cdn_travel_guy

Thanks for the quick response. I never thought to try the different nights to verify the calculation. I have looked at this hotel and with the $16 resort fee and the parking fee I think there are better options in terms of value in the area. I will keep you posted. thanks.

Used the PRICELINE link and wanted to see what Express deals were available to get an idea of prices to bid. For Jan 11 - 16, 2014 found the following which sounds great: 4 Star Hotel in Downtown Disney - Lake Buena Vista Area for $91/night Guaranteed amenities: Outdoor Swimming Pool Pets Allowed Restaurant Business Center Rated: 8.0 or higher. Was tempted to book this until I saw the following: Additional Mandatory Fee: $400.00 This hotel fee is charged by property at checkout. I'm almost positive no hotel in Orlando charges a resort fee of $80 a night. Any idea what hotel this could be? And what you would be getting for this extra $80 a night?

Didn't want to take a chance on the 'Condo' and saw others were winning the Outrigger Reef. Used the PRICELINE link and bid for a resort and finally got the Outrigger Reef for $195 which was almost the same as the 'Condo' Express bid price. Would have preferred the Outrigger Waikiki, however, I'm okay with the Outrigger Reef.

Hi Chrispee, I'm still curious as to what this one is as well. From what I looked at I thought it might be the Waikiki Shore but unfortunately can't verify 100% and instead booked the Outrigger Reef.

Didn't end up using Priceline as we were able to get a good deal on an ocean front room at the Outrigger Waipouli Resort by booking directly with Outrigger. Still trying to figure out what to do in Oahu with Priceline and the 'Condo' Amenity. If anyone can help there are two open threads with details, hopefully someone can help.

Could this be the Outrigger Waikiki Shore? This is the only 'Condo' that I found that it is right on Waikiki beach and other people have won the Outrigger Waikiki Beach so I guess it is conceivable that they would offer the Condo for express deals for PRICELINE?

Thanks. I will consider vrbo I have never used them. I did notice the 4* condo in Princeville and figured it was the Westin which looks nice and is one of my favorite brands but I thought the Eastern part of the island would be a more convenient location.

We will be flying in late afternoon and will most likely be spending the next 2 full days trying to explore as much of the island as possible. We will either rent a car or do local operated tours that hopefully will pick us up. I doubt we will spend too much time during the day using the pool or sitting on the beach as we will have time for that on the other islands. From your description a centrally located hotel with a nice room is probably perfect for us. However I will certainly consider the Sheraton and/or the Hyatt but from your description I think the Outrigger may be a good fit. You mentioned the busy road, if we are given a room facing the road are the cars going by loud enough to be a factor when sleeping at night? Once again thanks for your help.

Thanks Chrispee. After doing the online chat on the Priceline site just now they really didn't rule out the fact that you could get the standard room even though it does say 'Condo'. They did say that they would provide the refund, etc. for the lower price found. However I would have to go through the nonsense of getting the refund if I was given a standard room. A bit of a pain but for the price I'm fairly certain it would be a 1 bedroom at least and not the standard room. I guess if I book it the first thing I would do is find out the room rather than wait till I arrive and then try to sort things out. Based on your opinion would you guess this is the Waipouli based on the amenities? It seems like a nice resort. You mentioned you stayed here before, would you stay there again or is there a different resort you would prefer for the price? thanks.

Used your PRICELINE link and Priceline is coming back with a PRICELINE EXPRESS deal for a 4* with the following guaranteed amenities for $199/night. Similar rooms at $258. Dates were Jan 10 - 13, 2013 Rated 8.0 out of 10 (or higher) Free Internet Indoor or Outdoor Pool Free Parking Restaurant Fitness Center Condo I looked at some of the previous 4* wins in Kauai and saw the Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa which is what I think is the above hotel. Could it be the Marriott? This is the hotel I would be comfortable with but noticed when I go to their website direct they actually have standard hotel rooms for around $150 a night. Does the Condo amenity ensure that the type of room has a kitchen and it is not just the hotel that is a Condo? The last thing I want to do is win this hotel and get a standard hotel room which I could have gotten directly for $49 cheaper. If it is the Outrigger is there any way to ensure that we are not given a standard room in a Condo hotel? From the rooms it looks like a huge difference between room types. Any help would be appreciated. thanks.

I will keep you posted on this one. I'm undecided now as to what to do. Hopefully someone can post a win with 'Condo' as an amenity in the list and we can figure this out, it looks like there is another thread with different dates with the same 'Condo' amenity. :) I have another question about 'Condo' this time regarding Kauai and will use your links and post another thread on this. thanks for your help.

