Help With Hotel Listing

[EithneMay]

I am looking at Hotwire for a 3.5 star hotel listed for $86 a night. The dates are February 2-4, 2012. I have UN-selected all areas on the map except for section A, San Juan and Old San Juan.

The amenities listed are Casino, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, high speed internet, tennis nearby.

 

Any ideas? I am thinking the Sheraton in OSJ, which would be great, but I want a few other opinions.

[skunkface]

The amenities you list are the same ones that were listed when we booked a few days ago and got the Sheraton for $88. Good luck.

[EithneMay]

It was the OSJ Sheraton. I got it for $86 a night! Super excited about that deal. Saved us a TON of money.

[sail7seas]

What would have been the 'rack rate' for that hotel on the dates you will be there?

 

I'm curious how much one can really save with the bidding.

 

Thanks.

 

[blue_water]

Also sounds like the Radisson if that's in the same "zone", we've stayed there twice.

 

sail7seas we use hotwire in certain areas (Miami downtown, Boston financial dist, etc) where we know the hotels are limited and the savings can be significant.

[EithneMay]

What would have been the 'rack rate' for that hotel on the dates you will be there?

 

I'm curious how much one can really save with the bidding.

 

Thanks.

 

 

If we had booked directly with the hotel, $295 a night!!

[EithneMay]

Also sounds like the Radisson if that's in the same "zone", we've stayed there twice.

 

sail7seas we use hotwire in certain areas (Miami downtown, Boston financial dist, etc) where we know the hotels are limited and the savings can be significant.

 

I did lots of research and was pretty certain it was the OSJ Sheraton, and it was! Super happy with the deal we got.

[sail7seas]

Also sounds like the Radisson if that's in the same "zone", we've stayed there twice.

 

sail7seas we use hotwire in certain areas (Miami downtown, Boston financial dist, etc) where we know the hotels are limited and the savings can be significant.

 

If we had booked directly with the hotel, $295 a night!!

 

 

That is a significant savings, of course.

 

I was chatting once with a General Manager at a hotel (resort) and I asked him if people who book their rooms on an auction site get the same category rooms etc as those of us who call the hotel and book directly. His answer was a bit of a hedge but for the most part, he said those who pay the most will usually get the better view/room/location. He did stress they would receive the same excellent service no matter how they booked. A guest is a guest is a guest.

 

We honestly admit we are 'fussy' and I like a certain view, a certain location, blah blah blah so we are nervous to try bidding. We do shop around and compare hotel prices and get prices several times before choosing just when to book but I think we're probably better off for US doing it that way.

 

But I admit, it always interests me when I hear how much savings some experience. :)

[EithneMay]

That is a significant savings, of course.

 

I was chatting once with a General Manager at a hotel (resort) and I asked him if people who book their rooms on an auction site get the same category rooms etc as those of us who call the hotel and book directly. His answer was a bit of a hedge but for the most part, he said those who pay the most will usually get the better view/room/location. He did stress they would receive the same excellent service no matter how they booked. A guest is a guest is a guest.

 

We honestly admit we are 'fussy' and I like a certain view, a certain location, blah blah blah so we are nervous to try bidding. We do shop around and compare hotel prices and get prices several times before choosing just when to book but I think we're probably better off for US doing it that way.

 

But I admit, it always interests me when I hear how much savings some experience. :)

 

When we book a pre-cruise stay, we are not too worried about things like view. We have a balcony cabin that will give us amazing views while cruising. We just like some place nice, safe, and in a good location if we want to be near the port or a point of interest. OSJ fits the bill, and this hotel was perfect for our needs.

[sail7seas]

Ahha,...... thanks for your response. It helps me.

 

Therein lies the difference. We always go at least two days pre-cruise and our hotel stay before the cruise is part of our vacation. We look forward to the beginning of unwinding, treating ourselves nicely :) and generally call it the start of our vacation rather than just a clean, safe place to spend the night before boarding.

 

There are certainly many (maybe the majority here) who think of it in the way you do.

 

Thanks again.

[EithneMay]

Ahha,...... thanks for your response. It helps me.

