Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal, Florida

rooms

Elegantly designed with Italian furnishings and marble accents, the guest rooms are at once spacious and practical whilst oozing with luxurious features.  All rooms and suites have 42” TVs with HD channels and On Demand in-room movies (for a charge), high speed internet access, telephones, air conditioning, Keurig coffee makers and tea making facilities, a refreshment pantry and an iron and board.

The Garden View Rooms offer either two queen size beds or a king size bed and most guest rooms have a separate bath and vanity area with two separate sinks.  The same configuration is available with Bay View Rooms which overlook the hotel’s scenic Portofino Bay and picturesque Harbor Piazza.  The Deluxe Queen Rooms and Deluxe King Rooms are even more spacious and feature two queen size beds or one king size, a large stylish bathroom featuring a separate bath and shower and lovely views of the serene Villa Pool and surrounding gardens or the Roman aqueduct-styled Beach Pool.

You can upgrade to one of the Club Level rooms to enjoy access to the Portofino’s Club Lounge which includes complimentary continental breakfast, evening beer and wine, complimentary admission to the fitness centre, personal concierge services, complimentary beverages throughout the day and hors d’oeuvres each evening. Club 2 Queen Rooms have two queen size beds and Club King Rooms have one king size bed; additional room amenities include cordless phones, an evening turndown service and cotton signature bathrobes.

The Portofino Parlor Suites are huge and provide a cosy living room with a sleeper sofa that can accommodate two guests, a plush armchair, a flat screen TV, desk area and a bathroom with a stand up shower.  The suites are available with a connecting bedroom featuring either a comfortable king size bed or two queen size beds and either have views over the harbour or gardens.

The Hospitality Parlor Suite with connecting King Garden View is even more spacious and provides an expansive living room with a murphy bed that can accommodate two guests, a plush armchair, flat screen TV and desk area.  In the common area there is a bathroom that features a stand up shower, a dining area with a large dining table and a kitchenette with refrigerator and microwave.  The connecting bedroom features a king size bed and full size bathroom.  The same configuration is available with two queen size beds or for larger parties you can have connecting King Garden View and 2 Queen Garden View Rooms.

The Villa Parlor Suites connect to either a Deluxe King or 2 Queen Room.  With all the great features of the Hospitality Parlor Suite, these rooms have spectacular views of the seaside harbour.  Or you can opt for the Villa Parlor Suite that connects to both the Deluxe King and Deluxe 2 Queen Room.  Lastly there’s the option of Portofino Parlor Suites, which connect to King and 2 Queen Rooms, with either views of the gardens or Bay.

facilities & activities

After a day full of excitement at one of the great attractions nearby, the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle.  Inspired by the seaside town of Portofino, Italian elegance is reflected in everything from the cobblestone streets and beautiful cypress trees, to the pavement cafes and romantic piazzas where you can relax with a drink and listen to live music – you’ll feel like you’ve been transported into the seductive world of the Italian Riviera.

You have a choice of three fantastic swimming pools; the Beach Pool has a magnificent Roman-style aqueduct waterslide and a sandy beach, two hot tubs and colourful beach cabanas.  The Villa Pool offers private cabana rentals and upgraded lounge chairs, whilst the Hillside Pool is an adults-only retreat offering a bit more privacy for relaxing in the sunshine.

The Mandara Spa has a range of luxurious treatments including massage, facials, and beauty treatments. Inspired by the Balinese tradition of healing, these therapies combine with European methods and natural elements indigenous to Bali to create the most divine and indulgent spa treatments.

If you like to continue your exercise regime while you are away, you will love the complimentary fitness centre which has the latest state-of-the-art equipment – everything from free weights to a variety of cardio machines.  There are excellent jogging and walking paths that will take you on a scenic trip around the exquisitely landscaped grounds of the hotel.  You could also have a go at Bocce Ball, one of Italy’s favourite sports, which is similar to boules.  If you’re a fan of golf, then you must take advantage of the complimentary exclusive offers at some of the area’s finest golf courses.  The concierge team will be happy to help arrange this and any other activities that you have planned.

Those who enjoy shopping will love browsing the hotel’s five boutiques offering European fashion, jewellery, gifts and art, plus souvenirs to remind you of your time at Universal Orlando.

