IsleOfMan

Please help ID the following if at all possible... exact matches aren't coming up on the list. All are for the night of June 20, 2009 4* Midtown - $76 - Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Business Center, Tennis, Spa (I think this may be The W Atlanta Midtown, but it's not been reported yet) 3.5* Midtown - $75 - Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Business Center 3.5* Marietta - $48 - Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, High-Speed Internet 3* Buckhead - $50 - Restaurant, Business 3* North Atlanta - $56 - Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, High-Speed Internet, Laundry I've checked against the list, wins calendar for the month before, during and after, and the first couple of pages of ID threads... no exact matches on the above. I'm guessing/hoping the 4* Midtown is the W Atlanta Midtown, formerly the Sheraton Colony Square. Please chime in on this one in particular, whether you think it's the W or not. Properties I'm considering and have confidently identified for that night are: 4* Intercontinental (Buckhead) - $102/night - Not sure it's worth 2x the price of others 4* Westin North (Perimiter) - $59/night - Outside contender, IMHO should probably still be 3.5* 3.5* Crowne Plaza Ravinia (Perimeter) - $49/night - Don't know much about this property 3.5* Westin Peachtree Plaza (Downtown) - $65/night - Sentimental favorite, excellent value Background: My wife and I are celebrating my first Father's day as she is expecting Triplets. I have around $130 in HotDollars from a REALLY bad stay in Orlando back in May. If none of those at the top are identifiable then I'll probably fall back on the 3.5* Westin Peachtree Plaza... I don't mind spending most of my HotDollars, but the Westin Peachtree Plaza is a good deal and it's also where we got engaged (at The Sundial rotating restaurant at the top of the 76 story building). The only thing that I worry about is the ongoing construction/renovation of storm damage from last spring. The 4* Inter-Continental Buckhead is a great property, but I'm not sure it's worth 2x the Westin Peachtree Plaza, especially given the sentimental value. The Westin North Perimeter and Crowne Plaza Ravinia are both outlying contenders, but I'd need some strong reasoning from folks here to pick them over the Westin Peachtree Plaza. ANY insight on these properties (identified or unidentified) as for a combination celebration & date night are GREATLY appreciated. Location in Atlanta isn't the most important thing... we'll pick appropriate nearby restaurants for Dinner that night and Lunch the following day. Thanks in advance! Edit: The Westin Peachtree Plaza went up from $49/night to $65/night when I logged in, and down to $63/night when I logged out and cleared my cookies. Doesn't really change my decision making process, though it does make me a little more likely to try the 4* midtown and hope for the W. I really hate the price changes based on cookie tracking...

Crowne Plaza Ravinia shows up for $59 as a 3.5* in the same search. If it were The W I'd probably do it, but if it were The Westin, I'd probably try to bid for the Hilton Suites or Hyatt Regency Downtown for less. I may try a few days worth of bidding on Priceline and keep my eye on this as a fall back. EDIT: Also, looks like The Westin has been booked very recently as a 3.5*... so I'm almost convinced it's The W, but I can's be sure. I'll probably bid for a few days then try this if no joy there.

I need help identifying a 4* property in Perimeter (Atlanta). Date is 07/04/09 for one night and rate is $59. Amenities are: - Fitness Center - Pool - Restaurant - High-Speed Internet It's close to the "W Atlanta Perimeter Center" but lacks the Spa amenity previously reported. It's also close to the "Crowne Plaza Atlanta-Ravinia", currently a 3.5 but previousl 4*, but lists High-Speed and not Business Center. There's no TripAdvisor score listed and it's tagged as "Best Value". I'm guessing that any 4* in the area will be acceptable, as would the Crowne Plaza, but I always like to know what I'm getting ahead of time if at all possible. Any other guesses? Thanks! UPDATE: It's more than likely not the Crowne Plaza, which looks to be listed at the same price on the same night as 3.5* with the previously reported amenities.

