PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL Information

[goofy!]

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.

I don't understand it either. I do completely understand the Universal Vacations vs. Loews/Universal, but not the difference if you access Netbooker through Universal or Loews.

I always book through Loews as I was told the same thing by a LoewsFirst employee, even down to the fact that they track where both calls and online reservations originate from.

Some here have had no problems with their reservations when booking through Universal, some have been denied their LoewsFirst perks.

So, it would have been nice to hear another official Loews employee clear up the confusion.

 

[macraven]

i'm still waiting to hear an answer to my question.

hope we are not playing a game of tag here............

 

[macraven]

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.

that has been the case with me also.
so far i have had 20 something stays at loews at universal hotels.
i have stayed at all of them.

when i call loews, they transfer me to universal reservations.


you can always call back a few days after making the ressie to check and see how your ressie was put in the system.

and, i always get the confirmation email of my upcoming stay within 48 hours of making the ressie.

 

[goofy!]

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

I missed this post.

I don't get it.

Guest services is recommending charging an additional fee per night when we stay with them?

Is this a new charge coming down the line? Or, since you quoted me, are you saying that Guest Services is going to charge us more?

If this is a new fee coming soon, what is this fee?

How is it charged?

I would very much appreciate it if you would elaborate a bit further on extra fees Guest services is recommending charging.

Thanks!!

 

[damo]

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.

Yes, I get transferred every time as well.

 

[damo]

So guest services wants to charge us for using their services? That's a good way to get people not to use them. Don't you think that there are enough extra charges at the hotels already?

The hotels should be trying to get people from Disney to stay with them, not alienate them and that is exactly what is going to happen if they keep adding on fees. It is bad enough that parking was just increased and we have to pay for internet, gym usage, etc. etc.

I've been a platinum member for a long time and also a board member here since 2001 when parking was $6. We have watched prices go up and up and have listened to so many people say that they won't go because of the extra fees. It really is a very wrong direction to be taking.

 

[idlewoman1]

Do you think if enough of us complained by way of email or letter our voices would be heard regarding the parking fee for their guests? As it stands, they are getting an enormous amount for their hotel rooms. I live in the Chicago area and expect to pay for parking. Not at Universal though when parking fees are not an issue at Disney their competition.

 

[macraven]

Do you think if enough of us complained by way of email or letter our voices would be heard regarding the parking fee for their guests? As it stands, they are getting an enormous amount for their hotel rooms. I live in the Chicago area and expect to pay for parking. Not at Universal though when parking fees are not an issue at Disney their competition.

disney includes the parking for resort guests factored into the room rate.
they just don't advertise it.

i live in the chgo area also.
to stay downtown chicago, expect to pay $45 a night for parking.
what universal charges is much cheaper than other places.

 

[damo]

We can't really compare the prices to Disney since their deluxe hotels are always more expensive than the Universal Hotels anyways. However, people still see it as an extra charge and it turns them off.

 

[macraven]

i thought i missed something so i went back a few pages but saw loewsemployee did an edit on one of the posts.


Originally Posted by loewsemployee
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

__________________


why did you change it after it had already been copied by another poster in the thread?

i didn't know you could bribe the employees.

i always give money to front desk people that have helped me out during my stay. but then, i always tip everyone at the hotel i stay in.
when they make calls for me, or get housekeeping to do something in the room extra, i always tip for the additional service.
i thought everyone did.

i don't do a bribe, just a thank you to them for their help and having me be able to have a relaxing vacation while i am there.

 

[damo]

i thought i missed something so i went back a few pages but saw loewsemployee did an edit on one of the posts.


Originally Posted by loewsemployee
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

__________________


why did you change it after it had already been copied by another poster in the thread?

i didn't know you could bribe the employees.

i always give money to front desk people that have helped me out during my stay. but then, i always tip everyone at the hotel i stay in.
when they make calls for me, or get housekeeping to do something in the room extra, i always tip for the additional service.
i thought everyone did.

i don't do a bribe, just a thank you to them for their help and having me be able to have a relaxing vacation while i am there.

There is a big difference between a tip and a bribe. I imagine the employee was talking about a bribe since a tip is given after the service is completed? I would never feel comfortable bribing the front desk. I certainly hope that this isn't the norm because I must seem very, very cheap and I guess I can never expect to get an upgrade from the front desk.

