We just got back from a 4 night stay at Portofino Bay at Universal Orlando. What a beautiful property! You are greeted at the entrance by a helpful bellboy. Our room wasn't ready (official checkin time is 3:00, it was about 11:30), so we took the boat over to CityWalk to get something to eat. By the time we returned our room was ready.

It was a LONG LONG walk from the lobby to the room. The room itself was somewhat disappointing given the rate. Just a standard room. The bathroom was better. Large, two sinks, separate shower and tub. There is a "window" that opens so you can watch TV while lying in the tub. And a TV speaker in the bathroom. No fan in the bathroom though. I don't like getting out of the shower to a steamed up mirror.

The room has a standard sized TV, in room movies for $9.99, Playstation for the kids ($6.99 an hour).

There are three pools, two are open to everyone, one is reserved for Villa guests. The main "Beach" pool is nice. Sandy beach, plenty of room. Cocktail waitress service would have been nice but it's not that big of a deal to go get your own drink. The standard frozen drinks such as a pina colada will run you $7.50.

Food is VERY expensive here. The only one somewhat reasonably priced restaurant is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays which is odd, given it is the only restaurant that serves breakfast. And breakfast there will run you $10.95 for two eggs. $15.95 gets you the buffet. Which is just fruit, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and made to order omelets.

Service was very very good. Everyone here is friendly. We didn't really have any "problems" so I can't say what the problem resolution is like but all employees seemed eager and willing to help.

A great reason to stay here is the perks associated with staying onsite at Universal. First of all you are just a 5 minute boat ride away from the parks. Just go out of the hotel, get on the boat (they run every 5-10 minutes from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 a.m.), and you are there. That is SO convenient, especially when you want to take a mid day break and rest by the pool or in your room. No parking/traffic hassles.

And the biggest perk to staying onsite is the "no line, no wait" perk. Simply show your room key and boom, skip the line and go right in. This saves you HOURS, especially in the busy summer months. Why sit out in the hot sun, waiting in a 75 minute line for Spiderman when you can go right in? And go on it again and again if you wish. Yes Universal has Express passes available to anyone. But with those you have to pick a time later in the day to come back and ride. Not nearly as good as being able to skip the line anytime on any ride.

But the $200+ rate is VERY high for what you get. Personally next time we would probably stay at the nearby Hard Rock. You can the same onsite perks at about half the cost.

Recommended: Yes