PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL Information

[CPanther95]

No, at the Portofino, there is not a special floor or key.

Up until at least last May, there was a special key for lounge access. They gave us 1 per person in addition to our room keys.

 

[leahjade]

if there's no key, who's to stop anyone from just going in and helping themselves to the food? I heard one bad review online that the food was very skimpy and the reviewers family often got there and everything was empty, so I was a little concerned.

 

[dsmom]

I have been there several times - including busy summer times and Thanksgiving and the food was never skimpy or empty. When something ran out they were quick to replace it/ refill it. The club lounge has a key card access. Your room key will open it if you have club added.

 

[calgarygary]

The 2 times we have stayed club at PBH, there was a separate key for club access given for each member of your party.

 

[goofy!]

0ops - meant to just say not a specific floor for club, but yes there are separate keys. Made for a whole bunch of key cards when we were last there - room keys, parlor keys, club keys.

My mistake. Thanks everybody for catching that! Must have been in a daze when I typed that, as I know better

 

[goofy!]

if there's no key, who's to stop anyone from just going in and helping themselves to the food? I heard one bad review online that the food was very skimpy and the reviewers family often got there and everything was empty, so I was a little concerned.

It was never empty when we were there. The breakfast was abundant, the appetizers - definitely enough for everybody. The only exception was about 15 minutes before the end of appetizer time. They did not refill the raviolis, but there also was not anybody new coming in to eat. I am sure they would have fetched more if somebody really wanted it. There was always plenty of wine, beer, pop, water, juices, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc. They kept the place pretty well stocked.

Desserts were ok. 2 plates of stuff- 1 plate the large cookies, the other plate cannolis and other Italian type desserts. One kid came in and took the whole plate of cookies and left, and we did have to ask to bring more out. But they happily did.

And the staff was extremely helpful anytime we asked a question. My son came down with strep the 2nd day there and not only did they call the clinic for us to let them know we were on our way down, they drew a map, etc. The next day, the guy remembered us and inquired how our son was doing. They were very, very attentive and absolutely fantastic.

I cannot imagine a visit there without club access.

 

[CPanther95]

Didn't you get your kitchen key?

 

[goofy!]

Didn't you get your kitchen key?

No, that we actually did not get. Just the two bedrooms and the parlor key for the rooms. And then the club access key. They have never given us the kitchen key.

It would have been nice a few trips back. We had the West Wing Villa Suite with both bedrooms and friends of ours had the regular deluxe queen (not attached to any suite) next to the king bedroom. The kids would always prop open the kitchen door with the night latch so that they could go back and forth. It would have been nice to let them have the kitchen key so they could go back and forth without leaving the door open and us always telling them to close it.

 

[goofy!]

if there's no key, who's to stop anyone from just going in and helping themselves to the food? I heard one bad review online that the food was very skimpy and the reviewers family often got there and everything was empty, so I was a little concerned.

And here is a scan of what your club access card will look like. You will get one for each person, just like your room key, but it won't have any of the information on it, such as dates or names.

 

[loewsemployee]

I just booked PBH through Expedia for $132.50/night. Was just wandering what should I request, as far as location, to be close to (if possible) the boat, pool and restaurants? If only one is possible than I would like to be close to the boat. Thanks. I have never stayed here I am really looking forward to it - heard great things. Although, I still can't seem to drop my ressy at HRH for deluxe room just yet (just in case).

Kim

dont request anything, more then likely you wont be getting it.

 

[idlewoman1]

dont request anything, more then likely you wont be getting it.

I agree, no need to request. The boat you will see everyday if you take the ferry or walk along the pathways.

 

[loewsemployee]

if there's no key, who's to stop anyone from just going in and helping themselves to the food? I heard one bad review online that the food was very skimpy and the reviewers family often got there and everything was empty, so I was a little concerned.

the price for club has also increased from 60 to 75 to help pay for more food and weed out the trashy people with their loud kids putting their fingers on all the food. club is suppose to be a luxury, it's kinda hard to offer great service when you have those kind of people. just some insider information on the club.

 

[loewsemployee]

I agree, no need to request. The boat you will see everyday if you take the ferry or walk along the pathways.

however, money does talk. sometimes they aren't fully committed but might get in trouble if they upgrade on a sold out basis (96%+) but it helps them push further to see the best that they can do for you rather then putting u in an ok room

 

[loewsemployee]

PBH booked for 5 nights April 3 - 7 at $230 for a deluxe, fan club rate. 5 night minimum to qualify.

My problem is I only can stay 4. Any thoughts on whether they'll allow me to pay the 5 at discounted rate vs. 4 nights at rack when I check out. Believe it or not, paying for 5 nights at $230 is still cheaper than 4 nights at $329!

they are going to charge you an early departure fee.

 

[bubba's mom]

the price for club has also increased from 60 to 75 to help pay for more food and weed out the trashy people with their loud kids putting their fingers on all the food. club is suppose to be a luxury, it's kinda hard to offer great service when you have those kind of people. just some insider information on the club.

first...welcome to the DIS

second...are you referring to the post by goofy! about the kid who came in and took a whole platter of cookies???

 

[loewsemployee]

We'll be at PBR the first week of January. I'm going to wait until check-in to possibly upgrade to Club per some great advice given here.

Do they ever say that there is no availability? There are a lot of conventions there that week but I would think those people would be on expense accounts and eating elsewhere.

We've already been upgraded to a Hospitality Suite. Yeah. I was told it's $75 to upgrade to Club. It seems like alot of people are saying $50-$60? Is it sometimes more reasonable at check-in?

Any thoughts?

it's 75 the price went up. there is no negotiations on the price unfortunately.

 

[loewsemployee]

first...welcome to the DIS

second...are you referring to the post by goofy! about the kid who came in and took a whole platter of cookies???

no i was referring to a lady saying the food was skimpy, but the club people cant really yell at a kid for doing something like that, they can just try and replace what was taken. "loews loves kids" so yea, limits to stuff like that.

 

[loewsemployee]

Which would you go with?(We have 7 in our party-3 adults and 4 children) In the Portofino 2 Bdrm Suite the rooms are garden view (sith a parlor) with the non-deluxe sized bathrooms and you have 1 King, 2 Queens and a Sleeper Sofa and 3 bathrooms and in the 2 Deluxe rooms we would get 2 rooms with 1 Queen beds each and 2 deluxe bathrooms.

Which would you choose and why?

TIA!

well honestly that's your decision. because the deluxe rooms dont really over look anything other then the pools. if you can get a portofino suite at a rate you want to pay, u should just go for that, more room! if u dont feel like u'll use the parlor then drop it and go with the 2 deluxe. the room size in deluxe isn't THAT much of a difference. it's all made up by the bathroom. just a lil secret.

 

[bubba's mom]

limits to stuff like that.

I would have probably said something to him....again, (according to poster) doesn't seem any 'parental supervision' was around That is just RUDE and I know my son wouldn't do something like that.....he might take 3 or 4, but not the whole platter!

 

[bubba's mom]

well honestly that's your decision. because the deluxe rooms dont really over look anything other then the pools. if you can get a portofino suite at a rate you want to pay, u should just go for that, more room! if u dont feel like u'll use the parlor then drop it and go with the 2 deluxe. the room size in deluxe isn't THAT much of a difference. it's all made up by the bathroom. just a lil secret.

are you currently still employed for Loews? Do you work at PBH??

if so....we are glad to have you here to answer questions Always nice to have people on the boards who work at places/things we talk about..... for instance, there was a Southwest Air employee on the transportation thread, people on here work at the parks, etc..... Nice to have accurate info