VBW

10-7-10 Crowne Plaza Resort One Resort Drive, Asheville, NC 828-254-3211 I bid for both 4* and 3 1/2* and "won" so I'm not sure if the property is still 3.5* or gone up to 4*

Marriott Atlanta Norcross Peachtree Corners 475 Technology Parkway Norcross, GA 30092 770-263-8558 First and only bid $30

3* Sea World I-Drive South area $38 Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Orlando-Orange County Convention Center 8214 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819 Amenities listed: fitness center, hi speed internet access, pool(s), restaurant(s)

Best Western Airport Inn 8101 Aircenter Court, Orlando, FL 32809 407-581-2800 Amenities: airport shuttle business center fitness center hi speed internet access Pool(s)

3* $57 Holiday Inn San Antonio International Airport 77 NE Loop 410, San An, TX 78216 ph 210-349-9900 amenities listed: airport shuttle restaurant(s) fitness center business center Pool(s)

$46 Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport 4300 E. Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85034 ph 602-273-7778 Amenities: airport shuttle restaurant(s) hi speed internet access fitness center business center golf nearby pool(s) laundry facilities

4* Downtown/Vanderbilt/Metrocenter areas Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel 623 Union Street, Nashville, TN 37219 ph 615-259-2000 Amenities: smoke free rooms restaurant(s) fitness center business center pool(s) high speed internet access

I can't make the amenities match up with anything on the pinned list. Hotel Grace is boutique but nothing else fits. The rate seems almost too good based on the other options available ... 3.5* Times Square Theatre District $202 Boutique non smoking restaurant business center hi speed internet access Any guesses?

4* InterContinental Tampa 4860 W kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609 ph 813-286-4400 Amenities: airport shuttle pool(s) high speed internet access smoke free rooms restaurant(s) fitness center business center An InterContinental for $56 ... goodness, will they even let me in the door???

3* Indigo Miami Lakes (also Hialeah North on location) 7601 Miami Lakes Drive, Miami Lakes, FL 33014 ph 305-556-0100 amenities: boutique hotel restaurant(s) high speed internet access fitness center business center golf nearby pool(s) laundry facilities tennis nearby

3.5* Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port Hotel 1825 Griffin Road, Dania, FL 33004 ph 954-920-3500 Amenities: fitness center business center pool(s) hi speed internet access restaurant(s) tennis nearby

3* Holiday Inn Beaumont Plaza - I-10 & Walden 3950 I-10 S at Walden Road Beaumont, TX 77705 ph 409-842-5995 Amenities: airport shuttle restaurants(s) fitness center business center pool(s) laundry facilities

3* Altamonte Springs/Winter Park Clarion Inn and Conference Center, Orlando North 230 W Hwy 436 Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 407-862-4455 Amenities: fitness center business center high speed internet access pool(s) restaurant(s)

3.5* Sheraton Stonebriar Hotel 5444 State Hwy 121, Frisco, TX 75034 ph 972-668-8700 Amenities: fitness center hi speed internet access pool(s) business center

Holiday Inn Harbourside, 401 Second Street, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785 Amenities: near beach restaurant(s) fitness center business center pool(s) hi speed internet access

Best Western - Canton, GA 705 Transit Avenue Canton, GA 30114 ph 770-345-6800 Amenities: Comp Breakfast Laundry Fitness Ctr Hi Speed Internet Business Center

3.5* Where's the coffee??

Oops! 3 *

Embassy Suites Nashville West End 1811 Broadway Amenities: Suite Restaurant(s) Hi Speed Int Access Comp Breakfast Bus Center Fitness Center Laundry Facilities

Amenities: Comp Breakfast Business Center Fitness Center Laundry Facilities Pool(s) Hi Speed Internet Access

Crowne Plaza Charlotte (Uptown) 201 South McDowell Street Charlotte, NC 28204 704-372-7550 Amenities: fitness center, pool, restaurant(s)

Holiday Inn Select University Parkway (downtown) 5790 University Parkway W-S, NC 27105 336-767-9595 Amenities: fitness center, business center, pool(s), hi speed internet, restaurant(s)

Homewood Suites by Hilton 755 Currency Circle Lake Mary, FL 32746 ph 407-805-9111 Amenities: suite business center golf nearby fitness center laundry facilities kitchenette pool(s) high speed internet access

I did call the hotel and they assured me that all the rooms are suites and that I had a king nonsmoking with kitchenette, etc., and I'm glad to report that the amenities all match. Yep, it's a suite and a good size one at that. Micro/fridge/sink. The hotel isn't exactly new, and the layout is a bit odd -- must walk outside to use the elevator and it was only 106 today -- but all in all, I'm pleased. Decent breakfast (free since I'm HiltonHonors gold) and restaurant is fine enough for lunch or a lazy dinner. Free Internet (gold) and free parking for everyone. And all for $49, what a deal.

I got an email this morning from Hotwire that the sweet "suite" was not available after all, and I had the option of cancelling or keeping the res with 50% in the total in HotDollars. This is a bit odd, as the hotel's website says all 242 rooms are "spacious suites". Are they going to put me in a broom closet? Or maybe under the housekeeping manager's desk? Perhaps I shall be sleeping outside watching the planes land and take off ... now, that's sweet! Guess I'll call the hotel before I make my decision. The other hotel in my star ratings and budget is probably the airport Crown Plaza, and it's a nice place but I really wanted the extra room & kitchenette for this long of a stay.