Step back in time to visit old world Italy! At Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, you can relax in a beautiful, serene atmosphere inspired by the charming seaside village of Portofino. This picturesque resort – tucked at the end of its own harbor – features cobblestone streets, quaint courtyards, peaceful walkways, refreshing pools, and a breathtaking wide-open piazza along the waterfront. Classic Italian architecture bathes in the Florida sun, revealing beautiful vistas around every corner.
Classy rooms and suites elevate the guest experience and provide a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of the nearby theme parks. Stocked with plenty of food, drink, and relaxation options, Portofino Bay caters to every type of traveler.
Come see all Portofino Bay has to offer.
“Casa Dolce Casa”: Portofino Bay Rooms
Portofino Bay offers a wide range of room sizes and configurations, from standard rooms to 14-person suites! Depending on the location of the room, guests can enjoy pretty views of Portofino Harbor itself, or overlook one of the relaxing pool areas.
Let’s look at the room types here:
Standard Rooms
The standard rooms sleep up to five adults, offering various arrangements of king and queen beds, with rollaway beds available upon request. All rooms feature marble accents with custom-designed furnishings inspired by Italy.
Deluxe Rooms offer a bit more space in the room itself, and the bathrooms are spacious with double sink vanities – helpful when multiple guests are getting ready for a day in the parks.
Suites
A variety of suites offer extra comfort and spacious accommodations, with sizes ranging from 650 square feet to 2,725 square feet, and sleeping arrangements that can accommodate up to fourteen guests.
- Despicable Me Kids’ Suites: Kids rule in these fun Despicable Me-themed connecting rooms that open to a beautiful master bedroom. Two pod-shaped twin beds highlight this room, along with plenty of whimsical Minions antics. These 650-square foot suites can sleep up to five with a rollaway bed.
- Portofino Suites:These 900-square-foot suites offer a living space with either a Garden View or Bay View King Room, or Double Queen Room.
- Villa Suites: Includes a 620-square foot parlor and dining area, connecting to a deluxe room. Sleeps up to five, or up to seven with an additional connecting room.
- Hospitality Suites: Includes a 900-square foot parlor and dining area, connecting to a deluxe room. Sleeps up to eight with an additional connecting room.
- Governatore and Presidente Suites: These are the pinnacle of indulgence at Portofino Bay. The Governatore Suite offers 2,265 feet of total space, including a spacious sitting area with fireplace, dining area, master bedroom with king bed, and whirlpool tub in the bathroom. It sleeps up to two guests, with an optional connecting room that can increase occupancy to six. The Presidente Suite offers 2,725 total feet of space and adds an outdoor terrace that can comfortably accommodate six guests. It sleeps up to two guests in the master bedroom, with up to three optional connecting rooms that can increase occupancy to fourteen guests.
Club Level Service
Guests seeking a more indulgent experience can splurge for Club Level service, featuring a nightly turndown service and personal concierge service. Club Level guests also have access to the 3,500-square-foot Portofino Club Lounge, which serves continental breakfast and complimentary beverages and snacks throughout the day. Evening hors d’oeuvres are a nice touch following a day in the parks.
While not set in stone, you can expect the Portofino Club schedule to be something like this:
- Prima Colazione (Breakfast): 7:00 am-10:00 am
- Pausa Serale (Afternoon Snack): 12:00 pm-3:00 pm
- Recivimento (Evening Reception): 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm
- Bevande Alcoilche (Alcoholic Beverages): 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm
- Dolce Finale (Sweet Finish): 8:00 pm-9:00 pm
Portofino Club is also open in-between these service times for a selection of prepackaged drinks and food items.
Select rooms come with dedicated Club Level service, but guests can add Club Level service to any room for a little over $100/room with a phone call to Universal guest services, or with help from your vacation planning specialist. Depending on your touring plan, the food offerings included with Club Level service can definitely add a nice touch to your vacation.
Portofino Perks: Free Universal Express Pass Unlimited and Early Park Entry
When it comes to touring Universal theme parks (or Disney theme parks for that matter), it can feel like survival of the fittest. Guests from every direction are angling to hustle from one attraction to another, trying their best to avoid waiting in lines. Guests at Portofino Bay have access to two invaluable advantages which help to improve the overall park experience tenfold.
