Hard Rock Hotel or Roayal Pacific?

[mrsmagoo]

We stayed at hard rock in 2017 and wouldnt return. We had an 12yr old and an 8yr old at the time. For the first time ever we couldnt wait to leave and go to the airport. We stayed over labor day weekend so maybe that went against us. We found lots of people smoking cigars etc around the pool even though there were signs saying it wasnt allowed. My kids also got told off numerous times for splashing in the pool as it was going in peoples drink. Again there were signs saying that no drinks were allowed in the pool. There were numerous large groups some who had been drinking for days by the way they were behaving. Management couldnt have cared less and it ruined the last few days of our holiday. We wanted to chill be the pool but couldn't do that. This time we have chosen RPR and im hoping it attracts more of a family audience.

[miked1e]

Can’t compare the 2, sorry OP. Have only stayed at HRH on 2 occasions. But loved it here... the vibe, the proximity to the parks and of course the perks with FOLP (I know you get at both).

We stayed here the first 3 nights of our honeymoon and the first night, we went to Go the pool and it looked like the heavens were about to open. So we went the pool bar instead and got some nachos, a blue moon and a pina colada (mmmmm). Anyway, the next afternoon we were sitting by the pool after a morning in the parks and the same waitress was serving... she came over and said same again (we hadn’t noticed it was the same waitress at this point as we were tired of the day travelling the night before), and she confirmed our order, minus the nachos. Anyway, little things like that we love.

Saying that, we are looking at all 3 premium Universal hotels for 2022 and with a little one. Stayed at Cabana Bay last time which was great but would prefer to be closer to the main parks and with FOLP.

So watching this thread.

[Jimsdadhalifax]

Stayed at all 3 of the premium hotels.

Portofino Bay is the best of the 3 IMO and that of my family. It has the best main pool and 2 other pools if you like some quiet time. The rooms are bigger. The theme is the best. It has the opera singers. Only downside is the longer walk but we use the boat service. However, you didn't ask about that one...

Royal Pacific is our next favourite. We just prefer the theme to that of Hard Rock. The rooms and facilities are very similar (both excellent) and both are close enough to the parks to walk. (We prefer IOA and RPR is closer - seeing the Hulk coaster out of our window was great on one stay at RPR)

Hard Rock is 3rd but we still love it. Beautiful hotel, great facilities and in one of the greatest locations in the World.

Whichever you choose, you cannot go wrong. If staying for one night, choose the cheapest. If staying for longer than one night choose the one with the theme you like the best. You can pool hop and have a look around the other two.

(If the price is close - maybe give Portofino consideration. Until we stayed there we thought it might be a bit formal compared to the other two - absolutely not. Everything about it was better)

All 3 are great.

[PixieBoot]

OP - I spent too many hours to mention researching reviews, reading trip reports etc to help me decide between them before our first trip ..it’s a lot of money, so it’s understandable. Wherever you pick, it’s worth a stroll around the others to get an idea of atmosphere, theming etc. For us I think we’re a captive audience once we’ve had a great experience at a resort - we seem to head back like homing pigeons 😂

[Flowertot]

HRH every time

[Moocat21]

stayed the classic one night in Royal Pacific - loved the theme and it did feel very cool and calm, the room was small and at the time we stayed had not been refurbished. easy to hp on to the water taxi to the park
stayed on the next trip at the hard rock - got the club upgrade. felt much more buzzy and busy lovely theme throughout, the room was lovely and bigger than the Royal. as everyone states it is within walking distance of the park.
if i had t choose which to go back to - that would come to the cost as both are lovely to stay at

[Princess Alison]

We've stayed twice at the royal Pacific and really liked it. The rooms have always been very clean and good views over the park. The theming is really pretty and the journey to the parks is fine - either by foot or by boat.

Would not hesitate to go back.