 

[JerSpi]

I'll be staying at Portofino Bay from the 7th through the 10th of Feb. I signed up for Loews First, and recieved a $269 rate with two free 7-day park passes. I'm thinking about upgrading to a Club room if the price is right. Does anyone have any insight on what they may charge?

LoewsEmployee: It's quite nice of you to stop by the forums and offer to help people. Any insight on what I should do while I'm there or which rooms to request would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Motherfletcher]

Jerspi, I doubt if we see loewsemployee again. I always ask at checkin how much it would be the upgrade to club. I've paid $50 and 60 but declined a couple of times when they said $100.

 

[calgarygary]

Jerspi, I doubt if we see loewsemployee again. I always ask at checkin how much it would be the upgrade to club. I've paid $50 and 60 but declined a couple of times when they said $100.

Do you know something that we don't and maybe can't share?

 

[Motherfletcher]

I think she was just venting. After the bribe comment I think she may be a little embarrassed. I didn't narc her out or anything.

 

[goofy!]

I think she was just venting. After the bribe comment I think she may be a little embarrassed. I didn't narc her out or anything.

Neither did I.

Hope he/she didn't leave because they were admonished by Loews Mgt.

Welcome JerSpi!!

This board is fantastic. I have been helped so much by all the great people here who really know their stuff!

We upgraded to Club at Thanksgiving for $60.00.

Let us know what the upgrade is when you get back. We are headed down the first week in March and definitely plan on upgrading.

Edited to add:
When we arrived at midnight, 3/06/08, we asked to add club. The woman who checked us in said fine and that the fee was still the same as what we paid during Thanksgiving - $60.00 per night. She added this to our room rate of $329.00 for a total of $389.00 per night.

However, when I went back to the front desk a half hour later to discuss a problem with our rate, I was told that the rate for club was actually $75.00 per night and not the $60 we had been charged.

 

[gopherit]

Hmmm. At $50 or $60, I would be willing to "go club" for our family of 5. That breaks down to about $10-12 per head, and I think b'fast, drinks and some evening snacks would probably make that view worth the climb.

The "view" isn't so nice at $15 or more per head, however. I'd have to really think about it... I can already see my more frugal DH now, "C'mon everybody, back to the room to get the most out of that club level!" I'm the only one who drinks, so he would probably be pushing me to "get my fill", LOL ... oh my, could be an interesting trip!!

 

[Mrs Banks]

Hi Everyone

I have booked one night at Portofino, Club Level (I am sure I am paying too much) but I really wanted to have a special night with my family. We booked Mama Della's and are going to Blue Man's Group that night.

Are all the club rooms on the same floor? Are there any sections better than the other that I may put in a request to? Any info you may have would be great. Thank you.

 

[damo]

Hi Everyone

I have booked one night at Portofino, Club Level (I am sure I am paying too much) but I really wanted to have a special night with my family. We booked Mama Della's and are going to Blue Man's Group that night.

Are all the club rooms on the same floor? Are there any sections better than the other that I may put in a request to? Any info you may have would be great. Thank you.

No, you can be anywhere in the hotel and have club access. I would request West Wing.

 

[surfgirl]

interested in thoughts and opinions.

I've actually read through about 10 pages and gotten some good info - thanks everyone

party of 5: me, dh, dd7, dd6, ds4. *loved* PBH about 6 years ago. haven't been back since. We'll be there March 15-18 (week before Easter). How full will it be then ? Is that a 'peak' week?

would love a balcony. (we use it when kids are in bed). don't really care where.
- Are the only balconies with bay views ?
- What percentage of bay views have balconies ?

Willing to pay for an upgrade to bay view if high chance of getting a balcony, but if can't, would just get a standard room.
- Will we have a rollaway or do some/all rooms have daybeds or pullouts ?
- Is there a charge for a rollaway? (thus making a pullout/daybed room 'cheaper' by comparision)

a LF member, apparently I'm gold. will I have any luck at an upgrade or will this help?

fyi - have not yet made my reservation. I'm mildly confused by the Loews vs. Universal booking dilemma (sp?)

thanks experts!