Not there now, but I still have the screenshot. It might pop up again anyway, so any help would be appreciated.
I'm not necessarily ready to commit as yet, but if I knew what the property was, I might do so. There are still plenty of hotels of course, but the pattern of rates when I looked at Rome for this year showed a continuing rise, so I thought I might jump early (and I do like the 5*s for cheaper). Also, frequent-flyer reward seats go pretty quickly, and I'll probably have to commit to the flight fairly soon.
Yes, the property is still listed (at $253/nt). I took a screenshot to show, but in posts images can only be hyperlinked, it appears. Also, I do NOT see the Inn at RF as a (non-opaque) result, so perhaps your dates are incorrect? I also see Lord Byron for $333, non-opaque, for those dates.
Thanks, boss.
Good hotel.
I was thinking of asking for help, but time was waning, and it was the only 4* available, and at a good price relative to others.
Travel dates are 4/15/11-4/22-11, 7 nights.
The 4.5* looks like the (dreaded) InterContinental, but I can't figure out the 5*.
Amenities listed as
Smoke-Free
Laundry
Restaurant
High-Speed Internet
TripAdvisor reportedly lists this as 4.5/5 guest rating. I realize that Hotwire's "Rome Central" is not necessarily the same as TripAdvisor's "Historical Center", but there are six 4.5/5 5* TripAdvisor hotels listed for "Historical Center". Of those 6, I can't find a perfect match (some have fitness centers, some are smoking OK). One is 12 rooms, so I don't think it's Inn at Roman Forum.
Thanks in advance, and I of course will use the HOTWIRE link.
Amenities listed as:
Fitness Center
Pool
Restaurant
Business Center
High-Speed Internet Access
Not bad-$30 bucks or so cheaper than the best rate; I had no idea which hotel to expect, but this will do.
I of course used HOTWIRE link to purchase.
It can be a little unfair to review a property based on a single-night stay; imperfections are more easily magnified, and a good experience can partially mislead when it's based on just one night.
But, that's exactly what must be done.
The La Quinta Austin Capitol is usually billed as a 2.5-star, but is sometimes listed as a 3-star, and I understand the discrepancy. I paid about $99 including taxes, booked through their website using discount code AMX15 (15% off when using AMEX). I stayed one night, a Wednesday, in room 404.
This is an everyday room with better than the usual cheap motel furnishings. There's a rather large mini-fridge (if you take my meaning), a microwave oven, a hair dryer, coffemaker, an iron and board, and a clock radio; these amenities are often not provided by "better" hotels. The furniture is interesting as well. The desk chair is more of an office model, a real work chair. The comfy armchair was simple wood and leather(ette??) with a simple, subtle sense of design.
To my mind, that's 3-star quality (or better!) in terms of room furnishings.
Except as mentioned above, the not at all small room is standard, drab, and boxy; the old-feeling bath area (sink outside, commode and tub/shower inside) is equally bland. There's a perfectly acceptable bed, drawers, TV, and a closet. The TV is non-flat, but a wide variety of programming (comparable to cable) is available. So let's call it 2-star quality for the room itself. Everything was clean enough.
The air-conditioning unit was as good as I've used in a property like this.
I don't know how much service one might need from a basic property, but each employee seemed happy and eager to help. My one special request for a pair of scissors was met immediately and cheerfully.
The property's location is amidst government office buildings (and related 9-5 business types) so there's not much to eat or drink in immediate proximity. However, the fun core of Austin (6th Street) is just a few blocks away (downhill, maybe 15 minutes or a bit more, and it's pretty steep in spots) and there you'll find that restaurants, bars, and music joints abound. Austin's core, by the way, is everything San Antonio's Riverwalk isn't; that is, alive and with a soul.
As to specific issues: hot water took several minutes to become fully hot, the windows were designed to open but were permanently locked shut, the water pressure is somewhat low, and the towels were thin and small. The ice machine on my floor was out of service, and looked as if it had been for some time. There were minor noise issues, but nothing overly distracting or annoying.
Parking is valet only, and isn't exactly cheap.
Wireless internet is billed as free, but available in the lobby only. I know this is true, but I was able to hook into what appeared to be the property's wireless network from my fourth-floor room. Since it is not promised, don't necessarily expect it, but it worked for me. No password was required.
So, I'm completely conflicted here, and it took a while to decide how to score this place. Was it perfect, in that I got everything I expected (clean, basic room) and a lot more (furnishings, wireless, etc)? Should I base the score on what I experienced, or what I should have expected?
As to value, for $99 it didn't seem like a bargain, but other hotels in the area charge a lot more, and rates in Austin are in general not cheap by any means.
Take away from this review whatever you will. I guess I'd sum it up as: I didn't exactly like the place, but I sure as hell respected it for what it did accomplish.
Call Priceline and complain that the rating is incorrect. Priceline does re-rate in response to clients. While it is most likely you'll receive only a credit (I seem to recall $25 is commonly reported), it can't hurt. As long as you treat the Priceline rep with respect, you'll probably get a little something.
As to the "bid one night first" strategy, I think what is meant is: bid/win one night, you'll find out the name of the hotel, research said hotel, and if acceptable bid the remaining nights IMMEDIATELY, as opposed to waiting until after check-in.
I hope this helps.
4* San Antonio - Riverwalk South - La Villita Area
Westin Riverwalk :)
$88 ... 10/29/09-10/30/09
Amenities: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business
Perhaps I should have tried PRICELINE considering that prices appear to be falling short-term at this property, but still a bargain. I researched at $159 (on westin.com (BB link didn't click through), on Hotels.com, etc.).
Thanks again, BetterBidding; I received the hotel I expected. The HOTWIRE link was of course properly bonked.
The hotel site (as welll as most other travel sites) had it for about 250 USD (not incl taxes/fees), so not a bad discount. Prices are quite low in London for April, and I hope I didn't act too quickly-but either way I feel I have a good deal.
Now to book Paris, 4/16-4/22.
5* London (Mayfair-Soho) Intercontinental Park Lane
Fitness, Restaurant, Business, Hi-Speed, Spa
4/10/2009 check in, 6 nights
$169
(avg $200/nt w/fees)
I'm glad to finally be able to "contribute", thereuare. Nice place you've got here!
edit By "contribute" I mean I used the HOTWIRE link, of course! /edit
Help ID 5* Rome Central 4/15/11-4/22/11
in Hotwire Hotels - Other Countries
Posted
My apologies. This is the first time I've asked here for help, and it was my understanding that nothing special was required in order to receive help. I guess that has changed (for the worse) since posters are now expected to be immediately ready to commit in order to receive assistance.