Randi66

I did use the PRICELINE link!!

I'm not sure how to formulate this post, but here is what I did. I wanted to make sure this hotel was the Marriott and NOT the Westin or Sheraton so I only bid for 1 night( even though I needed it for 4). When I found out it was the Marriott, I used the add a night feature, but it only gave me the option of adding 1 night. I did that and was accepted. I then opened up a new bid and bid for Sun-Tues. I raised the bid by 2.00 because I was afraid the bid wouldnt be accepted. So, I got 2 nights @ 45.00 and 2 nights @ 47.00. An excellent deal for this hotel( I stayed here last May). Total for all 4 nights is 243.32( I took insurance).

Started at 40.00, accepted first bid. Used PRICELINE link.

This post should be in the NY board!!

Started at 40.00 for 2.5. Denied. Added 2.00 and a 2*. Its ok for one night, was hoping for the Hampton but this isnt bad for a place to crash. Used the PRICELINE link.

Paid 70.00 July 12th, 2009( one night). I experienced the WORST customer service of any hotel I've ever stayed in. I called ahead to request a fridge for insulin. I was told I had to pay 25.00. I've never, ever paid for a fridge for medical reasons and told the manager that. They would NOT budge. I called starwood customer service who told me they would try to get the hotel to waive the fee and if they couldnt, they would reimburse me for the cost. I received an email from the operations manager of the hotel telling me that if they gave everyone a fridge who asked for one, they would not have them for the people that really needed them. Huh? I think I said I really needed one. He wrote me an email all but called me a liar when I said that Starwood would remiumburse me for the fridge. Anyway, on to the hotel. It was ok, in my opinion, not worthy of a 4 star designation. The room was average. We were given a city view room which we were told was upgrade as the room we were supposed to get had NO view. The room had a starbucks coffee machine that made 1 cup at a time and the usual ammenities of shampoo, conditioner, etc. The internet in the lobby sucked. I could not even sign in with my room number. I was told to call the customer service number instead of anyone at the front desk trying to help me. I just gave up on trying to get online. I was also told that parking was 25.00 or self park was 15.00. I asked how far the casino was because I have a players card that entitled me to free self-park. They told me a 10 min walk. When my spouse went to self-park in the hotels parking lot, she was told to go to the casino parking which is what the hotel uses. Huh again? I told them I had a players card and they never told me that the hotels parking was in the same place. When I called the front desk, they waived the parking fee. I had other issues with the fridge that I had to pay 25.00 for. It froze my lettuce and medication and other groceries. You'd think that when they put it in the room, they would have checked the thermostat. I had to talk to a manger and once again, I experienced the WORST customer service of any hotel. I would pay 100.00 more to NEVER stay in this hotel again!!

Paid 70.00 for July 13-16th. Upon check-in was told that we had a traditional room and could upgrade for 50.00 a night to a room on the club-level which was a larger room( suite) with a separate bedroom/living room. This also included access to the club lounge and breakfast each day for 4ppl as well as afternoon appetizers. Supposedly, this room came with better ammenities, but I didnt see any. The room was smaller than I expected, with 1 queen size bed and a pull-out sofa. They were going to give us a rollaway bed as well. When they came up with the rollaway bed, they told us that only a child should sleep on the sofa bed as its a very thin mattress. They offered to bring in a second rollaway bed. The mattresses on the rollaways are thick( same as on the regular beds), but a bit soft. I was going to get a fridge for my insulin, but I was told to empty out the mini bar and use that. The hotel is very large and centrally located. Parking is RIDICULOUS at 40.00 a night. We parked across the street for 20.00 a night with no in and out privledges. The loby provides lemonade and ice tea and fresh popped popcorn in the afternoon. The breakfast was continental with hard boiled eggs, fresh fruit, crossiants, muffins, bagels, pastry, yogurt, cereal, cold meats and cheese, juice, milk, and a coffee bar( starbucks, espresso, cappacino, etc, etc). The afternoon appetizers included cheeses, crackers, fruits, veggie platters, a selection of hot appetizers( seafood puffs, burritos, grilled shrimp( overcooked). The appetizers changed each night. The pool was nice, with half inside and half outside. The divider is pulled down in the winter months. The hottub was ok, not enough power in the jets. The fitness center is open 24hrs and had a lot of nice equipment.

I did use the HOTWIRE link.

