Loews Portofino Bay Hotel At Universal Orlando Resort

I’ve stayed at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel several times (12+ times) over the years, and while I still think it’s one of the most beautiful hotels at Universal Orlando, I have to say that some of the recent changes have been disappointing. The hotel itself is gorgeous, and the Italian-inspired atmosphere, beautiful grounds, pools, and waterfront setting still make Portofino feel special. However, some of the amenities that helped make this resort feel truly upscale have disappeared. The loss of the spa is a major disappointment. Having a full-service spa added to the resort experience and made Portofino feel like more than just a Universal hotel. I was also disappointed to see Bar American, the lobby bar, go away. That was such a convenient and elegant place to relax with a drink after a long day in the parks. The Thirsty Fish is nice, but it doesn’t really replace the experience of having a proper lobby lounge. None of these changes individually ruin the resort, but together they make Portofino feel like it has lost a little bit of what made it unique. When you’re paying luxury-resort prices, those are exactly the types of amenities that I think guests expect. I still love Portofino Bay and would absolutely recommend it, but I hope Universal and Loews recognize that maintaining those little luxury touches is part of what justifies the price and sets Portofino apart from the other Universal hotels. Beautiful resort, great location, and still one of my favorites — but I definitely miss what it used to offer.

We stayed here for a trip to Universal and chose the hotel mainly for the included Express Pass. There’s a complimentary water taxi to the parks just a short walk from the hotel. The boat is fairly small, so we couldn’t get on the first one and waited about 15 minutes for the next. Our room felt a little dated, but it was spacious and had a lovely view. The bathroom layout seemed a bit awkward, though The breakfast buffet was delicious, and they even had fresh honeycomb when we stayed 🍯 Overall, a great choice for anyone visiting Universal.

Absolutely loved our stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel! ❤️ The hotel is beautiful, the rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the whole Italian atmosphere makes it feel extra special. The staff was super friendly and helpful, and being so close to the Universal parks was a huge plus. We also loved having Express Unlimited included—it made our park days so much easier! Definitely a beautiful place to stay, and we would happily come back. 🇮🇹✨

The location (10 min walk to city walk and universal studios) was wonderful. Or a short boat taxi ride. Hotel is clean and service was outstanding. The pools were warm, clean, and spacious with plenty of room for many swimmers. On site dining was high priced but delicious with attentive and friendly wait staff. Overall would stay here again.