Hotwire Hotel: 4 Star Hotel Universal Orlando I-Drive North Area

[bobby_726]

Hey guys, I'm trying to price out a fairly reasonable small portion of a larger trip. We already have the Disney part picked out, but we decided to take a couple days on the front of our vacation and check out Universal. I stumbled across this site after looking for some hotels on Hotwire and trying to figure out which hotels they are. Below are a list of the three.

check in 01/28 check out: 01/30

I drive north hotel 4* 80% reccomended - I'm guessing this is the Crown Plaza - $79

    Fitness Center

    Pool(s)

    Restaurant(s)

    Business Center

    Self service laundry

    Internet access

    Accessible for the blind

    Accessible for the hearing impared  

    Accessible path of travel

and this one is also 4* same zone 60% recomended  (sounded like Royal Pacific Resort, but I don't think it is due to the free parking) $110  ** This is the one I'm just not sure on

    Free Parking

    Free Internet

    Pool(s)

    Restaurant(s)

    Business Center

    Golf Nearby

    Tennis Nearby

    Fitness Center

 

The 5 Star Hotel which I'm guessing is the Portofino Bay Hotel $272

    Pool(s)

    Restaurant(s)

    Business Center

    Golf Nearby

    Tennis Nearby

    Fitness Center

    Spa Service

    Children Activities 

    Accessible for the blind

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I believe there are likely more amenities then what you have posted above as HOTWIRE has a new interface that does not show the complete set of amenities unless you click thru a few extra links.

If you repeat your search using our BiddingHelper.com tool... use the HOTWIRE EASY VIEW tab and then click the GREEN BUTTON next to each of these listings, do you see more amenities then what you have listed above?

Also, what is your budget per nite for this leg of your trip... are you willing to pay $272/nite for a 5* hotel?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[bobby_726]

You were right that there was more information -

 

I drive north hotel 4* 80% reccomended - I'm guessing this is the Crown Plaza - $79

Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Self service laundry, Internet access, Accessible for the blind, Accessible for the deaf, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Handicapped parking, Roll-in shower

 

 

and this one is also 4* same zone 60% recommended

Free Parking, Free Internet, Resort, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Internet access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services

 

I took off the 5* option as I'm really looking to pay under 400 with tax for both nights. So I guess 200 per night is my limit with tax.

 

Also to add to this - I'm also open to suggestions. This will be the first time to Universal Orlando, and I was looking for a place close by. 

[thereuare]

For the $79/nite property i'd agree with your guess of the Crowne Plaza Universal.. i don't have a guess for the second property, but with only 20 reviews by previous HOTWIRE guests i suspect it's a new hotel recently added to the HOTWIRE system OR a hotel recently upgraded/downgraded.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know whatever you decide to do for this stay or if we can be of further help.

[bobby_726]

I guess my next question would be whether HOTWIRE or Price.line are going to offer a better deal. I thought about bidding on a 4 star from Priceline since based on the information Ive seen I'd be bidding on a Universal Hotel. The 3.5 star seems a little riskier as I'd prefer the Crown Plaza over the alternative.

 

Does anybody have any experience with the Crown Plaza, and if so would you recommend it for a Universal trip?

[thereuare]

The Crowne Plaza has an excellent 4.5/5.0 TA rating so i'm sure it will likely meet your needs.

As far as HOTWIRE, PRICELINE EXPRESS, or Price.line is 'best', it really depends upon your needs... bidding on PRICELINE is usually a little cheaper than the other two options, but you need to be willing to accept any hotel in the zone at the star rating (or higher) that you choose. The other two services usually cost just a little more, but give you the ability to take a guess as to the hotel you may receive as well as know other information about the property that may be important to you (amenities, reviews, etc)

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed, or how it goes if you take the HOTWIRE offer above, and we'll take it from there.

[sfmman2000]

and this one is also 4* same zone 60% recomended (sounded like Royal Pacific Resort, but I don't think it is due to the free parking) $110 ** This is the one I'm just not sure on

Free Parking

Free Internet

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

Golf Nearby

Tennis Nearby

Fitness Center

Any possible way this could be Royal Pacific? I'm seeing this property for my dates as well and am stumped as to what it might be.

Edit: Seems like the only mismatch is the free parking. The Loews properties do have free internet.

Edit2: Could it be Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge? That's the only other property in the area that is a match.

[thereuare]

I'm seeing this property for my dates as well and am stumped as to what it might be.

Please follow-up your previous Priceline Valencia thread with whatever you ended up doing for that trip, then for help with your own stay, please start a NEW TOPIC.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Thanks.

[bobby_726]

As an update I am looking at bidding on a 4/4.5* on Priceline. I decided its worth the extra money to be on site (Based off what I've seem a 4/4.5* on Priceline is one of the Universal Hotels). I'll update when I complete my plans. Still looking at Hot.wire, but without any information on what the 110 dollar option is Ill probably just bid on Price.line.

[thereuare]

You can also try our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com which shows hotels near almost any address in the world and makes it easy to see how much more/less it would cost to go up/down in star rating OR to stay closer/further from your ideal location.

Keep us updated on your progress and let us know if we can be of further help along the way.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

[bobby_726]

I think you are correct that it is the Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Lodge. It fits all the requirements.

