PBH Questions

[Cass]

hi Everyone... doing the prelimiary planing for another trip

We have stayed at the Royal Pacific & Hard Rock Club Level so I am thinking of trying PBH this time - so I can join the "Ive done all three club"

Considering we have spent combined 10 days at Universal Resorts - I have never seen the PBH - not even on the water taxi transfers.. is it the farthest one away? I don't remember passing it.

I found both RP & HRH very convenient and not far at all walking distance from the pool/lobby or water taxi area ...is PBH comparable?

Where are the club level rooms at PBH? las time we went to Universal PBH did not have club level (so we picked HRH)

We really liked RPR (regular room) and the HRH was great too (but club level was not up to par - if we went again we would stay in a regular room)

My choice for this next trip would either be RPR Club or PBH Reg/ or Club just to try it out.

Just looking for your general thoughts on PBH, thanks

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

I would stay at PB. I think it is my new fav, but then my fav is usually the one that I have stayed at last. We usually make a big circle by using this order RP, HRH then PB. I really enjoy how you can feel all alone at this big hotel. I would not bother with club here. AND don't forget to eat at Sal's!

 

[Muffy]

Cass, CL is in the main building and far from the water taxis. We stayed in the west wing and loved it's convienence to the water taxis and the courtyard. I've heard mixed reviews about PBH's CL and location. We loved the bay view suite we had on the west wing last year and highly recommend it! We have a similar suite on the west wing booked for Feb at PBH. Happy planning!

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

We also had a West Wing Suite that overlooked the pool. It was only moments away from the boat dock. I was so glad we did not stay club due to the location. I could eat Sal's pasta salad all day and the family is so happy with non stop pizza!

By the way Cass what happened to your wonderful siggie of the Cat!

 

[Cass]

So there is a main buiding area and wings? and Club is in the main building?

I think I would like to try PBH since I have stayed at the other two already... and I definately don't want ClubLevel if it is a long walk to the water taxis/pool - so how do I go about making sure I have the wing that is close to the water taxis? is there a name for it?

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Muffy]

So there is a main buiding area and wings? and Club is in the main building?

I think I would like to try PBH since I have stayed at the other two already... and I definately don't want ClubLevel if it is a long walk to the water taxis/pool - so how do I go about making sure I have the wing that is close to the water taxis? is there a name for it?

Thanks for all your help!

Yes, request WEST wing and you can't go wrong. It is close to the water taxi and close to the main pool. A bay view with a balcony would be the icing on the cake!

CL is in the main building.

 

[Cass]

Okay - the west wing it is... thanks for all the help!

 

[Teris]

Hi Cass

This past August we stayed at the PB in the club level, and it was ok, not great. Our room was on the same level as the club lounge, but we had a view of the quiet pool. It was really a longish walk to the club from where we were, and that did take the gleam off it a little. But the staff were really great, I can't fault them. We walked a few times to Universal Studios, and I gotta say, it's a nice walk. It's not so bad in the early part of the day, when you have the 'joys of spring' still in your step,, but it's a real pain at the end of the day,,lol. We discovered the bus stop to the left of where the path to take you back to the resort, but only on our last day. Wished we had seen it the first day. Sometimes waiting for the boat was a long wait.

Have stayed on the club level at the RPR and I like it much better. I think even the food offerings were better as well. I liked the PB,,but would go back to the RPR over it, if I had the choice.

 

[Cass]

Hi Teris, I appreciate the info.. I don't even have a spring in my step in the morning

I think I will just try a regular room and hope for the west wing.

