Which Universal Resort would you choose?!?

[gabzee]

Hey everyone! We are planning to stay at a Universal hotel while DDad is at a convention. We have been to Universal before but we have only stayed at the Portofino Bay Resort. We really enjoyed it there. The Hard Rock doesn't appeal to us that much. We are also considering the Royal Pacific. We have never stayed here before so I am clueless. We are FL residents so we wanted to take advantage of that rate. However, the Royal Pacific is the only one with a good rate ($154 for the first night and $184 for the next). The Portofino Bay doesn't have availability under the FL discount but the do have rooms available just much more expensive. I would love to hear opinions about the resorts. Also, if you stayed at RPR, what tower did you stay in? Did you like it? I know that the Hard Rock and Portofino are close to eachother and the Royal Pacific is further away. Is it still within walking distance? We would want to eat at restaurants in all three resorts. Could we easily do this? Thanks and I look forward to hearing your suggestions and opinions!

 

[macraven]

Hey everyone! We are planning to stay at a Universal hotel while DDad is at a convention. We have been to Universal before but we have only stayed at the Portofino Bay Resort. We really enjoyed it there. The Hard Rock doesn't appeal to us that much. We are also considering the Royal Pacific. We have never stayed here before so I am clueless. We are FL residents so we wanted to take advantage of that rate. However, the Royal Pacific is the only one with a good rate ($154 for the first night and $184 for the next). The Portofino Bay doesn't have availability under the FL discount but the do have rooms available just much more expensive. I would love to hear opinions about the resorts. Also, if you stayed at RPR, what tower did you stay in? Did you like it? I know that the Hard Rock and Portofino are close to eachother and the Royal Pacific is further away. Is it still within walking distance? We would want to eat at restaurants in all three resorts. Could we easily do this? Thanks and I look forward to hearing your suggestions and opinions!

i have insomnia tonight.
this is your lucky day..............

i'll give you the cliff notes version answer.

have stayed at towers 1 and 3 at RPH.
i always book the king suites near the elevators.

i started staying in T1 but switched to only T3 since i enjoyed the view so much.
if your room faces the pool and you are in the main hallway coming out of the elevators, you get a good park view from T3.
you also can get a great view of the park from the Hulk section in T1.

T1 is close to the walking path.
T3 close to the boat docks.
but, if your room is an off shoot down hallways, it doesn't matter which tower to stay in for proximenity to water taxis/pathway.

T2 has some great views but limited in my opinion.

you really can't go wrong with any of them.

rph is about a 5 minute walk using the path way if you are a decent paced walker. could be 8 minutes if you stroll.
you end up at the side of margaritaville in city walk.
turn left, head to IOA.
if you take the water taxi, you end at the bottom level at city walk.

i prefer the rph due to the food places. (and hotel ambiance)

http://www.universalorlando.com/Restaurants/Royal-Pacific-Resort-Dining.aspx

there are 4 places on site at the hotel where you can eat.
jakes, island dining room, Bula Bar and Grill, Orchard Court Lounge for mornings, Emiril's tchoup tchoup.
city walk is a short walk away for dining there.

the rooms are smaller at rph than those at hrh and as you know, pbh.

a family of 3 will have enought room at rph.

the lobby is different.
kind of sets the ambiance of the hotel.
very relaxing.

if you are at the hotel on a saturday evening, the conch ceremonies begins either at 6 or 6:30 in the pool area near the side of the building.
it's delightful.
you'll see hula dances, some talking and then children are invited to join in for dancing with the hula peeps.
free entertainment.

the pool area is great.
lounge, eat, swim, watch the kids activities and relax in the afternoon.

HRH is very close to the studios.
using the pathway, could be a 4 minute walk.
less if you have a fast pace.

more of a lively hotel, lots of music in the background, a fun place to stay.

you can eat at all the hotel's restaurants.
The Kitchen has a great dinner menu and very good breakfast buffet.

