Loews Portofino Bay Hotel Review: Express, Rooms, Pools, Fees

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Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is Universal Orlando’s Italian-themed resort at 5601 Universal Boulevard, built around a man-made bay that recreates the seaside village of Portofino. It is one of only three Universal hotels with free Universal Express Unlimited, and its 450 sq ft standard rooms are the largest at any Universal hotel.

It opened in 1999 and is Universal’s flagship hotel, according to Orlando Informer; every fee and perk below was checked on official pages in October 2026. To compare all the options, start with our guide to hotels near Universal Orlando.

Quick answer: Book Portofino Bay if you will spend two or more days at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure and want a roomy, quiet base with a boat ride to CityWalk. Look elsewhere if your trip centers on Epic Universe, if you want the shortest walk to the gates (Hard Rock Hotel) or if you want free Express for less (TouringPlans calls Loews Royal Pacific Resort the least expensive of Universal’s top hotels).

Check prices at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

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Loews Portofino Bay Hotel photos

The harbor, rooms, pool and restaurants from the hotel’s own gallery. Tap any photo to enlarge it, or see the full gallery and current rates on Booking.com.

Location and distances

Universal’s Loews Portofino Bay Hotel sits on the main Universal campus, wrapped around its own bay. It feels secluded, yet both original parks are a walk or a boat ride away. Distances are our OpenStreetMap routes; walk and boat times are from TouringPlans and Universal.

Destination	Distance	Best way	Approx. time
Universal Studios Florida	About 0.8 mi on foot	Walk, water taxi or bus	16 min walk; 9 min boat
Islands of Adventure	About 1 mi on foot	Walk, water taxi or bus	19 min walk; 11 min boat
Volcano Bay	About 2-2.5 mi by road	Free shuttle	9 min bus; closed Oct 26, 2026 to Apr 1, 2027 (planned)
Epic Universe	About 5 mi by road	Free shuttle	About 10-20 min
SeaWorld Orlando	About 7 mi	Car or rideshare	About 15-20 min
Disney Springs	About 11 mi	Car or rideshare	About 20-30 min
EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom	About 14-15 mi	Car or rideshare	About 25-35 min
Magic Kingdom (TTC)	About 16 mi	Car or rideshare	About 30 min or more
Orlando airport (MCO)	About 14 mi	Shuttle, private car or rideshare	About 30 min

Getting to the parks from Portofino Bay

Universal’s free hotel transportation serves only its own parks and CityWalk, not Walt Disney World.

Water taxi: Boats leave the Harbor Piazza dock for CityWalk, a short walk from both park gates. Universal says the ride averages under 10 minutes, and you pass a security check before boarding.

Walking path: Universal says walking paths link its top-tier hotels to CityWalk and both original parks. Portofino’s follows the water past Hard Rock Hotel. Disney Tourist Blog puts the walk from the harbor at about 20 minutes.

Shuttle buses: Universal’s blog lists Portofino’s bus at about every 30 minutes to the CityWalk hub, Volcano Bay and Epic Universe, and its team says shuttles start about an hour before Early Park Admission.

Epic Universe: There is no boat or walking route, and your free Express does not work there. If Epic is your priority, compare the hotels near Epic Universe first.

Disney and the airport: Use a car or rideshare for Disney, or see our list of Orlando hotels with free shuttles to Universal and Disney. From MCO, you can book Universal’s SuperStar Shuttle or a Destination MCO private car through Loews (fees apply).

Universal Express Unlimited and Early Park Admission

Only Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort include free Universal Express Unlimited. Every registered guest gets it, and the room key is the pass from the moment it is issued until the parks close on check-out day.

• Where it works: Participating rides at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure during normal park hours.
• Where it does not: Epic Universe, Volcano Bay and separately ticketed events such as Halloween Horror Nights. At last check, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Pteranodon Flyers were not on Universal’s Express list either.
• Tickets: Express is not admission, and the Hogwarts Express needs a Park-to-Park ticket.
• Booking.com guests: Mobile check-in in the Universal app needs a direct booking (Loews’ page says with Loews, Universal’s says with Universal), so check in at the front desk.