Skip the lines! Universal Express Pass Unlimited
Universal’s Express Pass system allows guests the advantage of skipping most of the lines at nearly all attractions in Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. Most guests who use this service pay quite a bit of money for the privilege, but guests of Portofino Bay receive FREE Universal Express Pass Unlimited for the duration of their trip – including check-in and check-out days. When paid for out0of-pocket, this perk costs well north of $100 per person per day during the cheaper times of year, and can hit $300 per person per day at the busiest times of year. This perk of staying at Portofino Bay cannot be overstated – it is well worth the price of the room for this perk alone!
Hit the Parks Before Everyone Else with Early Park Admission
Guests at all Universal Orlando Hotels receive the perk of early park admission. This perk currently allows guests to visit select areas of Universal Islands of Adventure up to one hour before the posted park opening time.
Attractions and experiences at Islands of Adventure open to guests at this time currently include the following:
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Ollivanders
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
With Hagrid’s Magical Creatures currently not on the Universal Express Pass roster, the early opening scene turns into a mad dash to Hogsmeade to get in line for the attraction. Early access is critical for guests wanting to enjoy this Wizarding World roller coaster without waiting upwards of two hours in line.
When Epic Universe opens May 23, 2025, it will also offer up to one hour early admission, with the following experiences available (posted through December 31, 2025):
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
- Yoshi’s Adventure
- Mine-Cart Madness
- Stardust Racers
It really pays for on-site guests to rope drop Universal theme parks, so take advantage of this opportunity (you can always make up for the early morning fire drill with a quick catnap back at Portofino Bay later in the day).
Mangia! Dining at Portofino Bay
Italian families pride themselves on feeding their guests properly, and Portofino Bay celebrates guests with a ton of tasty offerings. There are plenty of exciting dining options sprinkled throughout the resort. Let’s explore them here.
Mama Della’s Ristorante
Dinner with a serenade! Mama Della’s boasts a menu of upscale authentic dishes from Tuscany, Naples, and Piemonte, and one of the best pieces of lasagna I’ve ever had! In addition to a full dinner menu, Mama Della’s offers an extensive wine list and selection of authentic Italian desserts like tiramisu (my favorite) and cannoli. Plus, you’ll enjoy the sweet sounds of a three-person serenade – singing classic Italian folk tunes, guest requests, and of course, the occasional “Happy Birthday.”
Trattoria del Porto
This casual full-service restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining – all with a bit of Italian charm. Breakfast here includes hot pancakes, eggs, baked goods, fruit, coffee, and juice. For lunch and dinner, Trattoria del Porto brings a menu of soups, salads, steak, fish, and more. Baked Bread and prosciutto and burrata cheese pair nicely with Roasted Tomato & Basil Soup for a light bite or the start of a grand feast. The in-house pastry chef never disappoints – try the White Chocolate Oreo Mousse Torte! The decor here is an adorable, colorful casual vibe.
Bice Ristorante
Northern Italian cuisine, superb service, and an elegant atmosphere are on the dinner menu at Bice Ristorante. This fine dining establishment prides itself on fresh handcrafted pasta, which accompanies unforgettable dishes like Salmone al Pistacchio and Filetto di Manzo alla Rossini (beef tenderloin). Decadent desserts are made by an in-house pastry chef. Note: Bice requests a minimum dress code of guests, to avoid swimwear, beachwear, flip flops, and offensive clothing.
Sal’s Market Deli
Nestled in the heart of the Portofino Bay hospitality area, Sal’s Market is a warm neighborhood delicatessen serving lunch and dinner options. Classic Italian staples include handmade pizzas, sandwiches, salads, meats, cheeses, and fresh fruit. Pair your counter-service meal with a glass of wine or Italian beer to enjoy inside Sal’s, or outside on the piazza. Or take your meal to-go for a relaxing evening in your room or by the pool.
The Thirsty Fish
This casual waterfront bar is located on the harbor piazza. The Thirsty Fish offers an extensive collection of beer, wine, and cocktails. Food options are on the lighter side, including appetizers, bar bites, salads, and a couple sandwiches.
