RPH and Universal first timer questions

[Snurk71]

Been to WDW 7 times (just got back a couple weeks ago), never stepped off Disney property. But I have a work conference at RPH in a few weeks, and I know nothing of Universal or the hotel.

The conference schedule looks like things are going to be pretty busy, so I doubt I'll have time to hit one of the parks. Unless Universal does a E-night type thing like WDW where I could hit a park after meeting hours. Does Universal do this?

Other questions...

Restaurants - what's quick, what's casual, what's not to be missed?

Fitness center - is there one, is it a usual business traveler fitness center, is there a real gym near by?

Rooms - any advice/comments on what to try for or what to avoid?

Any other tips about the hotel or surrounding property (not parks)?

Thanks

 

[A Mickeyfan]

The parks there do not do anything like an E night at Disney. There is always City-Walk which is on the same lines as PI at Disney, except you do not have to pay unless you are going to club hop.
There are many restaurants at City Walk. Most of them are causal. There are also 2 in the RPR itself. One is casual the other isn't. I personally like the places in City Walk...Nascar Cafe, NBA City, Hard Rock Cafe, Pastamores & Bob Marley's. They are all casual. There is also many other casuals as well.
There is a gym in the RPR that is out of this world. I love the indoor jaccuzzi. If you are staying club level or are a Lowes Member you can use the gym free, if not, I think it is like $8 per day.
As far as the rooms, there are 3 towers. Tower 1 is a shorter walk to the parks & City Walk, tower 2 is where they usually put the smokers & pets, tower 3 is an easy access to the pool & gym area as well as the boat dock. I liked tower 3 for those reasons. With tower 3 you can end up with a room facing I-4 though. I did when I stayed club level & wasn't crazy about that. The walk from the elevator can be very long if you end up at the opposite end of the hall. The halls have a walk way (with rooms) & then branch out to the left & right (to other rooms). If you have any sort of walking problem be sure to request one close to the elevator. I know when my husband goes, we usually do that.
Any tips...well, you can take the boat over to the other resorts & use their facilities while staying at the RPR, but it you drive over to them, they will charge you to park your car while visiting that resort, unlike Disney, you can drive to any of their resorts & get in, here you need to pay to park.
Hope I have helped you... have a great time