Island Dining Room has an asian flair to the foods for dinner.
very enjoyable breakfast buffet too.

i like the shrimp appetizers and the pizza at Jakes.
i always hit that place at least once per visit.

sounds like you received a great rate for the hotel.
go ahead and try rph, i'm sure you will find something about it that will win you over.

those that stay at pbh really love it there.
i know it might be tough trying out a new hotel for you, but i hope you do enjoy your stay there.

i'm wowed by the relaxing atmosphere RPH has.

 

[gabzee]

i have insomnia tonight.
this is your lucky day..............

i'll give you the cliff notes version answer.

have stayed at towers 1 and 3 at RPH.
i always book the king suites near the elevators.

i started staying in T1 but switched to only T3 since i enjoyed the view so much.
if your room faces the pool and you are in the main hallway coming out of the elevators, you get a good park view from T3.
you also can get a great view of the park from the Hulk section in T1.

T1 is close to the walking path.
T3 close to the boat docks.
but, if your room is an off shoot down hallways, it doesn't matter which tower to stay in for proximenity to water taxis/pathway.

T2 has some great views but limited in my opinion.

you really can't go wrong with any of them.

rph is about a 5 minute walk using the path way if you are a decent paced walker. could be 8 minutes if you stroll.
you end up at the side of margaritaville in city walk.
turn left, head to IOA.
if you take the water taxi, you end at the bottom level at city walk.

i prefer the rph due to the food places. (and hotel ambiance)

http://www.universalorlando.com/Restaurants/Royal-Pacific-Resort-Dining.aspx

there are 4 places on site at the hotel where you can eat.
jakes, island dining room, Bula Bar and Grill, Orchard Court Lounge for mornings, Emiril's tchoup tchoup.
city walk is a short walk away for dining there.

the rooms are smaller at rph than those at hrh and as you know, pbh.

a family of 3 will have enought room at rph.

the lobby is different.
kind of sets the ambiance of the hotel.
very relaxing.

if you are at the hotel on a saturday evening, the conch ceremonies begins either at 6 or 6:30 in the pool area near the side of the building.
it's delightful.
you'll see hula dances, some talking and then children are invited to join in for dancing with the hula peeps.
free entertainment.

the pool area is great.
lounge, eat, swim, watch the kids activities and relax in the afternoon.

HRH is very close to the studios.
using the pathway, could be a 4 minute walk.
less if you have a fast pace.

more of a lively hotel, lots of music in the background, a fun place to stay.

you can eat at all the hotel's restaurants.
The Kitchen has a great dinner menu and very good breakfast buffet.

Island Dining Room has an asian flair to the foods for dinner.
very enjoyable breakfast buffet too.

i like the shrimp appetizers and the pizza at Jakes.
i always hit that place at least once per visit.

sounds like you received a great rate for the hotel.
go ahead and try rph, i'm sure you will find something about it that will win you over.

those that stay at pbh really love it there.
i know it might be tough trying out a new hotel for you, but i hope you do enjoy your stay there.

i'm wowed by the relaxing atmosphere RPH has.

WOW! You are so detailed in your responses! I'm loving it! We have been to Universal before and stayed at Portofino (we have been probably 5-6 in recent memory) but are definitely more familiar with Disney so I appreciate your help. I think we will try the Royal Pacific since we got such a great deal. I'm sure it will be great but I am just so used to the Portofino. Is there a tower that is closest to the restaurants/ lobby? Also, in order to get to the hard rock or portofino from royal pacific what are my options? Can I follow the walking path from RPR and then get dropped off by margaritaville and then take the boat to the Hard Rock or Portofino? Or is there a more direct route? Can I walk all the way there (from Royal Pacific to Hard Rock or Portofino)? Thanks again for all of this information! It is really helping me out!

