The Portofino Bay combines a fantasy Italian world with useful perks from the Universal Orlando themepark for a delightful stay. Like other Loews hotels (Hard Rock, Royal Pacific) and the three larger, midscale properties (Cabana Bay Beach, Loews Sapphire Falls and Loews Aventura), it’s a good choice for families. The Portofino Bay, especially, is a magnet for bleisure travelers. Adults mixing business and leisure, meeting groups, plus conventioneers who bring families along say it’s well set up to provide playtime for guests with infants and toddlers.
Loews has Kids Amenities for Ages 6-months to teen
All three hotels participate in Loews family-friendly programs. Loews Loves Kids provides welcome gifts, loaner toys and books, and special menus for the under-10s. Babies get cribs and crib sheets, child-proofing kits, and even night-lights. Teens have exclusive snack bars, a library of board games, and WiFi. All ages will enjoy the character breakfasts with favorite Universal figures.
Did we mention the pools? There are three Roman themed pools: the Beach Pool has an aqueduct style waterslide and the Splendido Bar for snacks. The Villa Pool has more adult-oriented private cabanas and is quieter. The Hillside Pool is the most secluded yet ideal for swimmers who want to do some laps.
Dining options include the fun, delicious homestyle Italian at Mama Della’s Ristorante, chic bars, a fast food deli you can picnic on and, of course, a gelateria.
Portofino Bay Hotel for la Dolce Vita
The 750-room Portofino Bay Hotel is considered one of the most luxurious hotel of the Universal hotels. You’ll love this charming re-creation of the pastel stucco village of Portofino, Italy, built around a large, manmade harbor dotted with old fishing vessels.
The layout of the resort’s two- to six-story wings makes it feel un-crowded and unhurried. Honeymooners can even book a private cabana at the Villa pool. Stroll around the broad pathways, open-air cafes, lovely landscaping and Italian lakefront. Portofino Bay is also well designed for reunion groups, with colonnaded nooks ‘n’ crannies with comfortable couches, and a large array of attractive hospitality suites. Perfect for gathering the clan.
Family-Friendly Facilities at the Loew’s Portofino Bay at Universal Orlando
Portofino Bay facilities run the gamut from upscale wellness treatments at the posh Mandara Spa to the boisterous childcare for ages 4-14 each night (for a fee) in the Resorts’ Campo Portofino Kids Camp supervised activity center.
We love the live music nightly around the Piazza in front of the resort. Harbor Nights is a fun seasonal festival featuring wine and jazz that take over the port. Friendly staff are everywhere: dispensing oversize pool towels and serving as lifeguards. Some make the turn-down service rounds with chocolate. Others tend the gardens and reception areas, always attentive to the guest who has lost their way around this deceptively large property.
New moms can take babies to play in the sand adjoining the zero-entry Beach pool and enjoy other ‘baby-friendly’ facilities at this resort, which has won many awards.
Tell the kids this is the place for summer-time Dive-In Movies, when a big screen is set up poolside so families can enjoy a film outdoors.
Spacious & Fun Family Loews Guestrooms with Kids in Mind
Large guestrooms have plush linens and very comfortable beds. Parents like the spacious working tables with two chairs and good bedside lighting, coffeemakers and safes. The super-size bathrooms include a tub and separate glass shower stall, double sinks and a large vanity area. Rooms with balconies or patios allow the Florida breezes in.
The crazy cast of “Despicable Me” has moved into the kids suites! Look for Gru’s Laboratory, with playful minion characters rapelling from the ceiling and custom-designed missile beds with Minion-inspired bedding. The design and style of the two-room suites also offers plenty of space. There’s a king bedroom for the parents and two twin-sized beds in the child’s suite. Instead of having a door open to the hallway, access to the children’s suite is only available from the adult’s room, allowing for added safety and peace of mind.
Universal Orlando Perks for Portofino Bay Hotel Guests
Although the Portofino Bay is more expensive than many area hotels, it delivers a lot more. Families can park the car, check in and be at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, or CityWalk with no problem. They can also use the kids club and other facilities at any of the hotels. This multiplies pool possibilities after a long day at the themeparks.
A free water taxi cruises the landscaped lagoon which winds among all three hotels. Use it to reach CityWalk for dining and shopping, the theme parks, or other resorts. The length of each trip is literally minutes, though you may have to change boats depending on your destination. Don’t feel like waiting for the water taxi? Then just walk along the landscaped pathways or take the free air-conditioned shuttle bus service. The beauty of these on-site resorts: location, location, location.
Loews resort guests also enjoy special Universal Orlando theme park benefits. Rooms include unlimited Universal Express Ride access. Walk right to the front of each attraction and your keycard cuts about 45 minutes off your wait time! That means less time standing in line, and more time riding the Flight of the Griffendorf, my personal favorite. And when you’re on vacation at a themepark, saving time is priceless.
The Loews Portofino Bay Hotel (407/503-1000) at Universal Orlando is located at 5601 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32819.
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