Hard Rock vs. Portofino Bay - Pros/Cons of Each?

[Mary Chase]

So I think I am convinced that the deluxe resorts with the unlimited express pass is the way to go. Now just trying to decide which one. I'll be traveling with my husband and 2 boys (14 and 10). Would like to hear some thoughts on each resort to help me make my decision. I'd appreciate any comments about reasons for preferring one over the other.

Thanks!

[mgmnut]

We never stayed at Portofino but we did stay at Royal Pacific Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel. I loved the feel of the Hard Rock and all the music memorabilia , great pool and poolside Bar/restaurant, shortest walk from resort to City Walk. Hard Rock has lower rates than Portofino.

[MizMissy]

We love the Hard Rock Hotel. My kids love the pool and I like more Contemporary décor. Also, Hard Rock is the closest hotel to the parks. I think Portofino is the more expensive, higher end hotel on property. However, I honestly never even priced Portofino because from what I understand, you cannot walk from Portofino to the parks. I think you have to rely on boat transportation. I would rather walk instead of rely on waiting on boats or whatever form of transportation. I think the boats are very reliable, it's just that I am impatient and would rather not wait.

There are people who love Portofino and I'm sure it is very nice and I think it has more than one pool option, so hopefully they will be around soon to say good things and make your choice more difficult. Honestly, I do not think there is a bad choice; all are nice. We just prefer Hard Rock for the way we like to vacation.

My kids are currently 16 and 13, but they loved Hard Rock at ages 11 and 8 too. And they were ages 13 and 10 when we tried out the Royal Pacific. Both preferred the Hard Rock Hotel.

[John]

from what I understand, you cannot walk from Portofino to the parks. I think you have to rely on boat transportation.

There are people who love Portofino and I'm sure it is very nice and I think it has more than one pool option, so hopefully they will be around soon to say good things and make your choice more difficult. Honestly, I do not think there is a bad choice; all are nice. We just prefer Hard Rock for the way we like to vacation.

Not true, we stayed there last year and walked sometimes, took the boat others. Just head towards the hard rock and keep on walking.

I like both hotels - but I think I'd try Portofino again. Not sure it's much more expensive than the Hard Rock but the room was HUGE and for a family of four, that was great. The main pool is quite impressive, and we spent some time at the "quiet" pool down near our room. Great having starbucks at your resort and the pizza and pub were both quite good.

Anyway, Highly recommend both Hard Rock and Portofino.

[buzznwoodysmom]

We love Hard Rock. Have never stayed at Portofino, but have visited. It's a beautiful resort, and I am sure has wonderful amenities. However, we like the proximity to the parks that Hard Rock provides. It's the closest located hotel. In my family's opinion you just can't beat it!

We did try Cabana Bay last summer as the price was too good to pass up. While we really did enjoy Cabana Bay we missed Hard Rock Hotel and being able to so easily walk to the parks. My boys have loved Hard Rock since our first time staying there, when they were probably 11 and 9. They love it even more now as teens (16 and 14) Its a fun resort for the tween/teen set for sure.

[MizMissy]

Not true, we stayed there last year and walked sometimes, took the boat others. Just head towards the hard rock and keep on walking.

I like both hotels - but I think I'd try Portofino again. Not sure it's much more expensive than the Hard Rock but the room was HUGE and for a family of four, that was great. The main pool is quite impressive, and we spent some time at the "quiet" pool down near our room. Great having starbucks at your resort and the pizza and pub were both quite good.

Anyway, Highly recommend both Hard Rock and Portofino.

Thank you! Sorry for the misinformation. I looked at Portofino a while ago and I could not find anything on a walking path. Our standard room at Hard Rock was a little tight, especially since the kids are older. I think I will have to upgrade to the larger room next time, but I just don't think I can give up the closeness to the parks that Hard Rock has to offer.

[Tink1]

I have stayed at all 4 and have to agree with John. I am a Portofino person. The rooms are huge, the bathrooms are huge, the beds are soooo comfy and there is nothing like sitting in the piazza in the early morning and evenings with my tea watching the world go by.

Last trip with my 20-something kids, we stayed at Hard Rock. I thought they would like it better. When planning for a trip to HHN this year I asked which they wanted and it was unanimous - Portofino. While they liked HRH, they said they just liked Portofino better.

Nanc

[ThanxForNoticin]

We've stayed at both and enjoyed both. I'd give a slight edge to Hard Rock, mostly because it's located closer to the parks and City Walk. But Portofino is beautiful, too. HR tends to be a bit less expensive most of the time. Our 2 teen-aged boys definitely preferred HR, especially the pool.

The truth is you have 2 really good choices, so you can't really go wrong!

[Mary Chase]

Thank you all for your comments about the two hotels! Definitely pros to staying at each resort. While I like the idea of the larger rooms at Portofino - we aren't in the room all that much, so I don't think it will make a huge difference for me. Always thought it would - but staying at All Star Sports this past WDW trip proved to me that it's not that big of a deal as I thought it was. Also - I thought I read that Portofino charges for refrigerators - which, having a refrigerator is important to us. So - I think it will be the Hard Rock for this trip. Thanks again for helping me make my decision!

[MNNHFLTX]

Thank you all for your comments about the two hotels! Definitely pros to staying at each resort. While I like the idea of the larger rooms at Portofino - we aren't in the room all that much, so I don't think it will make a huge difference for me. Always thought it would - but staying at All Star Sports this past WDW trip proved to me that it's not that big of a deal as I thought it was. Also - I thought I read that Portofino charges for refrigerators - which, having a refrigerator is important to us. So - I think it will be the Hard Rock for this trip. Thanks again for helping me make my decision!

I'm pretty sure Hard Rock still charges for a fridge too, at least they did when we stayed there a few years back. My son (20 years old at the time) and I really liked the hotel and thought our room was plenty big. We had an issue with the wifi (also for a fee) and it took a call to an offsite IT center to get it fixed. But other than that, great stay! The pool area was fun, especially with the poolside concerts. The only thing I would suggest is to request a room higher and further away from the lobby area, if you and your family are light sleepers. They sometimes have concerts in the atrium part of the lobby and they can be very loud!

We also stayed at Royal Pacific and while the theming was beautiful and relaxing, it was a bit of a hike from the parks. Plus the room was pretty small, in comparison to the Hard Rock.

[buzznwoodysmom]

We have stayed at Hard Rock a few times, and have always had a fridge. I don't recall ever being charged for it. Maybe I just don't remember.

[Tink1]

The Portofino is the only hotel that still has a minibar and no chiller boxes.

When the redid the HRH and RPR rooms, they took out the minibars and put in the chillers.

Nanc

[MizMissy]

We stayed at HRH a few weeks ago. There are refrigerators in the room and wifi at no charge.