Loews Portofino Bay Resort is my top choice for both my own family and my clients. It is beautifully appointed, convenient to the theme parks, has excellent service and a variety of wonderful amenities. I’m just back from my fourth stay and thought I’d give an update on my resort profile!
Portofino Bay is a true escape from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks and makes relaxing at the end of a long day easy. You often find families sipping coffee by the bay in the morning, and wine in the evening while listening to live music.
Relax in surroundings inspired by the beauty, romance and charm of the picturesque seaside village of Portofino, Italy. Wonderfully appointed rooms and suites welcome families home each day. Tempting outdoor cafes and shops dot the piazza around a serene harbor. Three enticing pools offer every level of relaxation. Incredible restaurants tempt every palate with flavorful culinary tours of Italy.
Benefits of staying at a Universal Orlando Resort
There are valuable benefits to staying on-site at a Universal Orlando resort hotel. When staying at Portofino Bay, all guests receive the following. (These benefits also apply to Hard Rock and Royal Pacific.)
Early Park Admission
Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and Universal’s Volcano Bay™ one hour before the theme park opens with paid theme park admission.
Skip the Regular Lines
Guests of select on-site resort hotels enjoy free† Universal Express Unlimited™ to skip the regular lines in Universal Studios Florida™ and Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ (valid theme park admission required. Not valid at Universal’s Volcano Bay™).
Get There Faster
Enjoy complimentary transportation to the theme parks and Universal CityWalk™.
Priority Dining
Cut your wait time in half withpriority seating at select restaurants throughout the resort hotels and CityWalk.
Now, I have two KEY takeaways on these benefits….
First, let’s chat about the FREE Universal Express Unlimited Pass. For my Disney fans, this is like having a FastPass for every ride. In all of my trips, including over holiday weekends, I’ve never waited more than 10 minutes in a line.
Next, the priority dining had us seated with 20 minute waits every time we used it. The normal wait times were about 40 minutes.
Finally, I send quite a few clients to Universal so I look at pricing often. If you are considering adding Universal to a larger Orlando trip, I have not seen a case where you wouldn’t fare better staying on property at Universal versus coming in for the day from somewhere else.
Exclusive Benefits for Portofino Bay Resort
In addition to the benefits offered by Universal Orlando, I get exclusive benefits for my clients through my affiliation with the Virtuoso network of luxury hotels. These include:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Buffet breakfast daily served in restaurant for up to two in-room guests
- $100 resort food & beverage credit
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Of course, on top of these I also do itinerary planning, touring plans, provide tips and tricks, and handle every detail of your stay from the moment you arrive in Orlando!
Rooms at Loews Portofino Bay Resort
I have stayed in a Deluxe Room and a Double Queen Room. Both rooms are very similar in decor and amenities. The Deluxe Room is larger in size and would easily accommodate a rollaway for parties of 5. The Double Queen is equally as nice, just slightly smaller, and also will accommodate a rollaway. Both rooms also have the option for king bedding.
In addition to regular rooms, I’ve also had a chance to tour the Parlor Suite with connecting King bedroom. This spacious 920 sq. ft. suite provides an expansive living room with a murphy bed that can accommodate two guests, a plush armchair, a flat screen TV, and desk area. In the common area there is a bathroom that features a stand up shower, a dining area with a large dining table, and a kitchenette with refrigerator and microwave. The connecting bedroom features a comfortable king bed, that can accommodate up to three guests, with a full-size bathroom with a tub and shower. The suite overlooks the Villa Piazza area (formal garden area).
Another luxurious option is the Governatore Suite. These offer 2,265 square feet, a spacious bedroom with 1 king bed, walk-in closet, bathroom with separate tub and shower, dining and conference area, plus a service pantry, wet bar with refrigerator, and entertainment space. Features a view of the Portofino Bay and picturesque harbor. Maximum occupancy of 2 guests. Enjoy access to the Club Lounge for additional amenities such as complimentary continental breakfast, evening beer and wine, and complimentary admission to the fitness center at Mandara Spa.
And, perhaps most popular with my clients, we have the Despicable Me Kids’ Suite! This fun suite is designed to capture the excitement and playfulness of Gru’s Laboratory. What I love most is that mom and dad get a lovely, serene king bedded space, and behind the fun door lies the amazing bedroom for the kids.
The Portofino Club
Guests of designated rooms and suites have access to the gorgeous Portofino Club during their stay. In addition to nightly turndown service and personal concierge service, Club Level guests have access to the 3,500-square-foot Portofino Club Lounge serving continental breakfast as well as complimentary beverages and snacks throughout the day. I cannot recommend this enough!