Used your PRICELINE link and Priceline is coming back with a PRICELINE EXPRESS deal for a Resort with the following guaranteed amenities for $196/night. Similar rooms at $294 Rated 8.0 out of 10 (or higher) Free Internet Indoor or Outdoor Pool Restaurant Business Center Fitness Center Condo I looked at some of the previous Resort wins in Oahu and saw the Outrigger, Sheraton, Marriott. Are any of these considered Condos? I would prefer not to stay at the Marriott as it seems to be across the street from the beach, however, from the amenities does it sound like any of these hotels? The Sheraton Waikiki has a guest rating that is exactly 8.0 out of 10 when you look at the list of 6 resort hotels for Waikiki Beach. However, the above says rated 8.0 or higher so it might not be the Sheraton and don't think the Sheraton would be considered a Condo? Any help would be appreciated. thanks.

I did reply to the email and mentioned that I would be willing to cancel my current booking and book a non-refundable room, we will see what they say. I don't expect much from them after talking to someone else in customer service. It just seemed like they were looking for excuses as to why they can't honour the lower rate.

Just to give you an update. Hilton would not honour their best rate guarantee policy based on the following. "The reservation booked on the wiol.com website is a Full pre-payment at time of booking whereas the reservation booked by Hilton is not therefore, as stated in our terms in conditions; your reservation is not eligible for the Our Best Rates Guaranteed." Although the above is true I would be willing to book a non-refundable Full pre-payment booking with Hilton if I knew they wouldn't find a different reason to deny the claim. Anyway, this unfortunately leaves me back to no room and wondering if I should take a chance and book through the wiol.com website. Has anyone booked through them? I don't see too much info on them but it seems legit and doubt I would have any problems. The alternative is to go back to Priceline and start throwing in bids again. I have reached my maximum amount and have been rejected so I would be surprised if they suddenly accept my lower bids. And unfortunately Hotwire doesn't have a 4* hotel for the dates I want. Oh well, still have some time to figure out what the best option is :)

Thanks for the suggestion. I looked at the Hilton Best Rate Guarantee and as far as I can see they should honour the price difference, and as long as I book a refundable room I'm covered if they decide to find a reason not to match the rate. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow. As far as the PRICELINE bidding goes is it fair to assume that the 4* in Barbados includes the Hilton? Whenever I try and bid the median price has changed from any where between $293 - $428 which is far higher than the Hilton rates, maybe the Crane resort is being included in those figures? Hopefully someone can get a win and let us all know.

The lowest I have found is $429.98 total for the 2 nights. It breaks down as: $191.48 per night $33.51 taxes per night -$20 because they have a "save20" promo code that they advertise on their website for anyone to use if you go over $350 total. -------- $429.98 ($449.98 without the promo code) My last Priceline offer that was rejected was: Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: US$182.00 Subtotal: US$364.00 Taxes and Services Fees: US$75.56 Total Charges: US$439.56 The site I found that has the $429.98 price is www.wiol.com and seems to be based out of France. I doubt it would be a problem to book with them but I have always had such good luck with Priceline. Going straight through Hilton they have it for $209 + 37.58 for a total 2 nights of $458.60 for a Bayview room. The wiol one is actually for the more expensive Ocean view room. It is not much more expensive using PRICELINE but I guess I'm so used to getting great deals using Priceline this would be the first time it is more expensive to use PRICELINE :)

I'm looking at Priceline for a 4* hotel for Dec 12th in Barbados, I might be willing to go to a 3.5* but would prefer a 4* as I have no idea of the quality of 3.5* hotels offered. Do we have any wins for a 4* hotel in Barbados? I have bid a bunch of times and am up to $182 and don't want to go much higher. Pricline has countered on many of my bids, the lowest was at $165 they said bid $25 more. Too late now to take that one. However, if it is the Hilton I have found a lower price on west indies online and don't have to bid because my $182 is now higher than another websites advertised price. I would bid higher if I was 100% sure that if it was the Hilton priceline would honour the price guarantee of another website but for some reason I'm sure they would find some loop hole to deny the difference. Any help would be appeciated.

I too am trying to get a 4* in Barbados but in mid December. So far Priceline has rejected all my offers but with the counter offers I have been getting it looks like I may be able to get the room for under $200. When I go to the Hilton site the room is $229 so if I had to guess it looks like the Hilton would probably be the hotel I'm bidding on but unfortunately I'm not 100% sure. Has anyone been able to get a 4* win with priceline in Barbados?