Loews Portofino Bay Hotel Review: Universal & Amex FHR

The Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is a five-star property under Universal Orlando's Signature Collection, designed to look and feel like a small Italian coastal village in Florida. It is connected to the theme parks via a water taxi that runs every 15 to 30 minutes, making it one of the most convenient park-adjacent hotels you can book.

We booked a Two Queen Garden View room through Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR). We arrived early, got upgraded, and came away with one of the most practical hotel perks we have experienced for a theme park trip. Here is the full review.

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Check-In and Room

We checked in early at 1:15 PM and were upgraded from a Garden View to a Bay View room in the East Guest Wing. The Bay View is the right call if you have the option. Looking out over the waterway and the Italian-inspired architecture is genuinely beautiful.

The room: Two queen beds with accent pillows, a lounge chair, and a desk. USB outlets are built into the nightstand alongside a wireless charging pad. There is no mini-bar or microwave, but the room includes a mini-fridge and a coffee station.

Bathroom: Spacious, with ceramic tile detailing throughout. His-and-hers sinks, a zoom-in makeup mirror, and a pull-out clothesline inside the shower. The clothesline is a thoughtful detail for anyone coming back from the pool with a wet swimsuit.

Small extras worth mentioning: The hotel provided complimentary FHR chocolates and Fiji waters on arrival, plus an automatic evening turndown. The slippers were genuinely plush, which stood out compared to most hotel slippers. The hair dryer was also unexpectedly powerful and well-made.

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Amex FHR Benefits Breakdown

The Express Pass is the headline benefit. By staying at a Premier Universal hotel like Portofino Bay, your room key works as an Unlimited Express Pass at both parks. We saw standby lines at 90 minutes for rides we walked directly onto. For how we used it across both parks in a single day, see the Universal Orlando 1-Day Itinerary.

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Dining

Mama Della's (Dinner) — 10/10

We used our $100 property credit here and it was some of the best Italian food we have had anywhere.

The service was fast from the moment we sat down. We ordered the calamari to start, then a basil cream risotto and a chicken alfredo-style pasta, both of which were excellent. For dessert, our waiter recommended the pistachio torch with raspberry jam and suggested eating it in a single bite. He was right. It is creamy, smooth, not overly sweet, and the raspberry balances it perfectly. Do not skip the dessert here.

Trattoria del Porto (Breakfast)

We used our $75 breakfast credit for an a la carte breakfast. They also offer a buffet at $32 per adult if you prefer that format. The food was decent overall. The one note is that the steak we ordered was on the tough side.

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Pools and Amenities

Pools: Two pool areas on the property. One is quieter and adult-focused. The other is larger and family-oriented, with a sandy beach area and a poolside bar.

Gym: Good size with high ceilings. TechnoGym treadmills, pull-up bars, and dumbbells up to 70 lbs.

Self-serve laundry: Located right next to the pool. $4 to wash, $4 to dry. Has an AC unit and a TV inside, which makes the wait more bearable.

Mandara Spa: FHR guests receive 20% off spa services of $100 or more.

Arcade: A small arcade called Galeazzo for those who want it.

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Final Verdict

We had no complaints about this stay. The property is genuinely beautiful, the water taxi to the parks is seamless, and Mama Della's was a standout dining experience. The Unlimited Express Pass through the room key is the real game-changer: it converts what would normally be an exhausting, line-heavy day into a manageable two-park experience.

If you are planning a Universal Orlando trip, Portofino Bay is the strongest home base option. Book through Amex FHR if you can access it, and make a reservation at Mama Della's for at least one dinner.