kpgclark:
It sounds like you were quoted rack rates. The possible available discounts are
AAA, Annual Pass, Entertainment card, airline employee and TA. You could also try calling Universal to see if they have any discounts in their systems yet, I think it's 1800uescape.
The Portofino is very beautiful, elegant but not stuffy. We've been there twice with our kids, ages 5+9, then 2 years later, also just dh and I, and once a solo trip for me. It is a quiet hotel, too much so for some but just right for us after a long noisy day at the parks! There are some terrific restaurants there. Nice pool with white sand "beach", zero depth, small but zippy slide. You can get to the parks by water taxi (about 5 min) or bus or by walking (about 10-15 min). Even the standard rooms are large and contain a king or 2 queen beds, an armoire with mini bar, tv, and drawers. The bathrooms are huge with tile and marble.The beds are incredibly comfortable and are high enough off the floor to store luggage underneath. This is considered Universal's most upscale hotel.
Hard Rock Hotel is more lively place, with low volume rock music playing everywhere except in the rooms. There are activities like a life size chess set too. The pool is very large, zero depth but only about 3ft at it's deepest part. I didn't get to go on the slide but it's large! During the summer and busier times there seems to be more special activities going on. The restaurant choices are few but you are a short walk from Citywalk, where there is a huge selection of places to eat. One of HRH's best features is the short walk to Universal Studios. If you take the short cut through the pool area it's only about 5 min to the gate. Another 3 or so to IOA gates. I stayed there once on club level and shared a room with a friend. The beds were very comfortable. We loved being able to zip back during the day to freshen up or have a snack. You can still take a water taxi or bus too. HRH is considered the "mid-level" (for lack of a better term).
The Royal Pacific is the least expensive of the three.
Check back every so often for discounts. Good luck, hope this helps.
