Which Universal Hotel?

[PokerFace]

Hello? Which of the three universal hotels is best. It would be myself and my 14 year old son.

Also thinking about a non universal hotel like a Hamptons Inn or Hyatt etc. close to universal.

I see the universal hotels are more pricey but do include the express pass. Are the 3 Universal hotels in walking distance to anything? stores, resturants etc.??

Thanks!

 

[ADP]

Hello? Which of the three universal hotels is best. It would be myself and my 14 year old son.

Also thinking about a non universal hotel like a Hamptons Inn or Hyatt etc. close to universal.

I see the universal hotels are more pricey but do include the express pass. Are the 3 Universal hotels in walking distance to anything? stores, resturants etc.??

Thanks!

The Express Pass is worth the price alone of the 3 onsite hotels. What dates are you considering? That will make a big difference on whether to stay onsite or not.

Since you have a 14 year old I'd say you'd want to try the Hard Rock. I feel the pool area and resort theme would suit a 14 year old very nicely.

Royal Pacific - Best resort value of the 3 onsite hotels, but very deluxe in it's amenities.
Hard Rock Hotel - Best pool, Closest to Citywalk and the parks.
Portofino Bay Hotel - Nicest accomodations and very nice amenities

All 3 of the resorts are within walking distance to City Walk and the theme parks. Some are further than others. The Hard Rock is the closest, Royal Pacific is the next closest and Portofino is the furthest away (15 minute walk depending on your pace).

 

[PokerFace]

Forgot to mention the date! It would be mid July.

 

[Darcy03231]

I just got back from a trip with teens and we stayed at the Hard Rock. They loved it! We did go over and check out Royal Pacific and Portofino Bay while we were there. Both of them were happy we ended up at the Hard Rock. If it were just DH and I (which will never happen as he hates theme parks), I would have gone for Portofino Bay.

 

[francie57]

I would say the HRH definitely. Our kids have loved staying there for years now. If you are a member of AAA they offer discounts on the hotels at Universal and also on the tickets. We don't book a trip package, we book a room only reservation (actually 2 rooms) and then buy the tickets from AAA and it works out much cheaper than a package deal.

 

[stargazer556]

We stayed in Portofino Bay Hotel May 13 - May 17. Walked over to the Hard Rock Hotel and had a swim in the pool there. I would definitely stay there next time. It was more lively and seemed to have a funner environment.

 

[re121258]

I think HRH is great for teens. That is the hotel my sons (16 &19) picked.

 

[Bluer101]

We are the opposite, we like RPR due to the atmosphere and enjoy pool hopping over to HRH, but I don't think I would stay there.

 

[seadd67]

The Express Pass is worth the price alone of the 3 onsite hotels. What dates are you considering? That will make a big difference on whether to stay onsite or not.

Since you have a 14 year old I'd say you'd want to try the Hard Rock. I feel the pool area and resort theme would suit a 14 year old very nicely.

Royal Pacific - Best resort value of the 3 onsite hotels, but very deluxe in it's amenities.
Hard Rock Hotel - Best pool, Closest to Citywalk and the parks.
Portofino Bay Hotel - Nicest accomodations and very nice amenities

All 3 of the resorts are within walking distance to City Walk and the theme parks. Some are further than others. The Hard Rock is the closest, Royal Pacific is the next closest and Portofino is the furthest away (15 minute walk depending on your pace).

What the diffrences In ammenities,and the one at the HRH are??

 

[donaldduck352]

What the diffrences In ammenities,and the one at the HRH are??

To me its the atmosphere..
PBH-like your staying in a Italy
HRH-Living like a rock star
RPR-staying at a tropical resort

 

[seadd67]

Thanks Donaldduck, Most diffently for my DS It Is HRH and for me? Its to a certain degree,I am one that just likes to sit back and let the little things In life just float by,so the Beach setting would be better.But we will be at the HRH my DS Is always wanted to stay there,so I will get my relaxation In some how. So while I am here how long does the boats take to get to the parks? Is It a direcet rout or do they pick up at the other resorts? , orcan you walk?

 

[frisco]

Only stayed at HRH so far. I really enjoyed it, but want to try the other 2 as well. Staying at RPH in August. Next year, may try PBH.

My only concern with RPH is that we want a tropical atmosphere, and I keep reading that it's not exactly tropical.

 

[Bluer101]

Only stayed at HRH so far. I really enjoyed it, but want to try the other 2 as well. Staying at RPH in August. Next year, may try PBH.

My only concern with RPH is that we want a tropical atmosphere, and I keep reading that it's not exactly tropical.

RPR is the only resort we stay at and its absolutely beautiful. The theme is South Pacific.Yes the rooms are smaller than the other 2 resorts, but normally you don't live in the room. We spend most of the time around the resort and at the parks.