I'm not sure I follow - where did you stay on property that you felt had run down rooms and shoddy workmanship? I've stayed at RPR and HRH and haven't experienced that at either. Royal Pacific rooms were renovated within the last couple of years, and I believe Portofino Bay is in the process of receiving refurbishments, which has unfortunately been delayed because of the closures.For those who listed Portofino as their favorite, can I ask why? We usually stay on property at WDW (we've stayed at Caribbean Beach and PO-Riverside once each, usually stay deluxe) and have only stayed on prop at Uni one time (Thanksgiving 2017). Seems silly, but I'd wanted to stay at PB after seeing Samantha Brown stay. We had two connecting rooms. BOTH rooms showed obviously shoddy workmanship (over cuts under outlet and switch face plates, face plates badly slanted), and the rooms were run down (discolored face plates, fixtures, worn carpet, etc). There was also dirt and dust in corners. Since both rooms were the same, we figured it was a resort-wide issue and combined with travel fatigue, we didn't complain when we probably should have. I'm not sure if the other Uni hotels are in similar condition? I wrote basically the same "review" on another thread earlier today, and someone else responded that they also felt PB is very run down, and that Pacific Royale was in much better condition (but has smaller rooms).
Portofino Bay.I'm not sure I follow - where did you stay on property that you felt had run down rooms and shoddy workmanship? I've stayed at RPR and HRH and haven't experienced that at either. Royal Pacific rooms were renovated within the last couple of years, and I believe Portofino Bay is in the process of receiving refurbishments, which has unfortunately been delayed because of the closures.
As I mentioned, they're in the process of receiving a refurbishment so that may address your previous concerns. We have previously visited the resort, not stayed there, and we enjoyed the immersive theme. We have a stay booked in the Fall and are looking forward to several new dining options as well as the different pools.Portofino Bay.
Which pool is this? Taking notes for my October stay!a smaller more secluded pool that tends to be empty more than it is used
As mentioned, PBR is in the middle of a renovation, but my reasons for staying are:
I will say that when the kids were younger, we tended to stay more at RPR as they really liked the interactive water play area at the pool and we liked the restaurants there better. But as my kids have grown up we tend to stay at PBR more for the larger rooms and my daughter likes having the adult pool there which is quieter and my wife usually hits the SPA at least once per trip, sometimes twice. We tried the HRH once and it just didn't fit us very well. So we don't usually stay there any more (though we did a few years ago when I received a really nice conference discounted rate there for a suite room.)
- Largest base and deluxe rooms (450 sqft and 490 sqft) especially with large bathrooms. RPR for example has 335 sqft base rooms.
- Only on-site hotel with balconies. Some of the Deluxe rooms have balconies with very nice views.
- Only on-site hotel with SPA services. Yes, I know if you are staying at one of the other hotels you can make SPA reservations here. But you have to travel to this hotel to use the SPA services. Much nicer to have it in the hotel your staying at.
- 3 On-site pools. The main pool with a nice slide, an "adults" pools, and a smaller more secluded pool that tends to be empty more than it is used. If you want to get away from the crowds for a bit, this pool is a great option.
- Has the best Club Lounge of the 3 on-site Premier hotels. OK, this might be more of my preference, but it does have (or at least used to have) hot breakfast items like bacon that the others don't have. And it has a lot of space with an secluded over-flow room (which I've never had to use, but nice to know it is there if I wanted to use it.)
- The only on-site hotel that has a jacuzzi with a waterfall into it. I love to relax in that jacuzzi with hot water falling down over the water fall on me. Very relaxing.
- Again, my personal opinion, but I would say that PBR is the most romantic of the on-site hotels.
Well I’m going to go against the grain here and say Sapphire Falls- lovely pool. Fantastic bar in Strongwater. Great food at Amatista. Fun boat ride to the parks. However I’ve not stayed at Hard Rock- only visited. For girls weekend go for the lively atmosphere that’s more likely at Hard Rock.