RPH or PBH???

[Katy]

I'm booked at the RPH for 2 nights in August for $154 including tax that is a standard room - no ent rates available. Does anyone know what the rate for a standard room at PBH with the ent discount would be? I'm thinking there may be better food options for our kids at PBH. Thanks.

 

[kellymonaghan]

Don't quote me on this, but I believe the current Entertainment rate at PBH is $150. I've also heard that availability at PBH is good for July and August.

Also, at least for now, PBH has slightly mmore dining options than RPR, but it doesn't have anything that can match RPR's $3.99 kids buffet.

 

[Katy]

Thanks Kelly. I think we'll try the PBH for two nights since we are switching to the HRH afterwards for several nights. Three of my children are older teens and wouldn't be able to get the 3.99 buffet anyway. Which resort do you think teens would prefer?

 

[kellymonaghan]

Originally posted by Katy
Which resort do you think teens would prefer?

Hard Rock!

 

[Lewisc]

I just got back from PBH (150 Entertainment rate). A 99 (3 night minimum) rate was available for RPH. HRH had very little availability at any price.

 

[Katy]

How did you enjoy PBH? We have the HRH ent rate for the end of our vacation. The difference in price between the PBH and the RPH for our dates is only 11.00. The RPH was sold out of the ent rate. I was wondering if we should go with the PBH since it is a little more established or go with RPH because it's new. We've never stayed at either.

 

[Mrs. P]

We stayed at the PBH in June. We had an Ent. rate of 150.00 a night for standard room. But with the Loews card we got an upgrade to a Bayview room. The view was breathtaking. The PBH is luxurious and the rooms are big with the most comfortable beds. And the Bathroom is huge. This is a great hotel and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there. You will not be disappointed. Go for it!!

 

[Lewisc]

The rooms and bathrooms at PBH are much bigger than RPH. The basic room view (garden view) is much better than the I4 view at RPH. The pool at PBH has a nice slide, RPH doesn't. Although you're allowed to pool hop it really isn't that convienent. For only $11 I'd go with the PBH. The hotels are really more deluxe than Disney (food is excellent but like any deluxe hotel tends to be expensive).

 

[CPM]

For only $11.00 more I would certainly pick PBH!! I wouldn't pay $154.00 for RP, it's nice & all but not worth $154.oo IMHO
There is also the Fl. res. rate available for $149.00 if they tell you the ER is sold out.

 

[pixie dust gal!]

I would pick PBH over RP anyday!!!!!!

I know several people who work at HRH and PBH and was told that RP has had complaints already from repeat guests of PBH and HRH who were trying out the new hotel. They kept accepting ressies with rooms not even ready yet. They had bellstaff and every other 'free hand' putting beds together to accomodate the incoming guests - they said it was ridiculous. Without going into this further, suffice it to say, they need to work the kinks out a bit. We just returned last evening from HRH and dined 3x at PBH - there numbers are down too; 30% occupancy right now (what I was told). They had only 1 valet, 1 bellman and 1 person at the front desk all three times were were there (we arrived between 6-7 pm). I talked with some of the staff and they said it hasn't been busy there at all - that looked obvious to me too.

HRH, on the other hand, is running about 90% occupancy. They are running full staff and busy night and day. The pool area was filled w/people and the restaurants reflected the same as well.

Hope this helps........

Debbie

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by pixie dust gal!
I would pick PBH over RP anyday!!!!!!
We just returned last evening from HRH and dined 3x at PBH - there numbers are down too; 30% occupancy right now (what I was told).

Debbie, maybe PBH should give some better discounts! I would stay there also, but with the amount of times we go up to US/IOA we can't be paying $150. and up per night on a room. It's hard to pass up the great deals RP had to offer.
If they see that you have stayed at PBH when you call to make rservations, they should try & up-sell you a room as a repeat customer. At least they would ahve a full hotel, and then people would be spending some money there.
That happened to us at Disney, we booked Dixie Landings, they said you always stay at the YC, would you like a room there for the same price?? Hmmm, I think so!!
On the flip side, we enjoyed RP and didn't notice any problems.

 

[pixie dust gal!]

Cheryl,

I agree w/ you. They should offer discounts, but they do not want the perception that they are a 'discount' resort. They would rather have empty rooms than to sacrifice the image.

I am so glad that your stay at RPH was a happy one. If you are staying there because of the rate, then you can always justify any little 'hiccups' that occur. It is when it is a coin toss, that you tend to get disappointed because you should have "chosen the other resort".

Again, happy that your stay was a pleasant one!

Debbie

 

[psar]

Could someone give me some info regarding PBH rooms. There seem to be garden views, bay views, is there a pool view? club level? Suites? Do the rooms have balconies? Any info would be greatly appreciated. With entertainment rates this sounds like it might be the right spot for my family.
My DS(21) has decided to come along on vacation. Just had to cancel ressies at RPH since there will now be 5 of us(couldn't get 2 rooms), and booked at PBH. Got a good rate with the entertainment card. Please tell me these rooms are a good size. Will I still be able to ask for upgrade and use my Loews card with the entertainment card rate?

