audiTT

I'd bet on it being the Days Hotel Maingate. I'd agree with the OP's summary. Rooms are nice enough and recently renovated, but the outside access (makes me think motel, but not so uncommon in FL), condition of the property, and some of the undesirable elements seen in the parking lot made me think that not only was the star rating off, but Hotwire should drop the property all together due to safety concerns. I had a 2-night stay here back in may. On the first night I noticed multiple piles of broken glass in the parking lot, in locations making it obvious they were from car break-ins. On the second night I was propositioned by a prostitute when walking in from my vehicle on the second night. I complained to the desk clerk who told me the day manager would contact me, which never happened. I then complained to Hotwire who, after a month long back-and-forth with a supposed "on-site investigation" came to the conclusion that the property was accurately rated but gave me a "courtesy refund in Hotwire Dollars". To date, this is the only Hotwire transaction (out of at least 2 dozen) that I've been disappointed enough to complain about. I'd recommend that anyone avoid the Days Hotel Maingate, not only because it's at 1/2 or 1 star over-rated, but because there are public safety that are disregarded by both management and Hotwire.

Could I get some help possibly IDing the following? 4* Lake Buena Vista - Downtown Disney $99/night 12/04 - 12/06 2 Adults, 0 Children Resort Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) High-Speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby

The Westin Peachtree Plaza is one of my favorite Atlanta Downtown properties and quite unique and underrated. I watch for it on Hotwire any time I have a special occasion downtown. I just wish they could accelerate the window replacement effort... it's been a year and a half now!

Looks like a match for the Caribe Royale Resorts Suites and Villas.

Kimpton properties are indeed great. I'm not sure if the fact that a newer one shows up on HOTWIRE and PRICELINE speaks to the market/economy, is being used for marketing, or is standard practice. Either way, if it were a more sure thing I'd go for it, but unfortunately it isn't. If you're looking for the most luxurious that is identifiable, it's probably the $99 4* Buckhead. If you're looking for the absolute best deal, it's probably the $49 4* Perimeter.

As far as unreported 4* in Midtown, the Palomar would be my guess as well, especially given the price. If it were a more likely ID for the Palomar, I'd say it was a great deal for a REALLY nice property... but there's a lot of uncertainty. There are several other 3.5* and 4* properties available around the city for your dates that are safer IDs and likely better values. Depending on the purpose of the trip and where you need to be, you may want to consider the other identifiable properties that show for your dates (and use the forum link to HOTWIRE to book). The 4* Downtown is a match for the Hyatt Regency (great property, expensive parking with cheaper parking within a block) and a good deal at $69. The 4* Buckhead for $99 could be the Westin, W, or Inter-Continental, all of which are great properties in a more consumer-driven part of town (near Lennox/Phipps and a lot of nicer restaurants). Pricier, but probably the nicest identifiable properties for your dates. $99/night for the Westin would be a good deal, for the Inter-Continental or the W would be a very good deal. The 4* in Perimeter for $49 is a match for the Westin, also a great property nearby a lot of upper-scale shopping and dining (but a step down from Buckhead) and is probably the best value of the 4* properties listed. The 3.5* downtown is either the Sheraton or Westin Peachtree Plaza. I'd lean towards the Westin due to the number of recent reports (myself being one of them). It's a very unique and under-rated property. The rooms can be smallish but are well appointed. Service is top notch. Parking is expensive ($28/night) but there's a $16/night option across the street. There's great on-site dining at the Sun Dial and Pitty Pat's Porch across the street.

What are you doing in ATL? If easy guaranteed MARTA access is your main or only concern, the Hartsfield Jackson Airport zone is probably your safest bet. Almost every property will have a dedicated Airport shuttle, and the Airport itself is the southern terminus of the MARTA line. Most 3* in the Airport zone will have free parking, but the 4* properties in that zone will mostly charge. In Buckhead & Perimeter MARTA access can be a crap-shoot. There are a couple of nearby MARTA stations in Buckhead, but there are a few previously reported properties that would not be highly accessible by foot due to location and/or proximity (the Hyatt Place comes to mind, a long walk and on the other side of GA 400). Perimeter has a single Marta station accessible by bus transfer from many properties, but I'm not sure if any have shuttles and I don't know of any within reasonable walking distance.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't ask... if you book outside of their site, they can't expect or assume you've visited their site. And if they won't comp it completely, I'd at least expect them to only charge you the difference between the resort fee and the valet charge ($20 - $8 = $12)

I'd personally press for Valet to be comped if self-parking is normally included in the resort fee.

