PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL Information

[goofy!]

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!

Your stay falls in the spring break timeframe, so depending on how many schools are out, it could be busy. We will be there the week before you and I noticed that they just released AP rates for our week. So, since it is only three weeks out and they just now released the AP rates, I am guessing that bookings aren't as high as expected, so keeping fingers crossed that it is not a madhouse. Although all the gardenviews are gone. Still hoping that AAA rates will soon follow, as they have actually been higher than the supersaver rate.

But, that said, crowds are never really a concern with FOTL. Even in the busiest of times, we have rarely waited over 15 minutes for a ride in the express lines.

Balconies are very few and far between. You can request one, but they cannot guarantee one. The only times we have had a balcony is when we have had the West Wing Villa Suites. I am not sure there is an easy way to secure one.

We go often enough that I fear we may be "regulars" at the PBH And I still don't have a clear picture of the Loews vs. Universal booking thing. One Loews person will tell you one thing, another person something else. To be safe, we always call the LoewsFirst line (1-800-Loews11) or book online through www.loewshotels.com.

The Loewsfirst people will transfer you to the Universal reservations line and the www.loewshotels.com site will send you to the Universal netbooker site, but at least there is never a question that you did book through Loews.

 

[Debs Hill]

I'm sure that this has been asked a million times before, but if you book a deluxe club room what are the possible locations in the hotel?!!!
Which would you recommend requesting?
Where is the lounge in relation to the rooms?
Debsxx

 

[surfgirl]

Goofy, thanks for the quick response... I read further back in the pages and found more info out... we decided to:

- book a garden view room and with my Gold, I was already upgraded to a deluxe (eliminates the need for a rollaway). We'll deal with the balcony/non-balcony issue when we arrive. We arrive on a Saturday (early), so I'm hoping by checking in early, we'll have luck ? If need be, we could even switch rooms on Sunday... I know the rates go down on Sunday.

I cross posted about LF - here are my questions:

As always, I have a tangential question. ( I just wanted to say tangential )

I noticed a few pages back about being a platinum member of another hotel rewards program. My dh is a platinum member of Marriott Rewards.

1) Can we request complimentary platinum of Loews First ?
2) He is also AmEx platinum... does that do anything ?
3) The Marriott is his name, the LF is my name... will they still do it ?
4) We will be there March 15-18... how do I find out if any suite upgrades are even open ? (I don't want to jump through hoops if there aren't any available...)

thanks!

 

[calgarygary]

Goofy, thanks for the quick response... I read further back in the pages and found more info out... we decided to:

- book a garden view room and with my Gold, I was already upgraded to a deluxe (eliminates the need for a rollaway). We'll deal with the balcony/non-balcony issue when we arrive. We arrive on a Saturday (early), so I'm hoping by checking in early, we'll have luck ? If need be, we could even switch rooms on Sunday... I know the rates go down on Sunday.

I cross posted about LF - here are my questions:

As always, I have a tangential question. ( I just wanted to say tangential )

I noticed a few pages back about being a platinum member of another hotel rewards program. My dh is a platinum member of Marriott Rewards.

1) Can we request complimentary platinum of Loews First ?
2) He is also AmEx platinum... does that do anything ?
3) The Marriott is his name, the LF is my name... will they still do it ?
4) We will be there March 15-18... how do I find out if any suite upgrades are even open ? (I don't want to jump through hoops if there aren't any available...)

thanks!

1) Yes, he may or may not get it but likely will
2) No, means nothing as far as LF
3) If he gets status match, it will be in his name - change reservation to him
4) March 2008? probably too late as it's spring break somewhere in North America

 

[goofy!]

Goofy, thanks for the quick response... I read further back in the pages and found more info out... we decided to:

- book a garden view room and with my Gold, I was already upgraded to a deluxe (eliminates the need for a rollaway). We'll deal with the balcony/non-balcony issue when we arrive. We arrive on a Saturday (early), so I'm hoping by checking in early, we'll have luck ? If need be, we could even switch rooms on Sunday... I know the rates go down on Sunday.

