Memphis9489

What happened to the amenity icons on Hotwire hotel listings? Those were very helpful. For instance, I often need to know if they have an airport shuttle. I can see that they have "amenities" that you can click on - but, for some reason, not all listings display that option. And some hotels that are near the airport that would CLEARLY have an airport shuttle do not indicate such.

One thing I have found quite disturbing is how some of these hotels still place charges on your credit card even though everything is already pre-paid through Priceline. In fact, just recently, I stayed at a Residence Inn in Destin, FL ($85/night) for a single night and there is now two separate charges on my card; one for $100 and one for $20. Not all hotels do this. I called them and they said those charges should go away in 3-5 business days. My opinion is that those charges shouldn't be there in the first place. I don't want to have to meticulously monitor my credit card to insure these charges are erased every time I stay at a hotel through Priceline. Has anybody else noticed this?

Bayside Inn - Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort 9300 Hwy 98 West, Destin, FL 32550 Got this for $82/night from HOTWIRE. This is a true resort. It's a golfer's paradise but they have many other activities. Free bicycle rentals - just show them your room key. You can then easily ride your bike to the beach. Each room has a balcony with a kitchenette. They have a free shuttle that takes you just about anywhere you would need to go. Nice pools with a poolside bar. Clean rooms.

I am a much more experienced Hotwire user. I am just getting familiar with Priceline. With Hotwire, although you do not know the exact hotel, it has a convenient list of icons that are very useful. It does not seem Priceline has anything like that. For instance, sometimes it is essential that my hotel have an airport shuttle. Hotwire tells you that! Or, it may be important to know if the hotel has a pool or not. Hotwire tells you that in advance. With Priceline, it seems you are bidding much more in the dark. Am I missing something?

The Loews Annapolis hotel is very nice and is in an excellent location. Bad points: No free internet in the room. $19/night for parking. However, a little known secret. You can actually park for free as long as you enter the parking lot from the back entrance near Navy-Marine Corps stadium. Don't pay the $19! It's also a good place to park during football games since it is walking distance. I've done it many times. It is completely unmonitored.

I have more experience using Hotwire than Priceline. Oftentimes, I need to stay at an airport hotel that has airport shuttle service. Hotwire has nice icons that shows the hotel's amenities and you can readily see whether the hotel has an airport shuttle or not. It seems that there is no way of knowing this when placing a bid on a Priceline hotel. Is that correct? NOTE: One word of warning about Hotwire's "airport shuttle" icon. In several instances I've had very early morning departures and the hotel does not have round-the-clock airport shuttle service. For instance, their shuttle service may not begin until 6am (which does you no good for your 6:30am departure) or it may end at 10pm (which does you no good when your flight arrives at 11pm). You are going to have to take a cab which completely negates the point of choosing a hotel with shuttle service.

I have stayed in the Annapolis area, using Hotwire, a bazillion times in the past two years. Here is what I have discovered. 4.0-star = Loews Annapolis Hotel (126 West Street) 4.0-star = Westin Annapolis (100 Westgate Circle) 3.5-star = Sheraton Annapolis (173 Jennifer Road) 3.0-star = Doubletree Hotel Annapolis (210 Holiday Court) 2.0-star = Best Western Annapolis (2520 Riva Road) 2.0-star = Comfort Inn (76 Old Mill Bottom Road) Both the Loews and Westin (4.0-star) charge for internet and parking. All the others have free internet and free parking. All of these are very close to the U.S. Naval Academy - if that is important to you. In fact, in good weather, the Loews and Westin are within walking distance to the front gate. Both of these hotels are even closer to Navy/Marine Corps Stadium, where Navy plays its home football games - definitely walking distance (avoid the traffic!)