Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando

Virgin rating

Standard Two Queen Room
Despicable Me Kid's Suite
Sal's Market Deli
Mama Della's Ristorante
MANDARA Spa®
MANDARA Spa®
A video preview image
Standard Two Queen Room
Despicable Me Kid's Suite
Sal's Market Deli
Mama Della's Ristorante
MANDARA Spa®
MANDARA Spa®

The hotel

Experience la dolce vita — the sweet life — at Loews Portofino Bay at Universal Orlando. Set on a stunning harbour, prepare to be transported to the charming, picturesque Italian seaside and cobblestoned streets. Sit and enjoy the views over the glistening harbour waters while sipping on a coffee. Taste traditional Italian food in one of the many restaurants. And, when the sun’s shining, jump into one of the pools to cool off. The parks are only a water taxi or shuttle bus away, and you’ll benefit from amazing extras such as FREE** Universal Express Unlimited ride access, allowing you to skip the regular lines in Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure all day (Valid theme park admission required) and Early Park Admission† to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and Universal’s Volcano Bay.

Amenities

  • Kids Club
  • Wheelchair access
  • Families
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Games Room
  • Hot tub
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool

Where is it

Within easy walking distance of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure plus Universal CityWalk and a quick shuttle bus ride to Universal's Volcano Bay. A water taxi or shuttle bus is also available to reach all 3 parks and Universal CityWalk. Transfer time from Orlando International Airport: 20 minutes.

Hotel information

750 rooms. All with air-conditioning, 42" flat-screen TV, iPod docking station, coffee maker, safe, iron and board, bathrobes, and hairdryer. Nightly turn-down service on-request. Garden View Rooms are 450 sq ft and have views of the lawns and gardens, with 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Bay View Rooms are 450 sq ft and overlook the piazza and scenic harbour, with 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. 

Deluxe Rooms are 490 sq ft and have views of the villa pool or the beach pool, with a larger living space and 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. 

Club Rooms are 490 sq ft and include exclusive club benefits (listed below), with 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. 

Despicable Me Kids Suites are large family suites, featuring two bedrooms and a separate kids room with a small table and chair set, wardrobe and TV. With 1 king-size bed in the master bedroom, and twin beds or bunk beds in the second bedroom, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. (Please note: the children's bedroom only opens into the adult's bedroom). 


Club Level Rooms include access to the Portofino Club Lounge, offering the following benefits:  

Access to an exclusive Lounge for American buffet breakfast, drinks and afternoon snacks 

Access to the exclusive Compass Club Lounge for private breakfast, drinks and afternoon snacks  

Please note: all rooms can have an additional rollaway bed, sleeping a 3rd child. Rollaway beds are at an additional cost, payable locally

  • Book 7 nights or more for travel before 31 Dec '25 and receive up to 30% off your accommodation rates. Any applicable offers have been calculated into the prices shown. Offers may not be combinable.

Complimentary water taxis or shuttle buses to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay and CityWalk™. Self-parking $28, Valet parking $37, both plus tax, per day (payable locally, subject to change).

Bice Ristorante (Italian cuisine, open for dinner). Mama Della's Ristorante (Italian food, open for dinner). Trattoria del Porto (Italian with a modern twist, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner). Sal's Market Deli (pizza, sandwiches and deli items, open for lunch and dinner). Splendido Bar and Grill^ (poolside dining). Gelateria (breakfast items, ice cream and milkshakes). Starbucks®. The Thirsty Fish (harbourside bar with evening entertainment on select nights). 24-hour room service*.

'Musica della Notte' (Music of the Night), an evening musical celebration at the Harbour Piazza.

Beach pool with water-slide, a sandy beach, adjacent children's pool, poolside games, 2 hot tubs and private cabanas*. Villa pool with private cabanas*. Hillside pool (quiet pool). Kids' camp* (reservations required), Mandara Spa®*. Fitness centre with hot tub, sauna and steam rooms*. Games room*.

Resort-wide charging privileges with your room key card. Complimentary delivery of merchandise purchased throughout the resort to your hotel. Wake-up call from one of your favourite Universal Orlando characters*. Gift and retail shops. Concierge. Complimentary WiFi. Universal Vacation Planning Centre.

Wheelchair accessible rooms available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. To discover all the special assistance services we offer please see additional information below.

2 nights at all times.

 

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23).

Special assistance

Please note: one person must be 21 years or over in each room to check-in

^ Must be 21+ with a valid photo ID to consume alcoholic beverages.

**Requires theme park admission. Valid only at participating rides and attractions in Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Not valid at Universal’s Volcano Bay. Excludes separately ticketed events. Park-to-Park admission required to board the Hogwarts™ Express. Benefit valid only for guests of Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel® and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, for the number of guests staying in the room for the length of hotel stay. Available during normal theme park operating hours only. Additional restrictions may apply and benefits are subject to change without notice.

†Requires theme park admission. Early Park Admission begins up to one (1) hour prior to regular scheduled park opening to either Universal Studios Florida or Universal’s Islands of Adventure as determined by Universal Orlando. Early Park Admission begins up to one (1) hour prior to regular scheduled park opening for Universal’s Volcano Bay. Valid at select attractions at each park. Attractions are subject to substitutions without notice. Additional restrictions may apply.

Portofino Bay Hotel TM & © 2022 UCF Hotel Venture. All rights reserved. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2022 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

Please note: the hotel will be making repairs to the façade of the hotel from June 2023 – June 2025 to maintain the immersive experience of the Italian village. All work will be done during business hours 9am – 6pm. These repairs are being done one section at a time and may be visible to guests. Guests can expect noise from time to time. ​Thank you for your understanding as the hotel make these repairs to the distinctive environment created for guests. Areas where repairs are in progress may be visible to guests, depending on the location of their room within the hotel. Most common areas of the hotel and food and beverage outlets will remain available for guest use. There may be modifications required in certain areas as work is being completed. 

