Hard Rock Vs. Lowes Portofino

Question

Has anyone stayed at the Hard Rock or Lowes Portofino at Universal?

I have to decide between;

a King with pullout (for 2 teen boys) at the Hard Rock, or

2 double beds at Portofino. .......

........Here is my dilemma; The Hard Rock price is $29 cheaper WITH Club Lounge than Portofino WITHOUT Club lounge. This makes no sense to me and trying to figure out why.

I know Portofino was just renovated, and their room is 115 Sq Ft larger than HR....but we will only be there for one night (only staying for the Express Pass its cheaper this way) so not sure what is better; free food, or more room!?

I say this as someone whose sons and husband are large (6') so larger room is of course great, but unlimited food is too! I read that the lounge food at HR is not as good as in Portofino.

I just don't know how realistic it would be to utilize their breakfast, lunch, and dinner and drinks when we will be at the park all day/night since we are only doing Studios the day we get there, and Island of Adventure the day we leave.

Hope someone here has stayed in both perhaps and can give me inside info to help me decide? Thoughts?

Thank you!

Answer

Choosing between the Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando depends on your priorities for space, amenities, and convenience, especially since you are only staying for one night.

The Hard Rock Hotel is known for its lively, rock-and-roll theme and vibrant atmosphere. The King room with a pullout sofa can accommodate your family of four comfortably, but the total square footage is smaller compared to Portofino. The main advantage is the Club Lounge access, which offers breakfast, snacks, and beverages throughout the day. However, given your short stay and the fact that you’ll be spending most of your time in the parks, you might not fully utilize the lounge. Also, the lounge offerings at Hard Rock are decent but generally considered less upscale compared to Portofino’s dining options.

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is more elegant and European in style, with larger rooms (115 sq ft more than Hard Rock) and 2 double beds, which could be more comfortable for your husband and teen boys given their height and size. The hotel has a reputation for excellent dining, including multiple on-site restaurants, which may be more appealing if you plan to have any meals on property, even briefly. The downside is that your booking does not include the Club Lounge, but the room itself offers more comfort and space for sleeping and relaxing after a long park day.

If maximizing space and comfort in-room is most important for your family, Portofino’s larger room with 2 double beds is preferable.
If access to complimentary food and drinks is more appealing and you might grab a few meals or snacks before/after the park, Hard Rock’s Club Lounge is a bonus.
Since your stay is short (one night), and you’ll mostly be in the parks using Express Pass, the benefit of lounge access may be limited.
Portofino’s room renovation and upscale ambiance may make the brief stay feel more luxurious and relaxing after a park day.

Additional considerations:

Hard Rock is slightly closer to the park entrances and has a more energetic, youthful vibe, which might appeal to teenagers.
Portofino Bay is quieter and more upscale, which may provide a more restful overnight stay.
Transportation to the parks is easy from both hotels, and both include early park admission and Express Pass benefits when booked as part of a package.
If you plan to spend most of your time at the parks and only sleep at the hotel, the extra space of Portofino might not be fully used, making Hard Rock the slightly more economical choice with added food perks.

In summary, for a one-night stay focused on park time and Express Pass, Hard Rock offers a slight cost advantage and Club Lounge perks, though you may not use them fully. Portofino provides more room and comfort for larger family members but lacks the free lounge meals. If your priority is comfort for your husband and teens, the room size at Portofino may outweigh the Hard Rock food benefits.

Hard Rock Vs. Lowes Portofino

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