As a guest at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel you will receive Universal Express Unlimited Ride Access which allows you to bypass the regular lines at most rides and attractions, and the opportunity to enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter an hour before the theme park opens (please note you will still need to purchase Park entry tickets).  Complimentary water taxis or shuttle bus services are available to escort you to both theme parks and Universal CityWalk, and you’ll even receive priority seating at selected park restaurants. There is also free transportation available to take you to nearby Wet ‘n Wild® Water Park, SeaWorld®, and Aquatica™.

dining

With five restaurants, two bars, a gelateria and coffee shop on site you will certainly not go hungry!  For fine dining there is the internationally-renowned Bice serving traditional Italian food.  Mama Della’s Ristorante is regarded locally as one of the best Italian restaurants in Orlando; creating the casual comfort of a real Italian Mama’s kitchen you will enjoy Old World favourites from Tuscany, Naples and Piemonte.  Trattoria del Porto is a great restaurant with a fun atmosphere offering diverse regional specialities and a really friendly service. Sal’s Market Deli serves a sensational assortment of Italian meats, cheeses, antipasto, fresh fruit, freshly baked pizzas and salads; you can browse the aisles or simply sit back and enjoy a drink on the harbour.

Poolside, you’ll find Splendido Pizzeria, an authentic Italian pizzeria also offering everything from burgers to salads and all your favourite beverages. The Gelateria is a terrific place to enjoy your morning espresso or stop on your way back from the parks for some delicious homemade ice cream. Tempting biscotti and luscious pastries are also on offer. There’s even a Starbucks on site to ensure you get that daily caffeine fix.

Bar American, the elegant lounge bar found in the hotel lobby, serves a huge variety of speciality drinks, from classic-style martinis and European cocktails to fine cognacs and grappas. This is the perfect spot to enjoy some hors d’oeuvres in a sleek and stylish setting. Or if you want to go al fresco, The Thirsty Fish is a friendly Italian bar serving drinks and cicchetti; the perfect place to enjoy the sunset and watch the world go by.

Excellent room service is available 24 hours a day and if you want to venture further afield, there are plenty of options available outside the hotel. Just ask the concierge team for help with reservations and recommendations. 

family

The beauty of the Loews Portofino Bay at Universal is that it has something for all the family to enjoy.  The three pools are fantastic – the Beach Pool with its slide and sand is always a big hit with families and the adult-only pool means that you can rest assured that if your little one decides to have a tantrum, it won’t upset those just looking to relax, and who knows, you might even get a chance to enjoy some child-free time there too!!  During the evening, you’re invited to sit under the stars and enjoy a family movie by the pool – a lovely way to end the day together.

Back at the hotel, the signature Loews Loves Kids program is designed to make sure that travelling with children and teens is as easy and fun as possible.  Upon arrival, every child under 10 receives a welcome gift and there are lending libraries of games. The on-site Character Dining is extremely popular - you never know which one of your favourite Universal Orlando characters might stop by to say hello and pose for photos.  For those travelling with very young children there are child-proof safety kits and a ‘kids closet’ offering useful items that you may need during your stay; everything from toys, books, and car seats, to pushchairs, night-lights, and baby bathtubs.

There is plenty of entertainment for older kids too including a great lending library of board games and a games room with all the latest video games. The concierge will also happily provide a list of suitable nearby attractions, activities and shopping geared to teens.

Thanks to the Universal Express Unlimited Ride Access, which is available to all guests, you can bypass the regular lines at most rides and attractions and there is the opportunity to enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter an hour before the theme park opens. The complimentary water taxis or shuttle bus services make it easy to get around the parks and you’ll even receive priority seating at selected park restaurants.    There is also free transportation available to take you to nearby Wet ‘n Wild® Water Park, SeaWorld®, and Aquatica™.

Children’s Menus are available and crayons and colouring books to distract them are on offer in all the restaurants. The concierge team can give you a list of nearby attractions and activities, as well as local pharmacies, doctors and other child-friendly restaurants.

If you fancy a romantic night out drop the kids off at the Resort Kids’ Camp where children aged between four and 14 can enjoy arts and crafts, stories, computers, video games, movies, board games and lots more fun activities. In-room babysitters can also be arranged. There is a charge for both services.

All children under 18 stay free, as long as they are sharing a room with their parents. There are plenty of rooms suitable for families. Deluxe Rooms have two queen size beds or you could try one of the Kids Suites; a king bedroom for the adults and a separate children’s room that is connected to your room, but not the corridor. The Despicable Me themed room has custom-designed missile beds with Minion-inspired bedding - children will love it!

location

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando is nestled along the water on Universal Boulevard, close to both Universal Orlando Resort, Sea World and Wet n Wild Orlando.

The hotel is about a 20 minute drive from Orlando International Airport. Valet and self-parking are available for a charge.

rates & specials

Based on a departure date of 27th May 2017, the cost for 7 nights including flights with British Airways and accommodation sharing a Family Bay View Room would be £2,040 per adult and £790 per child.