What the perk is worth

Loews bases its value on 2-Park Express Unlimited prices of roughly $125 to $390 per person per day, depending on the date (at last check in October 2026, its pages quoted $124.99 or $129.99 as the low end). For a family of four, that is roughly $500 to $1,560 per park day. Our guide to Universal hotels with Express Pass runs the numbers.

Early Park Admission and other perks

All Universal hotel guests can enter select attractions up to an hour early. At the time of writing, Universal’s calendar lists Islands of Adventure (including Hagrid’s and VelociCoaster) and four lands at Epic Universe from October 5 to November 30, 2026, plus Volcano Bay (30 minutes early) through October 25, with no upcoming dates at Universal Studios Florida. Hagrid’s has no Express line, so ride it during early entry.

Express hotels also get Priority Seating at select park and CityWalk restaurants. All guests can charge purchases to the room key and have shop purchases delivered free (not on check-out day).

Rooms and suites: sizes and who they sleep

Every standard room is 450 sq ft with one king (up to 3 guests) or two queens (up to 5), compared with 375 sq ft at Hard Rock and 335 at Royal Pacific. Loews describes them as newly renovated in cream and teal, with a coffee maker, safe and free Wi-Fi. Garden View and Bay View rooms differ only in the view.

Room type	Size	Beds	Max guests
Garden View or Bay View	450 sq ft	1 king or 2 queens	3 or 5
Deluxe Room	490 sq ft	1 king or 2 queens	3 or 5
Club Room	490 sq ft	2 queens	5, plus lounge
Despicable Me Kids’ Suite	650 sq ft	1 king + 2 twins	5
Portofino Suite	900 sq ft (2-BR 1,350)	King or 2 queens + sofa	5 or 7 (2-BR 10)
Villa Suite (harbor view)	1,110 sq ft (2-BR 1,600)	King or 2 queens + sofa	6 or 8 (2-BR 11)
Hospitality Suite	1,370 sq ft (2-BR 1,820)	King or 2 queens + Murphy bed	6 or 8 (2-BR 11)
Governatore or Presidente	2,265 or 2,725 sq ft	1 king	2 (Presidente up to 17 with three Club rooms)

Sleeping five: Loews notes that maximum occupancy may require a rollaway ($35 plus tax per day, one per room). Pack ‘n Plays are free, microwaves cost $15 a day and each adult beyond two adds $55, plus tax. See also our guide to rooms that sleep 5 at Disney World and Universal.

Despicable Me Kids’ Suite: A king bedroom for the adults plus a kids’ room themed on Gru’s Laboratory, with two twin beds, Minion-inspired bedding, a closet and a TV. The kids’ room opens only into the parents’ room.

Club Level: Club rooms include the Portofino Club Lounge with continental breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres and personal concierge service. Disney Tourist Blog, which reviewed it in March 2026, found the food hearty enough for a proper dinner.

Pools and things to do

• Beach Pool: The family pool, with a Roman aqueduct-themed slide, a sandy beach, an adjacent children’s pool, two hot tubs and three rentable cabanas.
• Villa Pool: Quieter, with private cabana rentals, upgraded lounge chairs and bocce courts nearby.
• Hillside Pool: A more private retreat on the east wing. Loews and Universal do not describe it as adults-only, despite what some older guides say.

Poolside activities include ping-pong, pool basketball and crafts, and a game room sits near the Beach Pool. Every night at sunset, weather permitting, Musica della Notte brings free opera and “popera” to the Harbor Piazza, and quarterly Harbor Nights add ticketed wine and jazz.

Restaurants, bars and breakfast

Loews counts eight or nine restaurants and lounges, depending on the page, most of them Italian.

