Hotel Review: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
- universallyamber
- May 4, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 4, 2024
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel was the first hotel to open on Universal Orlando Resort, opening in late 1999 with 795 rooms. I stayed here for the first time in April 2024, so what did I think?
Amenities
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is one of the three premier level hotels on property, with the other two being Loews Royal Pacific Resort and the Hard Rock Hotel. Your stay here includes Universal Express Unlimited for Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure from the time of check in through the end of the day of check out.
This hotel has six (yes, six) restaurants. All the restaurants are on the ground level of the hotel, arranged around the gorgeous lagoon. All the restaurants are Italian themed and range from upscale to casual. These are Mama Della's Ristorante, Bice Ristorante, Trattoria del Porto, Sal's Market Deli, The Thirsty Fish, and Splendido Bar & Grill. Of these, I did eat at Sal's Market Deli and it was delicious! The atmosphere is perfect for something a little more laid back. There is also a Starbucks and a Gelateria if you're in the mood for a sweet treat before heading back to your room for some rest. Already in your room? Don't worry, there's room service too.
The three pools include the Beach Pool, the Villa Pool, and the Hillside Pool with all being outdoors. There is a game room for the younger ones in the family while the adults go to the Mandara Spa, a full service spa located within the hotel (and they take a UOAP discount!). The Harbor Piazza, located outside by the water taxi and the lagoon, hosts singers nightly at 7:30pm. The Harbor Piazza also hosts Harbor Nights on select nights through the year, a separately ticketed event featuring wines and food from the various restaurants on site. There are four on site shops including Alta Moda, L'ancora, Le Memories de Portofino, and the Universal Studios Store.
Transportation options here include the walking path (approximately a ten minute walk to the parks), buses, and the water taxis. I always recommend the walking path as it is mostly shaded and absolutely stunning!
Rooms
Loews Portofino Bay features standard (with deluxe options), club level, and suite rooms. Standard rooms start at $393/night and include garden view and bay view rooms with double queen and one king bed options. Standard rooms are 450-square feet. Deluxe rooms are 490-square feet and have double queen and single king bed options. Both the standard and deluxe rooms feature a lounging area, desk, closet, and in room safe. They also include a spacious bathroom with marble countertops and double sinks. Club level rooms start at $532/night and include access to the Portofino Club with a personal concierge. Kids suites feature a separate, Despicable Me themed room for the kids within the suite. Portofino Suite, Villa Suite, and Hospitality Suite options include one and two bedroom options. The Governatore Suite and Presidente Suites feature multiple bedrooms, a separate kitchen, and separate office space. The Governatore Suite is 2715-square feet and sleeps up to seven guests with roll away beds. The Presidente Suite is 4195-square feet and sleeps up to seventeen guests with roll away beds.
I stayed in the Bay View King Room. The room was definitely spacious enough as I was by myself, but could have easily been spacious enough for two or three people. I agree with Universal in saying the bathrooms are spacious, and it was the nicest bathroom I've ever had at a hotel! The desk was nice for completing meetings and work while I was there, and the view outside to the lagoon was perfect for relaxing.
The Downside
My biggest downside was the current construction. Much of the building is covered by scaffolding and tarps while the construction on the hotel is being completed. The construction is scheduled to be completed in June 2025, and I will have to go back afterwards to get a true picture of how beautiful this hotel really is. The construction was not an issue as far as noise or getting around the hotel.
Overall, I would recommend this hotel! This would likely be best for adults since the hotel leans heavily into the restaurants and shopping, but there is plenty here for children too. Have you stayed at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel before, or would you consider staying here in the future? Let me know if the comments below!