I have a reservation at Hard Rock and am considering changing to Royal Pacific. After our past stay at Portofino (beautiful but the day there was threat of lightning, the boat didn't run and we had to wait over an hour for a bus...if we had realized it would be such a long wait, we would've walked) I always want to be within an easy walk. Glad to hear both HR and RP are about the same walking distance because we always walk from RP but now wondering, which hotel does everyone prefer? And why? Which has the better pool? Is it true HR is more of a "party" hotel? It's been one reason I've been hesitant to stay there. Thanks!
We've stayed at all 3 a number of times, and they are all nice, IMO. I also really like Sapphire Falls, and would stay there more if it had Express Pass. (When I price a room there+ EP, it comes out quite a bit more than just getting a room at any of the other 3.)
2. important point, I have an AP and often stay Club Level. The AP rate is a bit lower than non-AP rates, so that makes CL a better deal.
3. Shuttle boats at both WDW and US can't run when thunderstorms. We've been stuck at WDW (waiting on boat that never came) FAR more than at US, but it can happen at either. At US, walking is pretty easy. We have hardly ever taken a bus at US.
Like all the WDW hotels, each has pros and cons. Generally, I tend to book on where I can get the best deal (the AP rate).
HRH- closest. The rooms are nice. I like the pool. HRH and Portofino have water slides, RP does not have a water slide. I think all 3 also have hot tubs. They also have (or had) live performers by the pool. Generally, they were fairly mellow guitar-playing musicians. Better than the loud music/pool games the WDW pools have in the afternoons. SF has an excellent pool area! The two things I don't love about HRH is that HRH has a strong fragrance. Both the lobby and shampoo have the HRH fragrance. Another thing I don't love is the CL plays music first thing in the morning. It isn't horrible, I just prefer quieter mornings. In the afternoon/evening it adds fun. Before COVID-19, the hotel often had events. I've not gone to any of the live performances, but it is fun to be at a place where things are happening. Another plus of HRH is the bottled water is themed to HRH. Just a fun little touch. We don't tend to anywhere else at HRH.
RP - I like the lobby and all the orchids. The CL food is also very good. In the AM, when not staying club level, they have (had?) a quick grab and go breakfast in the lobby. At 5pm, the Orchid Lounge has decent sushi. Portions are pretty decent for the price, as I recall. The pool is a little dull.
Porto- furthest walk, but not too bad, except maybe in the summer afternoon heat. We usually take the boat since they are so frequent. Pools are great. Rooms are pretty big, but the new decor is so-so. I miss the old decor. No more bathtub, but shower is fairly nice. Hotel is a bit sprawling if you get one of the further out rooms. They JUST remodeled the CL lounge. I have not seen it in person, but it looks really nice! Of the 3 CL, Porto has the best food, IMO. If not CL, I generally like Italian food, though even before pandemic there were not a lot of customers, but the food is decent at Porto.
One thing all 3 do not have, are room balconies. Staff is overall great at all 3.
I suppose HRH does have a bit of party vibe, but not in the sense that the hotel has been too noisy/loud or anyone staying there has been disrespectful. I would more say the staff is upbeat, and the hotel plays upbeat music in the lobby. Porto and RP are a little more subdued. SF also has a fairly relaxed vibe. The colors of SF are blue, white, and cream- so relaxing colors overall.
checkpoint. There might be room location circumstances where going out by the pool is faster, but for us that has never been the case. I hope this helps! We discovered this route by accident when we dropped something off at our car before heading to the park and noticed the walkway.
