ORLANDO — Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Resorts transports families to a Roman holiday without traveling the thousands of miles to Italy.
Luxurious, comfortable, and oh so very Italian, the 750-room property pampers guests with details lifted straight from the Italian Riviera.
Italian ambiance — the carport festooned with colorful flags, arching colonnades and a nod to classic Roman architecture — greets visitors as soon as they arrive on the property.
Inside the building, cool marble floors, creamy-white accents combined with rich wood and reflective glass cool and calm the weary traveler.
Ciao Bella.
And that is only the beginning.
PHOTOS: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Resort
The entry way opens to the piazza, where guests are treated to an exact replica of the fishing village of Portofino, Italy. The property sits behind a façade of the village, famous for the bright pastel-colored homes that face the harbor off the Ligurian Sea.
Stroll beyond the piazza along the faux Riviera for still more almost-Italy. The center square, or harbor piazza, is home to boutiques for shopping, trattorias for a quick bite or, if you prefer family to fine dining, a corner taverna for a glass of wine and delicious gelato and sweets.
Find the Vespa parked along the cobblestone paths for the perfect holiday selfie.
In the evening, Musica Della Notte (Music of the Night), accompanies guests as they meander, delivering a mix of classic opera, romantic and festive music, along with “popera” — the popular musical style that bridges the gap between pop and opera.
At Mama D’s, an authentic Italian family-friendly dining experience, the Musica Della Notte musicians wander the room, taking requests for songs by Frank Sinatra to Andre Bocelli.
Behind the jewel-toned exteriors are lobbies that feature tromp l’oeil murals of Italian villages, and rooms that are spacious with large double-sink baths appointed with fragrant hair, skin and bath products.
Guest rooms provide welcoming alternatives to outside activities. Tones of creamy white and dusted teal and textures of rich brocades, cool marbles and plush velvets create a sanctuary for Meriggiare, an escape from the midday sun.
Crisp cotton sheets and plush bedding provide the final comfort touches.
The property boasts three magnificent pools, each continuing the Italian theme. The kids’ pool even includes a Roman aqueduct water slide and sandy zero entry beaches allowing walk-in access for younger or handicapped guests.
While the bambinos frolic in the kiddie pool, adults can relax in hot tubs and visit the poolside bar for cocktails, lunch or light dinner snacks.
Poolside fun and games include a giant chess set, Ping-Pong and a large “drip in” movie screen.
Rent a cabana at the Villa Pool or take advantage of upgraded cushions on the lounge chairs, the Roman-inspired fountain and, unique to this property, the cold-hot plunge pools that allow guests to fully awaken their senses.
The property also offers an adults-only pool for guests seeking quiet. The Hill Side pool features lounge chairs, but none of the extra amenities of the Villa Pool.
It does, however, offer hushed lounging and relaxing.
Portofino Bay is one of four Loews properties that surround the theme parks Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. This property is also joined by the other resorts — the Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
Staying on property allows you to walk through paths adorned with flora and fauna to the parks, or take the water taxi for a day of themed fun or to CityWalk for food and entertainment. You can also take one of the pedi-cabs, where pleasant and knowledgeable cyclers who live off tips will propel you to your destination.
Another benefit for guests at Universal’s properties (this benefit is valid at all properties) is early admission to the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” an attraction that can be very crowded during the day. The 8 a.m. admission lets you beat the crowds and ride the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff before the park is opened to the public.
Yet another perk at Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Hard Rock Hotel is the Universal Express Unlimited ride pass, which allows guests of the property to skip the line. This does not, however, work with all rides, including those found in the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”
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A dining snapshot at Universal Resorts’ CityWalk
Guests to Universal’s onsite hotel properties have priority seating at dining venues across the theme parks and into CityWalk, a nighttime party area with dining options ranging from the strictly American menu of the NBC Sports Grill & Brew to Asian-American fusion of The Cowfish, Sushi Burger Bar where gourmet sushi meets burgers.
Hungry guests stopping by the NBC Sports Grill find plenty of choices for the whole family from appetizers featuring giant pretzels to crisp salads and moist beef brisket. Continue the fun of either your favorite Minion or King Kong and order the Big Banana Cake. A huge hit big enough to share with the whole table, this dessert brings is seven sky-high layers of alternating rich banana cake and whole bananas, with caramel, banana cream and shaved chocolate.
Craft beers are big, and the NBC Sports Grill and Brew offers their own house-designed and locally made IPA along with over 100 beers on draft and in bottles. Choose from white and pale, brown and dark, gold and red, fruit and ales. Order a flight of your favorites and try more than one.
The other recommended option, The Cowfish, Sushi Burger Bar, offers colorful dishes that are fun to share such as the Tuna & Avocado-Tini, a generous portion of cubed yellowfin tuna and ripe avocado in a perfect ginger dressing. The combination of sweet and fat with a peppery, half lemony, pungent sweet dressing with just a touch of vinegar creates an explosion of flavors.
A hands-down favorite of The Cowfish is Big Al’s Yellowtail — thin slices of sashimi topped with slivers of jalapeño pepper with a perfect ponzu dipping sauce that balances the sweetness of the tuna and the heat of the pepper perfectly.
The Firecracker Fusion Specialty Roll combines shrimp tempura, kani coated with tempura flakes, then topped with yellowtail, salmon, spicy mayo, masago, tobiko and scallions and, like all their specialty rolls is big enough to fill one dinner, or share among two.
• Jacquie Kubin is an award-winning travel and food writer and travel editor at Communities Digital News.
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