Wait for fall 2020: A evaluate of the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando

Posted On Jan 24, 2020 By admin With Comments Off

It had been a very long time — before the add-on of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — since my family had inspected Universal Orlando. We don’t live all that far from Orlando, so when Universal began promoting its holiday festivals, we booked a visit for mid-November before the crush of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and all the rest.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

Just like anyone else visiting Orlando’s theme parks, we coped with this question: Should we stay at a Universal hotel or a nearby moments inn ? My husband and I decided to stay on site at one of Universal’s Premier( top-tier) properties: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

The other Premier recourses include Loews Royal Pacific and Hard Rock Hotel. The obvious plus was its site right on Universal property, constituting it easy to travel between the inn and Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk via the hotel’s free ship shuttle.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

Two other benefits were big wins in my bible: free skip-the-line Express Passes for razzs in the commons( minus Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure) and one-hour early be made available to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.( All Portofino Bay Hotel patrons receive those perks, as do patrons at all of Universal’s ” Premier” properties .)

But I did have two trepidations about the hotel. The first is its size. With 700 offices, it’s a much larger complex than we’d usually volume. Portofino Bay is also two decades old. I wasn’t too very well known the Loews brand, so I couldn’t ascertain how its upkeep would be. But at the end of the day, the bait of holiday decoration, immediate access to Universal and a discounted Florida resident proportion made this decision a no-brainer. Then it was just a matter of experiencing the inn to see if it would acquire me over for future stays.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

In This Post

Booking

I’m a Florida resident, and Universal Orlando furnishes special charges to entice locals like me to visit at certain times of the year. I booked our November trip in August, and the Florida resident rate was significantly cheaper than other charges. Here’s how it ogled on the day I booked 😛 TAGEND

Room Type Universal Florida Resident Rate Universal Website Rate AAA Rate Expedia Rate Amex FHR Rate

Garden View $229 $374 $374 $374 $374 Bay View $269 $414 $414 $414 $414 Club $364 $509 $509 $509 $509 Despicable Me Suite $507 $714 $714 $714 $714

As you can see, the Garden, Bay and Club rooms were discounted by $145 per nighttime for Florida residents. The savings for the Despicable Me Suite was $205 per light. We decided to expend two nights in a Club room and one darknes in a bay-view room so we could compare.

Despicable Me Suite at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel( Photo generosity of Booking.com .)

Note that the American Express Fine Hotels& Resorts rate includes neat benefits like noon check-in( when available ), a room refurbish( when available ), daily breakfast for two at Trattoria del Porto( a $50 quality ), a $100 food-and-beverage recognition, free Wi-Fi and guaranteed 4 p. m. late checkout. You can only book the FHR rate if you regard The Platinum Card( r) from American Express or The Business Platinum( r) Card from American Express.

When I took the cost of the FHR perks into consideration, the Amex rate and Florida resident charges were comparable. If I didn’t have access to the Florida discount, the Amex FHR booking would be very appealing. I don’t have the Platinum card, though, so I positioned the inn price on my Chase Sapphire Reserve to get 3x targets on the travel purchase. I did, nonetheless, use The Amex EveryDay( r) Approval Card from American Express to purchase our theme park tickets so we’d have access to the Amex Lounge at Universal Studios.( It’s across from Shrek’s Ye Olde Souvenir Shoppe. Bring your ticket prescribe acknowledgment and credit card to gain access to the lounge .)

Location

Since Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is one of Universal Orlando’s on-site resorts, it’s conveniently within marching distance of Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk. There are also complimentary boat shuttles to those sites. A ship arrives every 10 or so instants. We rarely waited more than five minutes during our bide. If you want to visit Volcano Bay waterpark, there’s a free shuttle bus. If you plan to do nothing but visit all that Universal has to offer, biding on site or very close by makes a lot of sense.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

Check-in

Even though 4 p. m. is the official check-in time at Portofino Bay, we decided to arrive early so we could spend part of the day at Islands of Adventure. We arrived at the inn around 11:30 a.m. and waited exactly a minute or so for a front desk operator to assist us. She was very friendly and bubbly and was sorry to say our office wasn’t ready yet, which we expected. She offered to publish our chamber keys, which we needed to show to access the Express Pass queue at the trips in the ballparks.( All clients of Portofino Bay and other Universal Premier hotels get a free skip-the-line Express Pass .) We were also contributed keys to the Portofino Club lounge, and she told us she’d text us as soon as our area became available.