Follow-up on this property... AVOID. First, the minor issues that I would have overlooked given the price. The property is still being renovated. The rooms you would stay in are all complete but there are dumpsters in the parking lots, piles of plaster/old-furniture, and a general feel of work-in-progress. The rooms have been renovated, but it's very much "lipstick on a pig". The cherry cabinetry, black-granite counter-tops, fridges, and LCD tvs are nice, but there are other issues that need to be attended to. The carpet is tattered, toilets/tubs have cracks showing rust, there is mold on the bathroom ceiling, and there's a feel of grime that is odd for a room that shows an obvious recent renovation. Also, theres a $5/room/night resort fee that is not advertised anywhere (Hotwire site, Days Inn site, property site). I personally would not qualify any property with exterior access as a Hotel, but instead as a Motel. I also would not expect a Days Inn as a 3* property, though being a Better Bidding user I did know this going into the purchase... if I'd been surprised with it, I may have complained ahead of time. Now, for the major issue I can not overlook... there was active prostitution occurring in the pack parking lot. We arrived late on a Saturday night (around 11pm, our last night at the property) and after I dropped my wife off at the entrance and went around back to park, I was propositioned while walking into the back entrance. I contacted the front desk clerk and he was indifferent. He said he would have the GM contact me in the morning, but I received no contact (not surprising for a Sunday). I left my contact info upon checkout but have yet to hear back from the property. Had it been a longer stay I would have changed properties at my own expense, but So far Hotwire has opened an investigation and credited me $50 HotDollars. Does anyone feel this is sufficient given what seems to be an egregious criminal and public safety/health issue? I'm pushing for a refund (including the resort fee I paid to the property) to be credited to my credit card, but I would accept a credit in the same a mount to my Hotwire account. Does this seem out-of-line? Thanks!

I've received this Ramada as 3* from Priceline for a similar price and I do not think it should qualify as a 3* property.... 2.5* at best... the lobby is well appointed but the rooms are in dire need of some refurbishing. Wall paper was pealing, bathroom fixtures were dingy and had some cracks beginning to rust through... I'm beginning to see more and more of this type of "3* because it's kind-of setup like a resort" property on Hotwire recently. I just won the Days Hotel Maingate West... same area, same price... room pictures look promising and it's a short stay, but reviews are mixed and I'm thinking it may be very similar to the Ramada in question (other than some newer furniture/fixtures/TVs). Hopefully with enough user comments and complaints these properties will be adjusted down to the 2 or 2.5* range they belong. I'm also seeing a similar trend with older properties that are part of 2.5* chains (Comfort Suites comes to mind) that would probably be 2* if graded based on the specific property instead of generalizations about the chain.

Looks like the Regal Sun Resort (which shows with or without RESORT listed)

I've done similar when I've stayed at chains I also have status with. Last summer I bid $45 for a 4* in Downtown Atlanta on the night of the 4th of July... I received the Hyatt Regency Atlanta and I happen to have Hyatt Diamond status. Since I had several weeks, I wrote a letter to the GM with my confirmation number and status info (not mentioning Priceline) and a request for an upgrade since my wife and I were not only celebrating the 4th of July, but also our 2nd wedding anniversary. I did not receive any response so I assumed they noticed I was on an opaque rate and disregarded my request. Upon check-in I received all of the normal Hyatt Diamond amenities (lounge access, drink/snack delivered to room) as well as a 3-category room upgrade to a corner suite with champagne and chocolate covered strawberries waiting in the room. I know this is not the norm, but if you happen to win a stay at a property you also have status at, contacting the GM ahead of time via mail might just help you arrange an extra special stay.

Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Pool(s) Business Center Laundry Facilities High-speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Children's Activity Program

Just got the Days Hotel Main Gate for $28/night, 2 rooms for 05/08/09 - 05/10/09. Amenities listed were exactly as listed in the "Hotwire Hotel List - Florida". I'm seeing fairly mixed reviews on this property which doesn't surprise me given the price. The user submitted pics on Trip Advisor make the rooms suggested updated furnishings, fixtures, and televisions but somewhat worn/dated carpet/paint. As long as things are sanitary then I'm sure we'll be perfectly happy given the price. We're heading down to do maternity photos of my wife at Magic Kingdom (annual pass holders, living in ATL) and needed accommodations to as cheap as possible (without going roach motel) since we're paying for a good friend to come along and play photographer. Anyone have any first hand experience at this property? Thanks!