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by psar
Could someone give me some info regarding PBH rooms. There seem to be garden views, bay views, is there a pool view? club level? Suites? Do the rooms have balconies? Any info would be greatly appreciated. With entertainment rates this sounds like it might be the right spot for my family.
My DS(21) has decided to come along on vacation. Just had to cancel ressies at RPH since there will now be 5 of us(couldn't get 2 rooms), and booked at PBH. Got a good rate with the entertainment card. Please tell me these rooms are a good size. Will I still be able to ask for upgrade and use my Loews card with the entertainment card rate?

http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/orlando_portofino_bay/default.asp

There isn't club or concierge at PBH. There is pool, bay, or garden view. There are three pools. I like requesting the west wing villa rooms, they seem to be close to everything.
The rooms are the largest of all three resorts. It is so peaceful & beautiful at PBH, there is always room at the pool, you don't have to fight for a lounge chair.
It is the furthest from the parks, but it's a relaxing boat ride, a quick shuttle ride or a beautiful garden walk.

 

[psar]

Thank you.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

Originally posted by pixie dust gal!
I would pick PBH over RP anyday!!!!!!

I know several people who work at HRH and PBH and was told that RP has had complaints already from repeat guests of PBH and HRH who were trying out the new hotel. They kept accepting ressies with rooms not even ready yet. They had bellstaff and every other 'free hand' putting beds together to accomodate the incoming guests - they said it was ridiculous. Without going into this further, suffice it to say, they need to work the kinks out a bit. Debbie

Do you think they'll have the kinks worked out by Oct.? Their Gory Getaway price is $74.90, vs. $126.55 for HRH or $159.85 for PBH, making it sound well worth it. What do you all think?

You have to add on the price of the park tickets, which is only $4 less than buying them outside the package. I can't believe almost $60 each for one night's ticket!!! Is it worth it?

 

[pixie dust gal!]

Pixie Dust -

Our 'log on names' are very similar - we must be related LOL

The difference being $50 a night between HRH/RPH.

I guess it depends on what you are going to be doing. We choose HRH because we spend a alot of time at the resort than we do the parks, we usually go for 10-14 days so we can relax more at the resort(s); my ds's want a slide/activities to join poolside - HRH has volleyball, water basketball, ping pong, chess/checkers, and a pool table PLUS organized activities 3-4 times a day - RPH does not have most of these activities (RPH does not have a pool slide, but their pool is the "largest pool in Orlando"). Room size is impt. to us too.

It sounds as if it is a "short get-away" vaca and if money is an issue, I would not hesitate to stay at RPH. The difference you will be saving each night is about 85% of the purchase price of your park ticket ($60). Several people on these boards have stayed there and have been happy. By the end of October, Emerill's new rest. should be open and they will have to meet those expectations by that time too.

I always look at what is more important and make that a priority.

Hope this helps........

Pixie Dust Gal aka Debbie

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by pixie dust gal!
Pixie Dust -
The difference being $50 a night between HRH/RPH.
I guess it depends on what you are going to be doing. We choose HRH because we spend a alot of time at the resort than we do the parks, we usually go for 10-14 days so we can relax more at the resort(s); my ds's want a slide/activities to join poolside - HRH has volleyball, water basketball, ping pong, chess/checkers, and a pool table PLUS organized activities 3-4 times a day - RPH does not have most of these activities (RPH does not have a pool slide, but their pool is the "largest pool in Orlando"). Room size is impt. to us too.


Actually RP does have a ping pong table, and I did see the kids playing waterbasketball. The lifeguard also told me they are getting more, They might not have the poolslide, but the interactive cruise ship in the pool really keeps the kids entertained.
I didn't find the rooms to be that much smaller then HRH, it's just missing the wet bar & extra sink in the bathroom. But they are much smaller then PBH.

 

[Antonia]

30% occupancy? That explains why the hotel looked uninhabited when my husband and I took a stroll around the place one night last week. There were 5 of us on the boat on the way over there and only the two of us on the way back and we waited a long time for a boat and no one else ever showed up to ride - just us. There was no one - well maybe 3 people - in the Thirsty Fish bar. There were a few people inside, but outside it was eerie.

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by Antonia
30% occupancy? That explains why the hotel looked uninhabited when my husband and I took a stroll around the place one night last week. There were 5 of us on the boat on the way over there and only the two of us on the way back and we waited a long time for a boat and no one else ever showed up to ride - just us. There was no one - well maybe 3 people - in the Thirsty Fish bar. There were a few people inside, but outside it was eerie.

It has never been that empty while I have been there, bummer! Mother's Day weekend it was packed.
Why wouldn't you want to stay at a resort that isn't crowded anyway? Maybe it's just me, but after a day of crowded parks don't you just want relaxation?