The Peabody Orlando has been reported as a 4.5*, formerly 4*, with the amenities listed. There's a $8/night resort fee, but self-parking, internet access, local calls, and daily bottled water is included, making it one of the more reasonable resort fees in the area. Location is closer to Universal than Disney, but not far from either. More business than family oriented, but for the price, I'd say it's a very good deal.

I'd agree with your 3.5* assessment and HOTWIRE did as well, at least at one point. It's probably not at the same level as the Westin and W in the same zone. That said, I'll usually accept a 1/2 * discrepancy depending on the price and location. It's tourist traps like Orlando where you really have to be careful... a 3* in many of these locations would barely pass as a 2* elsewhere... 3.5* is usually as low as I'll go in a tourist trap unless I can make a very sound ID and have researched the reviews ahead of time.

Sounds more like the Westin than the W... the Westin has been reported with several different amenity combinations and the W has always had SPA listed. I can't think of any other 4* properties in the area. It's also possible the Crowne Plaza Ravinia has been bumped back up to 4*, and it has been reported exactly as the OP listed.

+1 for Perimeter... has Marta access to downtown/midtown/buckhead, where Marietta/Cumberland require a transfer to CCT buses. Many of the 3.5* and 4* Perimeter properties will shuttle you to/from the Perimeter Marta station.

4* is most likely Hyatt Regency, 3.5* is most likely Westin Peachtree Plaza. Both are great properties and good prices. If the Hyatt parking is pricier than you like, there's an above ground lot one block south and one block east of the back entrance. I think the Westin is a particularly unique and underrated property. The Sundial is very good for dinner (but not great for lunch), there's plenty within walking distance, the lobby is unique, and the views can be great. Good luck with your decision.

You probably won't have much luck with the ID, but you might want to consider other zones, especially Buckhead and Perimeter. There are good deals available on identifiable 3 and 3.5* properties in those zones. I can't imagine I'd ever risk a 2* with no listed amenities, especially not with identifiable 3* and 3.5* properties available in nearby zones.

I've watched the Westin Peachtree Plaza on several different dates and have noticed them jump from the $45 - $55 range up to the $60 - $65 range on a couple of different occasions. This isn't the norm for properties listing on Hotwire... most stay roughly the same or sell-out. It seems if you see the Westin Peachtree Plaza at a low price, you're better off not waiting because they have a history of jumping up in price. Even then, great price for a property I think is somewhat unique and underrated, with a few caveats.

The 3.5* is a match for the Westin Peachtree Plaza and a very good price. The 4* is close to the Hyatt Regency, but missing the SHUTTLE icon.

How often are properties listed on Hotwire as CONDO when they've previously been reported (per the win list) without CONDO?

Caribe Royale Resorts Suites and Villas. Should be a solid property with ample space, though not quite as luxurious than the Hyatt Grand Cypress (if that's the Hyatt you were referring to). Hotwire has recently upgraded this property to 4* from 3.5, but TripAdvisor and other sites classify it as a 3* (though from traveler pictures, it looks like 3.5* or 4* is legitimate). It appears that most rooms have received a recent refreshing with flat-screen TVs, updated soft amenities, etc. Honestly, it reminds me of a cross between an Embassy Suites and a full-service resort, which is definitely not a bad thing. More or less, you're probably giving up some of the luxury of the Hyatt Grand Cypress for the space of a suite, while still maintaining all the trappings of a full-service resort. Good luck!

It's not been reported, but I would bet it's one of the chain (Hilton, Mariott, etc) Vacation Club (timeshare) locations.

The claim was for one night at $65, so I didn't press it beyond the initial denial (probably what they were looking for) but it has soured my taste for the entire concept. If it were a multi-night stay at a 4* or 5* property I might consider it again, but I usually end up using hotel points for that kind of stay.

If you click SEE ALL AMENITIES in the listing itself, it will reveal Tennis & Children's Activities, making this a match for the Westin Beach Resort.

It reads like the latter to me.

As I drove by the Comfort Suites (near Northside Hospital) the other day it appears to be much nicer than the Comfort Inn previously reported, and in a nicer area as well. Good win and thanks for reporting a new property.

I'd agree that when the Boutique icon is showing, it's more than likely the Diplomat Country Club & Spa. When it's not showing, it's most likely the Crowne Plaza, Westin Diplomat, or Marriott.