We checked our bag with buzzer services and then stopped off at the Club lounge for a nonalcoholic beverage.( Wine and beer are only served on a complimentary basis for three hours per day from 5 p. m. to 8 p. m .)

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

We consulted Universal’s app to help decide where to head first once we got to Islands of Adventure. On the way out of the Club, we are caught up our theme park tickets — which we’d sought online in advance — at the desk right outside the lounge.

From the hall, we just had to walk down a flight of stairs( there are still an elevator) to the Harbor level, where we marched across the piazza.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

We waited no more than three minutes for a ocean taxi to the theme parks.( And even the shuttle barge was floored out with a wreath and garlands for the season .) At 12:20 p.m ., while in line for Skull Island: Reign of Kong, I got a text saying our apartment was ready.

Room

We booked a three-night stay but making a decision devote two nights in a office with Portofino Club lounge access and one light without it. We wanted to determine if lounge access would be a necessity for future abides. Club-level apartments are spread throughout the hotel, so if you require one close to the Portofino Club lounge, make a special request. Our room was quite a long walk from the lobby.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

We checked into a 490 -square-foot Club Level deluxe room that sleep five with two mistress bunks and the option to add a rollaway for the fifth party at the rate of $ 25 a era plus tax.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

The entry door opened to a hallway with the bathroom on one side and the rain rail and closet on the other. The soggy saloon had a Keurig coffee maker with a few cases husks( two French roast, one decaf coffee, one light-green tea and two English breakfast ). There were sweeteners and half and half. An ice container and glassware were folded into the bottom shelf of the soaked bar.

( Photo by Andrea Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

The closet was spacious and outfitted with one bathrobe( pretty weird for a area with an residence maximum of five people ), an ironing committee and iron, safe and luggage rack. A few more paces resulted us to the bedroom.

My initial impres was,” Wow. This room is dark — even on a radiant, fall day .” Lighting — or lack thereof — continued to be an issue in other parts of the recourse, from our area to the society sofa to the Bice restaurant.

I pleased the apartment had a light fixture on the ceiling to help brighten it up. Last-minute in the day, when the sun was in the right place, we did have more glowing streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows to help lift the room a bit. We missed a balcony, though. If that’s important to you, you’ll need to book a Villa, Hospitality, Governatore or Presidente suites, since those are the only room lists that proposal balconies.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

The room was pretty, with a rich blue-green color on one wall and cream on the others. The bunked, with a padded headboard, peculiarity crispy, grey linens and was comfortable.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

There was one leather chair by the desk( though the online floor plan at the hotel’s website evidences two chairs ), an upholstered chair in the area and a delightful, sturdy ottoman.

Light-colored furniture — a dresser/ TV stand, nightstand and table — were all topped with a rose marble accent.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

There was a small — and empty-bellied — minifridge in the dresser.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

The one-drawer nightstand was between the bunks and had two electric outlet and a clock radio with USB ports.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

There was an interesting cutout with privacy screens between the bathroom and bedroom. It’s not entirely clear what it was for.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

We kept the shutters closed throughout our stay.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

The table was wobbly but succeeded as a desk for our two laptops. We also grabbed takeout( pizza, salads, sandwiches) from Sal’s Marketplace Deli on the Harbor floor evening and had the meal in our room.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

The bathroom was plenty comfortable. We liked the double vanity.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

There was a separate shower.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy)

The bathroom also included a bathtub.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy)

Bathroom amenities were by Julien Farel and included mitt and figure paste, side and form move, disallow soap, shampoo, conditioner and a shower detonator. There was also a stash of cotton swabs and cotton projectiles in a container on the vanity.

Our bathroom was furnished with Julien Farel toiletries.( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

My husband’s favorite peculiarity was the speaker that broadcast whatever was on the bedroom TV to the bathroom. A helpful loudnes assure let you mute the sound.

Room proportions included free internet, and the hurrying was fine for checking email.

The bay-view room we stayed in for our last darknes were about corresponding to our Club room, with two kings bottoms and office for a rollaway. On a return journey, we’d rather diary a area with golf-club access again. Nonetheless, it’s good to know that the offices don’t really differ.

Food and beverage

Whenever possible, we book rooms that include society access. We find cost in a VIP-only area where we can decompress, ask questions of a knowledgable concierge and indulge in food and boozes that we don’t have to arrange on our own.

