Which of these rooms/hotels would you choose???

[Mom3girls]

We started off with Hard Rock Hotel AAA Poolview for $727(with taxes) for two nights in August for 5 people.

Found some AP rates and switched to Hard Rock poolview APH for a total of $605. Then an opening for Royal Pacific club level APH for $650 opened up and I reserved that room also. Was pretty sure we would choose this one since for an extra $45 total we will get to use club lounge for three days.

Went on Loews website last night and noticed Portofino Bay now has APH rate for garden view room for total of $402. That's a big difference in price...$203 off of the cheapest room rate I have reserved. Was also considering the difference in room size too. Hard Rock is 375 sq ft and RPH is 325 sq ft while PBH is 450 sq ft...with five that might be huge!!

What's a girl to do?????? I was thinking club level will save us money on food and beer but I've read that lounge doesn't open very early and was worried about being able to use the breakfast offerings before early entry to the parks. Does the lounge open earlier in August since the park opens so early for the summer crowds?? Looking at the website Portofino pool area doesn't wow me, but I know people on this board have said how much they LOVE Portofino. Needs lots of advice PLEASE!!!! We have only gone to WDW, never visited Universal before.

 

[Melanie230]

First off..(this is what we do)We always book Garden View and ask for the upgrade and we have always gotten the room upgrade to Pool View. We have the Hard Rock All Access card and when I show it...they have always given us the upgrade. That has saved us money. But we are willing to risk not getting the upgrade. We like HRH becase it is so close to US and always walk to the park. Club is fun but you arent saving money on food by staying Club level. Good luck planning...I do think that extra sq footage would be nice though!!

 

[damo]

Portofino has three pools. The beach pool with the slide is lovely. The villa pool is ...quiet. The hillside one is very quiet too.

Choosing hotels is such a personal decision. Look at all the pictures and decide. We generally just go with whatever is cheapest at the time.

There are videos here that might give you a better feel for the hotels....http://www.uomeetingsandevents.com/Hotels/index.asp

 

[IdesOmarch]

Just my opinion, but I prefer Portifino over all, nicest most gorgeous and plushest resort with best pools. RPR is a close 2nd. I can take or leave Hard Rock, doesn't do much for me atmosphere wise. Too sterile looking IMO.

 

[Mom3girls]

Thanks for the link to the videos...I will show these to hubby when he gets home!

 

[nytimez]

They're all great, but I love Portofino Bay. To me, this might be the best of all Universal AND Disney hotels.

 

[Mom3girls]

I wonder why it's sooo cheap and it has the biggest rooms too.

 

[damo]

I wonder why it's sooo cheap and it has the biggest rooms too.

Sometimes it just depends on occupancy.

 

[dd50]

If I could save $200+ and still have all the perks I would do it.