 

[CPM]

we just returned from a trip to PBH club. I have done club at the other two, RPR many times. I was not impressed with PBH's version of club.
They did upgrade us right away to a kid's suite due to platinum status. It was sooo far away I just couldn't stand it. That night I finally got the nerve to ask to be moved. They actually gave us two rooms instead of the suite closer to the club lounge in the west wing, which I resquested in the first place. The other was at the far end of the East wing, couldn't have been any farther from everything.
I did like the lounge itself. Plenty to do. Loved the pool table and all the board games. But it just didn't feel special like RPR's club. The staff hardly talked to you. The food offerings were the slimmest of the three. They never gave us even at mint at turn down. I even asked, she said we're out??? The most expensive of the three and nothing special.
As far as PBH I LOVE it!! I haven't stayed there is a while but I love the grounds, the pools, and the large rooms. I have to say both rooms and especially the kid's suite were a bit run down. The carpets were beat up and the walls were a mess. The beds were still very comfy and the staff was wonderful in general. Looks like they really need some renovation soon.

 

[CPM]

Oh BTW. The club lounge was right near the lobby, next to the American bar. People were constantly trying to get in. The concierge would tell people it was an $80.00 per night upgrade. I know they try & put people on that floor, close to teh liunge but everyone I talked to in the club room was spread out all over the hotel.
I find the shuttle to be the best transportation when staying at PBH. Hardly anyone uses the bus and sometimes they will take you right to where you want to go instead of doing the route.

 

[Cass]

Hi there.. thanks for your description of club level at PBH.

Usually we go for a week to Universal but this time it is only for 3 nihts before Disney, so it is really not that important for CL.

I hated CL at the Hard Rock... it was a zoo in the morning, 100 people fighting for a scrap of space to eat their donut.. same in the evening when they served Oreos and Chips Ahoy... ewwwww, I mean - they are okay at home - but not at a hotel as the evening desserts

Staff was not helpful.. I asked one of them to make a lunch ressie for me at hmmm the name escapes me - the one by poseidons fury.... they say "you don't need a ressie for lunch, there is never a wait' we get there and there is a big group of people waiting for tables - it took about 30 - 40 minutes for a table.

I was not impressed by CL at the HRH at all - I loved the hotel though and would stay there again no problem.

Thanks for the info.. I will definately please for the West Wing.

 

[Teris]

Cass,, see if you can get a deluxe room. You don't have to book concierge to have one of the deluxe rooms. We were in the west wing, but facing the quiet pool, and our room was a deluxe room. It's 500 sq feet,, with a much larger bathroom, that has a seperate shower. With my two teenage girls, this was a wonderful thing. If I were staying there again, I would definately go for a deluxe room. Oh and there is the sweetest little balcony that is next to the clubroom, where you can sit and gaze over the bay. As far as I could tell, it wasn't exclusive to club people.

Also, be sure to eat at Momma Della's. Fantastic food and really fun atmosphere

My younger daughter wants to try the Hard Rock at some point,, but I am definately taking what you said into account. For some reason, it just never appealed to me in the past, and I would hate feeling part of a cattle run. I like the PB or the RP.

 

[Cass]

Definately Skip Club at the HRH.. honestly, it was painful... the crowded little room and luck lustre staff... the hotel is awesome though, grounds, pool, rooms.. you can't go wrong staying there!

Thanks for the tips on PBH, that is definately where we are headed - I will book a deluxe in the West wing!

 

[Lady from NYC]

Was supposed to go to PBH on NYE, but DH got sick and we had to cancel. The hotel was really nice about cancelling and refunded the deposit w/out question. We rebooked for the 3rd weekend in January. We know the parks will be closing early and it might not be as exiciting as over NYE's, but we got a great rate 149 for a bay view (on Friday and Saturday) the rate goes up to 149, but the average is 165. We have never been to the PBH or Universal--we are longtime Disney lovers (YC) who decided to try something new and got much better prices for Univeral. Can anyone give me some info about the PBH--what to do, what not to do, restaurants, etc. We have a Bay View King and would love to request a nice room--does anyone have any room assignment suggestions for a Bay View King-size in the West Wing (I heard the West is a lot closer to things)?

p.s. forgot to mention that we got the good rate with an Annual Pass rate.