Universal's Portofino Bay Hotel - A Loews Hotel
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5601 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32819
Chain: Universal Orlando Suites
Customer Reviews for Universal's Portofino Bay Hotel - A Loews Hotel
Wonderful Stay - posted on 05/01/2007
We had the best time at Portofino Bay hotel. The staff was very helpful, we even had to go to the emergency room one night and the security team helped us all the way and provided at their cost our taxi to and from the hospital and even checked back with us the next day, They have very friendly staff. We are planning on coming again next year, it was shear enjoyment.
Awesome Experience! - posted on 04/14/2007
We chose the resort based on other travelers reviews, and we certainly weren't disappointed. The staff is wonderful, the food delicious and the rooms...especially the bathroom was perfect. It was a beautiful 10 minute stroll down a garden path to Universal or a convenient water shuttle. The room key gives you a fast pass at the park which is priceless! My family loved the stay.
Great place to stay - posted on 03/15/2007
Portofino is a beautiful hotel. Our deluxe double room was roomy enough for the 4 of us .. my three teenagers and myself. The beds were great, and the bathroom was luxurious. Of course, the room key passes that allowed us to skip all lines were priceless. The water shuttle was very reliable. I comtemplated staying at the Hard Rock firtst, but the reviews were not as good, and I really wanted a nice place to stay. If you have teenagers that want lots of action, maybe Hard Rock would be better. We were looking for a relaxing, trouble free vacation, and that's what we got.
WOW !!! - posted on 01/19/2007
This place is fantastic! I could hardly find a thing not to rave about. I'm still craving another Cafe Moca like I had our 1st night. My only suggestion would be a few options of food that are not Italian. This was the best stay during our trip (which included Disney Resorts).
Even Better Than I Had Expected! - posted on 01/05/2007
Gorgeous hotel and grounds. Pools were heated. Service was first rate. We had club level room and it is definitely worth it, with access to a lounge with sodas at any time, and breakfast, afternoon snacks, evening hot appetizers, beer and wine, then milk and cookies at night! Room key served as express pass in parks... a fabulous benefit - don't try the parks without it! 3 yo soiled bedcover, and housekeeping missed our first notice of that, but other than that, it was marvelous!
Portofino Bay - posted on 12/28/2006
Beautiful hotel with very nice restaurants, fitness club, pool, and transportation to Citywalk.
MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE - posted on 12/09/2006
It was a great hotel experience. Everyone was very nice and helpful. Rooms were clean and spacious.
Thanksgiving - posted on 11/28/2006
We spent 3 days over Thanksgiving with our grown children at Portofino Bay Resort. It was a wonderful experience...great food and no dishes. It is a bit pricey for the average family. We will definitely return.
Second time to the Portofino in 2 months - posted on 10/21/2006
I love staying at the Portofino. At check-in my two year old daughter got a Fisher Price school bus! Our room was so nice with a view of the beach pool. The staff is so nice and friendly and are always willing to help you. This is really the place to stay if you are in Orlando. This place is so big and you can't get bored there. So much to see!!!
Great experience - posted on 10/19/2006
Beautiful Hotel. The staff was incredible. We stayed on the club level--and what a great option, especially if travelling with children. The pool was beautiful, and the water slide was a blast. We would highly recommend this hotel.
Great place to stay! - posted on 07/12/2006
We had a great time at the Portofino! Guest rooms were beautiful and very comfortable. The food was top notch. We loved Mama Della's and the breakfast buffet was excellent. The grounds were well kept and the Villa pool was very relaxing after a day at the parks. Our only complaint was the occassional long wait for the water taxis. Be sure to try the rickshaws if you get tired of waiting, they were fun! The express pass for the parks was THE BEST!!! We would never consider staying anywhere else on our next visit.
Didn't want to leave - posted on 07/09/2006
Stayed as part of a group. Greatly exceeded my expectations.
Portofino Rocks - posted on 06/07/2006
Awsome hotel, great staff, wonderful amenities. Food was great if a bit pricy but the kids loved it all.
Totally Impressed! - posted on 05/18/2006
What a beautiful resort! From the comfortable beds, to the huge marble bathroom, this is upscale all the way. I really liked the turndown service each night. The pools are very nice, especially the Villa Pool....just beautiful. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Using the room key to skip the lines at Universal was over the top....We'll never stay off site again!
Relax and Retreat - posted on 05/03/2006
Wonderful Getaway! Even if you don't go to Universal, this is the way to go. Park your car and don't start it again until you leave to go home. Everything you need is a water taxi ride or walk away. Highly Recommeded and Pet's are treated like royalty.We will be staying for our third time in May 2006.
Portofino - posted on 04/28/2006
This was my 3rd visit to the Portofino. I love this place! The hotel is beautiful, and the rooms are very comfortable. While staying at the hotel, guest who visit the Universal Parks get the express pass, so you go to the front of just about every line. The boat picks you up and takes you to city walk, where there is restaurants, bars, and the parks. I can't wait to go back.
