Top things to do nearby: Universal parks, CityWalk and more
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel sits inside Universal Orlando Resort and puts Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk within easy reach by complimentary water taxi, shuttle bus, or walking paths. Top nearby things to do include visiting the Universal parks (with Express and early admission benefits for guests), strolling CityWalk for dining and entertainment, and using the hotel’s pools and family activities between park days.
In this guide
Universal theme parks — what to expect
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is inside Universal Orlando Resort and offers guest benefits that help with park days: Universal Express Unlimited ride access and early theme park admission are included for eligible bookings. The hotel’s concierge can also help with ticketing and planning.
You can reach Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure quickly by water taxi, bus, or on foot. Depending on route and walking pace, boat rides take under 10 minutes while walking routes to the parks are typically in the 15–20 minute range.
- Guest perks: Universal Express Unlimited (when included) and early park admission — check your reservation or ask the front desk for details.
- Ticketing and tour help: available through the hotel concierge.
- Transport options: complimentary water taxi, resort shuttle buses, or walking paths.
| Destination | Typical travel time (by boat/bus/walk) |
|---|---|
| Universal Studios Florida | about 9 min by boat / 15 min by bus / ~16–19 min walk |
| Islands of Adventure | about 11 min by boat / 15 min by bus / ~19 min walk |
| Volcano Bay | no direct boat route; about 9 min by bus |
CityWalk and evening entertainment
Universal CityWalk is an easy walk from the hotel and offers restaurants, bars, and live entertainment. CityWalk is a good option for dinner after a park day when you want more variety than the hotel outlets.
If you prefer staying on property, the hotel’s Harbor Piazza and The Thirsty Fish provide harborside dining and occasional live entertainment in the evenings.
- Walk time: typically within 10–15 minutes to CityWalk on foot.
- On-site evening options: The Thirsty Fish (harborside bar), Trattoria del Porto (harbor-side dining), and waterfront dining at the Harbor Piazza.
- CityWalk has additional dining and entertainment beyond what the hotel offers.
| Hotel venue | Type / when to use |
|---|---|
| The Thirsty Fish | Casual harborside bar — good for drinks and small plates in the evening |
| Trattoria del Porto | Seaside Italian for breakfast, lunch, dinner; indoor or outdoor seating |
| Bice Ristorante | Fine-dining Northern Italian for dinner (reservations recommended) |
Pools, family activities and kid-friendly features
The resort operates three themed outdoor pools: the Beach Pool (family-focused, with Roman aqueduct-themed water slide, sandy beach, children's pool, Jacuzzis, and cabanas), the Villa Pool (a quieter pool near the Villa wing), and the Hillside Pool (a private-feeling, quieter pool). Lifeguards are on duty at the Beach Pool when the water slide is running.
Beyond pools, the resort runs family activities, a kids' club (Campo Portofino for ages 4–14 reported on hotel pages), an on-site arcade/game room, and seasonal poolside programming such as dive-in movies.
- Beach Pool: waterslide, sandy beach, children’s pool, two Jacuzzis, cabanas (available for rent).
- Villa Pool: quieter area with cabanas; no lifeguard or drink service noted at Villa/Hillside pools.
- Hillside Pool: more privacy; some sources describe it as adult-friendly but official designation as adults-only is disputed.
| Pool | Key features |
|---|---|
| Beach Pool | Family pool, water slide, sandy beach, children’s pool, lifeguards when slide is active |
| Villa Pool | Quieter pool in Villa wing; cabanas available |
| Hillside Pool | Private-feeling, quiet pool (adult-friendly in description; official status disputed) |
Dining and quick bites without leaving the hotel
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel focuses on Italian-themed dining across its outlets. For fine dining reserve Bice Ristorante for dinner; for family-style Italian meals try Mama Della's Ristorante; Trattoria del Porto serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with harbor views.
For quick meals or snacks use Sal’s Market Deli and the Gelateria for gelato, milkshakes, and bakery items. Splendido Bar & Grill handles poolside food and drink service.
- Bice Ristorante — Northern Italian dinner; resort/business casual dress advised and reservations recommended.
- Mama Della's Ristorante — family-style dinners; reservations recommended.
- Trattoria del Porto — buffet and a la carte for all meals with harbor views.
- Sal's Market Deli and Gelateria — grab-and-go options and sweets.
| Outlet | When to go |
|---|---|
| Bice Ristorante | Dinner — reservations recommended; dress code enforced |
| Mama Della's Ristorante | Dinner — family-style; call ahead or reserve |
| Trattoria del Porto | Breakfast, lunch, dinner — indoor or outdoor harbor seating |
Rooms and suites for families and groups
Room types at the hotel include Room, Bay View; Room, Garden View; Club Room; Deluxe Room; and Suite (Despicable Me Kids Suite). The Suite (Despicable Me Kids Suite) is designed for families who want themed sleeping spaces for children, while Bay View and Garden View rooms can sleep up to five guests depending on bedding configurations.
All guest rooms include free Wi‑Fi, and the hotel provides 24-hour room service. Pet-friendly rooms are limited to non-smoking Garden View and Bay View rooms under the hotel's pet program; Club Level rooms are excluded from the pet program.
- Room, Bay View — 450 sq. ft. options with 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds; Universal Express Unlimited included when applicable.
- Room, Garden View — 450 sq. ft. with similar bed options; pet-friendly rooms are available in this category.
- Suite (Despicable Me Kids Suite) — family suite with themed kids' sleeping area; Universal Express Unlimited included when applicable.
| Room name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Room, Bay View | Bay views; sleeps up to 5; Universal Express Unlimited included |
| Room, Garden View | Garden views; sleeps up to 5; pet-friendly option available |
| Suite (Despicable Me Kids Suite) | Themed kids suite with additional beds; family-oriented |
Nearby shopping, other parks and transport options
If you want outlet shopping, the Orlando International Premium Outlets are a short drive. SeaWorld and Aquatica are also a short drive from the hotel; some sources cite complimentary shuttles to SeaWorld.
The nearest major airport is Orlando International Airport (MCO). Standard driving routes and travel time vary with traffic; the hotel is often cited as about 15–20 minutes by car from MCO. The hotel also provides complimentary water taxi to CityWalk and the two Universal theme parks (the water taxi does not serve Volcano Bay).
- Orlando International Premium Outlets — short drive from the hotel for outlet shopping.
- SeaWorld and Aquatica — nearby; some sources note a complimentary shuttle to SeaWorld.
- Airport: Orlando International Airport (MCO) — typically 15–30 minutes by car depending on traffic.
- Hotel transport options: complimentary water taxi to CityWalk/parks, shuttle buses, and walking paths.
| Nearby place | Typical travel note |
|---|---|
| Orlando International Premium Outlets | Short drive; outlet shopping |
| SeaWorld / Aquatica | Short drive; shuttle available to SeaWorld per some sources |
| Orlando International Airport (MCO) | Typically ~15–30 minutes by car depending on traffic |
