PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL Information

[mhogan]

My family of 8 will be staying at the Portofino Bay Hotel in February 2007 and we have booked two adjoining Bay View rooms with the APH rate of $164/night. Is it worth it to pay an additional $20/night to go to a Deluxe Room? Or $100 more for a club level room?

It will be 4 adults and 4 teenage boys so any thoughts on whether the additional cost is warranted would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help !!!

 

[LOLA2]

We have a deluxe queen with pullout sofa sleeper booked for October. Can anyone please tell me what the pull out is like? A Singe or double? Aslo if I want to be on West side do I request now, a couple days before hand or when I check in? I want to be close to boat dock and beach pool. Also waht kind of views do these rooms offer?

Thanks

 

[LakeAriel]

My family of 8 will be staying at the Portofino Bay Hotel in February 2007 and we have booked two adjoining Bay View rooms with the APH rate of $164/night. Is it worth it to pay an additional $20/night to go to a Deluxe Room? Or $100 more for a club level room?

It will be 4 adults and 4 teenage boys so any thoughts on whether the additional cost is warranted would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help !!!

That seems like an incredible price! I was quoted $260 something, AAA, for August. Is February value season at Universal or does it really pay to get one APH?

 

[damo]

My family of 8 will be staying at the Portofino Bay Hotel in February 2007 and we have booked two adjoining Bay View rooms with the APH rate of $164/night. Is it worth it to pay an additional $20/night to go to a Deluxe Room? Or $100 more for a club level room?

It will be 4 adults and 4 teenage boys so any thoughts on whether the additional cost is warranted would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help !!!

When in Feb. is that. We have ressies for late Feb. and our rate is about $100 higher!!!

 

[mhogan]

We are going to be there in Mid February. I think the APH discount ends on the 16th of February. With the rates as reasonable as they are, I didn't know if it was worth it to request deluxe rooms instead of Bay rooms in the west wing?

If anyone has any advice, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks !!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

We have a deluxe queen with pullout sofa sleeper booked for October. Can anyone please tell me what the pull out is like? A Singe or double? Aslo if I want to be on West side do I request now, a couple days before hand or when I check in? I want to be close to boat dock and beach pool. Also waht kind of views do these rooms offer?

Thanks

The pullout is a queen. They are comfortable. I would make your requests on your reservations now and a few days prior call to confirm your requests. You can request a view of the beach pool or the bay some have villa pool views too. You could also request a balcony or patio although they are not in abundance and not guaranteed. The deluxe rooms at Portofino are great!

 

[googler]

Is there a fee for the fitness center? If you're lowesfirst does it make a difference? What if you are lowesfirts, but you can't add your lowesfirst number to your res becuase your there for a convention?

I'm sitting in the club lounge with my 2 kids and 2 club staffers. There has been several kids here this afternoon but they just brought out the 9 o'clock cookies and milk and no one is here to eat them but us!
We are watching 50 First Dates and playing on the computers.
This morning at 6 I got my son up and we went to the fitness center. I am surprised that this amenity has not made the reviews. The steam room is awesome and the sauna is nice as well. I kind of stumbled on the co-ed whirlpool which is a "must do". I know when I suggested the fitness center as an option to the in room bath facilities it was frowned upon based on the room cost but the spa is ten times as nice as the deluxe bathrooms on club level. The service and the facilities are nothing less than elegant. Six in the morning is the perfect time to have the place to yourself.
I have to go get some more of those macadamia cookies!

 

[Motherfletcher]

googler!

There is a fee for the fitness center. I have never paid it but I think it is $12 per day. The fitness center is free if you are Club level or Loews First members. My last visit was work related and I was awarded my Loew's First priviledges and was upgraded to a suite. We have had discount rates that include APH, FLO and FAN and still received LF amenities so I don't see why you can't add your LF number at check in.

 

[googler]

Thanks for the kind welcome - I was thinking of trying to add the number at check-in. I called to add my number and they said that since it was for a convention (group rate) that I couldn't add my number to the reservation.

Perhaps I should call the front desk with my number the day before or the morning of my reservation to add it... What do you think?

I also just called the hotel to ask about the fee for the fitness center. $12 is correct. I asked if it was waived for for LowesFirst memebers - no. The lady even called the front desk to verify. I told her I thought I had read on the website that is was free for members. She said, nope. I just told her thanks and hung up.

Has anyone else had experience with adding their number to a group rate reservation? This is one where I am not even paying for it myself directly. All the rooms are being paid by the company running the convention.

Thanks again!

googler!

There is a fee for the fitness center. I have never paid it but I think it is $12 per day. The fitness center is free if you are Club level or Loews First members. My last visit was work related and I was awarded my Loew's First priviledges and was upgraded to a suite. We have had discount rates that include APH, FLO and FAN and still received LF amenities so I don't see why you can't add your LF number at check in.

