Cover Photo : A Practical Guide to Harbor Nights at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Holiday Harbor Nights and Harbor Nights Romantico have the most decorations and props, but all of the seasonal events have different flourishes here and there. This Nutcracker is watching over the Holiday Harbor Nights event that takes place in late November.
The Standing/Strolling Ticket area is on the left side and back of this photo, closest to the water (black tablecloths) and the VIP Ticket area is on the right (white tablecloths). Notice the VIP section does have reserved seats at each table, while there are no chairs in the Standing/Strolling area.
You'll need a special wrist band to get into the VIP area at Harbor Nights (which is given to you when you check-in for the event). Small planters separate the VIP area from the Strolling area, but the VIP area doesn't really feel cut off from all the action.
There's some great photo opportunities for selfies while walking around the piazza, with some wine. Pictured here, a vintage pink Vespa is actually bolted to the ground, so you can sit on it without worrying that it's going to fall over.
The VIP Ticket section has more of a "Special Night Out" kind of vibe. You can still go out and roam around the piazza, but it's really nice knowing that you have a chair and table to go back to.
The Harbor Piazza is a very large outdoor event area at Portofino Bay. The space is surrounded by hotel and shop buildings on three sides, while the fourth side opens up on the "Portofino Bay".
The Standing/Strolling Ticket Check-In is usually outdoors and to the left of the main entrance to the hotel. You can check-in early, and roam the resort or sit in the lobby though. This line is at it's longest 10 minutes before the event starts.
The VIP Check-In location is just past the main lobby area at the Portofino Bay Hotel. You'll be given a special wristband, which you'll need to present in order to get into the VIP seating area.
Seared Ocean Bass Osso Buco is a dish that Mama Della's Ristorante was serving at a previous Harbor Nights event.
Cooking and Wine stations like these are located all over the Harbor Piazza.
Most of the food and wine stations are dulplicated in the VIP area, where the lines tend to be a little shorter.
The food at Harbor Nights changes with each event, but here's just a few of the items from previous Harbor Nights events... Gamberi Genovese - Sauté shrimp in pesto sauce, roasted pepper sauce (top left), Sauteed Mahi Pasta (top right), Red Wine Braised Beef with cheese polenta rustica, pickled heirloom tomato and fresh chives (bottom left), and Chocolate Chip Cannolis (bottom right).
If you purchased a ticket to the VIP Seating area, you'll also get an extra hors d’oeuvres plate for the table — which is usually a meat, cheese, and veggies plate similar to this one. The meat, cheese and veggies are seasonally inspired.
There's usually two gelatos and two mini-cup desserts at the Harbor Nights event — and they're all really good! The desserts change seasonally with each event, but here's a few samples from previous Harbor Nights events... Tripple Chocolate and Pumpkin Spice Gelato (top left), Strawberry Gelato (top right), Gingerbread Crème Brûlée (bottom left), and Apple Spiced Crème Cake (bottom right).
Did I mention there's wine? Sooooo many wines.
There's usually two live performance groups at each Harbor Nights, a main live band and opera singers that perform from one of the balconies overlooking the Harbor Piazza.
Harbor Nights is more than just a wine tasting ... it's a sum of all it's parts. Great food, wine, and music ... it could be a great date night idea, anniversary, or just a fun dinner under the stars with friends — no matter what level you experience Harbor Nights at — it's a really fun time.