Hotwire Hotel: 4* Santa Cruz-Scotts Valley Dream Inn

[paulrolson]

I was looking at Hotwire last night (for the first time) and noticed a 4* with 90% recommended with the amenities that exactly matched the Dream Inn ( Near Beach, Oceanfront, Restaurant, Pool, Hi-Speed Internet, Business). The price was $144 and I should have obviously booked it then because it looks like a great deal.

2 adults July 25-28

Today if I search for the same criteria I get a $200/night rate. I get it, the price has gone up.

The odd thing is that if I search for July 26-28 (skipping Monday night) I am offered a 4* with 90% recommended but it is missing the "near beach & oceanfront" amenities and the price drops to $133. Could this be the same hotel? There are only 2 hotels listed for 4* in the Santa Cruz hotel list on BetterBidding (Dream Inn & Chaminade) and neither of them match the listed amenities exactly. Does Hotwire ever NOT show amenities to give the impression that it is a different hotel? Or is this likely a new hotel being offered?

I am new to Hotwire (typically I use Priceline) so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul

[paulrolson]

Just some more info and please tell me if I have this incorrect.

When I check the "More Hotels" tab, there are only 2 4* hotels listed (the same as mentioned below, Dream Inn & Chaminade). Is this any indication that the unknown "hot Rate" 4* hotel is going to be one of those two? Is there any possibility that this is some other, not previously reported hotel, and a hotel that is also excluding itself from the "More Hotels" listing (which would seem counterproductive). Also, of these two 4* hotels, only one of them has a 4.5* rating (which I believe corresponds with the messaging "recommended in 90% of Hotwire customer reviews")

I just haven't used Hotwire enough to know if they actually change the reported amenities for the same hotel in some attempt to confuse the purchaser.

-Paul

[paulrolson]

After clicking around trying various combinations of dates, the $144 rate from last night reappeared for all 3 nights that I wanted (July 25-28) and it said 90% recommended and had all the amenities of the Dream Inn so I booked it. Success! My first Hotwire purchase worked perfectly. I would still be curious to see if they switch up the amenities occasionally.

-Paul

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you received the hotel you were hoping for and at a very good rate.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Enjoy your stay.