TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel was absolutely wonderful! The hotel is beautiful, with stunning Italian-inspired architecture and a relaxing atmosphere that makes you feel like you've been transported to Italy. What truly made the experience exceptional was the staff. Every employee we encountered was friendly, welcoming, and eager to help. The dining options were outstanding as well. The restaurants offered delicious food, great service, and a variety of choices that made every meal enjoyable. From the beautiful surroundings to the exceptional service and fantastic restaurants, Loews Portofino Bay exceeded expectations!

We stayed at Portofino Bay hotel from 29th May - 2nd June 2026 as a family of four. Whilst the hotel looks stunning and is very convenient for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, we unfortunately had an SD card with all our photos and videos from our holiday taken from our room by the housekeeping staff. It was left on the table in its plastic box when we left the room at 7.30am on 1st June and it was gone when we returned to our room at 16.00pm. Nothing else on the table had been moved or disturbed. We did report this to reception and gave a report to the security manager however they seemed disinterested and unsurprisingly the SD card could not be located. When we returned home, we have been charged a additional fee of £114 on top of the £118 parking fee which is an unexplained and unauthorised fee. Would definitely not return.

We had dinner at Bice, the Italian restaurant. at the Portifino hotel. For travelers that want the experience, but not the full park experience, it is too pricey to stay overnight, and not really a spectacular experience overall. The music each night is beautiful, but is not always lined up for non hotel guests. Although we love taking family here, the hotel prices are too high. We chose the Helios Grand, for our party. As a Floridian, we were able to afford the stay with a magical experience, without using the parks. They should offer senior discounts to the older generation, so that they can enjoy the atmosphere and restaurants, and not have to travel to another hotel. The Bice restaurant was also freezing cold, and if we hadn’t snagged a table outside, we may have left altogether, because it was an ice cube. As a marketing advertising awareness , to bring future hotel guests, the full inclusive stay should be more well rounded. Something interactive without the horrible bar with the cheesy Karaoke below the restaurant. Something interactive in the Piazza like electric violinists, and arts and crafts in the early evening with painters and artists. Drone picture display maybe over the water with more seating in the piazza. Twice we have stayed at the Helios Grand this year, as the Portifino hotel will never compare with pricing or atmosphere.

We had an amazing time at the Portofino Bay, our third time at universal but first time in a premium resort and I can honestly say I wouldn’t go back to a non premium resort. We arrived around 4pm and checked into our room very quickly, freshened up quickly and went straight to the parks. The complimentary express passes meant to we could get on most rides within 5 or 10 minutes even hagrids! The room was spacious and immaculate with housekeeping taking great care during the week. Bathroom was a great size and the separate toilet was good when there were four people in the room. We spent most mornings in the park and then came back to the pool in the afternoon when the parks became busy and hot - absolutely loved the pineapple mint frost drinks and the waiter service round the pool was great. The sunloungers were super comfortable my only suggestion would be more parasols around the main pool. The lifeguards were great and had a lot of patience with some of the more poorly behaved children - shock parents no where to be seen!! We ate at sals deli one lunch and the portions were huge!! Could definitley have shared a main between two people we got a pizza and a meatball sub and both were delicious! All in all we had a wonderful stay and I can’t wait to talk my husband into booking another stay next year!

I am rating the hotel in relation to the price of a room. The exterior and lobby areas are beautiful, the gardens are gorgeous, but the rooms do need some attention as the furniture and fittings are aging. We stayed mainly because of the express passes which come with the room, and this was a good deal. Would I pay the same for the hotel if it did not offer the express passes? Housekeeping had not stocked the coffee area, though this was attended to when we asked for some coffee/tea to be provided. Check-in staff were great, very friendly and professional when under pressure. The water taxis were great, and saved standing in long queues for security at the parks. It is worth booking with free cancellation and re-checking prices regularly as ours dropped by £175 a night!