Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando
Portofino Bay is the Premier hotel for people who want the Express benefit and would rather not be able to hear the park.
30-Second Verdict
Book Portofino Bay if you want the Premier benefits with the calmest atmosphere and the largest rooms of the three. Skip it if walking distance to the gates is your priority, because it has the longest path and most guests use the water taxi.
Quick facts
- Area
- Universal Orlando
- Property type
- Universal on-site hotel
- Tier
- Premier
- Opened
- 1999
- Star classification
- 4 star
- Guest score
- 7.9 out of 10 from 556 reviews
- Room occupancy
- Standard room sleeps 5; Kids suite sleeps 5
- Details checked
- August 2026
Best for
- Couples and adults who want a quiet Premier hotel
- Guests who will use the spa
- Parties of five, since standard rooms are published for five
- Travelers who would otherwise buy Express and want a resort as well
Skip it if
- You want the shortest walk to a park gate
- Your trip is mostly Epic Universe or Volcano Bay
- You need a room for six
- You are watching the budget, where Sapphire Falls does most of this for much less
Location and park fit
Portofino Bay sits at the far end of the Universal hotel cluster from the park gates, which is exactly why it is the quietest. A walking path and a water taxi both connect it to CityWalk and the two original parks.
Epic Universe and Volcano Bay are a Universal transport ride.
Rooms and family fit
The largest standard rooms of the Premier group, published for five, with kids suites available. For a family of five who want space and Express, this is the strongest room product at Universal.
Transport and mobility
Water taxi and a walking path. Most guests take the boat, which is pleasant and adds a wait at peak times.
Park benefits
Early park admission, and Universal has long included Universal Express Unlimited for Premier hotel guests at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
Universal has long included Universal Express Unlimited for guests at its three Premier hotels, at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. It has not covered Volcano Bay, and how it applies at Epic Universe is set separately. Confirm the current terms with Universal before booking on that basis.
Pool and rest-day fit
Three pools and a full-service spa, which is the most substantial rest-day provision on the Universal campus. If you want an afternoon that is not at a park, this is the hotel for it.
Cost beyond the room
No theme park parking. The Premier premium should be weighed against what your party would spend on Express at the two original parks, and against the fact that you are also buying a considerably better hotel.
The best hotel of Universal's three Premier properties and the furthest from the gates. If you value the walk, book Royal Pacific instead and accept a smaller room.
Alternatives worth comparing
Book this hotel
Rates in Orlando move constantly and depend on your dates, so check the current price rather than working from any figure on a website. Confirm resort fees, parking charges and any theme park benefit directly with the hotel or the park before you book.
Hotel details and the guest scores on this page were checked in August 2026.
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Common questions
Is Portofino Bay worth the price?
It is the best hotel at Universal and the least convenient of the Premier three. If you will use the spa and the pools, it earns the premium. If you are in the parks from opening to closing, Royal Pacific gives you the same benefit for less.
How do you get to the parks from Portofino Bay?
By water taxi or by walking path. The boat is the usual choice and runs frequently, with waits at peak times.
Does Portofino Bay include Express Pass?
Universal has long included Universal Express Unlimited for guests at its Premier hotels at the two original parks. Confirm the current terms with Universal.