Hotwire Hotel: Resort San Juan InterContinental

[tigerlily_p]

Hello, thsi is my first post.

Need a 4 star resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico

8/6/2011 to 8/11/2011

1 room

Hotwire has availabilty for all dates for a resort property. Can you help me identify the resort?

I would like La Concha Resort: A Renaissance Hotel or Marriott San Juan Resort & Stellaris Casino . Thank you.

Rate for undisclosed hotel is $108 / per night.

Thank you very much. Like your forum!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

For help with the hotel above please list the amenities that HOTWIRE associates with it and we'll have a look.

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

Thanks.

[tigerlily_p]

Thanks. Here is what I have for amenities. Let me know if you reqyure anything else. Dates 8/6 to 8/13. San Juan, Puerto Rico.

4-star Hotel in San Juan. Hotwire 90%. Customer rating 4.5.

This Hotel features the following amenities:

Resort

Resorts offer a complete destination experience. Facilities generally include a spa or fitness center, one or more swimming pools, and superior dining options. Depending on location, recreational activities may include water sports, golf, tennis or skiing. Coastal resorts usually boast ocean views or beachfront access. Note: A resort fee may be charged.

Beach Front

Property is located on the beach.

Casino

Property offers a full-service casino accessible from the lobby.

Pool(s)

Property offers at least one pool area; hours and dates of operation may be seasonal.

Restaurant(s)

Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary.

Business Center

Guests have access to business equipment and services; an additional charge may apply.

Laundry Facilities (self-service)

<amenity names only please... not descriptions>

High-Speed Internet Access

Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply.

Tennis Nearby

Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one tennis court; an extra charge typically applies.

Spa Services

Guests have access to a spa facility or spa services; an extra charge typically applies.

[thereuare]

Resort

Beach Front

Casino

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

Laundry Facilities (self-service)

High-Speed Internet Access

Tennis Nearby

Spa Services

You can just post the amenity names (and not the descriptions) as it will make your post easier to read.

The property above is a match for the Inter-Continental so that would be my best guess for this one.

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

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[tigerlily_p]

Thanks and sorry about that - learning fast.

If it is intercontinental avg. daily rate would be $146/night (based on 13% resort fee and hotwire fees). I am undecided between Marriott Stellaris, Intercontinental and Renaisance resorts. Traveling to San Juan first time. I am a marriotts reward member. I aways stay at Marriott chains. Biggest issue for me is cleanliness - I prefer to stay in new or recently renovated hotels. Do you think it is wise to book two days first and then add additional days later - 7 days vacation?

Any ideas which is the best resort of the 3 mentioned above based on reviews?

Thanks a million for your help.

[thereuare]

All of the hotels above get pretty good reviews, but likewise, almost all San Juan hotels have their issues too. As i've mentioned on the board previously:

Most San Juan hotels have some negative reviews written about them. It's an expensive hotel market and guests therefore usually expect more, but culturally San Juan is different then the States, and this cultural difference is often interpreted as poor service. While San Juan is part of the US, it's still very much an island and operates on "island time" where 'right away' means "i'll get to it in a little while"... sometimes this doesn't sit well with high paying guests and they therefore have negative reviews... those who understand these differences often have good reviews.

I've stayed in the InterContinental, and while i woudn't consider it 'fresh' (ex. the bathroom counter-top had large cracks in it and repaired poorly) the room was clean, and it has one of the best beach locations and pool area.

However, for me it comes down to value, and i'm guessing the Marriott and Renaissance are somewhat more expensive then this HOTWIRE offer (presumed to be the InterContinental)... what is the rpice of the Marriott and/or Renaissance? (also, note the lobby at the Marriott will undergoing renovations during your stay)

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

[tigerlily_p]

Thank you again. You are right. Total cost is an issue due to length of stay. Would like to be under $1000 for my duration. Price at Marriott and Renaisance is high - over $200 per/night. Thinking now about staying in Isla Verde instead of San Juan, I hear the beach is better since I am traveling with my 8 year old son. Marriott there is also expensive. Cleanliness and cost outweighs service to me...I understand the culture. Somewhere clean, with a nice pool, access to beach and public transport. Again, I appreciate your guidance.

