Orlando, FloridaFlorida Center
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando
Italianate harbor playground
Florida Center Orlando, Florida
Renovated
2014
Price
$$$
Rated for
Resort Design SocialOutside the door
The house
LoewsItalianate harbor playground
The property runs like an Italian seaside port, where trattorias and gelato shops line the water around moored boats.
What it’s good at
Listed
Cobblestone piazzas and trompe l'œil facades re-create a Ligurian fishing village around the bay.
Listed
Balcony opera performances at sunset overlooking Harbor Piazza, beside waterfront cocktail tables.
What they say
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
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.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Universal's theme parks and CityWalk sit just down the canal, reached by frequent water taxis or a fifteen-minute walk.
1 of 4
The rooms
Rooms feature marble bathrooms and sun-bleached palettes, looking out across the harbor or manicured gardens.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
Swimmers drift on inner tubes beneath the stone aqueduct waterfall, just steps from a pair of hot tubs.
The gym
Cardio machines with personal television screens sit alongside variable resistance equipment and a free-weight area.
At the table
Strolling musicians play tableside at Mama Della's Ristorante, and Bice serves Northern Italian cooking overlooking the harbor.
How it began
Opened in 1999 as Universal Orlando's first on-site resort, the property was built as a joint venture with Loews.
Orlando
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The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.