Anybody stayed either in Hard Rock hotel or Portofino bay in Orlando? how do they compare?which one should I pick?room quality?food? we will be there in february so swimming is out,quality of the pools are not important.Rooms and restaurants are more important,I understand that Portofino Bay is slightly more expensive than Hard Rock Hotel,is the difference worth it?what do you think?
Thanks...

I stayed at the Hard Rock 2 years ago in February and it was in the 80's all week. We went to the pool every day. It is a great hotel, the rooms where very nice. It is a five minute walk or short boat ride between both hotels. There are a lot of restaurants on City Walk another short walk or boat ride away.

Heinz, you can definitely swim in February, and the Hard Rocks pool is awesome. One question, are you bringing children? How old are you? We've stayed at the Hard Rock twice with our children. The room quality is outstanding. Beautifully decorated rooms and lobby. There is a very good restaurant as well as a poolside grill. The architecture is California mission style (inspired by the Eagle's "Hotel California"). My husband and I LOVE the Hard Rock, and would choose it over the Portofino even if we didn't have the kids with us. It's more lively than PB, and it's much closer to Universal and IOA (5 minute walk). It's really a great hotel.

PB is bigger, more elegant and the lobby and rooms are slightly more formal without being the least bit gaudy. The architecture is designed to look like Portofino, and they do a nice job. It's also very nice, confusing to get around, has more pools but none is as nice as the Hard Rock's. It has more restaurants, one of which is very upscale/expensive, as well as a market which sells pizza and panini. It's a much quieter hotel, so would be a better choice if you aren't going with children. Keep in mind you will take a boat launch to Universal and IOA, or take a long (30 minute) walk.

The rooms in both hotels are very, very nice. IMHO, the difference is not worth it, unless you really want to avoid kids, which is very possible at the PB.

We stayed at the Portofino Bay Hotel with our then 3 and 6 yr. olds. We all absolutely loved this hotel. There were PLENTY of other kids there, so while it is quiet, kids are right at home. The rooms were fabulous. WE stayed in a family suite and the kids had an attached bedroom that was simply magical. The formal restaurant was excellent and my girls loved the kids club...wanted to go back as much as we would allow. The launch to the parks is just a few minutes and we really never had to wait. Enjoy.

The Portofino is UPSCALE while the Hardrock most clearly is NOT. Only YOU know which one you truly belong in!!

Heinz,My friends and I are in our mid-forties and we loved the Hard Rock Hotel!! They played lot's of great tunes,the rooms were nice,the pool was great....Whichever you choose have fun!

Both hotels are nice.I woulndt say that PB is not worth the difference in price.It is more quiet. The Hard Rock is more lively and the location is closer to the parks.And to confuse you more, you might want to check out the Royal Pacific. Regardless of price, I would stay at either Royal Pacific or Hard Rock or Royal Pacific before PB.

Oops! Regarding my previous post, I meant to say that I dont think the PB is worth the differance in price and there is only one Royal Pacific.

The comment that Hard Rock is clearly NOT an upscale hotel is not quite fair. Both are Deluxe hotels without a doubt. Portofino is just more laid back and refined. I LOVE the Hard Rock hotel. The beds are the most comfortable I've ever encountered. Service has always been great. It is such a short walk to the parks and CityWalk. So very convenient all around.

I forgot--for extensive information on both hotels and the parks, go to www.disboards.com and scroll down to the Universal Forums.

Just stayed at the Hard Rock. We stayed in an upgraded room and it was very nice. Only problem we had with it is they have no rooms with balconies (bummer!). The food at the lower level restaurant was pretty good for a hotel, and not terribly expensive. Poolside food not as good. Mostly a nice place, but then you would find something out of place, for example taking the back stairway instead of the elevator was awful, it was an indoor stairway which I would not have expected to be very nice, but it was full of cig. butts and garbage, filthy dirty. But our room and the main guest areas were spotless. We enjoyed the music. The guests were a little more "blue collar" than the guests at the mid to upper level Disney hotels we have stayed at in the past. For example, a few gross loud drunk men from NY were in the pool, swearing up a storm in front of all the kids, being incredibly rude to the pool cocktail waitress (sexual comments, etc). Never saw that kind of guest at the other places we stayed in Orlando, but the Hardrock was cheaper. I would probably stay there again, the kids loved the pool. If you are going to Universal, you really should stay in a Universal Hotel for the front of the line pass, it was SO worth it!

Gail is right. The difference in cost between the HR and PB is only about $20. Not an issue cost wise and zero difference in the class of the guests. Let's face it, upscale near an Orlando theme park is an oxymoron anyway.

Rick, what are you, a Beverly Hillbilly? I prefer the Hard Rock. If you've been to the real Portofino, the PB looks like a cheap cheesy imitation anyway.

We LOVED the Portofino Bay. Also had the junior suite, so our kids had a small bedroom attached to ours (the beds were decorated to look like sailboats). Very luxurious hotel and beds ... one of my all-time favorites. The biggest plus was getting special lines at Universal for hotel guests at PB ... loved not waiting in line anywhere each morning! THAT ALONE was worth the extra cost. Not certain if Hard Rock offers special lines at Universal too ...

I have stayed at both the Hard Rock Hotel and Portofino Bay. We really loved Portofino Bay. We had a deluxe pool view room with a terrace overlooking the villa pool. It really is a lovely hotel. Our room was quite large with a beautiful bathroom. The pools are great and we had a wonderful time. The hotel is very calm and relaxing after a busy day at the parks.

The Hard Rock is fun too. It has a completely different atmosphere from Portofino Bay. Our room at the Hard Rock was very nice, but I have to say I liked the Portofino room better. We had a pool view room at Hard Rock, but they don't have balconies.

It really comes down to what atmosphere you are looking for. The difference in price is not significant.

Definitely check out disboards.com to get some valuable information.

Have fun!

All onsite Universal Hotel's offer front of the line access. Royal Pacific, Hard Rock and Portofino.

The comments by "just got back" referring to the guests as more "Blue Collar"--I have been in the company of doctors and lawyers who carry on just like the people mentioned. It's not fair or accurate to categorize people based on behavior. There are obnoxious people in all classes of life!
During my last visit to a Deluxe Disney hotel, we were awakened in the middle of the night by cursing drunks in the hallway. People will be people anywhere.

I have stayed at both the Portofino Bay and the Hard Rock. I think that each hotel is worth the price and I do not prefer one over the other. If you enjoy pop culture and music then go to the Hard Rock. If you prefer a slightly more elegant, as well as, quiet and laid back atmosphere then stay at the Portofino. Enjoy!