[thereuare]

I would think the Inter-Continental meets all your criteria above... is there some aspect which makes you think this hotel doesn't fit the bill?

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

[tigerlily_p]

Hello, no..just the fact that I am a marriott rewards member - would rather pay extra to stay at La Concha or Marriott Courtyard in Isla Verde to pick up extra reward points. Unfortunately I am running out of time..on a modest budget. Can I book mariott directly through your site considering the assistance you've given me. I stayed at Double tree in Atlanta years ago, it was nice then...if I use my AAA card, I can get a room for 134 a night...good reviews on trip advisor. But my gut keeps telling me that La Concha is the hotel /location/ibe for me. I think they are sister properties. Oh the joy of deciding where to stay... $1000 budget for 7 night stay is a stretch.

[thereuare]

We don't currently have a link directly to marriott unless you purchase thru Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotels.com, etc.

However, it's your stay, but i would re-consider... you're forgoing a legitimate Resort property, one of the better ones on the island, for a 3* Courtyard. That's a big price to pay to get some reward points, imo. While retail price is not always the best measure, you're basically taking a $150 room for $135 so that you can get some marriott points... whereas the alternative is to get a better hotel (imo) with one of the best pools and beach areas, which normally sells for $269/nite, for $110 but no points.

You should really determine the value of a marriott point (what is your redemption value per point when you redeem these) and see if the math really works in your favor. Again, ultimately it's your stay and you need to be happy with where you stay, but i think the resort is the better option. My .02

Let us know what you ultimately decide.

Enjoy your stay.

[tigerlily_p]

Hello, you are right!!!! I actually placed a bid on PRICELINE yesterday via the link above for a resort in San Juan area only. I did not win the bid - my first time ever trying to bid on something (I was so nervous). I tried again for $95, added an area that did not have a resort (as suggested by one of the members on this site), no luck. I will try again tonight. Only issue with HOTWIRE price for Intercontinental "your best guess of the resort" is that the avg. price per night works out to be $146 after taxes and fees. I would like to stay under $1000 for 7 nights stay. I think binding may be my best option. I really don't care about the points anymore, that's my new reality. What do you think? Goal is to keep total price at fees/taxes/insurance not above $130/night. I am even considering just a 4 star hotel liek double tree - very good reviews. Tough to be on a budget wanting the best for less :-). I am so grateful for your insight. Please guide me through...

[thereuare]

I'm not following your math as i think the total as the HOTWIRE total for 7 nites at $110 is $871. Even if you add $15/day resort fee to that you're still under $1000. While i understand sticking within a budget, i also think if you're getting $1800 worth of value for $1000, you don't worry too much if the real total comes out to $1012. :)

You have plenty of re-bids available, if you tell us your maximum bid amount (before taxes and fees) we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board for your purchases.

[tigerlily_p]

Hotwire is a great deal if it is Inter continental or one of the other 4* resort that I am interested in. I can use any strategy you can offer. Book Hotwire now at the price, pray to God that it is Inter-Continental, or bid for a 4* resort on priceline hoping it is Inter-Continental, marriott or la -concha (san juan area only). I even tried booking just 1 night on Hotwire to reveal the hotel before I book the remainder 6 days. This is your area of expertise - sorry fo t he extra head ache. I would like to bid up to $110 (everything included) on priceline for 4* resort.

[tigerlily_p]

Hi, just to say a big thank you. I booked on HOTWIRE using your link above. 8/6 to 8/9 (2) nights at $114 /night before taxes. It is the intercontinental resort in San Juan - incredible how you figured it out!

I will now book a second reservation from 8/9 t0 8/13 now that I know the hotel name and I have read all the reviews. I am very happy. Thanks a million.

Lillian.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you received the hotel you were hoping for and are pleased with the deal you received... this is an excellent deal for this property which i'm sure will suit your needs just fine. They have one of the best pool areas on the Island and are also on one of the best strips of the beach.

Thank you for sharing your results and using the HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your purchase.

Enjoy your stay.