Portofino Report

[jboehm]

Good: Beautiful hotel with courteous and very helpful staff. They sent us champaign and strawberries for our anniversary.

Bad: $12 a day for self part. Charges for local phone calls. Boats to parks are slow, unpredictable, and if you miss one it will be quite a wait for the next boat. Hotel was no where near capacity and our room was on the VERY VERY end of the wing.

Will I return ... probably not. Definitely lacking the Disney magic.

 

[Cinderella822]

Sorry to hear that you didn't care for it. We went for the first time last month and fell in love with PBH. We usually do Disney but really liked the more laid back atmosphere all over Universal. We didn't mind the wait for the boats as we never felt rushed to get to the parks with FOTL. Loved the atmosphere of the hotel and the pools. We just booked again at PBH for next summer. Can't get enough of it.

 

[patster734]

Good: Beautiful hotel with courteous and very helpful staff. They sent us champaign and strawberries for our anniversary.

Bad: $12 a day for self part. Charges for local phone calls. Boats to parks are slow, unpredictable, and if you miss one it will be quite a wait for the next boat. Hotel was no where near capacity and our room was on the VERY VERY end of the wing.

Will I return ... probably not. Definitely lacking the Disney magic.

If you do return, try staying at either Hard Rock Hotel or Royal Pacific Hotel. If you miss the boat, both hotels have a short walk to Citywalk and the 2 parks.

 

[aztecgoods]

I love the hotels there, but the one thing I will never do again is use the phone or touch anything in the room other than what I have too. It seems like my bill was chalked full of stuff like $12 bucks for a phone call, 2) Looked at mini-bar $12, (actually drinking is extra) 3) picked up pen $5, (actually using the pen is extra). I"m exageratting of course but you get my point.

 

[coastergirls]

We are staying 2 nights later next month with kids unfortunately. It is our 11th wedding anniversary as well while we are there. What sort of things could they do as a surprise for the wife. She has booked the hotel and done most of the planning for our trip and it would be a nice surprise if I could organise something. Definately not flowers though as she suffers really bad with pollen allergies.
Could I email them to let them know it is our anniversary. We are staying club and have already had an email from concierge regarding entertainment for the kids.
Would they be able to help.
Thanks for your help. Using wifes identity here so hope she doesn't check to see what threads she has responded to. Don't think or hope she won't be on for a couple of days so it might pass her by.!!

 

[Cinderella822]

We are staying 2 nights later next month with kids unfortunately. It is our 11th wedding anniversary as well while we are there. What sort of things could they do as a surprise for the wife. She has booked the hotel and done most of the planning for our trip and it would be a nice surprise if I could organise something. Definately not flowers though as she suffers really bad with pollen allergies.
Could I email them to let them know it is our anniversary. We are staying club and have already had an email from concierge regarding entertainment for the kids.
Would they be able to help.
Thanks for your help. Using wifes identity here so hope she doesn't check to see what threads she has responded to. Don't think or hope she won't be on for a couple of days so it might pass her by.!!

Yes, definitely call or email the concierge. I found them to be very helpful before my last trip. I'm sure they could offer all kinds of nice surprises for your wife. As the OP mentioned, they had champagne and strawberries sent to their room for their anniversary. Enjoy!

 

[damo]

Good: Beautiful hotel with courteous and very helpful staff. They sent us champaign and strawberries for our anniversary.

Bad: $12 a day for self part. Charges for local phone calls. Boats to parks are slow, unpredictable, and if you miss one it will be quite a wait for the next boat. Hotel was no where near capacity and our room was on the VERY VERY end of the wing.

Will I return ... probably not. Definitely lacking the Disney magic.

Did you know there also is a shuttle bus that will take you to the park if you miss the water taxi?

 

[rcraw45425]

Did you know there also is a shuttle bus that will take you to the park if you miss the water taxi?

Damo, does the shuttle run like the Disney ones, from before park opening to after park closing? I think it is sounding better than the boats for speed.

 

[patster734]

We are staying 2 nights later next month with kids unfortunately. It is our 11th wedding anniversary as well while we are there. What sort of things could they do as a surprise for the wife. She has booked the hotel and done most of the planning for our trip and it would be a nice surprise if I could organise something. Definately not flowers though as she suffers really bad with pollen allergies.
Could I email them to let them know it is our anniversary. We are staying club and have already had an email from concierge regarding entertainment for the kids.
Would they be able to help.
Thanks for your help. Using wifes identity here so hope she doesn't check to see what threads she has responded to. Don't think or hope she won't be on for a couple of days so it might pass her by.!!

You could treat her to a spa treatment. The Mandara Spa and Fitness Center is located at the hotel.

Here's Universal website for recreational options at the Portofino Bay hotel: http://www.universalorlando.com/ht_pbh_recreation.html#mandara

 

[Dislifer]

Portofino is the hotel I plan to stay at during our next trip. We stayed at RPR...but just have to try a different place to see! I would love to go anywhere in Orlando when it is not crowded. When you say Portofino was not filled to capacity.....that's music to my ears!!!

 

[damo]

Damo, does the shuttle run like the Disney ones, from before park opening to after park closing? I think it is sounding better than the boats for speed.

I'm not sure but I would imagine so. Just check on your info sheet or with the front desk when you arrive. The shuttle boats run early and late, so I would imagine that the shuttle bus would too.

 

[rcraw45425]

Thanks, counting down. Just booked the Comfort Suites on Turkey Lake for the arrival night since it's pet friendly. $55 with the Magicard sure beats $350 for another night at PB when you arrive at 12 am!