Uggh, I thought it was the DoubleTree when it first came out( because no children's activity icon) and then it switched to this one. Its only for one night so it shouldnt be too bad. Icons are: Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center High-speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Spa Services Children's Activity Program

Paid 70.00 on first bid using the PRICELINE Link. Pleased with rate since the rate on the hotel website was 165.00CAD.

I bought this hotel as part of a vacation package( 514.00 for 2ppl). 5 night with a car. I thought we got an excellent deal. The hotel and staff were fantastic. First, the hotel is very close to I-95 so its easy on, easy off. However, it is in the very North part of Ft. Lauderdale, so away from the beach and other tourist areas. There are a few Indian casino's nearby though. When we arrived( at 7:30pm), we were going to be given a room that did not have the newer flat screen TV's. I'd read the reviews on Trip Advisor that said the hotel was renovated, but only the rooms on floors 14-17 had the newer TV's. I had called ahead a few days earlier and requested that, but it wasnt noted in my reservation. When I mentioned that to the front desk supervisor, she accomodated us with no problem. We received a room on the 15th floor, right next to the Concierge lounge. The lounge was a complete surprise and totally fantastic. Free breakfast( hot items, cold items, fresh fruit, muffins, danish, etc) and afternoon snacks( free soda( pepsi, ick) bottled water,chips, hot items( one day it was pigs in the blanket, another day egg rolls) and always cheese, veggies, etc.). The food is all prepared by the Blue Fire grill and brought upstairs. There was even various desserts served in the evening. The lounge also held a TV and a computer. There was also a balcony for smoking. In the morning a lovely lady is at your service and in the afternoon/evening the task goes to a very charming fellow from Brooklyn, NY. We were totally spoiled during our stay :) The room was really clean, the bathroom was nice with marble tiles. The pool was great as was the whirlpool. The fitness center was utilized by us 4 out of the 5 days. Brand new treadmills and other excellent equipment. The staff was totally accomodating and very friendly. Self park was free( and its covered) So, if you're familar with Ft. Lauderdale and dont mind staying a bit off the beaten path( for a big city), I wouldnt hesitate to stay here( just request a higher floor).

Used the info gleened from this board to start my bidding at 40.00. Accepted first bid and I did use the PRICELINE link.

Used PRICELINE link, accepted on first bid.

I was a previous poster who got the Westin for 45.00. I wasnt sure I'd get it so I only bid for 1 night ( I needed 5) and if I was succesful, I'd add more nights. I was hoping for the Marriott. Since you only need 2 nights, I guess that strategy wont work. Its also slightly more expensive since the fee's are higher when you add nights. I had to cancel that trip which was supposed to happen last week. I rescheduled for next week( one of the same days you're going). I didnt want to take the chance of getting this Sheraton so I skipped the bidding and just booked a package on Hotwire. So, in short, thanks for posting your win!!!

I rescheduled our trip. ( we had to cancel last week due to a death in the family) I didnt want to mess around with bidding and after I saw the price of the cheapest airport rental car( 232.00 for a week), I checked around on Hotwire. I thought this was a fairly good deal, especially considering a PRICELINE bid I saw that was posted for the same area, same day. ( It wasnt this hotel) If you deduct the price of the car rental, I essentially paid 57( with tax) a night for each night. I'm ok with that because I know the hotel and I've read the good reviews. I used the HOTWIRE Link. Btw, should I be posting vacation package "wins" on this board????

We were supposed to go to Florida( yesterday) for 5 days. I booked a 3.5* in Ft. Lauderdale for 45.00. I also booked a hotel at the detroit airport for the night of our return. Sadly, my Brother in law passed away suddenly on Sunday night. I called them on Tuesday and with verification from the funeral home, I got a refund!! I almost didnt call, but I thought it was worth a shot. They refunded my car rental too. The airline also gave me a full refund( in the form of a voucher).

Started @ 12, bid for 2 days. Denied. Went to 13 for another day, denied. Up to 14.00 and accepted. I had a reservation for Enterprise 1 mile from the airport for 144.95. I would have had to take a cab to the location. I booked the Enterprise off-site because it was 200.00 cheaper than the airport location when I made my reservation last year. Total for this PRICELINE is 123.00. I'm sorry, but I accidentally used the link in the rebidding email PRICELINE sent me.