• Bice Ristorante: Northern Italian with bay views; reservations strongly suggested.
• Mama Della’s Ristorante: Family-style dishes from Tuscany, Naples and Piemonte, with strolling musicians.
• Trattoria del Porto: Casual breakfast and dinner overlooking the Harbor Piazza.
• Sal’s Market Deli: Handmade pizzas, sandwiches, Italian meats and cheeses, salads and fruit.
• Gelateria and Caffe Espresso: Gelato and shakes, plus pastries, breakfast sandwiches and grab-and-go items.
• Splendido Bar & Grill and The Thirsty Fish: Poolside burgers, and a harborside bar with cicchetti (small plates).
• Room service: 24 hours a day.

Breakfast is not included in standard rates, so plan on Trattoria del Porto, Caffe Espresso or room service. CityWalk’s restaurants are a short boat ride away.

Fitness, family extras and the spa question

• Fitness: A free fitness center for guests 18 and older, plus walking and jogging paths through the grounds.
• Families: Loews lends games and childproofing kits. Its highlights mention a supervised children’s activity center, but no schedule or prices are published, so ask first.
• Services: Free Wi-Fi, a laundromat, a weekday business center, shops including a Universal Studios Store, and an Avis desk.
• Spa: None at last check. News reports say the Mandara Spa closed on November 30, 2024; Loews no longer lists a spa among its amenities, though old mentions linger in its fine print.
• Accessibility: Accessible rooms have ADA tubs or roll-in showers, and Universal says the water taxis take wheelchairs and ECVs.

Resort fee, parking and hotel policies

• Resort fee: None in Loews’ or Universal’s published charges at the time of writing. Room rates carry 12.5% tax.
• Parking: Overnight self-parking $36 plus tax per vehicle, valet $45 plus tax. Day visitors pay $53 plus tax to self-park (free under 30 minutes) or $56 plus tax for valet.
• Check-in and check-out: 4 pm and 11 am; late check-out costs extra.
• Age: At least one guest per room must be 21 or older, with ID.
• Pets: Up to two cats or dogs for $150 per stay in Garden View and Bay View rooms. Dogs are not allowed at pools, lounges or restaurants.
• Smoking: Smoke-free except designated outdoor areas; smoking in a room carries a $250 cleaning fee.
• Cancellation: Direct bookings are refundable 6 or more days out; Booking.com terms depend on your rate.

Who Portofino Bay suits (and who should skip it)

Best for: Families riding a lot at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, families of five who want space or a Kids’ Suite, couples who want a quiet base with opera on the piazza, and pet owners. For upscale stays across the city, see the best luxury resorts in Orlando.

Not ideal for: Epic Universe-focused trips, tight budgets, a five-minute walk to the gates, Disney-focused stays and spa days.

Pros and limitations

Pros

• Free Express Unlimited for everyone in the room, including check-in and check-out days.
• The largest standard rooms at Universal, at 450 to 490 sq ft.
• Three ways to the parks: water taxi, walking path and bus.
• Three pools and free nightly music on the harbor.
• Suites for every group size, and pet-friendly rooms.

Limitations to know

• Usually the priciest stay at Universal; Disney Tourist Blog calls it routinely the most expensive resort at Universal Orlando.
• Express does not work at Epic Universe, Volcano Bay or Hagrid’s.
• The longest walk of the three Express hotels, on a sprawling property.
• No spa, no free breakfast outside Club Level, and paid parking.
• Balcony rooms are rare and cannot be booked ahead.

Portofino Bay vs other Universal hotels

Universal’s Signature Collection has five hotels, but only three include Express (USF and IOA are the two original parks).

