Too funny! Yes, there are many like us here I suspect, not a bad thing though, right?
I have avoided your HRH post
I dont want to ever persuade anyone from trying something different especially since we should all form our own opinions through personal experiences. However, you asked! The following is just my opinion, I know so many here LOVE this hotel. Thats why variety is the spice of life!
Yes I have stayed at all 3. Portofino 4-5 times, Hard Rock 2 times and Royal Pacific once most recently. I feel like HRH rides along on its name. I dont feel that they give the Loews First program much consideration. I think they sing to their own tune.
I do not dislike Hard Rock but it falls out last on my list. I will plan a trip there again for the sake of change since we visit so often. I would not stay more than a couple/few days and if that were the case I would split my stay as we have done in the past. I guess for me it comes down to the way a place makes me feel overall. Hard Rock was cool and the rooms we stayed in were great. We stayed one time in a standard and another in a deluxe. I never got the feeling I get when staying at Portofino and RPR.
Before I go further I want you to know that Portofino was our first Universal onsite stay and that really plays a part. Maybe if Hard Rock was first I would feel differently? I dont know. I think not since we recently stayed at RPR and those same feelings I get at Portofino were found there as well. When we stayed at HRH first trip (7) nights we walked over to Portofino the night before we were to head home and aded 3 more nights so we could end our trip there. Although we missed Portofino in June I didnt feel the need to change my stay and RPR was so very impressive we left happy! Or as happy as anyone can be ending a vacation.
Okay as to why I feel the way I do, they are both tangible and intangible. During both stays one in 2001 the other in 2002 they dismissed my requests at check-in (it was off season). I have no problem if the hotel is full and they cant meet my requests but that wasnt the case. They really just didnt care to try. I also dont think the Loews First carries as much clout there as it seems to at the other 2. Again maybe because they are their own entity. We had poor housekeeping and more than one night came back to an uncleaned room, yes a call to housekeeping would have made it right but not at 10P. If it was one time its excusable but not twice during our stay.
I dont find the restaurant options fulfilling as choices. I had a very bad experience at the Palm and walked out. When we went to the hotel manager we were told Hard Rock doesnt own the Palm. My response to that is yeah but its in "your" hotel. The first stay the Sunset Grill was fabulous! I think we ate there over 5 times. After that something happened and it hasnt been the same since.I dont like being limited and I feel that way at HRH. Lots of food options at Portofino and RPR and I have never been treated rudely.
Pool area seems to always be so busy and finding a group of 4 chairs was work! The hot tubs were the same always full. I solve that at Portofino cause they have 3 pools and 3 hot tubs. RPR has a bigger pool never a problem getting a chair and that was during summer months.
This next part matters to me but probably doesnt to others. I like my suites!! I'm spoiled I admit it! I cant seem to get the upgrade at HRH and always have at the other 2. I think they are harder to come by due to famous people wanting to stay there over the other 2. I could be wrong just my impression. Again this relates back to the whole Loews First opinion. Maybe its just that they have less overall. But honestly if I can get a suite at RPR or Portofino thats where I will be. BTW, I dont expect them and I dont go using an ER and hope for the upgrade.
Bottom line I am on vacation and I am paying to be there not at a Holiday Inn. I want to feel special and I just dont when at HRH.
The little things:
Having concierge call us to see if there is anything we need or desire. Having my kids fawned over. Getting a smile or a wave or a good morning as we walk by. Turn down service every night and a small gift on the pillow, even if its a chocolate, it makes me smile what can I say. The sprawling grounds at RPR and PBH. Lots of nooks and crannies for the kids and us to explore. Ice cream parlors! We like our ice cream. The boat ride back as Portofino Bay comes into sight in the evening. Coffee out on the piazza as the boys play with the other children. But I digress!! As usual! This is not about why I choose the others its about why I dont pick HRH first.
Okay no now that I have written a small novel its with great trepidation that I hit "submit reply". Honestly please please dont make a decision based on my feelings...Go have a great time and form some of your own.
Oh and one more thing! We are planning a trip for December and we will be spending some time (2-3 nights) at Hard Rock once again. Cant be all that bad then right! I am in hopes that I will feel differently and can change my opinion! 3 times the charm, maybe.