 

[jeepgirl30]

I keep going back and forth between HRH (never been) and RPR (stayed for business once). I really liked RPR but had a bit of an issue with check in. I had booked my room online then a few weeks later booked a room for a client. They somehow switched it and put both rooms under the client name and put us in connecting rooms. i explained at check in and requested the client (male) NOT be told we had connecting rooms. When he checked in they asked him if i would be joining him in his room later that evening. We were both very embarrassed! I stopped by the front desk and informed the manager explaining it was a breach of security and was very embarassing! She basically said no way it happend. i just said it did happen and i was only letting them know to be aware as it could lead to bigger problems. When i returned i got a survey and just mentioned my embarassment. I said i was a bit concerned they gave out the personal info (telling client my room number and it was connecting even after i said not) and saying i was hoping to bring the family was but a bit uncomfortable!

I got a really nice response so I thought i'd try it. However the kids saw pics of the hrh pool and got excited. i explained we can use all the pools but wanted to surprise them and switched to HRH. Now they are saying how pretty the RPR all looks and feel it is a nicer hotel and since we can use the other pool it is much better. I really think DH and i would like the pool bar better at RPR and the dining options look a bit less expensive.

When i was at RPR for my business trip i did enjoy the property a lot. I walked over to HRH and it was nice too but had a totally different feel. I liked it and the rooms are larger however, the RPR seemed more like a beach resort and more relaxing.

For our trip HRH is $105 more in total. not a big deal at all but i'm just debating which we as a family would be most happy.

 

[macraven]

I keep going back and forth between HRH (never been) and RPR (stayed for business once). I really liked RPR but had a bit of an issue with check in. I had booked my room online then a few weeks later booked a room for a client. They somehow switched it and put both rooms under the client name and put us in connecting rooms. i explained at check in and requested the client (male) NOT be told we had connecting rooms. When he checked in they asked him if i would be joining him in his room later that evening. We were both very embarrassed! I stopped by the front desk and informed the manager explaining it was a breach of security and was very embarassing! She basically said no way it happend. i just said it did happen and i was only letting them know to be aware as it could lead to bigger problems. When i returned i got a survey and just mentioned my embarassment. I said i was a bit concerned they gave out the personal info (telling client my room number and it was connecting even after i said not) and saying i was hoping to bring the family was but a bit uncomfortable!

flukes can happen at any hotel.

i wouldn't dwell on it as you informed them of the situation and your complaints were passed on to management.

can't tell you how many times when i have stayed at the motherland resorts the front desk gives my occupied room away to incoming guests......

nothing like walking out of the shower and seeing a family with their suitcases in my room......

does that keep me away from wdw resorts, no.
would it keep me away from the Loews hotels, no.

check out the hotels on the UO site.
maybe that will help you decide which place you want to lay your head.

since you have been to rph before, you know how awesome that lobby is.

if it is a matter of room cost, go with the one that you feel fine for a vacation stay.

yes, the bula bar is fantastic.
there are more places at rph for food eateries than at hrh.

like you said, you can pool hop to any of the hotels.

go with one of your choices of hotels for this coming trip and try the other hotel on another vacation.

either place you decide to stay, you will enjoy it there.

 

[macraven]

WOW! You are so detailed in your responses! I'm loving it! We have been to Universal before and stayed at Portofino (we have been probably 5-6 in recent memory) but are definitely more familiar with Disney so I appreciate your help. I think we will try the Royal Pacific since we got such a great deal. I'm sure it will be great but I am just so used to the Portofino. Is there a tower that is closest to the restaurants/ lobby? Also, in order to get to the hard rock or portofino from royal pacific what are my options? Can I follow the walking path from RPR and then get dropped off by margaritaville and then take the boat to the Hard Rock or Portofino? Or is there a more direct route? Can I walk all the way there (from Royal Pacific to Hard Rock or Portofino)? Thanks again for all of this information! It is really helping me out!

if i have insomnia again tonight, have your questions ready........

the lobby at RPH is large. circular/oval shape.
it is open in the middle of the building with fountains and open air setting.

the elevators to the 3 different towers are in different locations around the lobby.
all elevators are accessible within the lobby.

emerils tchoup tchoup is at T3. ground level w/ separate entrance.
when you are coming from the boat dock, it is straight ahead on that walkway.

