auntie1

And Orbitz is yet another source listing the Hotel as 2*. Thanks for the info - it's too late for double the difference anyway, even if i wanted it, which i don't. And is that "ok" with everyone? Doesn't anyone besides me think it's total b.s and even illegal to be so misleading? I appreciate this site, but I shouldn't have to come here to decipher Hotwire's deceptive ads. There is supposed to something called truth in advertising. I know it may seem strange that I'm so upset about this, but I'm just sick and tired of getting ripped off by companies who seem to just get away with it? What happened to consumer protection and customer service? There's no way I'm going to stay at that Holiday Inn Express and get treated like dirt by that manager -- but I'll definitely try to enjoy my trip, at a different hotel, and maybe few bottles of wine to drown my sorrows! At least I learned a valuable lesson about how Hotwire operates, and luckily it didn't cost me even more money to find out. I'll update if I ever hear back from Hotwire / BBB. :)

Similar problem as I just had in booking a supposed 3* hotel in Solvang for 3 people for $116 (with Hotwire listing a "retail rate" of the mystery hotel as being $243) that turned out to be the Holiday Inn Express. But the thing is---- it is not only the misleading star rating, but also the misleading "retail rate" ($243) and "savings" (52%) promised by Hotwire that led me to purchase -- ending up with something that was NOT a deal at all. I think this happens much more than people suspect, but people don't know because they don't do deep enough research. But because I had actually thoroughly researched all the hotels and prices in the area, and had stayed in Solvang before, I knew that any hotel matching Hotwire's promise of a retail rate of $243 would be a great deal to land for the $116 they were offering. This was my first Hotwire purchase, so I believed in the concept of what I thought hotwire to be - - a place where you get deep discounts in exchange for the fact that you give up your rights and don't get the actual name of the hotel. The thing is the retail rate of the HI Express Solvang is not $243 and it also would have ended up being cheaper than the $132 I payed after taxes to book on their website. So all I did by booking through Hotwire was pay more and lose all my rights to cancel, upgrade, change or refund. Oh and it wasn't a lot more -- $1.88 to be precise, but it's the principle of it all, and Hotwire can keep their louse 3.66 double the difference - hardly going to make up their deceitfullness. After getting nowhere with Hotwire supervisors who told me that the $243 is an "average" of what other "3-star" hotels in the area might go for, I called the hotel directly to see if they would sympathize with me in that their hotel was misrepresented, and perhaps allow me to upgrade my room if there was one available --ok I understand now that there are supposed to be no possibilities for upgrades on a Hotwire purchase, but the night manager was mean and crotchety older man who kept cutting me off and treating me horribly even thought I was honestly being polite (believe me or not). Then I thought he actually had a heart when he offered to look into the possibility of me paying for an upgrade --but then he told me no other room types were available. I went back and checked on the hotel website, and there were (and still are) other rooms types listed as available -- so he lied to me. We later called and left a message for another manager, stating that we were Hotwire customers who had a question -- the call was never returned. I certainly don't have any desire to actually show up at this hotel, only to get treated like dirt in person. Further, 2 calls to Hotwire corporate have gone unreturned, and further, the customer service supervisor at Hotwire who I first dealt with told me that a higher up level of manager would be calling the next day --- no one ever called! I have reported the incident to the BBB and posted my story on as many boards as possible, because I'm not one to take getting ripped off lightly. This is all still new so if anything changes, I will update.

You're right, because Hadsten House actually meets the parameters of retail value of 243 and a legitimate 3* hotel. I thought Hotwire was giving me a deal because that's what it told me I was getting. But Hadsten House didn't come up. The Holiday Inn Express did, and that's not a deal at all. I know! I am so truly sorry I didn't wait for the response, but I figured it was such a good deal for a Holiday weekend ("52%savings!")that I might miss out if I delayed. By the way there was no savings at all, so it was a total lie. If only I had done some research on Hotwire before trusting in what I was reading on their site. The 103.99 rate is for two people, even though there are two beds in the room. We have three, and had to list as such to avoid getting a room with a king bed. The HI Express website lists that a third person is 15.00 extra. I did the math and with all fees and everything else, the difference is $1.88, and so double that would be $3.66 credited back to me. Hardly the 52% savings promised, and certainly not worth losing my right to refund, cancel, change or upgrade. Thanks for trying. It's interesting that you are privy to the information that the HI Express would even be an option, considering it is classified as a 2.5 star by Hotwire, and a 2* by their affiliated site, Tripadvisor. Upon research, it is common for Hotwire customers to end up with what is listed as a 2.5 star hotel after being led to believe they were getting a 3-star. Sorry, but these kinds of business practices (misleading / bait and switch) and the fact that the reservation is non -changeable, non-refundable, non-upgradeable with no savings to me means the benefit to me is worse than NOTHING, simply leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. I will not be using Hotwire again. FYI the night manager at the HI Express there was very rude to me when he learned I was a Hotwire customer. I mean, I'm still a human being and I still paid for a room, so why should I be treated less than anyone else there? It's not like I'm getting a discount? Yet another reason to never use Hotwire again. Thank you.

Unfortunately, I booked before getting your response. There are three of us on the reservation. The "retail" rate was listed at $243. I payed $116. I got the Holiday Inn Express and am devastated by my purchase. Holiday Inn Express is supposed to be 2.5 stars according to Hotwire's website. This specific Holiday Inn Express is listed on Tripadvisor and on Priceline as a 2-star hotel, and reviews on Tripadvisor indicate that it is a lesser quality hotel than the typical Holiday Inn Express. Fyi -- I have stayed at Hadsten House, and it is a pretty good hotel and deserved of 3-stars, and in no possible way the same star rating as the Holiday Inn Express. World of difference in these hotels. And while Hadsten House ACTUALLY retails for over 200 /night, the Holiday Inn Express does NOT. I feel really ripped off. My first time using Hotwire, and my last. ~~ Thanks anyway for trying.

Complimentary Breakfast Laundry Pool High Speed Internet Feb 15th can anyone tell me what this might be?

Ok, can you believe I still haven't booked? last option is gone, currently looking at 3* Sea World / Mission Bay / Shelter Island Customer Favorite Near Beach Fitness Center Business Center High Speed Internet Oct 13 - $135 - thinking it might be the hyatt mission bay?

(one more please) 4* San Diego Harbor Island Fitness center pool restaurants buisness center high speed internet golf nearby tennis nearby spa services 139.00 Oct 13 thank you.

Oh wait, i see the Marriott doesn't have a pool...

Thanks. Just curious, how did you determine the 4* to be the Hilton instead...

Yes, spa services and Tennis nearby...

this weekend Oct 13 for one night. I think I figured out the 4 star as the Marriott Gaslamp, still pondering the 3.5 Sea World / Shelter Island Thank you!

Also curious about 3.5-star hotel in SeaWorld - Mission Bay - Shelter Island Resort Airport Shuttle Fitness Center Pool Restaurants Business Center Laundry High Speed Internet

Fitness Center Pool Restaurants Business Center High Speed Internet Access Tennis Nearby $133 night