 

[Motherfletcher]

http://www.loews-first.com/loewsfirst_benefits.asp

The LF website says access to the fitness center for all LF Members (even Blue or brand new members). I'd try to add your LF number at check in. I did this my first stay at PBH and they added it. I wasn't using a "qualifying" rate either. I've added the number at other Loew's hotel locations at check in as well without incident.

 

[googler]

Thanks again - We'll see how it goes - it would be easier if I actually had the card. I'm going to have to just tell them the number. I've also been upgraded to Platinum (comped from HH Diamond), but LowesFirst said that wouldn't show up in the system for about 4 weeks. They could call the hotel directly and inform them of my status, but they wont do it for this stay since it's a "non-qualifying stay."

 

[googler]

I took a closer look at the benefits page: loews-first.com/loewsfirst_benefits.asp (add www at the beginning
and it seems to me that a "non-qualifying rate" only applies to the Partner Rewards and Eligibility. For example. There is no asterick or other footnote for "access to the fitness center." I tried calling the front desk to have them add my Platinum number to my reservation - no go.

Anyone else read it this way? Think I have a case?

Thanks again - We'll see how it goes - it would be easier if I actually had the card. I'm going to have to just tell them the number. I've also been upgraded to Platinum (comped from HH Diamond), but LowesFirst said that wouldn't show up in the system for about 4 weeks. They could call the hotel directly and inform them of my status, but they wont do it for this stay since it's a "non-qualifying stay."

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I took a closer look at the benefits page: loews-first.com/loewsfirst_benefits.asp (add www at the beginning
and it seems to me that a "non-qualifying rate" only applies to the Partner Rewards and Eligibility. For example. There is no asterick or other footnote for "access to the fitness center." I tried calling the front desk to have them add my Platinum number to my reservation - no go.

Anyone else read it this way? Think I have a case?

I havent read any posts regarding anyone denied access to the fitness centers when not booked under a qualifying rate. Technically entrance to the fitness center using your loews first membership is considered a benefit of one using a qualifying rate. Personally, I wouldnt sweat it at all. I've been going for years and have never been questioned when entering the fitness center at any of the three.

As far as getting your # applied, I would wait till you check in.

http://www.loews-first.com/loewsfirst_terms.asp
LoewsFirst benefits and mileage or points awards are based upon completion of a qualifying stay at any Loews Hotel. A qualifying stay is any rate published by the hotel. Group, negotiated, third party, government, Universal Passholder and Universal Florida residents rates do not qualify. Not valid with any other discount program, coupon, complimentary or promotional offer.

Benefits:
Access to the Fitness Center
Welcome Amenity
Free room upgrade
Late Checkout
Guaranteed Availability
Partner Rewards

 

[magical4us4]

How busy is Presidential weekend? Do the crowds tend to get huge, and if we stay at PBH, do we really get on the rides quicker than those staying off property?

 

[yourgoingagain?]

yes, as a guest of one of the 3 on-site resorts you will get front of the line access by showing your resort room key. It really doesn't matter how crowded it will be so enjoy!

 

[doubletroublemom]

Hi:

I just got upgraded to Loews First Platinum I was able to get a free upgrade to a Portofino Suite. I know that the bedroom portion will have 2 queens. Does anyone know if the parlor area has a pull-out couch? I was hoping not to have to sleep in the same room as the kids
I couldn't tell from the room layout that I found. Also, it looks like we'll be getting 2 bathrooms. Is that true?

Thanks a bunch

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Hi:

I just got upgraded to Loews First Platinum I was able to get a free upgrade to a Portofino Suite. I know that the bedroom portion will have 2 queens. Does anyone know if the parlor area has a pull-out couch? I was hoping not to have to sleep in the same room as the kids
I couldn't tell from the room layout that I found. Also, it looks like we'll be getting 2 bathrooms. Is that true?

Thanks a bunch

Congrats on the upgrade! The parlor has a pullout double/queen sleeper sofa. There are 2 bathrooms too.

 

[doubletroublemom]

Thanks....sounds like I won't have to see the kids at all!!!

 

[damo]

Thanks....sounds like I won't have to see the kids at all!!!

That is the same upgrade we are getting. When are you going? We are going late Feb. and plan on taking lots of pictures.

Since we will have two teens along, it will be wonderful having the extra bathroom and television.

 

[calgarygary]

We have been upgraded to a parlor suite for our stay this July and got a pretty decent rate through AAA. I have searched for pictures of the parlor area but can't seem to see any. Where can I find pictures of the parlor. Also, does anyone know why the maximum occupancy is 5 if you get the 2 queen beds and a double pull out couch.