opportunity to play a selection of Fender guitars at no cost? This might be something your teens might want to experience. From the HRH website:

BE A CLOSET ROCKER WITH PICKS.

"Satisfaction. That’s what a luxury brand experience should embody. And what could be more satisfying than a world-class Fender guitar delivered to your room? Hard Rock and Fender have teamed up to offer a uniquely authentic rock-and-roll experience and serious guitars are the new in-room amenity. Are you ready?

Guests may choose from 20 different awesome Fender guitars including legendary Stratocasters, classic Telecasters and a few special surprises. We also offer bass guitars for those of you who love throwing down a funky baseline. Plus, we provide an amp and a pair of headphones to ensure maximum sound for you and zero noise complaints to us.

The best part? There's no charge or time limit on use (but just to be sure you don't go off on your next world tour with our guitar, a $1,000 credit card deposit is required when checking a guitar out). So grab that Fender axe you’ve always wanted to try, channel Stevie Ray or Clapton and shred for as long as you're staying at Hard Rock Hotel".

Even if the kids don't play, here's an opportunity for them to do something unique at a resort.

 

[BluEyezNSC]

Definitely HRH. Closer, cooler, better pool - well, maybe not better, just livelier, but you can pool hop so try all the resort pools.

IMHO the closeness to the parks from HRH is key. The walk from PBH is just a bit too long after a day at the parks. We always took the boat, meaning we had to wait for the boat, the unloading and loading, then the trip. It's amazing how much time you'll waste just from that process every time you go back and forth.

And something else: did you know that HRH offers the opportunity to play a selection of Fender guitars at no cost? This might be something your teens might want to experience. From the HRH website:

BE A CLOSET ROCKER WITH PICKS.

Thank you for your comments! I was just getting ready to cancel our PBH reservation when I read your post. More reasons that make me feel good about my decision to stay at the Hard Rock! I think I won't tell my son and his buddy where we will be staying till we arrive - should make for a nice surprise!