I cross posted about LF - here are my questions:

As always, I have a tangential question. ( I just wanted to say tangential )

I noticed a few pages back about being a platinum member of another hotel rewards program. My dh is a platinum member of Marriott Rewards.

1) Can we request complimentary platinum of Loews First ?
2) He is also AmEx platinum... does that do anything ?
3) The Marriott is his name, the LF is my name... will they still do it ?
4) We will be there March 15-18... how do I find out if any suite upgrades are even open ? (I don't want to jump through hoops if there aren't any available...)

thanks!

Loews will often status match other programs if you are elite.

I haven't tried it, but somebody else posted:

Call the Loews First number (1-800-Loews11)
You will need to ask about your particular status match
Then you will need to fax your latest statement that confirms your Marriott Platinum status to:
1-800-563-9714

 

[Disney Legend]

This seems like a friendly thread with helpful people. I did not read the entire thread but here goes. Planning on staying for a weekend at a nice hotel near Universal. This will be our first visit to Universal. Don't know much about the hotels there but PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL seems to be well liked. We will need a hotel when we check out of Disney on 12/26/2008 thru check out (at Universal) on 12/28/2008. This a short stay. Please provide any advice you wish to get a good room at a good price. Should I book now? My DW wants to check out the Universal Park. Thanks!

 

[Debs Hill]

OK, so having been back through the thread I think I've found out that the coneirge/club level rooms are on the 5th and 6th floors of the villa wing and the lounge is on the same level as check in?! Is that right?!!

Can someone tell me, are all the club rooms deluxe ones with the big bathrooms?
What is the view of?
Do any have balconies?

I would love to see any pictures that people have of the club rooms, the view, the pool area and the lounge!!!
Debsx

 

[calgarygary]

This seems like a friendly thread with helpful people. I did not read the entire thread but here goes. Planning on staying for a weekend at a nice hotel near Universal. This will be our first visit to Universal. Don't know much about the hotels there but PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL seems to be well liked. We will need a hotel when we check out of Disney on 12/26/2008 thru check out (at Universal) on 12/28/2008. This a short stay. Please provide any advice you wish to get a good room at a good price. Should I book now? My DW wants to check out the Universal Park. Thanks!

As you are going at a very busy time, make sure you stay onsite to really enjoy Universal. You mentioned staying at a nice hotel near Universal and you also mentioned the Portofino. There is a huge difference! All three onsite hotels, the RPR, HRH and PBH offer front of the line (fotl) with showing your room key in the parks. That is a huge perk especially at that time of year. Book now, monitor rates but given when you are going, expect to pay dearly.

 

[Babyboo]

I would love to see any pictures that people have of the club rooms, the view, the pool area and the lounge!!!
Debsx

Heres some I posted last month

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1690763

 

[gopherit]

I enjoyed your photos, Babyboo - makes me excited for our June trip - HOWEVER - it now makes me wonder about the whole sleeper-sofa thing! We have a family of 5 and are booked in a PBH Deluxe 2Q room. We have been to HRH in a deluxe 2Q room and the sleeper sofa was just fine - looked like a double-sized bed once you unfolded it from the loveseat-sized couch. Are you saying that your deluxe room @ PBH did not have a loveseat / sleeper sofa? I tell ya, with a teenage son, a preteen son, and a squirmy 8 yr old daughter - DH and I really NEED there to be a sleeper sofa of some sort in there!! I suppose we could haul a cot or airmat with us, but what a pain. And 5 nights is too long to try to "rough it" - it's a vacation, after all! I will be a bit ticked if we end up paying for a roll-away....

 

[calgarygary]

I enjoyed your photos, Babyboo - makes me excited for our June trip - HOWEVER - it now makes me wonder about the whole sleeper-sofa thing! We have a family of 5 and are booked in a PBH Deluxe 2Q room. We have been to HRH in a deluxe 2Q room and the sleeper sofa was just fine - looked like a double-sized bed once you unfolded it from the loveseat-sized couch. Are you saying that your deluxe room @ PBH did not have a loveseat / sleeper sofa? I tell ya, with a teenage son, a preteen son, and a squirmy 8 yr old daughter - DH and I really NEED there to be a sleeper sofa of some sort in there!! I suppose we could haul a cot or airmat with us, but what a pain. And 5 nights is too long to try to "rough it" - it's a vacation, after all! I will be a bit ticked if we end up paying for a roll-away....

