Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

The Hotel Overview

Universal's flagship resort recreates the seaside Italian village of Portofino down to trompe l'oeil painted facades, cobblestone piazzas, and a working bell tower, all wrapped around a working harbor where water taxis ferry guests to CityWalk. It was Universal Orlando's first on-site hotel, opening in September 1999 and setting the template for the immersive, non-Disney-owned themed resort experience that followed.

The nightly musical fountain show in the main piazza, complete with an animatronic opera-singing statue, is a signature touch that longtime guests specifically plan their evenings around.

Dining & Amenities

Dining centers on Bice Ristorante for upscale northern Italian fare, the more casual family-friendly Trattoria del Porto, and Sal's Market Deli for quick-service pizza and pasta; Mama Della's Ristorante rounds things out with a warm, home-style Italian dinner experience styled like an Italian grandmother's dining room.

Three separate pools give Portofino Bay more pool variety than any other Universal resort: the large Beach Pool with a waterslide and hot tubs, the quieter European-style Villa Pool, and the family-oriented Hillside Pool near the character-themed kids' area.

Booking Strategy

• Book a Bay View room for the harbor scenery, but know that Garden View rooms are considerably cheaper and still a short walk from everything.
• The water taxi to CityWalk is scenic but slow (10-15 minutes); if you're in a hurry, the walking path is often faster.
• Compared to Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay skews quieter and more romantic — a better fit for couples or guests wanting an elegant retreat than for families chasing a lively pool scene.
• Club level rooms include a private lounge with food and drinks throughout the day, which can offset some of the resort's higher price point.