Which Loews hotel?

[AmyAnne]

We are going for 2 days, 1 night during Christmas week. Staying at one of the hotels that gets early entry and express pass (those are Portofino, Royal Pacific, and Hard Rock -- is that correct?). Primarily going for the new (in the last 3 years) HP stuff. All teens/adults.

The room rates for these 3 hotels are all in the same ballpark, so I'm trying to figure out what other factors to use in deciding. We stayed at Portofino about 10 years ago and it was nice, although my kids were young then and I recall having trouble finding a place to grab a quick meal.

Anyone have a favorite among these 3 hotels?

 

[soniam]

Portofino is actually one of the better deluxe hotels for quick food. Sal's has grab n go and quick pizza and stuff. Portofino also has a Starbucks. Hard Rock has some grab n go and some quick cooked food, like breakfast, burgers, hot sandwiches, maybe chicken tenders, at Emack & Bolios. I wish I had taken a picture of the menu when we stayed there last time. Royal Pacific has some grab n go from the Orchid Court in the morning and then sushi there at night. I think many of the restaurants will also do to go orders at all 3 resorts, and there's also room service. I think for grab n go, Hard Rock and Portofino have the best options. I also think for snacks and drinks that Portofino and Hard Rock have the best choices. We really like Hard Rock for the pool, atmosphere, and proximity to the parks. However, they are all really nice, and I would stay at any of them again.

 

[AmyAnne]

That's interesting - I can't recall exactly what the food issue was but I do recall having trouble finding anything other than a bar. But this was at least 10 years ago.

Pools are not on the agenda for this trip (no time, plus December). How does the Hard rock atmosphere and proximity to the parks compare to the others?

 

[macraven]

Christmas week will be busy and have crowds.


Out of the three hotels you are considering, I would choose Hard Rock Hotel as it is the closest hotel to the studios park.
Very short time to reach that park.
IOA would only be another 7 minute walk at the most.

 

[macraven]

You can use the water taxis at all three of the hotels you are considering.

RPR is closest to IOA
If you had to walk it, some have stated in the past they reached that park in about 7-8 minutes.
For me when I walked from there, it was just under ten minutes.
I don't walk fast.

PBH is a bit more of a walk from the hotel to the parks.
The Studios would be closer to pbh than IOA is.

 

[bumbershoot]

I love portofino.

 

[soniam]

Hard Rock always feels like a closer walk to me. especially to the Studios. We also cut through the back employee area and parking lot, which there might be a sign saying not to do The Hard Rock feels like it has more energy, and I think it appeals to teens and tweens. Adults might prefer Portofino or Royal Pacific. I love Portofino's atmosphere, but it is more of a trek. We almost always use the boat for Portofino but usually walk for the other 2.

Who will be in your group? That might make a difference.

EDIT: Nevermind. I see you said teens and adults. I vote for Hard Rock.

 

[Robo56]

Have to say I’am partial to PBH. The rooms are bigger and you have the option of 3 pools.

RPR would be my close second.

 

[cbsnyber1]

Portofino = laid back Italian villa - farther away than the others. Biggest rooms.

Hard Rock = high energy rock 'n roll vibe - close to US. Second biggest rooms.

Royal Pacific = South seas soothing - close to IA. Smallest rooms, although in fairness still big enough to be comfortable.

My only negative against Portofino is its distance from the parks. It can be walked, but it is easier to take the water taxi back and forth, especially at the end of the day. If you love rock 'n roll, you'll love Hard Rock; if not, you may not. RPR is a comforting, easy resort to like, with beautiful grounds. Very relaxing.

Were I returning tomorrow, I'd go to Portofino - only because I'd be staying at least five nights, and could afford the time necessary to travel by water taxi back and forth. It is spacious, comfortable, has a great pool, and has Sal's - IMHO the best "quick service" restaurant at Universal.

 

[imprint]

I love all 3 hotels. I agree with all the info above. Unless you see something said that really sways you one way or the other (or you just really want to try one in particular), I'd personally just go with the cheapest.

My personal ranking (taking cost out of the consideration): 1. Portofino Bay, 2. Royal Pacific, 3. Hard Rock. Totally subjective though. I love the atmosphere of PBH and the rooms a little more.

 

[damo]

For a one night's stay, I don't think it makes much difference. You won't be spending a lot of time at the hotel.

 

[glocon]

For one night I’d either stay at HR since it’s closest, or at whichever saved $$. We’re staying at PBH for the first time this summer and looking forward to it, stayed at the others in the past and wouldn’t hesitate to again. Beautiful resorts, all are very “deluxe”.

 

[slpeters]

We will be there in December as well and booked the RPR simply based on price (about $180 a night) so I'm pleased to see that it is #2 on a few people's lists. I went into it sort of assuming it was objectively #3 (whatever objectively means in this circumstance). Last year we were at the Swan at Disney and it seemed pretty nice but we were hardly ever there, I'm hoping there will actually be some time to enjoy the hotel this time around.

 

[chiisai]

With teens, and price being equal, Hard Rock based on theme. The walk looked nice. We walked back to portofino the other day as boat service stoped and the hard rock is close.

I agree with a PP about Portofino, Sal’s is a great food stop. They do have some grab and go items, but the prepared food doesn’t take long either. I recently had their Italian sub and it was so good I briefly contemplated working in a stop back there after we switched resorts.

If the price difference is more than $30, I personally would go with least expensive of the three.