Loews Portofino Bay Hotel Review: A Luxury Stay at Universal Orlando
Dreaming of an Italian getaway but not quite ready to book a flight to Europe? What if I told you there’s a beautiful Italian-inspired resort right in the heart of Orlando, Florida? From its colorful waterfront buildings and cobblestone-inspired walkways to its romantic harbor views and incredible restaurants, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando is one of those places that makes you feel like you’ve escaped to another country without ever leaving Florida.
When Loews Portofino Bay Hotel invited my girlfriends Ashley, Stephanie and me for a weekend staycation, I couldn’t have been more excited. At the time, I was dreaming of my first European vacation, and this felt like the perfect little taste of Italy! Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a girls’ weekend, a family vacation or a trip to Universal Orlando Resort, here’s a look inside our experience at this beautiful luxury hotel.
A Little Taste of Italy Without Leaving Orlando
As a self-employed twenty-something when I originally visited, I was fortunate to have the flexibility to travel throughout North America. However, I had yet to experience Europe, and visiting Italy was very high on my travel bucket list. I was already dreaming about cobblestone streets, waterfront cafés and beautiful European architecture. If you’re planning your own first European adventure, combining time exploring a destination with a cruise and land package is another way to experience multiple places during one vacation.
In the meantime, a weekend at Portofino Bay sounded like the next best thing! Inspired by the picturesque seaside village of Portofino, Italy, this Universal Orlando hotel is designed to transport guests to a Mediterranean-style retreat. And let me tell you, the attention to detail is absolutely gorgeous.
Our Luxury Hotel Room at Loews Portofino Bay
From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by incredibly friendly staff and immediately felt like we were on vacation. Our room was luxurious yet cozy, with beautiful European-inspired artwork, plush beds and elegant details that complemented the hotel’s Italian theme. But the real showstopper? Our gorgeous balcony overlooking the harbor! Y’all, I could have sat out there for hours just admiring the view. The colorful buildings, boats and waterfront scenery made it feel like we were actually staying along the Italian Riviera. To make our stay even sweeter, we were welcomed with chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne. Talk about knowing how to make a girl feel special! The views were so convincing that after I posted a photo on Instagram, one of my readers actually emailed me wishing me a fabulous time in Italy. She had studied abroad there and genuinely thought I was in Europe! If that doesn’t tell you how beautiful this property is, I don’t know what will.
Three Beautiful Pools for the Ultimate Orlando Staycation
One of my favorite things about staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel was having time to relax by the pool. The property features three distinct pool areas, each offering a different atmosphere. During our visit, we explored the resort and enjoyed some much-needed downtime in the Florida sunshine. The Beach Pool is particularly fun for families, with its Roman aqueduct-inspired water slide and playful resort atmosphere. If you’re visiting Universal Orlando with children, having a beautiful pool area to enjoy between theme park days is such a bonus. For our girls’ weekend, we preferred a quieter pool area where we could relax, enjoy tropical drinks and catch up without feeling like we needed to rush anywhere. We also had a private cabana, which made the afternoon feel extra luxurious. Seriously, a comfortable lounge chair, sunshine and a piña colada? My kind of vacation! Another detail I appreciated was the complimentary Wi-Fi available throughout the areas we visited. As entrepreneurs who were constantly checking emails and messages from clients, being able to stay connected without leaving the pool area was a welcome convenience.
My tip: If you’re planning to spend an entire afternoon relaxing at the resort, check the current availability and pricing of poolside cabanas before your stay. Pool amenities, operating hours and reservation requirements may change.
Universal Orlando Hotel Benefits: Express Pass and Early Park Admission
One of the biggest advantages of staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is its convenient location near Universal Orlando’s theme parks. During our stay, we loved being able to take a scenic water taxi from the hotel toward Universal CityWalk and the theme parks. The ride took approximately 10 minutes, although transportation times can vary. But the transportation isn’t the only perk. Portofino Bay is one of Universal Orlando’s premier hotels, and eligible guests receive valuable theme park benefits that can make a big difference during a busy vacation.
