PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL Information

[Charger]

If you stay at this hotel do you get free entrance to universal parks?

 

[macraven]

If you stay at this hotel do you get free entrance to universal parks?

you need to buy park tickets to enter the park.

there are some hotel promo packages that include tickets but it is much cheaper to book hotel and tickets separately.

 

[BurleyGirl]

Staying at one of the three Universal on-site hotels enables you "front of the line" access to the rides, meaning that you get to skip to the front of the line to get on the rides, which is a really cool perk.

 

[bubba's mom]

We will be at PBH Jan 10-16 upgraded to a Portofino Suite. I called today to request a room near the boat and was told we have already been assigned to a 3rd floor suite. I was told the third floor is ground level but she couldn't tell me anything else.

Does anyone have any idea where that would be? Does this mean the room opens out to a patio area?

Has anyone been upgraded to Club Level?

Thanks

Portofino Suites on the 3rd floor are NOT ground level. We stay in 3333 & 3335 every year and they are on the THIRD floor. We have to take the elevator to the 3rd floor.

Ground level is floor 1 and you don't need the elevator.

Also, I don't know that I'd expect to be upgraded to Club (you can try or pay extra for it) because you were already upgraded because of your honeymoon (I'm guessing?)

 

[GinaBean]

Staying at one of the three Universal on-site hotels enables you "front of the line" access to the rides, meaning that you get to skip to the front of the line to get on the rides, which is a really cool perk.

I wanted to clarify that you don't actually get to go the front of the line. You get to use the express line instead of the regular lines, and you get unlimited use. You will be in line with other hotel guests and people who bought an express pass for that day. When we went, we were thought it was "front of the line", but it wasn't.

 

[BurleyGirl]

"I wanted to clarify that you don't actually get to go the front of the line. You get to use the express line instead of the regular lines, and you get unlimited use. You will be in line with other hotel guests and people who bought an express pass for that day. When we went, we were thought it was "front of the line", but it wasn't."

Well said! Thanks!

 

[damo]

I wanted to clarify that you don't actually get to go the front of the line. You get to use the express line instead of the regular lines, and you get unlimited use. You will be in line with other hotel guests and people who bought an express pass for that day. When we went, we were thought it was "front of the line", but it wasn't.

That is exactly the reason why it is called "express pass" and not "front of the line" anymore. It just caused too much confusion. I don't think it has been advertised as "front of the line" for several years now but some people still refer to it as such. Old habits die hard.

 

[Poly-Anna]

Charger - we did use the shuttle to Seaworld 3 years ago and it was fine. It ran like Rpbert1 said with a drop off in the a.m. and return about 5 p.m. or so. By then usually we have seen all we needed to at Seaworld - except for the evening shows. Usually we never keep a rental car at PBR because we don't like to pay to park it. With all the restaurant options at Citiwalk, we never need to leave Universal. We do WDW in a separate trip so we concentrate on Universal and Seaworld only. Have fun!

 

[Poly-Anna]

Rpbert1 - Saw your pictures of the Don Cesar resort on another thread and loved them. Want to know what you thought of the resort and your room because I think we have the same type room booked for May. (I can't decide between Clearwater Beach or St. Pete Beach!). Any opinions welcome.

 

[rpbert1]

Rpbert1 - Saw your pictures of the Don Cesar resort on another thread and loved them. Want to know what you thought of the resort and your room because I think we have the same type room booked for May. (I can't decide between Clearwater Beach or St. Pete Beach!). Any opinions welcome.

Hi Poly-Anna,
We stayed last July for a week, had a free suite upgrade with my Youfirst, room was very nice, a lot of features in the hotel are i would imagine the original . Room was lovely ,large lounge with sofa bed for DD and we had the king bed in a separate bedroom, it was where the Bathroom was, and it was quite nice as well. Hotel was georgeous and would definetly recommend it to anyone. Was talking to the manager of the pool area, as they seemed to have a problem with the size of the area and pool loungers, we where usually down at the pool quite early, around 10am, and always plenty available, but sat and Sun was quite crowded. They let you put items on the loungers ,but apparently can only be for an hour, so you would need to be back by then or they could remove the items, but never saw anyone do this.
ate breakfast there and it was very good, as well as eating at the pool, never tried the maritania , they told me i would need long trousers and no t shirts, so said i would not be eating there, as i dont dress when on vacation.
Have booked for 4 days this July again, originally was 7 days , but DD wanted to stay at RPR longer

 

[Poly-Anna]

Thanks for your input, I greatly appreciate it. Also the fact that you are returning this summer says alot. We have reservations at the Don Cesar and also at the new Hyatt up in Clearwater, but I'm sure I can't go wrong with either. We're Loews First members too and are going over to PBR after our beach days. Can't wait for May! Thanks again and loved your pictures! Truly worth a thousand words.

 

[loperella]

Hi everyone!

We're heading back to US/IOA in October for our 2nd time. We're leaning towards PBH this time and I've been like a sponge trying to soak this very informative thread in. Hopefully someone can let me know if I'm on the right track purty puleez.

If we stay club level do we get a DX room? Or do we book a DX room and add CL?

Basically we'd like the larger DX room with HUGE bathroom (from what I've read, lol) and wanting the chair/sofa that doubles as a twin bed. And of course, we'd like the perks of Club. Also, West Wing is "the way to go" if we want close to pool??? Plus, a balcony would be really nice, but I'm sure there're limits, right?

Hope what I'm asking makes some sort of sense & I'll keep reading in hopes of not confusing myself anymore (than I already am!)

 

[andee515]

I was curious to know if anyone knew if there is a large bathroom in the Seuss Kids Suite?
And is there a sofa in the room? We are staying there in March and I have had some people say there was and some say there aren't

any info would be appreciated

 

[Poly-Anna]

Ioperella - from the Universal Website:

"All rooms with Club Lounge access are the Deluxe Room category at 490 square feet." So if you just book Club, you get a deluxe room.

We stay club level and the rooms, especially the bathroom, are very comfortable. I love the bathroom with the shower on one end and the tub on the other - very spacious. We get a room with 2 queen beds and there is plenty of room for the 3 of us. For a regular room (not a suite) PBR is one of the best in Orlando. Our other favorite is the Yacht/Beach Club.

As for location, we never make requests for the club level rooms. It's all inside so no need to walk outside to get to the lounge. Nothing is very far from the rooms. We usually get a room that overlooks the Villa Pool.

Love PBR - can't wait for May!

 

[DaddyDon]

Do they allow pets at this resort?

 

[bubba's mom]

Do they allow pets at this resort?

Yes...Loews is pet friendly.

 

[tink7736]

Hello!
Does anyone know if you can request a balcony if you book club level? I know in the past when I've booked non-club, you cannot request a balcony when making a reservation, it's first come first serve. Also wondering if we're more apt to get a balcony by booking a 2 queen room as opposed to a king. Thanks!

 

[bubba's mom]

The chances of getting a balcony are slim. They are for the hospitality suites and such....

There are maybe a handful of rooms w/ balconies? And, they aren't regular rooms..

But hey....request and see what happens! You never know...

 

[tink7736]

Thanks Bubba's mom. We are booked club level with a deluxe room, so maybe we will get lucky!

 

[quinnc19]

Is there free transportation to and from? Thanks! Staying in May and can't wait!