We spent quite a bit of time at the HRH pool this past week and had a great time. We had a 15 yo boy and a 9 yo boy with us and they loved it. There was always something going on. Examples: water balloon tossing contests, raft races, tie dying t-shirts, basketball games, volleyball games, hula hoop contests (for kids and adults), live DJ, etc. There was always someone doing hair wrapping and braiding and temporary tatoos. Sometimes they would offer tatoos as contest prizes. It is a very lively place. Each day there is a board posted as you come out of the hotel to the pool area listing that day's activities, who is on duty, park hours, etc. We had several meals at the Beach Club by the pool. We really liked it. The popcorn shrimp platter is enough for two people to share and is very good. We also had the fish platter, quesadillas, and loaded nachos, and it was all very good. Drinks are very expensive though.
On Thur evening my DH had a message scheduled at the Mandera Spa at Portofino. The plan was to go over, eat around the pool, then swim and play while we got his message. We got over there about 7 - the place was dead. The snack bar was closed, the pizza place was closed, no bar, hardly any people. The girl on duty at the towel booth said that the snack bar usually closes about 5, which makes no sense to me...seems like they would want to be open in the evenings when people come back from the parks. Anyway, DH was able to reschedule his message for an earlier time and we all come back to the HRH pool and had a great time. The difference in the 2 was really night and day. The boys called Portofino "Borofino".
DH and I walked over the RPR one morning and looked around. Their pool area looked very nice. DSis stayed their last year and she said there was always things going on in the evening out at the pool, and that the snack bar was always open.