Splendido Bar & Grill
Poolside dining at its best. Splendido serves a menu of pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and kids options with standard table service or poolside delivery service to the adjacent Beach Pool. A nice selection of beer, wine, and cocktails are available here, as well as a fun assortment of artisan popsicles and novelty ice cream bars, cookies, and brownies.
Gelateria
If you want a sweet fix, stop by the Gelateria! This nook smells splendid and will surely lure you inside, offering a dozen mouthwatering flavors of creamy, artisan gelato. You can also enjoy decadent milkshakes, flavorful smoothies, tempting biscotti, and more from this classic shop. Gelateria is open from 3pm – 10pm, but I recommend visiting between 3pm and 4pm, to enjoy a large gelato for the price of a small. Can’t decide on a flavor? Ask for two smaller scoops instead, and try two flavors!
Time to Relax: Recreation at Portofino Bay
With three pools and a fun collection of cool spaces sprinkled throughout the resort, Portofino Bay offers plenty to do on a day away from the parks, or for a break at the hotel during the day or at night. Here are some of the highlights.
Swim Time
Portofino Bay boasts three pools – all with their own unique vibe. Each pool is heated to a comfortable temperature, ensuring a refreshing experience, whether it’s scorching outside or a chilly winter’s night.
Beach Pool is the largest and most immersive pool area – an ideal place for the family to spend the day together. The pool features a Roman aqueduct-themed water slide, a sandy beach with zero-entry into the water, adjacent children’s pool, two hot tubs, and three colorful beach cabanas. Splendido Bar & Grill serves poolside food and drinks, and also offers a covered terrace to escape the roasting mid-summer sun.
Villa Pool is a bit more serene, offering one hot tub and additional amenities like private cabana rentals and upgraded lounge chairs. The cabanas include a ceiling fan, refrigerator, phone and plasma TV. Adjacent to the Villa Pool, guests can play a round of bocce on one of two bocce courts.
Hillside Pool is the smallest of the three, and is located convenient to East Wing guests. This quiet spot offers a bit more privacy than the other two pools, but does not have a hot tub.
Musica della Notte
The “music of the night” at Portofino Bay is a unique experience deserving of special attention. Each evening at sunset (weather permitting), the lobby comes alive with a choral celebration inspired by the romance and charm of Italy. Catch this impressive performance of classic opera and festive melodies from the Portofino Bay harbor piazza to give yourself extra space to get swept up in the moment and just dance.
Harbor Nights
Occasionally, Portofino Bay offers Harbor Nights – a hard-ticket event held on the harbor piazza featuring twinkling lights, Italian cuisine, and the sound of opera music in the air. Guests can spend an evening sipping select wines and trying unlimited gourmet food samples from the hotel’s restaurants. Live music and a classic opera performance complete the elegant event.
Harbor Nights is the perfect romantic date night, or it can be a unique group outing. As of the publishing of this article, tickets for this event start at $79 (or $850 for a table of ten).
Transportation
Aside from the free Express Pass Unlimited, the single greatest perk of staying at Portofino Bay is the convenient transportation. Portofino Bay is located about a 15-20 minute walk from Universal CityWalk and the theme parks. I personally love this path. It is filled with picturesque views of the waterways and lush vegetation, and it is well lit at night.
To soothe tired feet, Universal offers complimentary water taxis which zip right into CityWalk. These are a fun option, and they move very quickly. Since Portofino Bay has its own dedicated water taxi, you’ll never wait long for a lift.
Like all other Universal Orlando resort hotels, Portofino Bay also offers bus transportation to CityWalk and Volcano Bay (and it will offer bus service to Epic Universe as well, once that theme park is open).
Shopping
Portofino Bay offers two shopping locations for guests to grab merch to commemorate their trip. Le Memories de Portofino sells Mediterranean-style souvenirs, resort-specific apparel, sundries, sunglasses, wine glasses, and even luggage. And of course, a Universal Studios Store is also located on property, selling some of the most popular souvenirs from the Universal Orlando theme parks.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel welcomes guests to the Italian shore, while keeping them close to the CityWalk and the theme parks. With an elegant, peaceful atmosphere, this seaside resort truly feels like a home away from home.
In addition to Universal Orlando, check out our full list of Disney Resort Guides here.
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