Just a note - Parking is $15 + tax or Valet for $22 +tax
Followed the Betterbidding support link to HOTWIRE
Got 3 nights September 2-5th. $55/night (great rate by the way)
Fitness
Restaurant
Highspeed Internet
Pool
Business Center
Result - Hilton Indianapolis
I'll follow up with a review of the hotel after my stay - as always
The Westgate is very close to all the attractions - about 10 - 15 minutes away from Universal, Sea World, Disney etc. It's really centrally located and convenient to all of the touristy attractions.
This complex is huge. It has 26 Buildings for their Timeshare program. 4-5 pools, tons of activities (especially for children) and well maintained facilities. The rooms are nice. The ones that are reserved for Hotwire are mainly Studio apartments (which is what a normal hotel room is). Decent size with jacuzzi, balcony and King sized bed. It has a mini-kitchen with microwave. For the price I paid ($70+ tax), I think it was a very good deal.
The BIG BIG BIG minus is the parking situation. If you are booking this in the Spring (spring break months), Summer or vacation periods, you are going to have a really tough time with parking. No problem for the most part if you need to find a spot before 8pm. After 8pm, you either are going to park far away or in a No Parking Zone spot (even these are hard to find after 10pm). I was there for 4 nights and every night I had to get a No Parking Zone spot (except for the 2nd night where I had to park a 20 min walking distance away). I'm guessing they only allocate 2 rooms for every 1 spot - it's so bad.
Despite their full focus on the Timeshare program (you see TONS of golf carts ferrying prospective "buyers" to their showings constantly), not one time was I ever approached by anyone to sign up for a Timeshare tour. As a prepaid Hotwire customer, I was treated as if I was a normal hotel guest. No annoying questions at all.
A good choice overall and I will visit again to this location (especially with my family)
Booked a 4 night stay at the Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa
April 8-12, 2008
$70/night - ($80 with taxes and fees)
(Tried booking with 2 adults and 1 child - but this offer did not show up. When I changed it to just 2 adults, this offer was available)
Used the Betterbidding.com - HOTWIRE referral link (help support this great board!)
Resort, Studio, Free Parking, Children's Activity, Fitness, Pool, 24hr Front desk, Laundry, Tennis, Spa, Kitchenette,
Will post a review right after my stay.
Just add...
The parking is $35 a day - but that includes in and out privileges.
You can park directly across the entrance at the City garage for $18 a day (but does not include in-out privileges).
If you want to park just overnight, you can park on the street around the corner. At 7:30am monday thru fri, you must move the car. If during the weekend, you don't need to move the car but at 8am, you must buy a parking ticket for $3 an hour (up to 2 additional hours).
We reserved 3 rooms on priceline. When we got to the hotel, they only had single bed rooms available even though we arrived early. These beds are only FULL SIZE versions - smaller than Queen.
Free wireless internet ONLY at the lobby at a designated area. There are also free computers to use here too.
Just booked 2 rooms on Priceline
Searched for 4* Toronto Downtown
$74 on the first try
Gave me Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
Super deal - though I was trying to get the Westin
Follow up.
The hotel is definitely a 4* and was a great room.
Note - the parking fee was $27 be sure to figure this in as parking in most of Boston is major $$$
Thanks to HunterJayDogg's priceline post, I followed a similar bidding pattern for 1 week earlier (Sunday night stay)
Did a search for Copely - $78
was rejected.
Then I expanded the search for Copely + Boston Waterfront for $86 which was accepted
for Westin Waterfront
$86+$18 taxes & priceline service charges = $104 paid
Got a room at the Marriott Southfield in Detroit. Advertised as a 3* but I really don't think it qualifies as one. More like 2 to 2.5. Many 2.5 Embassy Suites or Courtyard hotels far surpass this. Slightly older (guessing it was built in the 70's or 80's) and rooms were a bit tiny. The furnishings were adequate. The TV was a bit hard to see from the bed due to the placement on the side. For the price I paid, it was a bargain - but I would never pay the discounted $120 they were asking for at their website.
