All the Universal hotels are very nice! (The only one we haven't yet tried is Cabana Bay.)
Royal Pacific is very close to the parks. Unlike WDW, the water taxis are VERY frequent and convenient. Also unlike WDW, walking to the parks is very quick and easy. The rooms aren't quite as big as some others, but we didn't mind. IMO, the only downside of RP that we've noticed is that the pool doesn't have a waterslide. However, the Universal pools all offer guests free waterfloats to use. you are also allowed to pool hop if you want; you are allowed to use any US pool. The US pools also all serve poolside drinks/food that they will serve right to your chair if you want.
Portofino has bigger rooms and a poolslide. Portofino is also very nice! The only downside of Portofino is that it is further from the parks. In November, that's not a big deal. In August, we prefer the shorter RP walk, but even the Portofino-to-US walk is shorter than the CR-to-MK walk.
(ALSO, all the US resort pathways have pedicabs, if you start to walk and decide you don't feel like it.)
Hard Rock is also a lot of fun. Sapphire is gorgeous- it just doesn't get the Express Pass that you get at the 3 deluxe hotels.
Another plus of Universal is easy dining. In general, the food options are better than WDW's, with less hassle. You don't have to pick dining half a year before you go. Most Universal places DO take reservations if you prefer, but they are easy to get. Even without reservations you have many options in all price ranges! At RP, we love: lobby QS breakfast and evening sushi.
One exception is the very fun Chocolate Emporium. No reservations, everyone ahs to wait. To dine there, you CAN send someone ahead to get a pager, and just stay in contact via phone.
