Universal Portofino Bay or Royal Pacific?

[janeyb]

Just about to add a couple of nights at Universal to our Christmas trip and can't decide which hotel to choose. I really like the look of Portofino Bay but I have now added lots of additional (expensive) extras to this Christmas trip and wonder if it's worth the additional cost (approx. £80 for the two nights) over the Royal Pacific.

The other thing to add, is that it will be for our first two nights in Florida so we won't really get much value for money out of the first night as we have a baby and 2 young children who usually hit the sack fairly early after the long trip.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated - thanks.

 

[wayneg]

I didn't really like RPR, way overcrowded pool area, pool water too warm(in August) and our room was tired so I would go for one of the other 2 hotels but others really like it.
With parking & internet fees I would only stay at Universal again I found a really low rate.

 

[sandshal]

We've stayed at all three, Portofino all the way! HRH close second (but can be noisy during Spring Break and HHN) RPR really would be my last choice, we found the pool quite dirty with all the shrubs etc round the side

 

[rpbert1]

I stayed at PBH twice and RPR 9 times, also did 2 split stay between the 2 resorts.
If had been warmer time you where going esp with kids , i would stay at RPR as it is such a great resort with lots going on for kids, PBH is a lot quiter , even in summer our DD was bored with our stays as there was not a lot happening at the resort or in the pools. As its Christmas you might not do a lot at the pool esp if its cooler.
RPR rooms are smaller than PBH , but we find we are very seldom in the rooms, so does not really matter

 

[janeyb]

Thanks for your help everyone, I'm going to keep looking out for a deal as it's for 10/11th Dec just before the xmas rush so I'm crossing my fingers that I come across a good deal.

I think I'm going to book the Portofino as it's the one that appeals to me the most, also it will probably be a while until we stay onsite at Universal again so I may as well go for the one I want. Thanks again.

 

[AlisonM]

I would definitely choose Portofino every time. It is a beautiful resort.

 

[sandshal]

I would definitely choose Portofino every time. It is a beautiful resort.

Some great AP rates right now too .. We paid £145 for a deluxe room on an AP for I night end of July