Hotwire Hotel: 3* Augusta Americas Best Inn and Suites

[Nodge]

3 Star in Augusta, Georgia was:

America

[Nodge]

UPDATE: Hotwire denied my "double the difference" claim. I've resubmitted it at the $31 rate.

Hotwire's definition of "3 Star" is "These mid-range hotels offer a relaxed and inviting environment."

So I wonder if the raters at Hotwire consider this environment to be more "relaxed" or "inviting?"

[AaronJB]

Sorry to hear about the result. :)

Looking at this property on the Google Map, it's a little difficult to tell (it looks like it was around sunset), but it looks like a motel, which I don't think would qualify as a 3*. While star ratings vary from location-to-location, America's Best properties are usually 1*/2*. It looks as if it's now the America's Best, but was previously the Riverside and (if the sign is still there) haven't yet taken the sign down. There are no tripadvisor reviews. I would definitely present your concerns to HOTWIRE, though.

Just to confirm, HOTWIRE denied a claim for $38.66 showing on the website?

Thank you for letting us know about this new HOTWIRE property so that we can update the site's Hotwire Hotel List for the state.

Please do keep us updated.

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

Enjoy your stay.

[Nodge]

Just to confirm, HOTWIRE denied a claim for $38.66 showing on the website?

Yep.

Hotwire said it was a "corporate rate" that, even though anyone in the public is free to use without restrictions, is excluded from the deal. Of course, that website also shows a "standard rate" of $42.95, which is still cheaper than the $48 I paid on Hotwire, but Hotwire didn't offer up that difference in denying my claim, it just denied my claim outright.

So I've submitted two additional claims . . . . One for the $42.95 (web site "regular" rate) and one for the $31 (back door bookings through the old hotel name rate).

Either way, it's hard to explain why the "regular rate" of $43 justifies a 3 star rating for a hotel, even if it is "walking distance to a Red Lobster." (. . . without sidewalks of course)

-nodge

[Nodge]

UPDATE: Hotwire just awarded me a $34.06 refund because of its "Double the Difference" guarantee!

This means it verified that the hotel was selling rooms for $31 through its old name and old web site while Hotwire was selling the same rooms for $48 through the hotel's new name. (Thanks Google Maps' "street view").

Of course this means I'm still paying $26.83 for this . . . apparent/possible . . . dump (but I could be wrong) that I probably won't stay in, but if I've prevented just one person from being screwed by Hotwire's super over inflated rating of this hotel then it was worth it.

-nodge

[thereuare]

Sorry to hear you're having this issue.

If you do show up at the hotel i would take a look at the room assigned, and if not acceptable, give HOTWIRE a call from the property and explain what the issue is... they often have a more sympathetic ear when you've at least given the hotel a chance and see the property with your own eyes, rather then rely on internet reviews.

HOTWIRE is probably using the 3* rating from Orbitz to justify their rating.

Good luck and let us know the ultimately outcome.

[Nodge]

I'm back from my trip to Georgia and I can now confirm that this hotel is an absolute dump.

It was dirty & downright scary. There were non-guests sitting around on the curb in front of hotel lobby drinking beer most of the night. This hotel is located across the street from railroad tracks that see a lot of use.

My room itself was tiny and reeked of smoke and mold. There were cigarette burn holes in the sheets on the bed in my room at this "smoke free" hotel, and the box spring looked like it had been dragged along a dirty floor before coming to rest in its current location. The tile in the bathroom and sink areas was sticky and filthy, and there was tons of mold in the tub/shower. The well worn refrigerator in the room was oversized for the space, had a dented door, and opened to reveal rusty shelves inside. An old and dumpy microwave rested on top of this oversized refrigerator making using it virtually impossible.

The hotel

[AaronJB]

Thank you for the follow-up, although very sorry to hear that the result was definitely a disappointment. :)

I would definitely contact HOTWIRE with your concerns and tell them about what you encountered during your stay.

[Gallus50]

HW does often have a tendency to overinflate ratings. Since 2* is the lowest they go, it seems like they simply assign 1* hotels a new 2* rating because they can.

Someone need to call them on this. With such a clear case, perhaps it could be you. Please let us know if you pursue it. It could benefit everyone, and hopefully get you all your $$$ back.

[thereuare]

While the OP might try to talk to HOTWIRE again and come to some agreement, i don't think this is an issue of 'star inflation'. HOTWIRE uses the star ratings of the 'big 3' as a baseline for their own star ratings... from what i recall when this thread was first posted, Travelocity and Expedia don't cover this hotel, and Orbitz rates it 3 stars, so with just one (possibly incorrect) star rating for this property, that is what HOTWIRE is using.

[Gallus50]

IMHO - Just because Orbitz did it doesn't make it right. From what I've seen, I can't imagine an America's Best ever deserving a 3* rating.

In their own words, that would put it in a league with Radissons and Doubletrees. No way!!

[thereuare]

Not saying i disagree with you... just explaining how i think HOTWIRE is coming to their star rating on this property.

It's the domino effect, one company got it wrong, and so on down the line...