Background about the Portofino Bay Hotel:
The Portofino Bay Hotel is part of the Universal Orlando complex that includes: the Islands of Adventure and the Universal Studios Florida theme parks; the CityWalk entertainment area that links the two parks; and two other hotels, the Hard Rock Hotel and the Royal Pacific Resort. All three properties are Loews Hotels.
The Portofino Hotel is modeled on the town of Portofino, on the Italian Riviera. The Orlando Portofino has a lovely harbor, photogenic architecture, and some cute Italian details; 750 rooms (including 45 suites) ; eight restaurants and lounges; and three themed swimming pools.
What's special about the Portofino Bay Hotel, for families?
- The Portofino is conveniently close to Universal Orlando theme parks: guests can take a free watertaxi shuttle, or walk along a garden walkway (-about ten minutes to Universal Studios Florida.)
- guests get front-of-the-line access to theme park rides! This in itself is a major reason to stay at a Universal Orlando hotel, especially during peak periods when wait times can be two hours for popular rides.
- The Portofino Bay Hotel has a large freeform pool that's a hit with kids, with waterslide, and a sand beach along one side. The pool is mainly shallow, and is life-guarded.
- The Campo Portofino supervised children's activity center is open in the evenings for ages 4 to 14.*
- each Universal Orlando hotel has a character meal on select evenings, with personalities such as Shrek or Scooby Doo*
- Kids Suites have standard king bedroom for the adults, plus a separate room for kids with child-sized beds, small table and chair, and TV, VCR, and play area. Portofino Bay also has Seuss-themed suites
- guests can visit Loews' sister resorts at Universal: the Hard Rock Hotel (with large Beach Pool and waterslide) and the Royal Pacific Resort (large Beach Pool and play zone with water squirters etc.)
More about the Portofino Bay Hotel:
- see the Loews site for Portofino Hotel. Rates start at $249/night; check for updates and Specials .
- see the Universal Orlando site for Portofino Hotel.
- check visitor comments at TripAdvisor: just enter "Portofino Bay Hotel" in the searchbox.
• continue to photo tour of the Portofino Bay Hotel
•
read about
Universal Studios Florida- highlights for families
•
read about
Islands of Adventure highlights for families
• Check prices for Portofino Bay Hotel
*Always check resort web site for updates!
Photos (c) Teresa Plowright
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