Universal Express Unlimited Included With Eligible Stays
One of the most exciting benefits is complimentary Universal Express Unlimited access for eligible registered hotel guests at participating attractions in Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. This allows guests to use designated Express queues rather than the regular standby lines at participating rides and attractions. If you’ve ever visited a theme park during a busy Florida afternoon, you know how valuable shorter waits can be! With the heat, crowds and long lines, anything that helps you spend more time enjoying the attractions is a major bonus. Keep in mind that Express access does not eliminate every wait, does not include every attraction or park, and is subject to Universal’s current terms. Theme park admission is sold separately, and benefits should always be confirmed before booking.
Early Park Admission at Universal Orlando
Another benefit available to eligible Universal Orlando hotel guests is Early Park Admission at select attractions on designated dates. This can provide access to certain park experiences before the regular opening time. During our visit, we were especially excited to explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Ashley and Stephanie were huge Harry Potter fans, while I have to admit I hadn’t even read the books. I know, I know! But even without being a longtime fan, I was absolutely blown away by the incredible theming. Walking through Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley was such a fun experience. The buildings, shops and attention to detail make you feel like you’ve stepped straight into another world. Ollivanders Wand Shop was one of my favorite stops, with its impressive selection of wands and magical atmosphere. If you’re planning a Universal Orlando vacation, I highly recommend checking which parks and attractions offer Early Park Admission during your travel dates, since availability and schedules can change.
Dinner at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at Universal CityWalk
After a full day exploring Universal Orlando, we headed to Universal CityWalk for dinner. If you’re not familiar with CityWalk, it’s Universal’s entertainment and dining district, located near the theme parks. It’s a great place to enjoy a meal, explore shops or spend an evening outside the parks. We decided to try The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, and let me tell you, this place is a chocolate lover’s dream! The restaurant has a whimsical steampunk-inspired design and a fun backstory centered around Professor Doctor Penelope Tibeaux-Tinker Toothsome and her robot companion, Jacques. The entire restaurant feels like something out of a fantasy novel, with elaborate details and a menu full of creative dishes. During our visit, we ordered a selection of appetizers to share, including truffle fries, baked brie, roasted Brussels sprouts, coffee and chocolate stout chicken wings, and chocolate almond bread. The baked brie was my personal favorite, while Stephanie loved the Brussels sprouts. For my entrée, I ordered grilled teriyaki salmon served with vegetables and jasmine rice. It was delicious, but let’s be real: I was already thinking about dessert!
You Have to Try the Milkshakes at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium
When we walked into the restaurant, I spotted a group of girls holding an enormous milkshake with a cupcake on top. Naturally, I knew right then and there that I couldn’t leave without trying one. If you love over-the-top desserts, the specialty milkshakes at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium are such a fun experience. During our visit, the restaurant offered a variety of elaborate milkshakes and sundaes served with creative toppings and presentation. I ordered the Red Velvet Milkshake, which featured vanilla ice cream blended with red velvet cupcake, raspberry sauce, rainbow sprinkles, whipped cream and a cherry. Y’all, it was basically dessert heaven in a glass! The portion was enormous, and I honestly think it could have been shared between two, three or even four people depending on everyone’s appetite. After dinner, we explored the restaurant’s gift shop, which was filled with chocolate-themed souvenirs, candies and sweet treats. It felt like stepping into a whimsical chocolate factory. If you have a sweet tooth, it’s definitely worth exploring.
After dinner we explored the gift shop – comprised of hundreds of chocolate-themed souvenirs! Your wildest Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory dreams will come true as the shop is filled from head to toe with chocolates, candies, cotton candy machines, and so much more!
If you’re looking for a luxury hotel near Universal Orlando, planning a romantic getaway or simply want to experience a little European-inspired charm without leaving Florida, I’d definitely recommend adding Loews Portofino Bay Hotel to your list.
This article shares my original hosted stay in 2017. Thank you to Loews Portofino Bay Hotel for providing our hotel and dinner accommodations and a wonderful Universal Orlando experience. As always, all opinions are my own. Hotel amenities, theme park benefits, menus and prices may have changed since our visit.
