Hotwire Hotel: 4* New York City (Midtown East) Alex

[dmurry]

The Alex Hotel - NY - New York City (Midtown East)

Dates: 12/16/2011 - 12/18/2011

Amenities

Fitness Center Restaurant(s) Business Center

High-Speed Internet Access

Hotwire hot Rate $214/night

Purchased: 12/6/11 ~8:00pm

I am disappointed in this deal as right after I purchased it the same location and amenities on Hotwire went down to $207. I called them and found out their price guarantee only applies to other websites, not there own! Even worse, I went directly to The Alex website and found a AAA rate for the same room class for $239.20/night that includes breakfast, valet parking and can be canceled!

The Alex: $478.40 + 73.61 taxes/fees = $552.01

Hotwire: $428 + $42.90 Taxes + $30.42 Occupancy Tax + $21.50 Fees (Hotwire?) = $522.82

Savings: $29.19 or a measly 5.3% savings and I don't get breakfast or valet parking. (If compare the normal Best Available Rate package to the Weekend Escape Package, this is worth at least $40/night $80/total)

Will Hotwire or The Alex do anything about this if I explain my situation?

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Originally, I was really hoping for the Inter-Continental or the Grand Hyatt. I like the site it is very informative and useful for Hotwire and Priceline, but I do have to say Go Buckeyes!

[thereuare]

Sorry to hear you're disappointed with the deal you received.

You can certainly try, but i don't think the hotel or HOTWIRE will do anything given your current situation (HOTWIRE might offer you some hot Dollars to use on a future purchase in order to get you to use their service again down the road)

Thank you for sharing your win with the board. In the future, feel free to ask the board for help before making your purchases.

You're also near my often recommended Ess-A-Bagel (Third Ave at 51st St) which has one of the best bagels in the city, makes for a nice, and relatively inexpensive, breakfast among local NYers.

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

Enjoy your stay.

[dmurry]

Thanks for your response. I have decided I am going to at send an email detailing my concerns at least to ease my mind. Although, I am also thinking not much will occur since it was a AAA rate, not the lowest available rate, and technically my price is still lower.

Any thoughts on where i can find their policy I can read the full policy before I send an email?

I am still excited about staying at The Alex and in that location. Thanks for the bagel tip. Do you have any suggestions as far as night life in the city? Last time I went, I stayed around Times Square and the night life was pretty quiet...

[thereuare]

What type of nightlife are you seeking... i don't know much about clubs and things like that, but if there is something in particular you're looking for i do have a few favorites.

To view hotwire's low price guarantee, go to HOTWIRE and click the 'HELP CENTER' link on the top right of their home page. Then on the left side, under HOTELS click the 'After booking' link and you'll find a link to their best price guarantee.

[dmurry]

I just wanted to give an update about the experience. The hotel was awesome, great service. It was everything I expected of a 4 star hotel.

The Ess-A-Bagel place was awesome! The line was long and the place was packed at 12 on a Saturday. The everything bagel with lox & cream cheese and everything was awesome!

The hotel is across the street from Hofbraus beer hall, which I had no idea they had in NYC, and right next door to The Perfect Pint which was a nice location to get drinks as a last stop right before returning to the hotel. They poured the best Guinness I have had in a long time.

I didn't end up saying anything to Hotwire or The Alex Hotel about the deal since the hotel upgraded me to a studio suite for my engagement weekend, which was worth ~$320 a night. The concierge helped me via email before my trip in explaining somethings about the hotel, Rockefeller center, and helping me choose a location for dinner after the proposal. It was an awesome experience and thanks for all of your help!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see the stay went well, you had a good time in NYC, and that (i'm assuming) the proposal went well... i'm sure some great memories were built this weekend.

Thanks for the follow-up and best wishes on your upcoming marriage.