BurBunny

Since this hotel has been coming up for fall dates, and I needed a pre-cruise hotel with a preference for the Embassy Suites due to location, decided to go ahead and bid it. Of course, I'm always happy with the Marriott Marina, but when I see a trend on Priceline, I take a chance. Recent bid taxes have shown the actual price paid by Priceline to be $57 during this time frame, so I went ahead and bid that for my first bid. Almost instant acceptance! Offer Price: $57 Taxes: $6.27 Fees: $5.95 Total: $69.22 Interesting note: Priceline seems to have a new interface. Instead of waiting to notify you that a bid has been accepted or rejected through a link in email, there was instant (within about a minute) notification on the bid page, with email notification coming a few minutes later. Nice change, Priceline!

I have stayed at this hotel numerous times through both Hotwire and Priceline and recommend it *highly*. The rooms are true suites, with separate living and bedrooms, and all rooms have a sofa bed in the living room in addition to the king or 2 doubles in the bedroom. There is a refrigerator, wet bar, and microwave oven in each room. In addition, there is a second sink area in the bedroom, so it's easy for two people to get ready at the same time. The atrium is simply stunning, right down to the ducks in the pond. I've had a couple times when a particular front desk clerk wasn't as pleasant as she could have been, but I think it was more her personality than a problem with management or even that I was on a Priceline/Hotwire purchase, as 100% of the rest of the staff has been uniformly pleasant, accommodating and efficient. As is the norm for Embassy Suite properties, there is a Manager's Reception each evening with free cocktails in the atrium, and a free full breakfast in the morning, including cook-to-order eggs and many other hot items. I've experienced occasional minor maintenance issues in the rooms, such as a burned out light bulb or drippy faucet, but never anything major, and all immediately corrected when called upon. The rooms have been well cleaned. For Hilton HHonors members, while you won't receive points for your stay, if you have the desk enter your HHonors number at check in, you will receive your normal benefits, including your newspaper choice, late check-out when available, etc. Also, if you check in early, or need to stay later than check-out for some reason, they will store your bags and allow you to use the rest of the facilities, including the buffet and reception. If you're using this property for a pre-cruise stay, do request a room on the east or southeast side of the hotel, as they look out on the cruise port. It's a beautiful sight to get up early in the morning, step out on your balcony and see your ship. There are many restaurants nearby, including Italian, Steak (Outback), Mexican, Sushi, and Family-Style (Hops). There are two grocery stores across 17th Street, Winn-Dixie and Publix, along with a liquor store and Eckard's Drug. Parking is $6 per day last time I was there, with unlimited in/outs. Free shuttles to both the Airport and Cruise Port running every 30 minutes, but do let them know at least 15 minutes in advance of your need. If the shuttle is full, they will pay for your taxi. This hotel is often a terrific bargain on Hotwire and Priceline - I *highly* recommend it!

A frequent question for cruise passengers wishing to purchase a pre- or post-cruise night through Hotwire or Priceline is "which zone should I select?" Hopefully this will give you a bit of guidance. In Miami, without a doubt, the Miami Downtown zone is the closest to the ships. This is a great option for a pre-cruise night where you want something inexpensive and close, and not looking to participate in the beach/nightlife scene. The Bayside Marketplace is nearby and good for dinner options. From most of the hotels in this zone, if you have a room facing the port, you can see your ship when you awaken. However, if you'd like to experience the beach, nightlife, or a bit more activity, the next closest zone is the South Beach area of Miami Beach. There is a specific "South Beach" zone on both Priceline and Hotwire. On Hotwire, it's broken out to South Beach South and South Beach North. The South section is closer to the port. Fort Lauderdale has more zones which are appropriate for cruise passengers. The closest zone to the port is the Downtown Fort Lauderdale zone. Most of the hotels in this zone offer airport and/or cruise shuttles, but none are more than a $10 taxi ride (per cab, not per person) from either the airport or the cruise port. Most are closer to $5 to the port. Another popular zone for cruise passengers is the Fort Lauderdale Beach zone. On both Hotwire and Priceline, this zone encompasses the properties just north of the port on the east side of the intracoastal waterway. As the zone goes farther north, it does widen a bit farther west, but if you're seeking a property like the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort or the Hyatt Pier 66 - since their on the east side of the 17th Street bridge, they're in the Beach zone. Most properties in this zone do not have shuttle service, but they should be less than $15 cab ride from the airport, and $10 or less to the port. The final zone in extreme close proximity to the port is the Fort Lauderdale Airport zone. This zone is a bit farther west, and slightly south of the port, but the properties in this zone generally have both airport and cruise port shuttles. Taxi to the hotel should be less than $5, and to the cruise port around $10-12. Dining options in both the Downtown and Beach zones are numerous. Not as many in the Airport zone. One note about using hotel shuttles to the cruise port. Many hotels in all these zones in both Fort Lauderdale and Miami offer complimentary shuttles. However, they get full quite quickly the day before you embark, and can be crowded and slow due to 5-6 different families trying to sort out luggage, get it all loaded and unloaded at the proper ship (if more than one is in port that day, which is normal), and get it to the porter with the proper tip. It's usually faster and time beneficial to take a taxi from your hotel. Especially if there are only 2-3 of you (more people and a single taxi may not hold your luggage). So if getting to the port at a certain time and getting onboard early is important, consider a cab. Otherwise, if you're in no hurry, then do take advantage of the free shuttles. Finally, a tip if you're driving to the Fort Lauderdale Port and looking for an inexpensive parking option. The Amerisuites in the Downtown Fort Lauderdale zone offers free parking during your cruise if you stay there the night before you embark. If that makes a difference to you, you might take that into consideration when considering your purchase strategy.