 

Therein lies the difference. We always go at least two days pre-cruise and our hotel stay before the cruise is part of our vacation. We look forward to the beginning of unwinding, treating ourselves nicely :) and generally call it the start of our vacation rather than just a clean, safe place to spend the night before boarding.

 

There are certainly many (maybe the majority here) who think of it in the way you do.

 

Thanks again.

We are booked for two nights pre-cruise! :)

[lovemylab]

Ahha,...... thanks for your response. It helps me.

 

Therein lies the difference. We always go at least two days pre-cruise and our hotel stay before the cruise is part of our vacation. We look forward to the beginning of unwinding, treating ourselves nicely :) and generally call it the start of our vacation rather than just a clean, safe place to spend the night before boarding.

 

There are certainly many (maybe the majority here) who think of it in the way you do.

 

Thanks again.

 

I've used Priceline and Hotwire a lot and have always been happy with the room I received. Many have had wonderful views.

 

I also go a few days pre-cruise and consider that to be part of my vacation. For that reason, I tend to bid on higher category hotels and do my research. With a little research one can often find out what hotel they'll be getting through hotwire (as the OP here was able to do). Likewise, with priceline you can usually find out what hotels others have received. For example, if I know there is a 3* star hotel through Priceline that I don't want to stay at then I make sure not to bid at that star level.

 

If you'll be happy with a basic hotel room (i.e. 2 double beds or 1 Queen/King bed) than Priceline & Hotwire can offer some significant savings. I did a land trip to the UK last fall and booked 10 nights hotel using priceline which saved close to $2,000.

 

In some cases, it's possible to upgrade your room to one with an oceanview for a small fee. This was offered to me at the Intercontinental in San Juan.

[blue_water]

That is a significant savings, of course.

 

I was chatting once with a General Manager at a hotel (resort) and I asked him if people who book their rooms on an auction site get the same category rooms etc as those of us who call the hotel and book directly. His answer was a bit of a hedge but for the most part, he said those who pay the most will usually get the better view/room/location. He did stress they would receive the same excellent service no matter how they booked. A guest is a guest is a guest.

 

We honestly admit we are 'fussy' and I like a certain view, a certain location, blah blah blah so we are nervous to try bidding. We do shop around and compare hotel prices and get prices several times before choosing just when to book but I think we're probably better off for US doing it that way.

 

But I admit, it always interests me when I hear how much savings some experience. :)

 

 

 

There is no bidding on Hotwire, you just don't know the specific hotel name until you book.

We've never been placed in a lower category room. I do know that can happen with Expedia however.

 

Again, in certain areas Hotwire is a no-brainer, while in others I would not use it.

[frito58]

We just got back had 2 nights pre cruise and a bay view corner room got it on Hotwire for $100/night it was so great getting up at 6 am looking out and there was the the Victory and better yet you could tell when debarkation was starting. About 7:30 I got a cup of coffee and walked over and just watced them get off heard the doing the announcements for people to get off.

 

One warning though, first ship we had to wait awhile to get on they didnt start embarkation until 12:30 and you couldnt get to your rooms until 2:30 which is about an hour later than most ports but no big deal.

[sail7seas]

We just got back had 2 nights pre cruise and a bay view corner room got it on Hotwire for $100/night it was so great getting up at 6 am looking out and there was the the Victory and better yet you could tell when debarkation was starting. About 7:30 I got a cup of coffee and walked over and just watced them get off heard the doing the announcements for people to get off.

 

One warning though, first ship we had to wait awhile to get on they didnt start embarkation until 12:30 and you couldnt get to your rooms until 2:30 which is about an hour later than most ports but no big deal.

 

 

What port is this?

 

 

Thanks, everyone, for all the info re: hotwire and priceline hotel bookings. Interesting to read. Helpful.

[EithneMay]

What port is this?

 

 

Thanks, everyone, for all the info re: hotwire and priceline hotel bookings. Interesting to read. Helpful.

I think this is San Juan.

[DJ56]

Thanks to this thread. I too just got the Sheraton Old San Juan for a great deal!! Actually got 2 nights for the price of 1 night if booked directly with the Sheraton. THANKS CRUISE CRITIC!!