GUEST REVIEWS
Expedia Guest Rating
of guests recommend
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
TripAdvisor provides an assessment of hotel quality based on more than 40 million reviews & opinions from real travelers. The traveler rating represents an average of individual ratings for this hotel.
See all #### TripAdvisor ReviewsRooms & Rates
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Deluxe 2 Queens - 1 Free Party Pass
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Bay View 1 King - 1 Free Party Pass
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Hotel Policies & Fees
The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Promotions
CityWalk Party Pass Promotion
Book a stay in a qualifying rate category and receive a voucher redeemable for a Universal CityWalk Party Pass at check-in.
Must book the "CityWalk Party Pass Promotion" rate category to qualify. The Universal CityWalk Party Pass offers unlimited one-night club-to-club and entertainment venue access at Universal CityWalk. One voucher per room per stay. Voucher is included in room rate. Voucher/ticket is non-refundable. Vouchers can be redeemed for the CityWalk Party Pass at the hotel's Destination Universal Desk. Additional passes are also available for purchase at Universal CityWalk.
Awards and Affiliations
A Green / Sustainable Property - First Party Certified
This property has performed a self-assessment, also known as First Party certification, of its sustainable tourism practices through Florida Green Lodging Program thus taking steps to understand its impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy. The property's claims have not been independently verified by a second or third party certification program.
Accessibility Options
To make requests for specific accessibility needs, complete the “Special or Accessibility Requests” section of “Trip Preferences” when you book your hotel.
Property Amenities
Celebrate la dolce vita — the sweet life — at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando®. Nestled along a picturesque bay at Universal Orlando® Resort, this luxurious hotel recreates the charm and romance of the famed seaside village of Portofino, Italy, right down to the cobblestone streets and outdoor cafes. This AAA Four Diamond Award® winning hotel features 750 guest rooms, including 45 spacious suites. Each room offers the epitome of European luxury and elegance with authentic Italian furnishings and marble accents. And of course, each guest room is also equipped with all the latest amenities to combine the best of Old World hospitality with modern convenience. Hotel guests enjoy impeccable and attentive service, an opulent spa, three themed swimming pools and exceptional dining… plus an exclusive package of theme park benefits, including:• Early Park Admission† to Universal’s Islands of Adventure®, one hour before the theme park opens • Universal Express ride access*, which lets you skip the regular lines all day at most rides and attractions – A free benefit worth up to $87 per person, per day**!! From the classically-inspired fountains and charming courtyards to the authentic music filling the piazza, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel enables guests to escape to the sunny shores of the Italian Riviera.†Requires paid theme park admission. Early Park Admission begins one hour prior to Universal’s Islands of Adventure regular opening hour for on-site hotel guests and is valid 7 days a week for travel through 12/31/11, valid only at select Islands of Adventure attractions. Universal Express ride access is not valid during Early Park Admission. Additional restrictions may apply and the foregoing benefits are subject to change without notice.*On-site hotel privileges good for hotel stay as indicated on the room key card. Only good for the number of guests staying in the room. Paid theme park admission required. Some attractions excluded. Express ride access available during normal theme park operating hours only. Not valid for separately ticketed special events. Additional restrictions may apply and benefits are subject to change without notice. Access may be restricted during certain times at certain attractions. **Based on current pricing for the Unlimited Express pass, sold exclusively at the Universal Orlando front gates. Prices subject to change without notice.
