Royal Pacific or Hard Rock?

[NicholaJP]

Hello all,

Flights are booked for May '09 - very excited! We stayed at Royal Pacific last year and loved it, previously stayed at Disney now we are planning a Universal only holiday as we loved it sooo much!! This year there is only $10 difference in price between Royal Pacific and Hard Rock. I would love to stay at Roayal Pacific again, but then it would be nice to try somewhere new, I just don't want to be disapointed. Which do you prefer? We have an 8 Yr old daughter, which do you think is more child friendly?

Thanks so much,

 

[NashvilleTrio]

For $10 a night, HRH would easily win for us. I know all 3 hotels are close, but the HRH is right in the middle of the resort. Also, the hotel and staff have a cool factor without being rude, the standard rooms are a bit larger, the pool's underwater music and waterslide add to the fun.

 

[NashvilleTrio]

Finishing my thoughts from earlier...

I think the HRH is probably more kid friendly. Again, the pool is great and the "cool" factor of staying at a Hard Rock hotel are not to be discounted.

 

[magicalfoursome]

Your situation sounds just like ours. We are going to US in June 09 and have stayed at the Royal Pacific Hotel once before. We went to Disney last year so this trip we are doing a US + beach trip. Last week I had booked the Royal Pacific but changed it to the Hard Rock Hotel over the weekend. I have a DD14 and a DS11. I also love RPR but I like to try different resorts. I think my kids will love the slide at HRH and the music underwater. HRH is also right in the middle of everything. It is next to the Portofina Bay Hotel which I would love to visit and maybe even check out their pools. It is costing me $32 more per night so your $10 more a night sounds great! I have never been to the HRH but I hear it is a lot of fun!!

 

[macraven]

you can pool hop at the universal hotels.
if you stay at rph, you can visit the hrh pool

 

[ky07]

you can pool hop at the universal hotels.
if you stay at rph, you can visit the hrh pool

 

[thumbalyna]

we stayed at RPR in october our first time at this hotel we have always stayed at HRH and IMHO i would never stay at the RPR again - my daughter who is now almost 15 loves the HRH and we have been staying there since she was 7

 

[macraven]

i just had my 19th stay at HRH in october and won't be back there again.

trying rph or pbh for next year.

i have stayed at both of them once before.
i might be leaning towards rph for the next trip.

 

[pixeegrl]

We just got back from RPR but the kids wanted to visit HRH for the cool factor and pool slide...it was all down hill from there you could say lol. The boys all want to stay at HRH next time and it has nothing to do with the Guitar Hero at the pool either or the slide! JK I think that has everything to do with it! We loved RPR but I think HRH is more laid back and "cool" as the kids said. The pool guy got up to do games with everyone and said if you came here to relax the Royal Pacific is that way and the Portofino is the other way LOL.

 

[BuckeyeGuy28]

Portofino Bay

 

[VLee]

Wondering the same thing....except the ages of my kids would be 9 and 6.
I am booked at Royal Pacific, but am thinking of switching to HRH, what do you think for the ages of my kids??

 

[patster734]

Having stayed at both, my preference is for the RPR! RPR's serene atmosphere suits my laid-back attitude. Two of my favorite Universal restaurants are also located at RPR: Jake's Bar and Tchoup Chop.

 

[pixeegrl]

Wondering the same thing....except the ages of my kids would be 9 and 6.
I am booked at Royal Pacific, but am thinking of switching to HRH, what do you think for the ages of my kids??

Well, you can stay at RPR this time and pool hop and then you have an excuse to go back (as if it's needed) and you can stay at HRH next time.

 

[keishashadow]

each resort has a such a different vibe, it's nice to be able to choose between them!

i now can say i've been to all threeso i'll give my 2 cents

portofino is my new fav as it's so refined lol, just seems more pampering/luxurious overall...i like themed resorts when in MCO, after a day in the parks just want to forget where i am for awhile kwim? The main pool is very active for the kiddos & the staff engages them in many activities.

really like RP too, can't beat the pool (again lots of fun for the kiddos, no waterslide though) & the lobby is so visually interesting, high level of service (generally ); yet the limited room types (lack of upgradeable suites re youfirst program steers me to Portofino)

HR is cool, so much to see & the pool (while cramped imo ) is great. IMO the staff tries just a bit too hard to achieve cool though, hip/casual is fine as long as it doesn't affect the overall customer's experience

post back as to which u choose (don't forget a trip report!)

 

[EEyorelover22]

Is RPR a longer walk from the parks than HRH?

I have RPR booked because the night I want to book at HRH is full for July which I think it odd.

 

[macraven]

Is RPR a longer walk from the parks than HRH?

I have RPR booked because the night I want to book at HRH is full for July which I think it odd.

HRH has less rooms than the other 2 hotels.
HRH is the closet hotel to the parks.
It does sell out quickly on certain dates.

a few minutes walk and you can be in the studios side.

 

[EEyorelover22]

It is that much closer that it's worth another $50 per night?
Thanks for you help.

 

[macraven]

It is that much closer that it's worth another $50 per night?

no. it is not.
i do not believe that HRH is worth the extra $50 in order to be closer to the universal studios side of the park.

i would not waste my money that way.

i'm just saying this is one reason i hear on why people enjoy staying at HRH.

some families with little kids and that prefer to do the studio side more, have that convenience to be that close to the park.

i was only trying to give a reason why HRH might be full on that date you wanted.
less rooms is always a factor besides some other reasons.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Thank you...I really have no clue and cannot get a idea from maps. DH and DS always go over there for two days in the parks. DD and I stay at Disney.

I did get what you meant about HRH filling up faster and actually, it's open now so who knows. I didn't know that either. Thank you.

Thanks for your input. I asked both of the guys where it was and they had no clue DH has NO directional sense!!

I'm sure it's easy to get to the parks though from any of the 3 from what I understand.

 

[keishashadow]

Is RPR a longer walk from the parks than HRH?

I have RPR booked because the night I want to book at HRH is full for July which I think it odd.

i've read trippies of those who walk to the parks from Portofino jk barb

imo, enough walking in the parks, my feet hurt after a long day; glad to see the boats

that said, even i will walk the distance back to HR, did it once to RP...got grossed out by all the dead lizards on the sidewalk (victims of pedi cabs i assume)