PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL Information

[loewsemployee]

I would still ask upon check-in if you can add club onto your rooms. We have done this even when it is busy and they have always let us add it on.

The Gelateria has a nice assortment of danish and croissants- we had a sausage and cheese one last trip that was great! They also have great coffee drinks and cereals and breakfast bars - a nice selection and they open at 6 a.m.

yea i agree. you should ask just incase at check in. but be nice to the agent, they dont like rude pushy people. but if it's open they would be more then happy to upgrade you, but if they say no, then it means no, dont be mean or u might get a bad room.

 

[loewsemployee]

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

yes i actually work in gst services. i heard about these posts and was told people come in here and talk real bad about our hotel and how to scam us into giving them things. so i thought i'd step in here and read what's going on. so far haven't seen negative comments, but saw somethings i should but input on so you all can understand it better. we want the best for our guests and having hostility only makes us more stressed and turn us into mean people and not want help people if they are going to try and rip us off you know? but i'm going to continue to stop in here and see if i can update or help some people out. just remember, you get more with honey then you do with vinegar.

 

[goofy!]

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.

Just curious? Which hotel do you work for?

As a frequent customer of the PBH, I am going to have to disagree with you that the deluxe rooms really don't look over anything other than the pools. While many of the deluxe rooms do have pool views, many of them also have bay views.

Of all the deluxe rooms we have stayed in, only 2 had pool views, one a Villa pool view, the other a beach pool view.

 

[goofy!]

however, money does talk and you can always bribe the frontdesk agent. 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

How much is the going bribe?

 

[bubba's mom]

yes i actually work in gst services. i heard about these posts and was told people come in here and talk real bad about our hotel and how to scam us into giving them things. so i thought i'd step in here and read what's going on. so far haven't seen negative comments, but saw somethings i should but input on so you all can understand it better. we want the best for our guests and having hostility only makes us more stressed and turn us into mean people and not want help people if they are going to try and rip us off you know? but i'm going to continue to stop in here and see if i can update or help some people out. just remember, you get more with honey then you do with vinegar.

We actually WELCOME people like you here.... I have actually read very few negative reviews of the hotels at Universal.... we have stayed at RPR and HRH and this summer will be our first stay at PBH (which, we are very excited for )

We welcome your help and input!!!

Oh, and i am one to know that honey IS stronger than vinegar ...and I don't blame you. I work with the public myself, and if you are rude or mean to me, why would i WANT to be nice and help you?? I don't think you'll find a lot of people on these boards trying to 'rip you off', more of a 'what's out there I can get'?? Most here are willing to pay, but want what they are paying for...kwim?? I don't mind paying extra money for club, but darn, I want there to be food and drink there when I'm there....

 

[goofy!]

yes i actually work in gst services. i heard about these posts and was told people come in here and talk real bad about our hotel and how to scam us into giving them things. so i thought i'd step in here and read what's going on. so far haven't seen negative comments, but saw somethings i should but input on so you all can understand it better. we want the best for our guests and having hostility only makes us more stressed and turn us into mean people and not want help people if they are going to try and rip us off you know? but i'm going to continue to stop in here and see if i can update or help some people out. just remember, you get more with honey then you do with vinegar.

And Guest Services approves of you recommending bribing the front desk staff to get the room and view you want?

I will have to mention that to Mr. LeClerc when I am there next time. Maybe I can get the Presidente Suite

And welcome!

It is always wonderful to get the inside scoop on what is going on at Universal. Hopefully you can help us navigate the often confusing path of booking the right room.

Can you start with explaining the difference between booking at Universal and booking at Loews? We have had so many different experiences reported by different people. It would be nice to hear the right information from a legit Loews employee.

 

[bubba's mom]

Maybe I can get the Presidente Suite

Okay....IF you DO, posting pix will NOT be enuf ....we want VIDEO!!!

 

[goofy!]

Okay....IF you DO, posting pix will NOT be enuf ....we want VIDEO!!!

Oh don't worry. If I can bribe Paul enough to get the Presidente suite, video will be posted.

And we are having a big DIS party (oops - meet)!

I just need to know how much I should bribe him with. I don't want to seem cheap and insult him

 

[loewsemployee]

Just curious? Which hotel do you work for?