Dining at Loews Portofino Bay Resort
There is a variety of great dining at Portofino Bay, including lounges, pool side quick serve, buffets, table service and fine dining. All of it is conveniently located at the Piazza overlooking the bay.
Thirsty Fish
The Thirsty Fish is the perfect place to linger over Italy’s famous lager, Peroni, as you take in the view over the Piazza. I have immensely enjoyed Thirsty Fish on each of my visits. They have live music in the evening and winding down with a cheese plate and glass of wine feels wonderful and indulgent after a day at the parks.
Mama Dellas
Mama Della’s Ristorant offers family-style dining with specialties from the regions of Tuscany, Naples and Piemonte. We dined here with the Glass Slipper agents and it was a wonderful meal! The servings were plentiful and everything I sampled was just outstanding. To dine here, do consider making a reservation a few weeks in advance. They are on Open Table.
Trattoria del Porto
Trattoria del Porto serves breakfast and dinner in a friendly, casual atmosphere. I always enjoy an omelette bar, and the the design your own pasta bar at dinner was delicious and, again, a wonderful meal! This is a sit down restaurant but I did not see that reservations were necessary. If you book a trip through me, this is where you can dine for breakfast – on me!
Sal’s Market Deli
For casual dining, choose from a comforting selection of Italian staples like handmade pizzas, sandwiches, salads, meats, cheese and fresh fruit at Sal’s Market Deli. The pizza here is quite good, and there is both indoor and outdoor seating. Of course, if the weather is good, take it outside to dine on the Harbor Piazza. This is a quick serve restaurant and no reservations are needed.
Starbucks
On the scenic Harbor Piazza you’ll find Starbucks. The line here is LONG in the morning so go at an off time.
In addition to these locations, you can also enjoy burgers, sandwiches and more poolside at Splendido Bar and Grill. And of course, Italy is known around the globe for its cool and creamy gelato. So stop by the Gelateria for a scoop or two.
Recreation at Portofino Bay Resort
The Beach Pool
The Beach Pool is ideal place for the family to spend the day together—enjoy a Roman aqueduct-themed water-slide, a sandy beach and adjacent children’s pool, two hot tubs and three colorful beach cabanas.
From ping pong tournaments to pool basketball to hula hoop contests and arts & crafts, you’ll find something fun to do poolside for the whole family.
Activities and Amenities During Our Stay
Villa Pool
The Villa Pool is quieter and features hot and cold plunge pools, a pool suited for lap swimming and relaxing and more. Here you can also try your hand at one of the world’s oldest lawn bowling games at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – bocce ball!
Hillside Pool
A third pool, located on the hotel’s east side, is an adults-only retreat that offers a bit more privacy and a quiet place for relaxing by the water.
Mandara Spa
The luxurious Mandara Spa encourages you to take time from all of the theme park excitement to be spoiled from hair toe. This full service spa offers everything from pedicures to massages.
Transportation
Getting to CityWalk and the theme parks could not be easier or more convenient. A water taxi runs continuously throughout the day and picks up right at the Harbor Piazza. In fact, with our Bay View room we could wait to leave the room until we saw it pulling in. So nice! I love that you go through security before you board the boat. Once you arrive at CityWalk, you are free to go between the two parks and CityWalk without more security lines for the rest of the day.
In addition to the boat, there is a nice shaded walking path. It takes 15 – 20 minutes and is very easy and enjoyable. Even in late May :-)
To get to Volcano Bay, there is bus service from the front of the resort.
Portofino Bay is a lovely place to spend your r&r time in a Universal Orlando vacation!
Let’s Travel & My Services
As a Premier Level Advisor with Glass Slipper Concierge, I am recognized for providing the highest level of customer service, experience, and knowledge in the industry. I use my personal connections and firsthand expertise to craft EPIC Universal vacations for the most discerning clients. On top of that, theme park vacations are expensive and I know how to get the best value for your time and money. If you’re looking to travel to Universal Orlando any time in 2022 or 2023, NOW is the time to plan!
Most aspects of planning a theme park vacation look different and now, more than ever, it is crucial to have the most current, up to date information based on personal experience to plan your vacation! I know these parks inside and out, I’ve taken all of the VIP tours, I’ve stayed in all of the resorts, and am a small, one woman show. Let’s go there!
As Premier Level Advisor with Glass Slipper Concierge, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, I offer concierge travel planning for Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland® Resort, Disney Aulani Hawaii, Universal, Sea World and to over 40 countries on 7 continents through Adventures by Disney® and National Geographic Expeditions.
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