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You are here: Home / Family Vacations / Family Vacations in Orlando / Why the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios Orlando is Worth the Splurge
Planning a visit to Universal Orlando? We have 6 reasons why Loews Portofino Bay Hotel will be favored by adults traveling with or without their children.
The entrance to the luxurious Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Photo Credit: Universal Orlando

Why the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios Orlando is Worth the Splurge

June 5, 2018 //  by Caroline Knowles//  4 Comments

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Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Why the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios Orlando is Worth the Splurge
  • Universal Studios Luxury Hotel Accommodations
  • Complimentary Express Pass & Other On-Site Hotel Benefits
  • Mandara Spa & Fitness Center
  • Resort Kids' Camp
  • Wide Variety of Dining Options
  • Three Themed Swimming Pools
  • Where to Buy Discounted Universal Tickets

Planning a vacation to Universal Orlando? Do you like to stay in luxurious accommodations when you travel? Whether you are planning a family vacation, a romantic getaway or a weekend trip with your girlfriends, the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios Orlando is the perfect place to stay. Inspired by the seaside town of Portofino, Italy, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is a destination in itself.

Planning a visit to Universal Orlando? We have 6 reasons why Loews Portofino Bay Hotel will be favored by adults traveling with or without their children.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is a re-creation of the famed seaside village of Portofino, Italy. Photo Credit: Universal Orlando
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, TravelingMom may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Disclosure: Traveling Mom uses affiliate links. If you click through and buy, TravelingMom will receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. .

Why the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios Orlando is Worth the Splurge

If you’re looking for a Universal Studios luxury hotel with top of the line accommodations, Portofino Bay Hotel is the place to stay. With all the perks of a Universal Orlando on-site hotel, deluxe accommodations, fabulous restaurants, a world-class spa, and so much more, see why we think the Portofino Bay Hotel is definitely worth the splurge.

To save more money to splurge on a great hotel, buy your Universal theme park tickets at a discount via Get Away Today! 

Universal Studios Luxury Hotel Accommodations

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel - Universal Orlando is the perfect home base when visiting theme parks.
Guest Rooms at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel start at a spacious 450 square feet. Photo Credit: Universal Orlando

There are approximately 750 guest rooms at the Portofino Bay Hotel ranging from 450 to 3,215 square feet. You can choose from standard garden and bay view rooms, Club level rooms, or one of the six different types of suites.  Probably the best selling point for families is the amazing Despicable Me Kids Suites. Who wouldn’t want to sleep in a Minion themed room?

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    Loews Portofino Bay Hotel - Universal Orlando's Minion room is a must-see.
    Who wouldn’t want to sleep in this awesome Minion themed Kids Suite?! Photo Credit: Universal Orlando

    All of the rooms come with 300 thread count cotton bed linens, iHome clock radios with iPod docking stations, smart room technology for automated heating and cooling, and Keurig coffee makers featuring Chef Emeril’s gourmet coffee and tea. Just wait until you see the enormous bathroom. Amazing.

    Club level rooms have access to personal concierge services, which include pre-arrival arrangements. Another benefit to staying club level is access to the Portofino Club Lounge which is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Guests can enjoy complimentary drinks, breakfast, afternoon snacks, evening hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine during certain hours while visiting the Portofino Club Lounge.

    Complimentary Express Pass & Other On-Site Hotel Benefits

    When traveling to theme parks, I always opt for staying in an on-site resort hotel for the extra perks. Universal Orlando offers great benefits to on-site guests. My favorite perk is early park admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter  as well as Volcano Bay. As a Deluxe on-site hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel guests receive special benefits reserved only for the Deluxe resorts. These include:

    • Universal Express Unlimited ride access to skip the regular lines in both theme parks. This complimentary benefit is worth up to $89 per person (per day). (Find out why you should NEVER buy your Universal Express pass online!)
    • Complimentary water taxis and shuttle buses to and from Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay and CityWalk.
    • Priority seating at select restaurants throughout both theme parks and Universal CityWalk.

    The standard benefits afforded to all on-site hotel guests also apply. Those include:

    • Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the resort.
    • Resort wide charging privileges with your room keys.
    • Golf Universal Orlando program.
    • Complimentary scheduled transfers to SeaWorld and Aquatica.

    Mandara Spa & Fitness Center

    Enjoy a relaxing massage while staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Universal Orlando
    Enjoy a relaxing massage at the Mandara Spa at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Photo Credit: Universal Orlando

    There is no better way to relax and unwind than by spending a day at the spa. The Mandara Spa offers ,massage, facials and other therapies rooted in the Balinese tradition. The spa is open from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and the salon from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., daily. You can secure reservations by calling (407) 503-1244.

    If working out on vacation is your thing (definitely not mine), there is a Fitness Center at the Mandara Spa that is open from 5 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily for resort guests ages 18 and up. It offers elliptical cross trainers, upright bicycles, stair climbers, treadmills, 13 stations of variable resistance weight machines, a free weight area with dumbbells and a sauna.

    Read More: The Complete Guide to Planning the Best Universal Family Vacation Ever!