Rooms
The Italian accent of Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, is perhaps nowhere more pronounced than in its 750 stylish guest rooms, including 45 spacious suites. Authentic Italian furnishings and marble accents declare a European sensibility, while features like custom duvet covers with 100% white goose down duvet inserts and elegant window treatments featuring lace curtains offer you a luxurious welcome home from the theme parks. Our larger Deluxe rooms and Club Level rooms offer even more amenities and exclusive features. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel room amenities include:• 300-thread-count, 100% cotton bed linens• 32” flat panel television including HD channels• DVD player• iHome clock radio• Three telephones with dual voice lines, data port and voice mail• On Demand® in-room movies, video check-out and remote control television with cable channels• Smart room technology for automated heating and air conditioning• Keurig coffee maker featuring Emeril’s Gourmet Coffee and assorted teas• Refreshment pantry• Nightly turndown service• Cotton signature bathrobes• Iron and ironing board• Hair dryer and make-up mirror• Separate bath and vanity area with two separate sinks• In-room safe• Wired and wireless high speed internet access – nominal fee• Daily newspaper delivery to guest rooms *All rooms are non-smoking
Room Amenities
Dining
Bar American - Guests unwind with Italian grappas, specialty drinks, or martinis in this bar off the lobby. Late afternoon to late evening. Splendido Pizzeria - This pool bar's specialty is pizza baked in wood-burning ovens. Salads, burgers, and specialty drinks round out the offerings here. Gelateria Caffe Espresso - Italy's intensely flavored version of ice cream is a hit with guests. Open all day, this small shop serves freshly brewed espresso and cappuccino, Italian pastries, and cordials.Sal's Market Deli - Italian meats, cheeses, fresh fruits, and freshly baked pizzas are the specialties. Noon to early evening.Bice Ristorante - With locations in major cities such as Milan, Tokyo, Paris and New York, Bice Ristorante now offers its Italian cuisine at this Orlando hotel. At Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, you can take a culinary tour of Italy. You’ll find eight exceptional restaurants and lounges featuring a wide array of authentic Italian fare. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the bay at the casually elegant Bice Ristorante. Mama Della’s Ristorante offers family-style dining featuring specialties from the regions of Tuscany, Naples and Piemonte. Trattoria del Porto® offers breakfast, lunch and dinner served in a friendly, casual atmosphere. You can dine on pizza by the pool, enjoy a cool frosty gelato, or sip a warm cappuccino on the scenic piazza. In addition, room service is available 24 hours a day.Thirsty Fish - A great location to watch the sunset over the harbor. Cocktails, specialty drinks, and light fare. Open weekdays from evening until after midnight; weekends from noon until after midnight.
Entertainment
Universal Orlando® ResortYour stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel places you right in the center of the world’s most exciting entertainment destination. Universal Orlando® Resort is a spectacular vacation destination encompassing the world’s two most amazing theme parks side-by side, a vibrant entertainment center, and magnificently themed AAA Four Diamond Award® winning on-site hotels. At Universal Orlando Resort you’ll find Universal Studios Florida®, the world’s premier movie and TV based theme park. Plus you’ll experience innovative thrills and unexpected adventures that challenge all your senses at Universal’s Islands of Adventure® theme park. It’s all within a short walking distance of Loews Portofino Bay Hotel…and as an on-site hotel guest, you receive an exclusive package of theme park benefits to enjoy it all!
Recreation
There are three outdoor pools, including the hotel's signature zero-entry beach pool with Roman aqueduct slide. Other amenities include a children's pool with slide, four spa tubs, a cold-plunge tub, arcade room, two bocce ball courts, and a jogging path. Camp Portofino provides supervised childcare activities in the evenings (surcharge). Universal's Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is home to the Mandara Spa, which offers a variety of massage techniques, skin care, wraps and body treatments, aroma therapy, steam and sauna facilities, hair and nail care, make-up services, lounges, and a full-service fitness center. Customized treatments are provided and spa packages are available.From the Beach Pool to the spa where pampering and indulgence have been raised to an art form, there's never a lack of fun things to do. Or places to relax and do nothing at all. Recreation includes three lushly landscaped themed swimming pools, bocce ball, a game room, fitness center and more. You can watch a film under the stars at the hotel’s weekly poolside “dive-in movies,” or make arrangements to play a nearby round of golf through the hotel’s Golf Universal program. Also be sure to catch our daily Musica della Notte (Music of the Night) show in the harbor and enjoy the sounds Italy.Guests also enjoy privileges and preferred tee times at golf courses located within 10 miles of the hotel. These include Metro Golf Club, Orange County National Golf Center, and Mystic Dunes Golf Club.The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or near the hotel; fees may apply.
Verified Reviews: All guest reviews are verified as submitted by our customers and reflect their stay at Universal's Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
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Showing 1 - 10 results (of 40) · See more Universal's Loews Portofino Bay Hotel reviews
“great staff”
Have a great visit. A pleasant surprise
“Excellent choice if you plan to go to Universal or Islands of Adventure!”
The early admission to the park was well worth the exra money to stay at one of their hotels. The Portofino Bay was lovely with several pools & hot tubs to choose from. The beach pool has a waterslide that is fun for ALL ages! The service was excellent from all hotel employees. I would highly reccomend this hotel if you plan to visit Islands of Adventure (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter) or Universal and plan to have a day or two of relaxation.
