Priceline Hotel: Venetian

[sage]

I've searched the posts but couldn't find a definitive answer for the following:

If one wins a Priceline bid (5* on Strip), will the Venetian charge extra for 4 persons (parents and 2 children under 16) once we arrive? Also, I've heard sometimes 2Q beds is surcharged (compared with 1K).

Any actual experience shared is very much appreciated...

[Blueskies]

Going mid July (2 adults and 2 teens) so I will report back but I do expect to pay an extra $30 which is fine with me.

[bbbb]

Every room at the Venetian has a pullout sofa. Just don't take more then two people to the check-in desk and you won't have to pay any extra fees. If you need another key just go to the desk later and tell them you left your key in the room and need another one.

[Blueskies]

I don't know if this will work as I was under the impression that the security at the Venetian was tight and they check you as you enter the elevator. I know there is a sofa bed but our kids are adult sized and we would prefer two queens so we will offer the information (that there are 4 of us) at the desk and pay the cash, if they decide to charge for it.

[bbbb]

I have stayed here many times and security won't be a problem. You just show them a key to get to the room.

[dahammer]

I don't know if this will work as I was under the impression that the security at the Venetian was tight and they check you as you enter the elevator. I know there is a sofa bed but our kids are adult sized and we would prefer two queens so we will offer the information (that there are 4 of us) at the desk and pay the cash, if they decide to charge for it.

maybe you could tell the desk that you prefer two beds due to a chronic condition called "sleep apnea".....doubtful that the clerk will ever ask you to explain....

[Blueskies]

DAHammer - Very funny!!! I will just say I have been on a long road trip and I am no longer talking to my husband as I was the navigator and he was driving and he shouted at me!!Aahhhh

Thanks BBBB for the info - obviously got wrong info from somewhere - its good to know.

[sage]

Reminds me of our first family trip in England. The navigator wasn't thinking or mapping clearly after her redeye-2-hr-of-sleep flight. I got stuck in a Birmingham roundabout with no info on which direction to exit. :) :)

We'll be trying a role reversal on this upcoming SW US trip, with her driving and my backseat navigating, so Blueskies' rationale hopefully won't be a truthful one.

The Venetian scenario for late July (midweek) is so-far shaping up as this:

a) almost assured $160 for two beds ($114 for one bed with foldout sofa) on Hotwire; or

:o possible $100/night on Priceline + maybe $90 in extra person/bed fees when we get there (if available), or else sticking 2 teens in foldout sofabed; or

c) $233 (with taxes) for 4 persons through another opaque service mentioned in this forum, maybe less if we check-in with only 2 persons and assume elevator guards have same cluelessness as most airport security

Does that exhaust reasonable options?

[bbbb]

Sage what are the dates for this stay at the Venetian?

[sage]

July 26-28 (2 nights). Looks like Hotwire no longer has $160 for then (although the week before still does). Venetian direct site has $209 suite with 2Q beds. I'm afraid the "full" size sofa bed will not work well for the teens.

[Blueskies]

Sage,

I had the same dilemma but for week before. I am confident that I will be able to secure a room with two Queens as it is off season. If there is a problem(no Q/Q available) I will bid for second night for separate room when we arrive but not keen on that. Where does the $90 a night come from?

I tried each night on hotwire on its own but there was no difference

$241 pn for 2 nights for 2 a+2c but $195 for 2a+1c

Not sure is $195 room would just be King and Sofa?

Good luck with your decision!

[sage]

It depends on the specific nights. The V's website shows a special on Tue-Thu (for July 19th-22nd), so that apparently matches up with Hotwire's $160 (4 people) and $114 (3 people). If V's website doesn't list a hotel special (as is not happening for the nights I'm needing), then Hotwire jumps to $241 (4) and $195 (3). I'm almost certain 4 persons are 2Qs+sofa, 3 persons are 1K+sofa; the Hotwire rate differences roughly match to V's rate differences between suite types.

There's a great 100-hr Centennial booking special on until this Friday, but my dates aren't among those listed by V. Dates for stays extend into autumn.

My extra $90 PL assumption was worst-case scenario of the V charging additional 2 x $35/person + taxes for more than 2 occupants when they saw our entourage.

Booking directly with V ($209/night Venezia Bella) might end up being safest option for us, with the kids being the age they are. Thanks for the info, and hope this thread helps others....

[Blueskies]

Sage,

If it helps I will post how I get on at V when I am there. I arrive back home on 23rd or 24th so if your direct rate is cancellable then you could change to Priceline then. Will report back anyway.

[sage]

Please do report back. Priceline may still one of the best options, even if the V's site has the special $99 rates (for 1K+sofabed). For the Venetian, it seems for 4 persons it's trickier to use PL unless childen are quite young.

I checked the V's 100-hr special again today (at bbbb's suggestion). Their rates dropped $20 overnight under the same Centennial special - guess they may release a little inventory each day. I booked a $189 rate (non-refundable) for 2Q+sofabed; Hotwire was still showing $241 (may change today if HW adjusts to V's rates). Just goes to show how volatile the rates are.

BTW, V's new Venezia rooms have access to an additional pool (total of 4?), so you may want to ask for a room there when you check in.