1st floor has Jakes and Islands Dining Room.

Orchard Court Lounge is on the opposite side of the check in counter in the lobby. (floor #3)
it opens at 6:00 am every morning.

the Sushi bar (lobby/#3 floor) is the back wall going toward the elevators to T3.
this sushi set up is open in the late afternoon.

Bula Bar is out by the pool area.


1. you can take the internal bus from the front of RPH to get to HRH or PBH.
this takes about a 30 minute ride as it circles around to the front of each hotel onsite.

(tip: i have taken this bus ride later in the evening to see the fronts of all the hotels lit up at night, beautiful.....I don't get off, just go for the relaxing ride)

2. you can walk from rph to city walk boat dock.
catch the hrh water taxi from there.
or to pbh.

3. take the boat taxi from rph.
switch to the hrh/pbh water taxi.

it might just be me but i feel that T2 is not as close to the lobby to hit the restaurants.

if you don't want to wait for an elevator when you are in the lobby, you can use the stairs to reach first floor.

 

[gabzee]

Thank you so much macraven! Your answers are very helpful and I'll definitely let you know if I have any more questions!

 

[folgersnyourcup]

Macraven, any insomnia tonight? I am getting really excited for my first visit to PBH (3 nights)...any suggestions for navigating the hotel? I was thinking of doing Bice, but decided to do Mama Della's for dinner one night instead. Seemed a little bit more fun atmosphere from the reviews and also a little bit cheaper. I am spending enough on this trip as it is! I added Al Capone's, Wonderworks and the accompanying comedy show, AND Blue Man group to my itinerary since I last talked to you!

Thanks!

 

[macraven]

Macraven, any insomnia tonight? I am getting really excited for my first visit to PBH (3 nights)...any suggestions for navigating the hotel? I was thinking of doing Bice, but decided to do Mama Della's for dinner one night instead. Seemed a little bit more fun atmosphere from the reviews and also a little bit cheaper. I am spending enough on this trip as it is! I added Al Capone's, Wonderworks and the accompanying comedy show, AND Blue Man group to my itinerary since I last talked to you!

Thanks!

now if you were going to go in september, you would have a treat on your hands.
Bice is on the list for the september ($30) restaurants special.

mama della is more livelier.
and cheaper.

check thru some of the older trip reports and threads. a couple of them have reviews on the food at mama's.
they either loved what they ordered or was meh about it.

i did Capone's the second year it was opened.
some of those dinner shows don't last but that one has.

you should enjoy the evening there for it.

wonderworks, i have done that also.

buy the bucket of popcorn at the park.
don't eat it but take it back with you to pbh.

leave a popcorn trail so you can navigate thru the hotel without getting lost.

j/k.....

it is a large hotel.

i hope your room location is ideal.
i like being near elevators for less walking of the halls.

someone put a link in the bmg thread to show the new ending.
i have watched it a couple of times and still not wowed by this change.

i loved the past ending, went to it twice.

since this is the first time you will have the experience of watching bmg, i'm sure you will enjoy it.

be sure to stick around in the lobby after the performance.
do the meet and greet with them.
have the camera ready.

oh, Emerils Tchoup Tchoup is still listing the special on their website.
3 course dinner for $22.
think about it.....

 

[macraven]

Thank you so much macraven! Your answers are very helpful and I'll definitely let you know if I have any more questions!

i'm glad to help!

 

[jeepgirl30]

flukes can happen at any hotel.

i wouldn't dwell on it as you informed them of the situation and your complaints were passed on to management.

You are absolutely correct! I have decided to stay with RPR. We are going for 5 nights and want to go at a much slower pace than when we do disney. i know the kids will enjoy the resort and i think it will feel more like a vacation.