The deluxe room we had did have a sleeper sofa. Any room at PBH can have club status as there is not a true club floor there.

 

[Babyboo]

I enjoyed your photos, Babyboo - makes me excited for our June trip - HOWEVER - it now makes me wonder about the whole sleeper-sofa thing! We have a family of 5 and are booked in a PBH Deluxe 2Q room. We have been to HRH in a deluxe 2Q room and the sleeper sofa was just fine - looked like a double-sized bed once you unfolded it from the loveseat-sized couch. Are you saying that your deluxe room @ PBH did not have a loveseat / sleeper sofa? I tell ya, with a teenage son, a preteen son, and a squirmy 8 yr old daughter - DH and I really NEED there to be a sleeper sofa of some sort in there!! I suppose we could haul a cot or airmat with us, but what a pain. And 5 nights is too long to try to "rough it" - it's a vacation, after all! I will be a bit ticked if we end up paying for a roll-away....

I wouldn't worry as the first Deluxe Club room we stayed in at the Portofino had a sleeper sofa, we were a party of 5 then and had no prblems.

This time we were only a party of 4 so maybe they have some deluxe rooms without the sleeper just chairs and allocate these to smaller parties.

 

[bubba's mom]

Not ALL the sofas are pullouts...some are just sofas. I think they reserve the pullouts for those who have 5 booked in a room....and the non-pullouts for those booked with 4.

 

[goofy!]

Every deluxe we have stayed in has had a pull-out. There are quite a few, if not most, with the pull-out. Just ask for it and you will probably get it.

Loewshotels.com does not make any mention of a pull-out in their room descriptions, but UniversalOrlando states that ALL deluxe rooms have a pull-out sofa for the Portofino:

Deluxe Rooms
Deluxe Rooms These elegantly appointed accommodations offer an even larger living space at 490 square feet, plus a stylish and roomy bathroom featuring a separate tub and shower. Deluxe rooms are available with a King or two double Queen beds, all rooms with two double queen beds have a pull-out sofa.


But be forewarned, it is a twin sized pull-out in the chair, not a double or queen sofa.

 

[Disneysnel]

Hi,

Could someone please tell me if the rooms without balconies have windows that open?

Thanks!

 

[Babyboo]

No our windows didn't open.

and definately no sofa pull out or otherwise in our Deluxe room just a wing chair

 

[damo]

No our windows didn't open.

and definately no sofa pull out or otherwise in our Deluxe room just a wing chair

There have been a few people that have reported no pull out. If it is important, make sure you let them know.

 

[Disneysnel]

I notice some rooms have balconies in the pictures are those rooms all club rooms?

I HAVE to have a room that opens to the outside, I am very claustrophobic and will get panic attacks if I know the only way to the outside is way down a hall or whatever.
(Have to practically knock myself out on a plane )

So, in other words - what do I have to pay for in order to have a very good chance of getting a balcony.

(I booked thru Loew's with my blue card)

Hope that didn't sound too whiny
Thanks

 

[bubba's mom]

If I am not mistaken, the balconies are attached to the suites. Portofino and Villa suites and higher.... Standard rooms don't have balconies (as most rooms at Universal Orlando do NOT have balconies). You'd have to reserve that specific room, or be lucky enuf to get an upgrade....

 

[damo]

I notice some rooms have balconies in the pictures are those rooms all club rooms?

I HAVE to have a room that opens to the outside, I am very claustrophobic and will get panic attacks if I know the only way to the outside is way down a hall or whatever.
(Have to practically knock myself out on a plane )

So, in other words - what do I have to pay for in order to have a very good chance of getting a balcony.

(I booked thru Loew's with my blue card)

Hope that didn't sound too whiny
Thanks

I would give the hotel a call. Perhaps they can put you on the first floor where the rooms have walk outs to the outside.