Portofino Bay Hotel

I'm frankly quite stunned by some of the negative reviews I've read. My wife and I along with our 5 year-old grandson stayed at the Portofino Bay Hotel March 14th and 15th 2003. We NEVER ran into any staff member that was "cold" or rude. On the contrary, everyone was very warm, pleasant, and helpful. As for the comments about the hotel not being "kid-friendly", our experience was the total opposite. The one restaurant had Scooby-Doo and Woody Woodpecker characters one night and a clown doing face painting the next. The restaurant even had a... more

Truly a beautiful resort. But beware $6 per night to park your rental car. Breakfast buffet $15 for adults. They really get you with the extras. Lovely rooms, large bathrooms. Management a little disjointed and uneven.This is the way to do Universal!

What a terrific hotel. I wasn't sure what to expect because there were quite a few negative reviews online regarding the service. We found the employees absolutely terrific - warm and thoroughly competent. Everyone from the desk staff to the wait staff in the restaurants were well trained, courteous and congenial. Our room was one of the nicest I've ever stayed in - very well appointed, very clean - well worth every cent. Our little boys had an absolute blast at the pool - there was a beach and slides - very well done.Universal was... more

I went there April of 2001 and I was astonished how nice the rooms were and how nice and helpful the service was. For example, a bus was planned to pick a group of people up to go to another park. When the bus was a few minutes late and probably wasn't going to come the manager came and ordered taxi's for everyone, at the hotel's expense. If that isn't great service I don't know what is. The next time I go to Orlando, I know that Portifino Bay Hotel is the right place to stay.

I took my family to the Universal Resort for a winter break and we had one of the most pleasurable vacation experiences of our lives. The Hotel was MAGNIFICENT!!!! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with enthusiastic employees who seemed genuinely pleased to have us staying at the hotel. The service was impecable, the food was excellent and our room was beautiful and the beds were the most comfortable I've ever slept on. We used the complementary water taxi to and from the Univeral Studio Resort / City Walk which left every 15... more

this hotel is simply the best with high qualty every thing kids (me) and parents can enjoy the wornderful sorundings with 3(4) pools the main on with rock all over and the great slide this is just the best!

We just returned from Feb. break at the Portofino. Although the hotel was nice, we wouldn't return. It is very low keyed there...as compared to The Hard Rock which felt much more "resort-like". The pool with the slide was nice and very empty. Food was mediocre except for the FABULOUS Mama Della. We also resented having to pay $25.00 a night for a roll away when we were already paying $500.00 a night for the "Kid's Suite". I did get it taken off our bill after I explained that a "Kid's Suite" with only 2 twin beds is ridiculous. If you... more

We just had a lovely stay at the Portofino Hotel. The room was spotless. All the employees were polite and most interested in making sure all our needs were met and that we were happy. Room service was delivered hot and at the time expected. The room was fully equipped with all the expected amenities as well as a truly well stocked pantry and bar. We had a memorable time and look forward to staying there again.

I agree with everyone who mentioned service problems. We stayed here in May of 2002 and while the hotel is visually spectacular, the atmosphere and the people where, for the most part, very cold. They've got some training issues it would appear.

Although a grand attempt was made to reinvent Portofino, the experience was not so grand. I've never stayed in a 4 star, 4 diamond hotel that does not offer turn down service and replenishing of linens in the evening. The maid service was horrible. Dirty breakfast dishes were allowed to stay in the room for 3 days and I often saw in-room dining trays left in the halls from morning till night. A buffet was offered for breakfast, but was difficult to get eating utensils...seemed to bother the wait staff to have to find some. The hotel... more