“Where to stay at Universal”
Much better than Royal Pacific.
“Hair left in shower, gross”
My room had the luxury of brown spots on the towels and sheets , not to mention black hairs in the shower/tub.. Management said, oh sorry , thanks
“looking forward to going again next year”
was great only bad thing wifi wasnt free
“i would reccommend this hotel”
wonderful stay throughout until the end. food was great, service was great. room was outstanding. my only complaint was upon checkout they wanted to bill me a substantial amount for parking. there was no mention at check in or no sign indicating i would be paying. other than that it was a great hotel
“We'll Stay at Royal Pacific Next Time”
Of the Loews hotels that are Universal On-site Properties, this is ths most expensive one, yet is the one that sems to have been hastily designed and built, the least maintained, and the least friendly. There is a very loud speaker in the bathroom so you can hear the television but they skipped installing an absolutely necessary exhaust fan to keep the steam down- a big NO NO in Florida when the heat index is 110 F. The furniture is banged up, lightbulbs not working, poorly lit, uncomfortable beds and bedding, and a very unfriendly staff at the front desk. Maids not instructed to wash table tops or the shower or tub walls. We had a much better experience numerous times at both the Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific-I cant say we had even one thing go wrong there in half a dozen or so stays. Stay at Royal Pacific and you'll never leave the bed it is absolute heaven -the staff is wonderful and it smells like flowers everywhere.
“A Delightful Hotel”
Very beautiful hotel. Hotel employees were very helpful. Nice atmosphere at night. Hotel needs a little more activities for the children. It seems that the hotel industry is charging extra for any request, similar to the airlines with the baggages.
“Would go back in a heartbeat!!”
I have stayed at this property a few times in the past starting 7 years ago. It has always exceeded my expectations. This trip I did find the bathrooms a little weathered. They still are the largest of the on site hotels & with three gals sharing.... they were livable! The location is perfect for a walk or ride to the whole of Universal. The ability to enter the parks early was worth the price of the room alone! This season opened the new Harry Potter section of the park and we were able to get in early, ride the ride TWICE before the park ever opened to the public!! Midday, when the park is overrun, you can stroll or cruise back to the hotel, throw on your suit and head to one of the THREE pools.... it was a great siesta to gear up for heading back to the parks. The ability to purchase items in the park and have them taken back to your hotel was also a plus. There is a little challenge with the bell & valet staff. I would recommend not tipping bell staff until it's IN your room or leaving your room. Oh and the self park rates were very reasonable.... I was shocked! Overall it's an outstanding property to which I will return!!
“Italy without going”
This hotel is wonderful! The pool with the sand around it was so nice and fun for my kids. The food was very good. Try out the chef who makes your pasta to order - best I have ever had. It was great to be able to ride back and forth to the park on the boat instead of a shuttle. My only complaint was that they offered a free newspaper delivery and we only got 2 out of 7 even though we kept calling for them.
Showing 1 - 10 results (of 40) · See more Universal's Loews Portofino Bay Hotel reviews
Hotels in Universal Orlando - International Drive North
Hotels near Orlando Museum of Art
5601 Universal Blvd Orlando, 32819 United States of America
Nearby Points of Interest
Location Highlights
The closest major airports to Universal's Loews Portofino Bay Hotel are:
Orlando, FL (MCO-Orlando Intl.) - 16.4 km / 10.2 mi
Orlando, FL (SFB-Orlando Sanford Intl.) - 39.3 km / 24.4 mi
The preferred airport for Universal's Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is Orlando, FL (MCO-Orlando Intl.).
Distances are calculated in a straight line from the property's location to the point of interest or airport and may not reflect actual travel distance.
Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometre.
Nearest Major Airport:
Area:
Universal Orlando - International Drive North, Florida, United States of America: International Drive's largest claim to fame is the Universal Orlando Resort, home to two theme parks Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios; the water park, Wet 'n Wild; and the entertainment area, CityWalk. The I-Ride trolley (really a bus) stops frequently along the street. At the north end of International Drive are two shopping meccas: Prime Outlets-Orlando and The Mall at Millenia.
5601 Universal Blvd Orlando, 32819 United States of America