Portofino Club Lounge was a few steps beyond Bar American in the lobby.

Bar American( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

Club-level patrons received a separate keycard to the lounge. I “think its a” breathtaking alternative for houses, if they can find a room rate that works for them. You save on sucks and snacks, and the evening refreshments are enough to make a meal on many nights.

Kids under 13 weren’t allowed in the parlour without young adults. And access to the lounge expired at 11 a. m. on the working day of checkout.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

Breakfast, from 7 a. m. to 10: 30 a.m ., included things like scrambled and hard-boiled eggs, sausage, bacon, cooked potatoes, cooked beans, oatmeal, bagels and toast, croissants, danish, muffins, outcome, yogurt and cereal. Liquids included chocolate, tea, sea, juice and soda.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

The breakfast spread was more in depth than I expected.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

There was a nice selection of fruit on offer each day.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

Afternoon snacks, from noon to 3:30 p.m ., were mostly packaged gives like Goldfish, Smartfood, Milano cookies, Rold Gold pretzels, Doritos and granola bars.

The light supper, from 5 p. m. to 7 p. m ., was the strongest food offering of the day. There were crudites, yummy hummus, buns and butter.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

The cheese and crackers were also relatively good.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .,)

Different hot entrees did exist each evening. We enjoyed an incredible drew pork that we paired with Hawaiian rolls. Savory! On another night, the fraternity performed grilled chicken, ratatouille and orzo with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

The cold salads were also good. Our favorite was the artichoke-and-beet salad, but there was also a quinoa-and-ham salad.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy)

Alcoholic beverages( wine-coloured and brew) are served from 5-8 p.m.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

We didn’t try any of the club’s desserts, provided from 8 p. m. to 9:30 p.m ., though they glanced good. Several various kinds of cookies were always offered, as were bite-sized desserts like white-chocolate-mousse apple cake, chocolate tarts and cheesecake.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

Two or three concierges were in the club at all times, and we enjoyed talking with each of them. They were friendly and ever ready to offer advice or meet restaurant reservations.

You don’t go to a theme park hotel and expect gourmet cuisine, but we did have a few nice meals while at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel.

On our first night, we had the concierge make reservations for us at Bice Ristorante. This restaurant dishing Northern Italian cuisine was lovely but quite chilly. Since it was the off-season, the dining room wasn’t multitude at all, so waitstaff had time to talk with clients, oblige on-target food and wine-coloured recommendations and make sure sucks and bread baskets been continually topped up.

Related: Best credit cards for dining

We experienced the meal, but it wasn’t cheap. Appetizers straddled from $15 to $24, salads from $13 to $15 and pasta saucers between $23 and $31. Fish entrees averaged $37, and meat foods like braised veal shank, grilled Cornish hen and rack of lamb averaged $42.

I had the gnocchi with gorgonzola cheese, and it was so good but rich!

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

We likewise sampled the breakfast buffet( included in the FHR rate) at Trattoria del Porto, which acted breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The hotel was so empty when we visited, I was worried that the buffet wouldn’t be offered — or that it would be meager — but I had nothing to fear. Despite light gangs, the restaurant put forth a great spread. Baskets whined with all sorts of pasties, from croissants to danishes to muffins. We likewise met wonderful cinnamon pecan rollings in a warming tray.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy)

There were also gluten-free options.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

In the cold meat region were deli flesh, cheese, lox, chopped egg, tomato, cucumber, olives, capers, onions and more.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

Whole and sliced fruit were next to a selection of yogurt, nuts and granola.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

There were also plenty of hot items, like made-to-order omelets, French toast, pancakes, waffles, breakfast potatoes, blintzes, cooked beans, ham, sausage and bacon. The snack was a great value for big breakfast eaters or when included in your room rate.

Elsewhere in Portofino Bay, Mama Della’s Ristorante was more suited to categories and had strolling musicians — if you like that kind of thing( we find it besetting ). Muches of houses, including ours, prescribed takeout from Sal’s Market Deli, which had a pizzas, sandwiches and salads. It was also a good residence to grab a snack, like a result goblet, cookies or a slice of carrot cake. There was also an on-site Starbucks and a gelateria.