As a frequent customer of the PBH, I am going to have to disagree with you that the deluxe rooms really don't look over anything other than the pools. While many of the deluxe rooms do have pool views, many of them also have bay views.

Of all the deluxe rooms we have stayed in, only 2 had pool views, one a Villa pool view, the other a beach pool view.

yea i work at pbh. and the beach pool has only a little run of rooms that over look it. the villa pool is wrapped by the villa building. so more chances are to over look the villa pool rather then the beach pool. ALMOST every room on the villa side, u can somewhat see the pool or atleast the area. the 70s have the best view as they look at it dead on. as far as the bay. if you are talking about deluxe rooms over lookin the bay. those are VERY rare. if you have gotten them while u stayed with us, then you are a very lucky person, but 9 out of 10 gsts who ask for it, it's never avail. 2400-10 2500-10 and 2600-10 only look over the bay directly. that's the view of a presidente and govenatore suites. there are a view that wrap around to the side so u can see the habor piazza, but there mostly look at bice. those numbers are hard to remember, but when u look in the computer system they show up when u put in the view you want to look at.

 

[loewsemployee]

And Guest Services approves of you recommending bribing the front desk staff to get the room and view you want?

I will have to mention that to Mr. LeClerc when I am there next time. Maybe I can get the Presidente Suite

And welcome!

It is always wonderful to get the inside scoop on what is going on at Universal. Hopefully you can help us navigate the often confusing path of booking the right room.

Can you start with explaining the difference between booking at Universal and booking at Loews? We have had so many different experiences reported by different people. It would be nice to hear the right information from a legit Loews employee.

hey i'm only trying to be helpful. and paul would be happy to see that i'm here trying to give pointers. but if you are going to be snippy like that then i won't help you at all. front desk agents have the hardest job in that hotel. portofino is a VERY hard hotel to work at, and agents are always given nothing for their hard work and dedication. the goal is to make a personal relationship with people in the hotel. i have people that come to the hotel and always ask for me to do everything for them. and it is an honor. for those people i go out of my way completely for. it took me 2 full days of calling disney to get them a reservation at a certain rest. they wanted to eat at, but i finally got it and just seeing them happy that i held up to their expectations is gratifying enough. but if you want an immediate outcome, a tip always does help. as far as the suites... no type of bribe will get you those, everybody is always charged full price.

and i'm actually not going to answer the question about the booking. 2 reasons, some people know what they are talking about, and some people guess. but honestly, i'd go through loews directly if you aren't booking a package. ask about discounts they can give you. but if you are a loews first, book through loews first.

and i'll keep my personal comments to myself......

 

[loewsemployee]

How much is the going bribe?

anything to show the frontdesk agent you are greatful for them taking a risk. and i now see i shouldn't have used the word "bribe". gratuity is what it is. some people just automatically demand things, of course they'll get it, but they're paying. but if u are genuine and nice, it will always get you further

 

[loewsemployee]

And Guest Services approves of you recommending bribing the front desk staff to get the room and view you want?

I will have to mention that to Mr. LeClerc when I am there next time. Maybe I can get the Presidente Suite

And welcome!

It is always wonderful to get the inside scoop on what is going on at Universal. Hopefully you can help us navigate the often confusing path of booking the right room.

Can you start with explaining the difference between booking at Universal and booking at Loews? We have had so many different experiences reported by different people. It would be nice to hear the right information from a legit Loews employee.

.....and gst services recommending charging you an additional fee per night you stay with them.....

 

[loewsemployee]

Oh don't worry. If I can bribe Paul enough to get the Presidente suite, video will be posted.

And we are having a big DIS party (oops - meet)!

I just need to know how much I should bribe him with. I don't want to seem cheap and insult him

i dont work at the front desk so it's not helping me any by what you do at check in. i'm just throwing pointers, don't throw it out of proportion. i'm good friends with a lot of the agents and pretty much all of the staff is a big family, we always go out together throw big parties on the holidays and stuff. i just hear feedback from the agents.

 

[loewsemployee]

We actually WELCOME people like you here.... I have actually read very few negative reviews of the hotels at Universal.... we have stayed at RPR and HRH and this summer will be our first stay at PBH (which, we are very excited for )

We welcome your help and input!!!