Need help on an ID... 06/24-06/27 4* - Lake Buena Vista - Downtown Disney Resort Fitness Center Pool Restaurant Business Center High-Speed Internet Golf Tennis Children's Activities TripAdvisor is 4.5/5 I'm wanting either the Swan or Dolphin... Any ideas? Thanks!

I can also vouch for Priceline being a good deal cheaper in ATL. Hotwire had 3.5* ATL Downtown (match to Hilton) for $65 ($79a) for July 4 and 4* ATL Downtown (match to Westin Peachtree Plaza) for $113/$129ai the same day. Bid up to $55 for a 4* ATL Downtown on Priceline and got the Hyatt Regency Downtown for $68ai. Not exact property matched from one to the other but still, I'm becoming a Priceline convert from a couple of years of using Hotwire. Even with a bit less predictability Priceline seems to be the clear choice for 4* properties as it's hard to go wrong. For 3* and below I'll likely stick with Hotwire because it's much easier to predict the property and some 2.5* and 3* properties can be duds depending on the location and occasion. That said, any time I can get a 4* on Priceline at the 3/3.5* Hotwire price, I'm more inclined to take the chance on Priceline.

Selected 4* in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead. Started at $45, then $50, then $55. Was surprised given Hotwire has 4* downtown for $130 the same night and Priceline was quoting median retail as $139. Was hoping for the Omni or Westin Peachtree Plaza (since we're eating at The Sun Dial that night) but I'm happy enough with the Hyatt Regency.

July 4, 2008 - 4* - Atlanta (Downtown) - $132 Amenities: Restaurant TripAdvissor: Not listed I'm clueless on this one... maybe an independent or boutique (though not listed as such)? Any help is appreciated. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 4, 2008 - 4* - Atlanta (Buckhead) - $122 Amenities: Fitness Center, Pool, Restaurant, Business Center, High-Speed Internet TripAdvissor: 4.0 Best guess is Inter-Continental, Grand Hyatt, or Westin... it's either of the first two it's worth it, but the Westin isn't worth more than $99 in my opinion. Any help is appreciated.

Interested in the OP's original ID... could be the Inter-Continental based on the old listing (including High-Speed). I'm seeing $122 for July 4... if it's the Inter-Continental I'd say it's worth it. If it's the Westin I'd say it's not worth it. If by some fluke it's the Grand Hyatt It's worth it too.

Price was cut-off in title... $49 per night, identical to the Clarion at time of booking.

UPDATE: Very strange... when I booked the amenities for the Clarion were listed as Complimentary Breakfast, Fitness Center, Pool, High-Speed Internet... identical to the Hyatt Place Orlando/Universal (as I was trying to book two overlapping but not identical length stays). Now when I log in to Hotwire and look at the amenities it lists Pool, Restaurant, High Speed Internet for the Clarion. I'm 100% it was identical to the Hyatt Place Orlando/Universal when I booked... I checked, double checked, and triple checked because the 2 reservations were to be overlapping but different stay lengths. Has anyone else seen amenities changed after booking? Is this any grounds for a refund/rebook? Is there any way to prove this to Hotwire?

Clarion Hotel Universal, 06/21/08 - 06/24/08 Amenities: Breakfast Fitness Center Pool High-Speed Internet Booked identical listing (zone, star, amenities, tripadvisor, price) for 06/20/08 - 06/23/08 and received the Hyatt Place Orlando/Universal... it's right across I-4, but it's a bummer our friends will not be staying at the same properties, especially since the listing was identical and the Clarion was not reported on the Hotwire list.

Hyatt Place Universal, 06/20/08 - 06/23/08 Amenities: Breakfast Fitness Center Pool High-Speed Internet Booked identical listing (zone, star, amenities, tripadvisor, price) for 06/21/08 - 06/24/08 and received the Clarion Hotel - Universal... it's right across I-4, but it's a bummer our friends will not be staying at the same properties, especially since the listing was identical and the Clarion was not reported on the Hotwire list.