Split Resort Stay?

[k&a&c'smom]

DD and I are heading to US/IOA in May, and have 5 nights booked at HRH. We have stayed there in the past and love the resort, so it was easy to choose.

However, I've been reading great reviews of PBH, and have thought we might like to spend a couple nights there at the end of our vacation. We've never been and have wanted to try this resort.

Any advice? We've done split stays at WDW resorts, and don't mind moving. Just wondering if we'll be sorry we didn't stay put at HRH and try PBH another time.

ETA: Posted this too quickly (got a phone call!) and realized I should have added some detail. We are booked in a pool view at HRH with the APH rate; garden view is available at PBH for our time, which is nealry the same as HRH pool, or a $25/night jump to bay view. Is PBH more spread out? Are the garden view rooms located all over the resort?

 

[damo]

Yes garden rooms are all over the place---I prefer the bay view. I love the PBH, it is so quiet and a very different feel from the other two hotels. It really is a personal preference.

 

[JessicaR]

When you have the time, split stays are great! We have done this a few times. First HRH will gladly escort you in their zebra golf carts to Portofino. Also, you can arrange, according to season, that your room be ready when you check out of one and check into the next. It is a wonderful way to check out two properties during one stay!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks for the replies, very helpful! I was starting to question my idea.

damo - good to know about the gv. Is there a particular area for bay view that you prefer? I need to do some research on PBH, I've read a little but was trying to make a decision before the rooms disappeared!

JessicaR - thanks for the info on the escort, what great service! We will have a rental car, but will keep this in mind for the future.

Very nice regarding the room-to-room thing, if available, better than WDW. Our only drawback to a split is if we go nearly a full day without a room, it can be inconvenient in the FL heat. How do you go about this? Set it up with HRH, or PBH?

 

[damo]

I like the bay view west wing. That puts you right by the boat dock. You can see when the boat is arriving and hurry out to meet it.

The other thing about doing a split stay at RPR or PBH is that each stay will get you qualifying stays. You'll get one qualifying stay for RPR and one for PBH. Two qualifying stays really helps with your YouFirst status.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks, damo! I booked PBH for our last two nights today, so excited! We had to book garden view for our dates, do you have any recommendations for location? I can't seem to find a map of the resort anywhere, not one that has a good shot of the layout, anyway.

We will be at Hard Rock for the first 3 nights - will that still count as a qualifying stay? I know they don't participate in Loews YouFirst, but when I go to my YouFirst account, it shows up under "qualifying stays", so I wasn't sure.

 

[macraven]

We will be at Hard Rock for the first 3 nights - will that still count as a qualifying stay? I know they don't participate in Loews YouFirst, but when I go to my YouFirst account, it shows up under "qualifying stays", so I wasn't sure.

the HRH does not qualify as it is not a Loews Hotel.
HRH is going to have a new program starting in October.
Presently, the All Access is their loyalty program.

 

[JessicaR]

Thanks for the replies, very helpful! I was starting to question my idea.



JessicaR - thanks for the info on the escort, what great service! We will have a rental car, but will keep this in mind for the future.

Very nice regarding the room-to-room thing, if available, better than WDW. Our only drawback to a split is if we go nearly a full day without a room, it can be inconvenient in the FL heat. How do you go about this? Set it up with HRH, or PBH?

The only way to go about doing this is the morning of. We arrange it with both and they try and coordinate it if possible. To be honest, they have always made it work. Front desk Loews people are the greatest! Ask the night before but plan to get your answer the morning of change.

 

[damo]

Thanks, damo! I booked PBH for our last two nights today, so excited! We had to book garden view for our dates, do you have any recommendations for location? I can't seem to find a map of the resort anywhere, not one that has a good shot of the layout, anyway.

We will be at Hard Rock for the first 3 nights - will that still count as a qualifying stay? I know they don't participate in Loews YouFirst, but when I go to my YouFirst account, it shows up under "qualifying stays", so I wasn't sure.

Someone else recently said that they got qualifying stays at HRH. I'm wondering if you get qualifying stays but you can't use them there.

Here's a link with maps and stuff for you.... http://www.uomeetingsandevents.com/Home_Flash.asp

 

[JessicaR]

Someone else recently said that they got qualifying stays at HRH. I'm wondering if you get qualifying stays but you can't use them there.

Here's a link with maps and stuff for you.... http://www.uomeetingsandevents.com/Home_Flash.asp

Ohh you made me go have a look and sure enough -

Last Stay Credited: Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando®, 03/26/2012

 

[macraven]

now i wonder why i didn't get credit there?

 

[damo]

now i wonder why i didn't get credit there?

Stay more save more rates don't qualify. Did you use that perhaps?

 

[JessicaR]

I did have the APH rate and I did book on Loews website directly. Not sure if that made the difference but very surprised it was there, didn't expect it.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I am booked with APH rate, so that is great! I checked again this morning, and both reservations show up as qualifying on my account.

macraven - thanks for the All Access reminder, I had read the program is about to change. I guess I'll at least get to use my current credits on our upcoming trip.

damo - thanks for the link, I have been to that site but the map is small (at least in Chrome, maybe I should try in another browser) and doesn't designate the various areas of the resort very well.

After reading more about PBH, I'm starting to think I should keep trying to upgrade to bay view, though it seems a little more difficult to change a reservation at US resorts than WDW.

JessicaR - thanks for the procedure info for moving day. I'll mention our second reservation at check in, ask the night before, and expect to go down early on change day.

I agree about the front desk service; for our stay at RPR in 2010, we were greeted as honored guests though we only had one night booked. I was taken aback, as WDW has gotten a little stiff in that area - we often get the impression asking for a room request is an imposition!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I wanted to update, as I have been able to add a day onto our flight with very little increase in fare. We now have 3 nights Hard Rock, 3 nights Portofino!! Very excited, can't wait for our trip.

damo - I found a great map you posted on the PBH thread that was very helpful.

 

[humphreydog]

I wonder if they can split it using the "stay more, save more" promotion. That would interest me.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I wonder if they can split it using the "stay more, save more" promotion. That would interest me.

I hope one of the experts can answer this, but I would be very surprised if you could use the SMSM promotion. It is two separate reservations, so I doubt it.

 

[damo]

I wonder if they can split it using the "stay more, save more" promotion. That would interest me.

No. Each reservation will be treated separately.

 

[humphreydog]

That's too bad because this year I want to stay at RP, wife wants PBH and kids want HRH.