portofino or royal pacific??

[gregsbrat]

I currently hold an APH rate at RPH for $139. I see I could get the Portofino for $169. Would any of you make the switch and why? I have stayed at RPH twice and love being able to walk to IOA and CityWalk within minutes. Thanks for any advice

 

[Harry Potter]

It depends on who is in your party. If you are alone or with a fellow adult then maybe the change to PBH will be a good experience. However, if you have kids with you then there is no point going to PBH, as it is the least kid-friendly of the onsite hotels. If you are tempted to go away from RPR then maybe go to HRH for the great ambience and underwater music in the pools?

PBH is also the furthest hotel from the parks, it will take you upto 20 minutes to walk to CityWalk, which is not a good idea in the Floridian heat, especially on your way back from the parks, when you will be exhausted and in need or a drink or three.

Personally, RPR is perfect for me, as I love that kind of theming. I like to think of it as Balinese, even though officially its "South Seas" and Hawaiian. One day I want to visit Indonesia for real, as I love the architecture and culture from that part of the world. RPR feels like a good starting point.

 

[kmc]

Well I love all the universal resorts and every time I see someone post that portifino is not a kid friendly resort I'm a little suprised. I have stayed there when my son was 3 and when he was 11 and he loved it. It's slide is better than Hard Rocks and they play plenty of pool games. The staff has always been super kid friendly. The ONLY downside I see is its distance from the parks when comparing it to the other two. Its definitely not a quick walk to citywalk but it is only a short boat rideI think $169 is a great rate and if you like to take the boat or don't mind the longer walk then I say go for it since you have already stayed at royal pacific twice

 

[nytimez]

Well I love all the universal resorts and every time I see someone post that portifino is not a kid friendly resort I'm a little suprised. I have stayed there when my son was 3 and when he was 11 and he loved it. It's slide is better than Hard Rocks and they play plenty of pool games. The staff has always been super kid friendly. The ONLY downside I see is its distance from the parks when comparing it to the other two. Its definitely not a quick walk to citywalk but it is only a short boat rideI think $169 is a great rate and if you like to take the boat or don't mind the longer walk then I say go for it since you have already stayed at royal pacific twice

I agree with this. I've stayed with my daughter at both resorts (at RPR when she was 4 and PBH at 5), I don't think she enjoyed one over the other... she definitely liked them both, but the real highlight of course is always the parks.

For a $30 difference, I'd go with PBH. RPR is great, but I find PBH really is a step up in comfort, theme and more. It is further, but I've always found the boats to be frequent enough that I never feel like I'm waiting too long.

There's nothing wrong with RPR though -- it's a fine resort... and if the difference was $50 a night or more I'd probably stay there and I'd do it with no regrets.

 

[k&Jsmom]

My family and I have been going to the Portofino for years now. My kids love it there and I find it very kid friendly.

7 year old loves the slide. The rooms are big and the bathroom is large as well. We never feel cramped in the room. RP looks much smaller in room size. My friend who did stay there told me that as well.

I don't find the walk to the parks that bad. If the boat is there when we walk outside we take it, or sometimes you find these guys with the bike who ride you to the park ( I forgot what they call that)

I have enjoyed my stays too much at the Portofino to even try another onsite property.

 

[gregsbrat]

Thanks so much for all of your advice...I think I have decided to make the switch SO what kind of room requests should I be making?? Would you go with east vs west wing?? Unfortunately, this will be the last leg of a 12 night trip {only 2 nites} and it will probably be mostly park time with hopefully some pool time