You know, I don't think you really need to separate out Hotwire hotel reviews and Priceline hotel reviews under each state. The hotel is going to be the same regardless of how you purchase it. While not all hotels are available under either service, the key for this is the hotel, not the method of purchase :) That might help your resources issue. Amber

I've purchased rooms for other people with no problem on Priceline and Hotwire. You can use your credit card, but put their name in the "guest" area. The two aren't cross-referenced at any point, nor does the hotel request to see the original credit card. As to using a check card (like a visa check card), I've not seen a hotel refuse to take that at check in. As long as they see the visa on it, they've always been fine. Amber

The problem with combining tips is that some really apply ONLY to Hotwire, and some ONLY to Priceline in certain areas, and I really don't want to wade through one to get to the other. Instead, what about doing a general tips under each state? Things like parking aren't specific to either HW or PL, but to geography.

Posting for friends of mine. This is reporting three separate winning bids, each for 1 room (several members of a family bidding individually). This is especially significant as it's the first fall 2003 acceptance I remember seeing for the Embassy Suites - they do seem to have implemented "seasonal" Priceline pricing with higher in the winter, and lower in the off and shoulder seasons. Winning bid(s): $59 each (3 rooms total, but bid separately) Taxes: $6.27 One of the bidders did try a lower price first, was rejected, and used free rebid to achieve the $59 acceptance.

Over the past year, I've been keeping track of certain properties in Fort Lauderdale on Hotwire. Through my own bids and those of friends, I've been able to identify the following properties. When I list a "key amenity," I'm referring to an amenity at that * level in that zone which has not been found on other properties, and which generally identifies this property. Of course, amenities, zones and * level is subject to change, but this should help you in evaluating offers made by Hotwire: Downtown Fort Lauderdale Zone: Amerisuites - 2.5* Key amenity to look for: Red "S" (for suite) icon in the amenities list (there is another 2.5* property in this zone - but it does NOT have the red "S" icon). Also, the Amerisuites "listing" is marked as a "Customer Favorite." Full list of amenities: Suite, Pool, Fitness Center, Complimentary Breakfast, Kitchenette, Business Center, Laundry Embassy Suites - 3.5* Key amenity to look for: Red "S" (for suite) icon in the amenities list Full list of amenities: Suite, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness Center, Complimentary Breakfast, Kitchenette, Business Center Beach Zone: Hyatt Pier 66 - 4* Key amenity to look for: Spa Full list of amenities: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness Center, Business Center, Golf Course Nearby, Tennis Court Nearby, Spa Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport Zone: Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel - 3* Key amenity to look for: Tennis Nearby Full list of amenities: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness Center, Business Center, Tennis Nearby

For those who wish to evaluate what Priceline is paying for particular hotels, and thus help establish lowest possible bid, the current tax rate for Fort Lauderdale/Broward County is 11% How to use this? For example, if you see a reported success where the bid was $87, and the tax was $9.35, you can determine the actual price paid by Priceline was $85. If the taxes were $8.25, then the price paid by Priceline was actually $75, and you might be able to get a lower price accepted. It's just another tool to use in evaluating what you want to bid :)

Another post for a friend of mine. First bid of $77 accepted. Bid: $77 Taxes: $8.25

Posting this for a friend of mine. She had previously tried this zone at $78 and had been rejected. Rebid adding 2.5* and lowering bid to $62 - also rejected. Waited 72 hours and started bid over. First bid of $89 was accepted. Next time she promises to learn more about free rebid zones :) Bid: $89 per night Taxes: $9.72 per night

Posting this for a friend of mine. She has been bidding this zone for a couple months for a pre-cruise stay. Since it was Memorial Day weekend, she upped her bid. First bid was $65. Priceline countered, asking her to raise bid $17. She admits she didn't understand she didn't have to raise that full amount, as she still had free rebids, but went ahead and raised it the suggested amount, and her $82 bid was accepted. Taxes show a price paid by Priceline of $75. Lowest rate for this night was $160. Accepted bid: $82 Taxes: $11.70 Processing: $5.95 Total Price: $99.65