Which One: Royal Pacific vs. Portofino Bay

[gabzee]

Hey everyone! We will be in Universal from May 3-6. We will be 2 adults, 19 yr old, and 12 yr old. We currently have a reservation at RPH in a standard view room with 2 queens with the FL Resident discount. I just called tonight and they now have availability at the PBH in a garden view room with 2 queens with the FL Resident discount. We have stayed onsite multiple times but have only stayed at PBH. We really enjoyed it but we don't know if we should try something different. Would it be "downgrading" to go to the RPH. I know the rooms are smaller but are they that much smaller? We would be at least eating at both Emerils and Mama Dellas as well as either Island Dining Room or Tratteria de Porto for breakfast depending on which hotel we stay at. Which hotel would you suggest and why?

 

[Bluer101]

My vote is for RPR, we always stay there. The last trip we made we took a ride over to PBH to have a look around. To be honest we were not impressed. To us the hotel does not give us the same warm feeling we get at RPR. To us the hotel is very plain and to spread out. We also enjoy pool hoping to HRH for the pool area only. The rest of the hotel is ok. I guess our hearts are with RPR and the tropical laid back atmosphere. As for room size, that is not to big of an issue since most of the time we are out and about the property.

 

[RMulieri]

We loved PBH but it is preference.We loved that it is set further back from the hustle and bustle.We visited our friends at RPR and I didn't like how close to the road that resort seemed.Their room was also noticeably smaller.Rooms at RPR are 335 sq ft and at PBH they are 450 sq ft.I did like the theme of RPR though.But when we return back to Universal this winter we are going back to PBH.

 

[damo]

It is personal preference. I prefer PBH and my son prefers HRH and my daughter prefers RPR.

 

[gabzee]

Thank you all! We LOVED PBH when we went. I didn't find it to be that spread out; in fact, I am concerned that RPH is too spread out! I would love to hear more experiences especially if you have stayed at both. We will probably use the pool at some point. Is one better than the other?

 

[jeepgirl30]

I have only stayed once at RPR but walked around HRH and PBR having lunch poolside at all three. I was on a business trip and knew i wanted to bring the family. We will be there May 2-7!

I picked RPR. it was a toss up between HRH and RPR.

I was expecting to be blown away but PB but wasn't. It was way to quiet and cold for me. I was very impressed with RPR. I had expected it to be a "budget" hotel and it was not at all. The pool and grounds there were my favorite by far. I loved the walk to CityWalk from there and just really enjoyed the welcoming and relaxing feeling.

 

[macraven]

gabzeeeeeee, you'll enjoy either hotel.

i'm not big on the italian flair of food but do like some of the places at pbh eateries.

i prefer staying at rph as there are 4 eateries on site and a short walk to city walk for restaurants.

if food choices are one of your priorities, rph would suit you.

there are 3 towers at rph but one lobby.
you take the elevator from your lobby to your tower.
not really spread out as you don't leave the lobby for a separate entrance to the towers when you check in.

i have stayed at all 3 hotels.
each one has something exciting about them.

it's personal choice when it comes to where to stay.

the pools.
look at the uo/hotel site.
you'll get pictures and the layout and services for each of them.
all 3 have pool side activities daily and dive in movies based on schedule.

you can pool hop.
all 3 hotels have something distinct about them that others don't offer.
2 have slides, 1 doesn't.

 

[JessicaR]

I have stayed at all 3. I vote try RPR. The room is smaller but the beds arent.
Next trip you can always return to PBH or even try HRH if RPR wasnt for you.

My family is split favorites wise also. But truthfully - we love them all and staying any any of the three is just fine by us.

You need to try it to see if you like it!

 

[gabzee]

Thank you all for helping convince me. I don't know why I am so hesitant to try another resort... we do it all the time at Disney. I think we will stick with RPH and see if we like it. Thanks for letting me know that we can pool hop! We will probably take advantage of that!

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks for letting me know that we can pool hop! We will probably take advantage of that!

And with the ages, they'll probably want to hop to the Hard Rock pool! (which is totally allowed) Make sure everyone has their room keys when you go to a pool.



We've stayed at both and liked them both. We like PBH for our stays b/c the room is bigger; we're generally coming from a WDW villa, especially an OKW one, and the first stay at Universal (at RPR) it felt like we were in a closet, compared to the Old Key West villa we'd just been in. Now we know how to adapt our minds, but we have also gone to the Portofino since then. (might have tried RPR last time, but there were no standard rooms left when I was booking or when I checked later, so the lowest room available at RPR was far more expensive than what we could choose from at PBR for that stay)

But it's really a tossup between the two, they are both really nice!

 

[gabzee]

Does anyone know how the size of the rooms at RPH compare to those at Disney especially Contemporary or AKL? Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[damo]

Does anyone know how the size of the rooms at RPH compare to those at Disney especially Contemporary or AKL? Thanks again for all of your help!

They are smaller than the Contemporary which has one of the largest sized rooms at Disney. They are about the same as the AKL.

AKL -344 sq ft.
Contemporary - 422 sq. ft
Royal Pacific - 335 sq. ft

 

[gabzee]

They are smaller than the Contemporary which has one of the largest sized rooms at Disney. They are about the same as the AKL.

AKL -344 sq ft.
Contemporary - 422 sq. ft
Royal Pacific - 335 sq. ft

Damo, thank you so much!!!

 

[stephen9871]

I stayed RPR 2 nights and PBH 1 night. My choice would be RPR overall as I enjoyed the tropical atmosphere and proximity to City Walk and the parks. To me PBH was too confusing in layout and hard to navigate... it took a awhile trying to find the pool from my room it was just crazy weird. I will say that the rooms are larger at PBH and bathroom was excellent, but I will be staying at RPR when I return later this year. Either way, I'm sure you're going to have a great time.

 

[AJA]

Thank you all for helping convince me. I don't know why I am so hesitant to try another resort... we do it all the time at Disney. I think we will stick with RPH and see if we like it. Thanks for letting me know that we can pool hop! We will probably take advantage of that!

You will love RPR. It is a gorgeous hotel. It will not disappoint.

 

[Bluer101]

Here is a great site with lots of photos. You can also search the other 2 onsite hotels plus more.

http://www.oyster.com/orlando/hotels/universals-royal-pacific-resort-a-loews-hotel/photos/