shark4hire

My family saved about $500 by flying in to DC versus flying to NYC. Because we have family in DC, we decided to save the money, visit family, and rent a car to take us from DC to NY. Hotwire served us up a 24 hour one-way with unlimited miles for just $85 -- way cheaper, faster and more convenient than a train. I never knew you could rent cars for one way drop-off trips on Hotwire, but now that I know I am sharing this with BetterBidding.com's readers. I'm sure this could come in handy, especially when booking a particular leg to a nearby city is significantly cheaper than other flight options.

This was a great hotel and a great deal -- but valet parking is now $62/night!! INSANE!! I parked half a block away on the same block which was free until 8am and then like $3-4/hour until ready to check out. As always, thanks to BetterBidding.com for providing their excellent services. Amenities Pet friendly Boutique hotel Smoke-free rooms Fitness center Restaurant(s) Business center Internet access Golf nearby Spa services

Amenities Suite Near beach 1-bedroom suite Full kitchen Daily housekeeping Fitness center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business center 24-hour front desk Internet access Kitchenette

Amenities Fitness center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business center Internet access Tennis nearby Spa services

Thanks Wolverine! Yes, it's been about ten years and I have mostly used HOTWIRE during that time. Typically, I drive as far as possible and then login to Hotwire at the last minute and try to grab a good deal, so there isn't usually a ton of research. At other times, I become familiar with which hotel is being offered based on the amenities, rating and reviews and proceed to book at will. For example, I knew that Hotwire had the Westin Galleria at $75 because I have booked both that hotel and Le Meriden dozens of times and can spot the differences on Hotwire. I did review several of the posted threads on the subject and knew it was unlikely to get the Westin Galleria at that price ($87/nt for four nights) as they typically offer only weekends at that rate and then double the rate come Monday. I'm simply offering this info as a benefit to your readers at Betterbidding.com as I did not see any prior threads on the topic. In any event, booking through Priceline was about $20 cheaper than booking through Hotwire. And yes, parents are happy to see their GRANDCHILDREN. Thanks again for always responding to your readers!

So I was trying to land the Westin Galleria for my parents coming to town and Hotwire raised the price on me while I was paying for it so I got annoyed and decided to give PRICELINE a shot. They have this property (secretly) listed on Priceline Express as a 4* hotel but I've stayed there before and nothing about this hotel is 4*. Much more like a 3*. Hotwire correctly lists this hotel as an Addison location, which is accurate, but Priceline calls it a Galleria North property, which isn't accurate. So while I am disappointed (in both Priceline and Hotwire), I wanted to share these facts with BetterBidding readers looking for a 4* in the area. Stick to the Westin Galleria or Le Meridien Galleria when booking in this area. Priceline Express Listed Amenities for 4* Galleria North Hotel (Intercontinental Dallas): Free Parking Business Center Restaurant Free Internet Indoor or Outdoor Pool Fitness Center No Smoking Rooms/Facilities

Date: March 17, 2007 DoubleTree Guest Suites 3* Ft. Lauderdale Beach area Key Amenity: Condo Price: $118/nt This was a very nice hotel, closer to 4* than 3* with a nice kitchen and large separate bedroom and 42 inch plasma on the wall. It is walking distance to the beach and right next to the Galleria mall. It is on the intercoastal and the water taxi stops there. This was the only 3* in Ft. Lauderdale Beach area on Hotwire that indicated it was a condo. That threw me off because this is a hotel, not a condominium. But for $118, it was a real bargain. I really like this website!

DOH! I've been Hotwired! I was fairly certain that the only 3.5* in the Ft. Lauderdale Beach area was the Pelican Grand and after checking out the Pelican, decided to go ahead through Hotwire and get it. DOH! Area: Ft. Lauderdale Beach Stars: 3.5* Date: 3/18-3/19 Key Amenities: Fitness, Pool, Restaurant, Business Center, Internet Access, Spa Price Paid: $175/nt Hotel Received: HYATT PIER 66 At first we were gravely disappointed. The Hyatt charges a $12/day Resort Fee and $21/day Valet parking fee ($17 self park) so factor in an additional $30 or so on top of the price shown on Hotwire. The other downside is that this hotel really should not be listed in the Ft. Lauderdale Beach area. It is more than a mile from the beach and that's not really walking distance as far as I'm concerned. That said, the upside is that the Hyatt's pool and hot tub are open 24/7, most of the rooms have been refurbished with 37 inch LCD screen TVs, and they provide (included in the resort fee) wireless internet access at the pool area (but a bit spotty in the rooms). They also provide a free shuttle to the beach or to their sister property The Bahia Mar which is directly across from the main beach area and is where the Jungle Queen and Water taxis leave from. This Hyatt is old and looks and feels more like a 3*. I still would have preferred the Pelican, which is on the sand, is just two years old, and looks and feels more like a 4* (which the owner told me it will be upgraded to this year). It appears that Hotwire moves this Hyatt around from one area to another and also changes its star rating from 3.5 to 4 depending on the weather. The manager of the Pelican Grand told me they only release 4 rooms on Hotwire per night - one of each type, so my guess is they go quickly. Good luck!