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
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Traveller rating

  • Excellent (5140)
  • Very good (1649)
  • Average (808)
  • Poor (446)
  • Terrible (473)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing hotel

Apr 25, 2024 HayleyBoorman92 Sittingbourne, United Kingdom

Amazing amazing amazing!!! Honestly one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in! I could have quite happily stayed in the bed for the week and not have felt guilty for not visiting universal studios!! Most comfy bed/bedding ever!!!!!!!!!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Renovations, but had a great stay

Apr 25, 2024 InKirikiriroa

Yes there are big renovations happening but it is still a good place to stay. Having read the recent reviews on TripAdvisor reviews we tried to cancel as it sounded so bad, but we couldn’t and so had to come but we enjoyed our stay. Impact of the renovations There is no doubt the resort is underplaying the size and impact of the renovations.… Read more
Yes there are big renovations happening but it is still a good place to stay. Having read the recent reviews on TripAdvisor reviews we tried to cancel as it sounded so bad, but we couldn’t and so had to come but we enjoyed our stay. Impact of the renovations There is no doubt the resort is underplaying the size and impact of the renovations. They are significant and I’m glad we had a garden view room - the harbour views are all covered in tarps and overlook the renovations. The main impact for us was that a lot of paths are blocked so it is hard to get around. If you come back from the parks during the day there is drilling, hammering and big machinery operating, and lots of workers (but all were nice). The restaurants that are on the lower floor are meant to overlook the harbour but are gloomy with tarps draped over. The good stuff Garden view room was quiet, as was swimming at the villa pool. (The beach pool and the third pool are some what exposed to renovation noise in the day, although the pumping music at the beach pool mostly drowns it out) It is v convenient to the parks and the water taxi service was frequent and easy Clean rooms, comfortable beds Very friendly and helpful staff, everyone was lovely, I was really impressed In summary If you are already booked to stay here, try and get a garden room or ask for a discount if you have a harbour view. You’ll still have a good time, don’t panic. If you aren’t already booked here, unless they start discounting the rooms, don’t book here until the renovations are done. You are better off staying at a similar resort eg Hard Rock, with no renovations. It will be great when it is all done but prices should reflect the loss of amenity while it is in progress. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Do not stay at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel under any circumstances!!

Apr 23, 2024 Venture48968411629

Do not stay at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel under any circumstances!! I am sure it is usually a lovely hotel but do not be under any illusions, the building works are extensive and will impact your stay however long you are at the parks. The noise, the dust, the general absence of natural light all makes the situation disgraceful that Universal… Read more
Do not stay at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel under any circumstances!! I am sure it is usually a lovely hotel but do not be under any illusions, the building works are extensive and will impact your stay however long you are at the parks. The noise, the dust, the general absence of natural light all makes the situation disgraceful that Universal and Loews are not representing the extent of the building works in a truthful way. Both Universal and Loews are intentionally misrepresenting the situation and it is outrageous that they are charging people the current prices and refusing any meaningful compensation - the hotel should be shut down until the works have been completed to an extent that they do not adversely affect the guests. Every guest during our stay in early April 2024 was frustrated and annoyed - we ended up leaving after just one night. And did we receive any compensation for the disruption and inconvenience? Barely any - with both Universal and Loews passing the buck to each other. That is us finished with Loews for good and our experience with Universal has been tainted. It is so short sighted by both companies. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Beware of construction

Apr 22, 2024 AGQueens Forest Hills, New York

I was here for a work event and overall enjoyed my stay, though there is much room for improvement. I don't know the room class as it was booked through the conference org. But I had a king bed with a very large bathroom. There were two sinks with ample room for my toiletries. There was a shower/tub combo with strong water pressure and little… Read more
I was here for a work event and overall enjoyed my stay, though there is much room for improvement. I don't know the room class as it was booked through the conference org. But I had a king bed with a very large bathroom. There were two sinks with ample room for my toiletries. There was a shower/tub combo with strong water pressure and little wait for the water to get hot. My room overlooked the lake - I was lucky as there is significant construction on the building's façade and many rooms seemed to have a tarp over the side/no view. I had some time one morning so went to the hilltop (I think) pool as it seemed closest to my room. And the person checking me in said the other pools had more going on so I thought this would be quieter. It certainly was not full of people (only 4 other guests showed up while I was there). But there are no amenities whatsoever, aside from restrooms - the water fountain was not working, and it needed more attention from the staff - leftover cups and water bottles I assume from the day before strewn across the ground when I arrived. But quiet it was not with all of the construction - though it's a toss up for me between screaming kids and construction :). Side-ish note related to staff attention - there are a number of restrooms in public areas and I appreciate the provided pads/tampons. However the machines were totally empty or not-working. Otherwise breakfast and lunch were provided through the conference (both good) but we had dinners elsewhere. I did have a beer at The Thirsty Fish, which I enjoyed - nice ambiance, but otherwise can't speak to the onsite restaurants. It was an easy ride on the free water taxis to City Walk, though I can't speak to how you'd get to the theme park. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Major Disappointment

Apr 19, 2024 Margaret F

I understand construction is required but the approach was not executed with guests and functions considered. An attempt with signs and arrows while construction is hidden with curtains - shut the resort down for the required construction. No information on website that hotel is under current renovation when guests are making reservations. Very… Read more
I understand construction is required but the approach was not executed with guests and functions considered. An attempt with signs and arrows while construction is hidden with curtains - shut the resort down for the required construction. No information on website that hotel is under current renovation when guests are making reservations. Very disappointing. Read less