You *do* get what you pay for! - posted on 04/10/2006
We booked here primarily for the ExpressPass benefits in the parks, and it WAS WORTH IT! Hotel was beautiful, comfortable, great service, fresh flowers in bath, but you come here for the parks. Your room key ROCKETS you to the front of every line! We WALKED ONTO rides that had 60 minute waits! I wouldn't trade our 3.5 days at the Portifino for 7 days offsite. Only minus - the water taxis; not frequent enough for the Portifino. We usually walked, enjoyed the landscaping & beat the water taxi anyway. If you can afford it, don't even THINK about doing Universal any other way.
A Great Hotel - posted on 04/01/2006
The Portofino was an A+ hotel from the service to the cleanliness to the beautiful grounds. This is the first time that we stayed in such a plush resort. In the future it will be hard to stay in anything less.
Wonderful Place! - posted on 03/21/2006
I stayed here with my 12 year old daughter. We loved this hotel. We always stay at high end hotels and Portofino definitely qualifies as one of the finest. The staff was extremly helpful and attentive. The room was very large and tastefully decorated, with a wonderful view of the sweet little "harbor." The grounds were sprawling and well manicured with numerous pools and walking paths. We are planning to stay here again this year.
Great stay - posted on 03/21/2006
The service was excellent. The staff are very warm and friendly people. The rooms are just like the pictures. The beds are so comfortable. Mama Della's is a perfect place for a good italian dinner. Lots of food for the price. This hotel is worth every penny. My husband and I didn't want to leave.
Nice Indeed - posted on 01/27/2006
Great service...Nice comfy rooms...They need to get a new restaurant...non Italian!
Nice but a Little Overpriced - posted on 12/28/2005
My wife and I stayed here for our anniversary. The hotel and grounds are beautiful. We enjoyed the boat rides to the Amusement Parks. However, we both felt that the room was a bit plain for the price. The staff was friendly. If you do not use the valet service, there is an underground garage, but there is a parking fee, and the garage has poor lighting.
You don't get what you pay for! - posted on 11/01/2005
I was forced to this hotel after they refused my confirmed room reservation at the Hard Rock. When I checked in the front desk told me I would have a great water view, instead I looked at people eating. Rooms air turns off when you leave so it was 90 when we got back and wanted to go to bed. They should not treat people like this.
Execellent Stay! - posted on 09/19/2005
The staff were most gracious and helpful. Special thanks to the desk clerk,, she made the stay EXCELLENT! Could not have been nicer.
Service - posted on 09/01/2005
The two downfalls of this resort....ITALIAN FOOD ONLY (If you stay one week how much Italian food can you eat?) and the coffee shop was never open in the morning prior to your daily ventures! Staff was always polite and accomodating. I woudl stay there again....make sure you ahve a car so you can eat OFF site if you do not want to eat at any of the other resort hotels or Universal restaurants
FUN IS THE SUN FAMILY TIME - posted on 05/26/2005
WE HAD A GREAT TIME. WITH A FEW THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER. WE REQUESTED ADJOINING ROOMS & A BALCONY. WE HAD GRANDPA & THE 5 KIDS WITH US.THEY DIDN'T HAVE THAT UPON CHECK IN AND WE HAD TO CHANGE ROOMS THE NEXT DAY. AND THEY COULDN'T ACCOMIDATE US TIL AFTER 4:00 THAT DAY. WE PAID OVER $X FOR 2 ROOMS AND THOUGHT WE SHOULD HAVE GOT WHAT WE NEEDED & REQUESTED. FORGET GETTING A QUICK BURGER FOR THE KIDS AROUND 4 OR 5. THE PIZZA SHOP CLOSES AND ONLY RESTAURANTS OPEN.BEDS ARE COMFY & TOWLES ARE PLENTY.
'exclusive'= snobby - posted on 05/23/2005
For my brotherin laws 21st birthday we decided to splurge for club level. When we entered the lounge, we were met with an extremely rude woman that demanded to see our key cards before she would let us in. (even though we had already used a key to get in). Hotel is beautiful, but stuffy, snobby atmosphere needs to go!
HEAVEN ON EARTH - posted on 03/30/2005
Our stay a wedding gift & the BEST! It was a heaven on earth! BEAUTIFUL, FUN, EXCITING, LOVED IT & GOING BACK
Would visit again! - posted on 03/29/2005
Beloved and I came for vacation right before Easter weekend. Accomodations we extremely comfortable; staff very attentive. The food was edible but not really worth the small fortune we paid. Loved the water trolley ride to Universal - REALLY loved the Fast Pass (would stay at this hotel again just for that!).
Very Rude Staff - posted on 02/23/2005
We had purchased over the internet. We were told at the counter that if we wanted to complain maybe we should have paid full price.The room had not been cleaned and when we told them, they said we would have to wait a few minutes. Four hours later we still were waiting.