Oh, and i am one to know that honey IS stronger than vinegar ...and I don't blame you. I work with the public myself, and if you are rude or mean to me, why would i WANT to be nice and help you?? I don't think you'll find a lot of people on these boards trying to 'rip you off', more of a 'what's out there I can get'?? Most here are willing to pay, but want what they are paying for...kwim?? I don't mind paying extra money for club, but darn, I want there to be food and drink there when I'm there....

AWESOME! when is ur arrival date?

 

[calgarygary]

hey i'm only trying to be helpful. and paul would be happy to see that i'm here trying to give pointers. but if you are going to be snippy like that then i won't help you at all. front desk agents have the hardest job in that hotel. portofino is a VERY hard hotel to work at, and agents are always given nothing for their hard work and dedication. the goal is to make a personal relationship with people in the hotel. i have people that come to the hotel and always ask for me to do everything for them. and it is an honor. for those people i go out of my way completely for. it took me 2 full days of calling disney to get them a reservation at a certain rest. they wanted to eat at, but i finally got it and just seeing them happy that i held up to their expectations is gratifying enough. but if you want an immediate outcome, a tip always does help. as far as the suites... no type of bribe will get you those, everybody is always charged full price.

and i'm actually not going to answer the question about the booking. 2 reasons, some people know what they are talking about, and some people guess. but honestly, i'd go through loews directly if you aren't booking a package. ask about discounts they can give you. but if you are a loews first, book through loews first.

and i'll keep my personal comments to myself......

It may be time to chill, have a cool one and take a deep breath. The great majority of the people here fall into two categories, those who are considering staying at the Loews onsite hotels and are educating themselves and those that are huge fans of the hotels and trying to share their knowledge. The question regarding Loews vs. Universal is a legitimate one as there is often either miscommunication and/or inconsistency when applying LF benefits. Your advice to book through LF is good, but even with that approach, there has been an inconsistent approach in applying discounts.

Please do not take this personally but I do have a problem with the statement that agents are given nothing for their hard work and dedication. Agents of course receive a salary and I believe that more of their arrivals are like us, thrilled to be there and in a great mood. There are however some that expect and demand the world of agents and react in a terrible way if they can't deliver. The key to their job enjoyment will be who they remember.

We all appreciate input into the boards that especially increases the knowledge base and our enjoyment of our stays. Welcome, and I look forward to your many informative posts to come.

 

[bubba's mom]

hey i'm only trying to be helpful. and paul would be happy to see that i'm here trying to give pointers. but if you are going to be snippy like that then i won't help you at all.

Oh, please don't think goofy! is being 'snippy'...that is not her.... She is THE BIGGEST PBH fan and absolutely LOVES it there.... i have NEVER heard her ONCE complain about the PBH....matter of fact, a lot of us "regulars" consider her the PBH resident 'expert' around here....she has stayed many times there and is very knowledgeable about the hotel....she has HELPED many people here on this board (including me ) I think you may have mis-interpreted her comment as snippy...as I know she didn't intend it to 'sound' that way

 

[bubba's mom]

AWESOME! when is ur arrival date?

uh...why?

(I was going to PM you or email you, but you have opted not to receive private messages or emails.....I would rather keep that off the public boards.....but feel free to PM or email me tho )

 

[goofy!]

Loewsemployee,

I am sorry. I was not trying to be snippy, although upon re-reading my post, I can see how it might be taken that way. We have lots of fun on this board and I was just goofing around.

I have the highest respect for the PBH employees. We have traveled extensively and I have always found the PBH employees to be some of the best we have encountered.

I was also not trying to be snippy about the Loews vs. Universal booking dilemma. We have been discussing this very thing in several threads over the past couple of weeks. I really did want the opinion of a Loews employee.

So, again Welcome. We are looking forward to your continued input!

 

[macraven]

hi loewsemployee, i am trying to figure out if i meet you at the hotel before.

how long have you been working there?

i would have sent you a pm but you don't have that function on your set up.


i have probably already met you. i meet a lot of super employees at the hotels there.

 

[CPanther95]

I don't get the distinction between Loews and Universal when making reservations. I always call Loews, and they always say they'll have to transfer me to Universal for reservations. I've never had a Loews reservation made directly by Loews.

Unless there's some policy that the suites are only reserved by Universal and that's why I'm transferred.