I did use the PRICELINE link. I've been doing research for the last few weeks for this time in Ft. Lauderdale. I saw this hotel on Hotwire for 54.00. I read the reviews on Tripadvisor and decided I didnt want to stay there because it was 10.00 for parking. I then saw what I believed to be the Marriott N. on Hotwire so decided to undercut their price of 56.00 to see if I'd get that. I only bid one of the nights and of course it was the Westin. I then called and asked if I had to pay for parking if I had a handicap permit and was told NO, I didnt have to pay. So, I use the add a night option, but it only gave me the option of adding one night( I should have just rebid). When you add a night, the tax/fee's come out to more than if you bid for a few nights. I then went and bid again for 3 more nights and got this hotel again. So, the total w/ tax/fees is 274.63. Not bad for 5 nights in a 3.5* hotel.

This is a great hotel for the price. I stayed here last week and loved it. Let me know if you'd like restaurant recs for the area.( I used to live in Long Beach)

Have you stayed here before? I just stayed here for 5 days and was happy with my stay( I also posted a pic in my review).

I stayed here March 11th, March 17th and March 18th. I paid 47.00. After staying here the first night, I'd wished that I booked the other days( the days I spent in OC) here. I was very impressed by this hotel. The rooms were huge, clean and full of ammenities( full kitchen). The hotel is located close to the freeway so easy access. The buildings look like an apartment complex and most of them have tiny little patio areas. The grounds were clean with great landscaping. I laid out by the pool one day, but the water was dirty and cold so I didnt swim. There was a managers reception each night I was here and I saw them BBQing one night and on St. Patty's day they served desserts. Wine and beer and softdrinks are served as well. The fitness center was adequate and there is a computer for guest use( but you have to stand while using it). The free breakfast was plentiful( cereal, milk, fruit, yogurt, hot items, breads, etc). There is also free apples availble all day in the lobby. I know most people who visit Long Beach want to stay near the beach( I used to live in Long Beach), but dont let this location stop you from bidding on this area. Its really not that far from the beach and its a great hotel with friendly staff and a great value. Please PM me if you want restaurant recommendations for Long Beach!!

I stayed here March 12/09- March 16/09. I paid 61.00. This hotel is geared towards the business traveler. It was pretty much empty on the weekend. It was a nice hotel, although now that I think about it, I probably could have gotten it for less money had I started bidding in this area( I'd started my bid in San Clemente and added this as a zone). They gave me a 2nd floor balcony room overlooking the pool( and the freeway in the distance). I actually found the freeway noise soothing at night when I kept the screen door open( the weather was great!!). There was a full coffee set up( and fridge) in the room. The bed was comfy, the linens( supposedly) deluxe. There was a nice desk and overstuffed chair in the room as well. I did use the fitness center and it was adequate( if not a bit small). There were 2 computers in the lobby for guest use and they were slow or non-functioning at times. I never did have to wait to use one though. I noticed there was mostly business people at this hotel. The breakfast was not free, although its somewhat set up in the lobby to look like a free breakfast. There are plenty of restaurants nearby so I'd skip the hotel breakfast as it was somewhat overpriced for what they were offering. The hotel is very close to the freeway. I left each day at 5pm and headed south 20 miles and I never ran into traffic. Overall, it was a pleasant stay and well worth the money. I would definately stay here again. view from my room.

I stayed here on March 23rd for 1 night (40.00)before I left early the next morning. I didnt arrive until 9:30pm and I left @ 5am. Still too long for one of the grossiest hotels I've ever had the displeasure of staying in. I wasnt aware of the renovations going on at the time I placed my bid. The rooms were old, and dirty. There was NO deadbolt lock OR chain lock. Both of them were broken off. I didnt feel very safe in my room. The tv was broken and I had to call someone to fix it. The cable was lose and they could not get it attatched. The one thing that pissed me off the most was that I didnt get my wake up call NOR did the alarm go off. I usually toss and turn when I have to get up early for fear that I wont get up and of course my fears did come true. Thankfully, I was up at 4am( when I asked for a 4:30 call). I had no problems with the shuttle service. There was also no free business center( although I believe wireless was free). There was no where for me to print out my boarding pass unless I paid. Be aware that there is no pool or fitness center during renovations. I would NOT stay in this hotel for any extended period of time. Its fine for an overnight stay( if you're leaving early the next day), but thats about it.

Used the PRICELINE link. I got this for 42 in February so I figured I'd try 40 and I was successful. Its a decent hotel in a really good area.

Used PRICELINE link. Saw this win on another post so started bid at 36.00 and was succesful. Was a bit dismayed to learn I'll have to pay for parking though.