Crowds were sparse, so the bar scene was ho-hum. It would have been more fun if the lounges had been humming … which I gambling they are when there are more people staying at the used. The disallows included Bar American, with a delightful men’s organization feel off the lobby, The Thirsty Fish, overlooking the waterfront, and the poolside Splendido Bar& Grill.

Amenities

This is Florida, so you want to know what your pool alternatives are at Portofino Bay Hotel. There were three selections, but the action was all at the Beach Pool.

Entry from a beach pond was oodles of recreation for little ones.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

The entire composite had a Roman sluice theme.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

And your family could hire a cabana.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

Activities like water-balloon tosses, pool basketball and hula band contests were programmed throughout the day. There was also a pool table and small-scale video arcade in this area.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

There are two quieter puddles on asset: the Villa Pool, serving the west wing of the inn, and the Hillside Pool, handling the east wing.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

You could lease cabanas at both sets of spots.

( Photo by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy .)

Besides the consortia, there was a Mandara Spa offering massages, mas folds, facials, seem care, reflexology and more. The fitness center was at the spa between the Beach Pool and the Villa Pool.

In the evenings, there was plenty to keep you busy right at nearby CityWalk or at the resort. Couples may want to drop the kids off at Campo Portofino. This children’s midst proposals recreations, arts and aircrafts, movie nighttimes and more for potty-trained children from 4 to 14.( The fee is about $15 per hour per child .)

Once the kids are set at camp, don’t miss Musica della Notte( weather permitting ). Musicians blessing the balcony above the Harbor Piazza and accomplish a mix of classic opu and popera. We recalled this might be cheesy, but we loved it. There was spate of setting on the piazza, and this was a fun way to loosen after a daytime in the theme parks.

Assistance

Many hotel employees made a good intuition with their friendliness and heat that seemed genuine. The front-desk staff, Portofino Club concierges and the boat shuttle chieftains were all specially hiring. But I’ll go back to my tell about the dimensions of the this recourse. It’s got a big footprint, and that aims it’s tougher to meet the same staff twice or made a connection with anyone. You’ll also be out and about a lot, so you may not meet your housekeeper at all. We didn’t see ours formerly during our call. That’s not a slew breaker, though since you won’t likely hang out at the resort. For us, it was just a home base for our sojourns into the theme parks and CityWalk.

Overall impression

If you have limited time at Universal Orlando and want to make the most of it, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel has a location that’s hard to beat. The complimentary barge shuttle to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk stops you from consuming duration on the commute, and if you’re looking for theming, the resort’s Italian architecture and decor fit the bill.

However, with 750 rooms, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is massive. After a long day in the parks, you may want to throw yourself a pity party as you walk back from the boat shuttle to your apartment. Your hounds will be barking. The size of the used also draws it impersonal. If we hadn’t remaining in a Club room for the first two nights and complied with the on-site concierges, we wouldn’t have made a connection with any hotel organization, and that’s a shame. The identity of a hotel should be reflected in its staff, but if you never met any of them, it’s a missed opportunity for the property.

The hotel was in good shape despite celebrating its 20 th birthday this year. However, it does need a good freshen. The audio system at the primary pond was broken, so conduct made a loudspeaker in its lieu. That propose music was incredibly thunderous at one extremity of the kitty and barely audible at the other. If I had planned to spend time at the reserve, this would have been a major disappointment.

Housekeeping kept our area immaculate, but it was also in need of a refresh, with a rickety table that done me hesitant to keep my laptop on it. The good news is that the hotel’s guest rooms and suites is likely to be renovated during the first and second parts in 2020. Harmonizing to its website, floor-by-floor restorations wanted parts off of the inn could be closed off by temporary walls and patrons might examine construction interference. Indeed, we already determined evidence of construction. When we dined at Bice, a hallway nearby was cordoned off.

Finally, this is not an inexpensive inn. Though we got a good deal thanks to an off-season Florida-resident rate, it would’ve been overpriced without the reject. If you can live without the theming, you can stay for less at the nearby Hyatt Place Across From Universal Orlando Resort, Hyatt House Across From Universal Orlando Resort or the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando. You can walk to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk from all three of those belongings. And if you’ve got World of Hyatt or Hilton Honors points to spend, it can be a great deal.

Would I stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel again? Yes, but I may wait out the first and second one-quarters of its first year and visit again once all apartments and suites have been renovated.

Featured image by Andrea M. Rotondo/ The Points Guy