    Resort Kids’ Camp

    Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando has great kids clubs - and more!
    Children enjoying arts and crafts time at Resort Kids’ Camp at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Photo Credit: Universal Orlando

    First of all, I’m sure you’re wondering how you can spend the day at the spa if your kids are with you. Resort Kids’ Camp is an awesome perk for guests of Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Whether you’re looking for a romantic night out, a relaxing day at the spa, or just a few kid-free hours to enjoy the parks, Resort Kids’ Camp has you covered. Most noteworthy, camp is only open to potty-trained children ages 4-14.

    Fun activities include arts & crafts, video games, story telling, computer time, movies and board games and more. Standard fee is $15 per hour per child for the camp supervised by trained counselors. Add another $15 per kid if you want them to have dinner at camp. Resort Kids’ Camp is open Sunday-Thursday from 5 – 11:30 p.m., and 5 p.m. – midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

    #PortofinoBay #UniversalOrlando #Universal #Universalmoments #UniversalORL
    The Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando is definitely worth the splurge! Photo Credit: Universal Studios

    Wide Variety of Dining Options

    My favorite place to eat at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is Trattoria del Porto. While the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, I personally think their breakfast is the best. There’s no better way to start your day than with a breakfast buffet loaded with sausage, bacon, eggs, grits, baked goods, fresh fruit, and so much more. The best part is hands down the custom made omelette station. Make sure to experience this at least one day during your stay. You won’t be sorry.

    If you are looking for a romantic fine dining experience, I highly recommend Bice Ristorante. The menu features Northern Italian cuisine including handmade pasta, entrees, and desserts. The dress code is resort or business casual and reservations are highly recommended.  For a more laid back dinner experience try Mama Della’s Ristorante. My friends and I had so much fun dining on Old World Italian favorites while drinking wine and singing along with Mama and the strolling musicians.

    Fine dining is one reason to love Loews Portofino Bay Hotel - Universal Orlando
    Strolling musicians stop and sing at your table at Mama Della’s. Photo Credit: Universal Orlando

    If you are more of a grab-and-go kind of person, head to Sal’s Market Deli where you can find fresh pastries, espresso and cappuccino for breakfast and brick-oven pizzas, Italian meats, cheeses, antipasti and other delicacies throughout the day. Sal’s is open from 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily.  The brick-oven pizzas are out of this world!

    Splendido Bar & Grill, located at the Beach Pool is a great place to order cocktails, burgers, salads and other appetizers while relaxing poolside.  If you’re in the mood for something sweet make sure to stop by Gelateria for artisan gelato, milkshakes and smoothies.

    Need help planning your Universal trip? Join our Universal Orlando Tips & Planning Facebook Group!

    Three Themed Swimming Pools

    Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando is great for an adult getaway!
    The serene Villa Pool at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Photo Credit: Caroline Knowles, Girlfriend Getaway TravelingMom

    Loews Portofino Bay Hotel has 3 themed swimming pool areas – the Beach Pool, the Hillside Pool, and the Villa Pool, each location offering a different atmosphere. I personally favor the serenity found at the Villa Pool.  This area offers more exclusivity and upgraded amenities than the other two locations. While children are allowed in this pool, you’ll seldom find them here as most families prefer the family friendly Beach Pool.

    The Beach Pool has a lively atmosphere with music and dining. Splendido Bar & Grill is is located poolside where you can order amazing food and cocktails. Seriously, the food is THAT good. The kids love the Roman aqueduct-themed water slide, sandy beach, and children’s play area.

    There’s also an exclusively adults-only pool, the Hillside Pool, located on the east side of the hotel.

    Have you stayed at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel? Share your experience with us in the comment section below. Planning a trip to Universal Orlando? Consider joining our Facebook Community – Universal Orlando Tips & Planning by TravelingMom.

    Where to Buy Discounted Universal Tickets

    Traveling Mom recommends purchasing your Universal tickets through Get Away Today. Not only does the company have the lowest prices, it offers a best price guarantee. If you ever find park tickets cheaper, Get Away Today won’t just match the price, the company will beat it. If you call to make your purchase be sure to mention TravelingMom!

    TravelingMom Tip: Protect yourself while traveling with Medjet. 2020 Medjet Members hospitalized with active COVID-19 infections are now eligible for Air Medical Transport within the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Learn more about how to become a Member here.
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    Category: Family Vacations in Orlando, Universal

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    4 Comments on “Why the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios Orlando is Worth the Splurge”

    1. Anonymous says:
      June 5, 2018 at 3:31 pm

      5

      Reply
    2. Kuleen Lashley, Kid at Heart TravelingMom says:
      February 28, 2017 at 8:13 pm

      I want to sleep like a Minion! It might be time to branch out and stay at a non-Disney resort on my next trip to Orlando.

      Reply
    3. Caroline Knowles, Girlfriend Getaway TravelingMom says:
      February 25, 2017 at 9:05 pm

      5

      Reply
    4. Anonymous says:
      February 24, 2017 at 10:40 pm

      4.5

      Reply

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