"So, can you tell us a little bit about this hotel?The Loews Portofino Bay Hotel may be located in the heart of Universal Orlando Resort, but it feels an worlds away. A winding, cypress-lined driveway leads to the main building, which looks like it's been transported from the Italian Riviera. Pass through the pale marble lobby to the main piazza, where the pastel-hued buildings line the harbor and classically trained musicians perform opera classics every evening at sunset. What's the story behind the hotel's Italian theme?The inspiration for the design reportedly came from Steven Spielberg, who has been a consultant at Universal Orlando Resort since 1987. Portofino, Italy, was one of his favorite vacation spots, and he suggested it as the setting here. How are the rooms themselves?Rooms are spacious and well designed, with light wood furnishings, pink marble countertops, and rich pops of teal. Families with Minions fans will want to book the Despicable Me–themed kids suite. The adults’ side of the suite is decorated in the Portofino’s typical style, but a door—complete with a bank vault–style handle—opens to reveal a pair of twin beds shaped like hollowed-out bombs, bright yellow textiles, and a Minions mural. Cool. Once we've settled in, where should we go for dinner?A hotel modeled after Portofino had better have amazing Italian cuisine, and this one delivers with a range of options. BiCE is the best option for a kid-free date night (try the osso bucco); the Italian classics and strolling musicians at Mama Della’s Ristorante will please the whole family. Finish the evening at Gelateria, because what respectable Italian village doesn’t have a gelato shop? How about access to the theme parks—what's available to guests?Portofino Bay Hotel is one of three resorts at Universal Orlando that offers a complimentary Universal Express Unlimited Pass ($89 a day), saving you a ton of time in the parks. Express Pass lets you skip the regular lines on most of Universal’s top attractions, including rides in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Anything else we should be sure to check out while staying here?Portofino Bay has an impressive pool complex with a swim-through grotto, sandy beach, and tons of games and activities for kids. There’s also a quiet pool on the other side of the resort. So what makes this hotel stand out?This is a beautifully themed resort with close proximity to the Universal theme parks, plus the benefit of complimentary Express Pass." - Valerie Marino