Relatively easy to get to.
Wired Ethernet available for an extra $10 a day.
Price paid via Priceline - $40 + taxes = approx. $51
Sunday, Oct. 2nd, 2005
Just wanted to follow up on my stay in Cancun...
The room at the Fiesta Americana Condessa was on the first floor. I suppose because I went through Hotwire, the rooms are lower and not as desireable. Partial Ocean view means I can barely see the ocean.
The room itself and room service was nice and I have no complaints. The hotel personnel were definitely very pleasant. I ate at the outside beach restaurant (buffet) and it was pretty good for the money. The inside Italian restaurant was very good and on par with good quality NYC restaurants - a definite recommend. The one big positive about staying at the Condessa was that it was pretty quiet. I was staying there just at the end of Spring break and the other hotels were just brimming with college kids who are obnoxious and centered on drinking as much as they can (that is why you want to avoid all-inclusives for this reason). I'm in my mid 30's and love to party and still relate to college - but I'm here to relax and get "pampered". You won't get any of that at a younger place. My guess is that with the Condessa, they are not all-inclusive and the rates are slightly higher (out of reach) for students. Right next door was the Oasis Beach. I visited the place and it was a madhouse. Definitely great for you college types - avoid like the plaque for myself. Same goes for the Omni - because of the all-inclusive it was super noisy. The Westin which is a VERY long walk from the rest of cancun is quiet but because of the remoteness, I don't recommend. The Hilton is closer up but still far. Public Transportation (buses) run VERY frequently and even if at the Hilton, you can get a ride every 10 min or so.
I ate at a restaurant - 2nd floor at the Forum mall (http://www.grupocambalache.com/cancun1.stm)
It is a definite recommend for anyone staying in Cancun. The prices are up there (around $75/person - with some drinks) but the Argentinian Steakhouse ranks with the best restaurants around. Absolutely superb steaks and service.
I also went to the Crab House where they offered a unlimited seafood "buffet". I don't recommend this. The price was around $48 just for the buffet. They bring food out as a multi-course style. Once you try everything, you have the chance to request more. The dishes were prepared just alright - nothing fancy. The service was great but I don't think it is worth it. You get the feeling they don't want to bring more food out to you even though it is unlimited.
If you have any questions about cancun - just shoot me an IM.
I ended up changing the destination to Cancun because I could not get a suitable flight. AA stops flying to/from Acapulco on April 3rd. I guess they fly there only during the seasonal times.
Anyway, I searched for a 4.5* on Hotwire, came up with this:
Resort
Beachfront
Restaurant(s)
Pool(s)
Fitness Center
Spa Services
Children's Activity Program
Tennis Nearby
This ended up to be the Fiesta Americana Condessa (as verified by another member on this great board!)
Paid $113/night plus approx $16/night taxes. Date of stay - March31 to April 5th.
Has anyone taken advantage of those "extra excursions" on Hotwire? I guess they use Olympic Travel and they offer things like excursions to Xcaret, Quad rentals, horseback riding etc. Should I be booking now or use the hotel concierge to book?
Also, has anyone tried to upgrade rooms once at the hotel (for free or extra charge)?
I'll follow up with a review of the hotel a couple of days after our stay.
I am looking to stay March 31 to April 5th.
Thanks
I found this on hotwire:
Acapulco
-Resort
-Beachfront
-Restaurants
-Pools
-Spa Services
-Children's Activity program
-Laundry Facilities
it's a 4.5 Star hotel.
Thanks!
3* Los Angeles (Airport LAX) Holiday Inn
in Hotwire Hotels - LOS ANGELES
Posted
oops
Here are the amenities:
Fitness Center
Pool(s)
Restaurant(s),
Business Center
Laundry Facilities (self-service)
High-Speed Internet Access