[bobby_726]

Okay I have a couple more -

 

3.5 star $92 

Free Parking, Resort, Pet friendly, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Self service laundry, Internet access, Accessible for the blind, Accessible for the deaf, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Handicapped parking, Roll-in shower

 

3.5 star $79

Free Internet, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Self service laundry, Internet access, Accessible for the blind, Accessible for the deaf, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Handicapped parking, Roll-in shower

 

3.5 star $69

Free Parking, Daily Housekeeping, Air-Conditioning, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, 24-hour Front Desk, Self service laundry, Internet access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services, Kitchenette

[yellowdog]

Okay I have a couple more -

 

3.5 star $92 

Free Parking, Resort, Pet friendly, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Self service laundry, Internet access, Accessible for the blind, Accessible for the deaf, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Handicapped parking, Roll-in shower

 

3.5 star $79

Free Internet, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Self service laundry, Internet access, Accessible for the blind, Accessible for the deaf, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Handicapped parking, Roll-in shower

 

3.5 star $69

Free Parking, Daily Housekeeping, Air-Conditioning, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, 24-hour Front Desk, Self service laundry, Internet access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services, Kitchenette

As an update I am looking at bidding on a 4/4.5* on Priceline. I decided its worth the extra money to be on site (Based off what I've seem a 4/4.5* on Priceline is one of the Universal Hotels). I'll update when I complete my plans

I don't follow you here. What is your plan and goal with the stay in the Universal zone? Have you tried bidding on PRICELINE for your stay or have you decided for a lower budget?

 

The Crowne Plaza is a great hotel that is close to the park. Please note that the 3.5* you're asking for is a lower rated hotel with a higher price and a TA rating that is lower compared to the 4* and has a $15 additional resort fee. What is it that you're looking for from this stay?

 

If you want to stay a bit closer to the park so go for the 3.5*/ $79. Best guess would be The DoubleTree Hotel. But it's not as good as the Crown Plaza and there's not much around the hotel if you don't plan to stay in the park late and maybe have dinner there.

 

The condo property might be the Point Orlando but I'm not sure

 

Thank you for keeping us updated with what you decide. Please let us know if you have any questions.

 

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your purchases and searches.

 

Yellowdog.

[bobby_726]

Just looking at all my options. I have Gold at Hilton, so the Double Tree seemed interesting. Also thus far I have not won a bid at Price.line for a 4+ star hotel (I'm at $119). The Crowne Plaza may be nice, but I decided I want to be within walking distance of the park (Some reviews I read did not speak favorably of the shuttle - probably due to not making shuttle reservations). That was the reason to check out the 3.5 star options. Also Universal has a new 3.5 star option at the park that gets great reviews as well.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for keeping us updated with what you decide and let us know if you have any questions.

 

Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

...thus far I have not won a bid at PRICELINE for a 4+ star hotel (I'm at $119)... I decided I want to be within walking distance of the park

If you're bidding on PRICELINE, how do you intend to keep any win to hotels that are within walking distance to the park?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[bobby_726]

If you're bidding on PRICELINE, how do you intend to keep any win to hotels that are within walking distance to the park?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

 

I may have incorrectly assumed that the 4 and 4.5 star option on priceline are both of the Universal Hotels. 

 

If I go with the Doubletree I'll probably just go through Hotwire or use Honors points (less likely as its 30k a night). 

 

Although undecided at this point my list is as follows -

Priceline - Bid up to $150 for a 4/4.5 star in hopes I snag a Universal Hotel.

Hotwire - Look at the DoubleTree

Priceline - Go for a low ball bid on a 3.5 star in hopes of the Crowne Plazza (Still in my sights as some extra cash for the incredibly expensive Disney Dining would be nice)

 

Also I was looking at the cheaper Universal Hotel which seems to get pretty good reviews. Its fairly cheap and onsite with early access. Either way I'll keep you posted if I win a 4/4.5 star hotel.

[yellowdog]

I may have incorrectly assumed that the 4 and 4.5 star option on priceline are both of the Universal Hotels.

Things can change at any time. The Crowne Plaza could be re-rated to a 4* at this moment. The retail side of PRICELINE is a different service and use different hotels. Sure, it's an indicator what you can get but don't rely on it.

The following quote is from the top of boards Hotel List:

This Priceline Hotel List is NOT a complete list of all hotels that Priceline offers in this area, it is ONLY a compilation of hotels that have already been reported on this forum. Hotels are added/removed by Priceline all the time, and star ratings can change at ANY time. As well, the geographic boundaries of an area are subject to change

Keep us updated on your progress and let us know what you ultimately decide or if we can be of further help.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your purchases and searches.

Yellowdog.

[bobby_726]

Alright I decided to throw the dice for a 3.5 star on priceline. What would be a reasonable bid to try and win? After some deliberation with my wife, we decided we could extend our stay a couple extra days if we went with a cheaper hotel.

 

I put in my last attempt for a 4 star on priceline at $129

 

Based on what I've seen $53 seems to be a reasonable number.

[AaronJB]

I think you have more than enough time to start with $45 and work higher by $3/$2 - $48, $50, $53, $55, $57, $59, etc.

 

Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

...we decided we could extend our stay a couple extra days if we went with a cheaper hotel.

What would be the new set of dates that you would be bidding for, as this could change the amount necessary for a winning bid.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.