Priceline Hotel: 4* Dallas (Galleria) Hilton Suites Galleria

[azm1000]

I stayed at the Hilton Suites Dallas -- North (Galleria) on a Priceline stay Feb. 25-27. The hotel was probably half-full. Upon check it, I was told I'd been booked into a non-smoking room with 2 double beds. I politely requested a room with one king bed -- and the clerk told me that they could accomodate my request, but only if I paid an extra $10 per night. This seems awfully cheap of Hilton. While it was within their rights (since Priceline only guarantees double occupancy, and not room type), it seems awfully cheap of them. Why anger me over $10 per night? They had plenty of rooms available, including king rooms...

As an aside, they initially put me into a "non-smoking" room that had been converted from a smoking room a couple months back. I know this because it smelled pretty strongly of smoke, and when I asked to be moved, they told me about the conversion. In any case, they were kind enough to honor this request and move me to a non-smoking room that had never been a smoking room. Again, though, at 50% occupancy, why not just put me in a non-smoking room that didn't reek of smoke?

Shame on you, Hilton.

[azm1000]

Got it on the first bid of $46 per night for a 4* in the Galleria zone.

Check-In Date: Fri, Feb 25, 2005

Check-In Time: After 03:00 PM

Check-Out Date: Sun, Feb 27, 2005

Check-Out Time: 12:00 PM

Your Offer Price: $46.00

Number of Rooms: 1

Number of Nights: 2

Subtotal: $92.00

Taxes & Service Fees:

$21.31

Total Charges: $113.31

[thereuare]

Sorry to hear of the extra charge... i've taken the stance that this is acceptable when the hotel charges more (on their own website) for the requested bed configuration; but hotels like this apparently don't want to participate in the opaque programs... and they shouldn't, saving their brand name negative publicity.

[azm1000]

Agreed -- if this property were to charge more for king/non-smoking rooms versus two double/non-smoking rooms on its own website, I think they'd be justified in charging more to Priceline customers. In that case, it'd be like charging more for a club room.

That wasn't the case here. This Hilton doesn't charge more for King/non-smoking rooms than it does for two double/non-smoking rooms on its own website. I suppose it was pure capitalism...the clerk knew that I wanted one king, so she charged me more for it. I actually think it may have been a wayward clerk more than a crappy property. If I were running that hotel, I would hope I'd have the foresight to forego the additional $20 in revenue to not anger the customer.

[smithcounty]

just stayed last night 5/21/5, and think i payed around $55. (ok, i wasn't paying a lot of attention, but mid-50's anyhow) not bad for summer. room was excellent, as was the food in the restaurant.