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Visitors to Universal Orlando can continue to vacation well after park hours by choosing to stay at one of the three on site hotels. Each of these hotels were designed to be an attraction unto themselves.
The Hard Rock Hotel was built to look like the hotel pictured on the Eagle’s Hotel California album with the Mission style architecture. The main purpose for the Rock theme was that they wanted to be able to treat all guests like rockstars. For example, the guitar shaped pool has a waterslide and even an underwater sound system. The rock memorabilia décor displayed throughout the hotel is supposed to be worth an estimated $1 million, no expense spared for their guests. Plus, guests at this hotel are lucky enough to be the closest to the parks; it’s only about a minute walk.
The Hard Rock Hotel has a mix of room styles, with a majority being Garden View. The kid suites available consist of two attached rooms, with the kids’ room having no exterior door and two twin beds. The largest style suite in the hotel is the Graceland Suite; with a view into the themepark, this room includes a baby grand piano and a double sided fireplace.
The Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is a recreation of Portofino, Italy. This luxury hotel is said to have been designed by the notorious film director Steven Spielberg. It offers 3 pools, the Mandara Spa, and 8 food and beverage outlets. One of the more popular dining areas is at Mama’s Della’s Ristorante, where Mama is there to personally greet everyone enjoying her dishes; plus, inside the mood is set as guests are treated to strolling musicians.
Later in the evening, the Portofino entertains guests with its nightly opera show Musica Della Notte (Music of theNight). Down at the hotel’s Harbor Piazza guests can enjoy food and entertainment; an opera show filled with a blend of the classic opera style, as well as newer renditions, and performed by singers situated on balconies who display the charming way of life found in the Mediterranean. .jpg)
Like the Hard Rock Hotel, the Portofino also offers Garden View rooms; however, the majority of rooms are Bay View. Bay View rooms overlook the Harbor Piazza and its small wooden boats tied up and waiting. The kid’s suites are arranged just as in the Hard Rock, but with Dr. Seuss decor including photographs, a mural, and themed furniture.
For a south Pacific themed hotel, one might try the Loews Royal Pacific Resort. This includes decorations and designs from Hawaii and the Balanese islands so as to allow guests to relax in a Tropical paradise. One may also continue the theme by dining at the second floor’s sushi bar, or at Emeril’s Tchoup Chop Asian restaurant by the pool.
The rooms in the resort are similar to those in the other hotels, for example, the Garden View and Kid’s Suites; however, in this hotel the kid’s suite is themed Jurassic Park.
One luxury of being a guest at any of the three hotels is that the room keys act as Express Passes inside both Universal parks; with all of the things to do, waiting in line should be the last thing on a guest’s mind. All three hotels also offer their guests a water taxi service to transport them to Citywalk. Plus, for convenience purposes, if a guest does not want to wait on a water taxi, everything is positioned no more than a ten minute walk away. The hotels also offer transportation to Sea World and Wet ‘n Wild, as well as certain privileges at 4 local golf courses.
With the “Loew’s Loves Pets” program, a guest wouldn’t have to worry about leaving their furry loved one behind. The pets staying at any of the three hotels will receive gourmet room service (featuring a menu offering such items as roasted salmon and chicken and rice), specialized bedding, and each Very Important Pet (VIP) receives a personalized note from the general manager listing the many pet amenities, including dog walking paths. In the room, guests will also find food and water bowls positioned on place mats, toys and treats, as well as different sized beds, collars, and leashes.
Children also receive a special ‘Kid’s Experience’ at the Loew’s Hotels. Guests under 10 will be greeted with a Fisher Price toy at the Loew’s Royal Pacific Resort and Loew’s Portofino Bay Hotel, and an inflatable guitar at the Hard Rock Hotel. Upon request, parents can be loaned the necessary equipment needed for babies and toddlers, such as cribs, strollers, and nite lites. The hotels also offer toys (including movies and games), kid appropriate menus, and “mini-gym” equipment at the kids’ camp. And of course, if the parents want some time alone each hotel offers an activity center full of crafts, stories, and games.
Although very busy, summer does not act as the peak season; those dates normally range from February 12 through April 18 and again from November 25 through January 2. So, guests should plan their arrival appropriately, and, of course, don’t forget each hotel is an attraction unto itself and needs just as much planning for as many activities as they have to offer.
-Thank you Jennifer Hodges: Director of Public Relations