Hotel	Free Express	Standard room	To USF/IOA	Pool
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel	Yes (USF, IOA)	450 sq ft	Boat, path, bus	Aqueduct slide, sandy beach
Hard Rock Hotel	Yes (USF, IOA)	375 sq ft	Shortest walk, boat, bus	260-ft slide, sand beach
Loews Royal Pacific Resort	Yes (USF, IOA)	335 sq ft	Walk, boat, bus	Lagoon pool, sand beach
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort	No	321 sq ft	Walk, boat, bus	16,000 sq ft, with slide
Universal Helios Grand Hotel	No	325-340 sq ft	Bus; own Epic entrance	Zero-entry, hot tub

Hard Rock Hotel is closest to Universal Studios Florida and CityWalk: read our Hard Rock Hotel Orlando review or check Hard Rock Hotel rates on Booking.com. Loews Royal Pacific Resort, the least expensive Express hotel per TouringPlans, is about 9 minutes on foot from Islands of Adventure: see our Loews Royal Pacific Resort review or compare Royal Pacific prices on Booking.com.

Without Express, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort has a big slide pool (see Sapphire Falls on Booking.com), and Universal Helios Grand Hotel has its own Epic Universe entrance (see Helios Grand on Booking.com). For lower rates, compare the cheapest Universal Orlando hotels.

What to check before you book

• Park days: Put your Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure days at both ends of the stay, since Express covers arrival and departure days, and Epic Universe days in the middle.
• Closures: Volcano Bay closes from October 26, 2026 (reopening planned on or before April 1, 2027), and Jurassic Park River Adventure is closed for maintenance (reopening planned for December 17, 2026).
• Full price: Add 12.5% tax, parking and any rollaway, and compare refundable and non-refundable rates. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book; see the best time to visit Orlando for patterns.

See available rooms at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel on Booking.com

Comparing the Express hotels? read Hard Rock vs Royal Pacific vs Portofino Bay.

Frequently asked questions

Is Loews Portofino Bay Hotel worth it?

Yes, if you will spend at least two days at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, because free Express Unlimited covers everyone in the room. Disney Tourist Blog found the perk worth almost double what it paid for its stay. It is harder to justify for Epic Universe-focused trips or one-night stays.

Does Loews Portofino Bay Hotel include Universal Express?

Yes. Every registered guest gets free Universal Express Unlimited from the moment the room key is issued until the parks close on check-out day. It works at participating rides in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure only, not at Epic Universe, Volcano Bay or Hagrid’s, and you still need park tickets.

How far is Portofino Bay from the Universal parks, and how long is the water taxi?

The walking path is about 0.8 mile to Universal Studios Florida and about 1 mile to Islands of Adventure, roughly 16 to 20 minutes on foot. Universal says the free water taxi to CityWalk averages under 10 minutes, and shuttle buses run about every 30 minutes. Epic Universe is about 5 miles away by free shuttle.

Does Portofino Bay charge a resort fee, and how much is parking?

No resort fee appears in Loews’ or Universal’s published charges at the time of writing. Overnight self-parking is $36 plus tax and valet $45 plus tax per night. Possible extras are $55 per additional adult, $35 a day for a rollaway and $150 per stay for pets.

Is breakfast included at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel?

Not in standard rooms. You can buy breakfast at Trattoria del Porto or Caffe Espresso (pastries and breakfast sandwiches), or order 24-hour room service. Club Level rooms include continental breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres in the Portofino Club Lounge, which helps if you plan several meals at the hotel.

Can you get a balcony room at Portofino Bay?

Only a few rooms have balconies, and Loews does not sell them as a room type. TouringPlans and Disney Tourist Blog say you must ask at check-in, where a balcony room may be offered as a paid upgrade if one is free. If you mainly want a water view, book a Bay View room instead.

Bottom line

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is Universal’s most atmospheric hotel and, with free Express Unlimited, one of the easiest ways to do Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure without long waits. Choose Hard Rock instead for the shortest walk, or Royal Pacific for a usually lower rate. Check your dates for Loews Portofino Bay Hotel on Booking.com.

Sources checked in October 2026: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay rooms and suites, Loews Universal Orlando theme park benefits, Universal Orlando: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Early Park Admission.