Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

CHALLENGE The primary design objective was to re-create the romantic village town of Portofino, Italy, on the Italian Riviera, and provide the superior guest amenities and services desired for Universal's first destination resort hotel.

SOLUTION The design team attempted to recreate this historic village by faithfully replicating the perimeter of the harbor. Guestrooms and restaurants encircle the harbor almost identically to the original village. A series of rivers and canals connect the hotel with Universal's other hotel and entertainment attractions. Upon arrival at the porte cochere guests are greeted by a classical fountain within a gated motor court. The lobby features formal interiors with views of the harbors.

SIZE 750 guestrooms including 45 suites

AMENITIES A full-service Mandara Spa® and fitness center; two fine dining restaurants; cafe; deli; coffee house; three landscaped themed swimming pools, including a villa pool with private cabanas and a large beach pool with Roman aqueduct-styled water slide; jogging paths; convention space including a 15,000- square-foot ballroom

CLIENT Universal Rank Hotel Partners

SCOPE/STATUS New Build / Built

OPERATOR Loews Hotels

ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT Morris Architects

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Italian / Mediterranean,Thematic / Fantasy