joy007 Posted February 7, 2012 Report Posted February 7, 2012 Hi! My best friend and I just bought flights for a trip to Aruba. We're traveling 3/9-3/12 and need a place to stay during that time. We've looked around and like the Westin or the Hyatt, but would also be interested in an All Inclusive.On Hotwire:There is a deal for the dates above thats listed at 224 a night. The amenities are copied below. My concern is that beach access/beach front is not listed. Any idea what this hotel could be?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.Casino Property offers a full-service casino accessible from the lobby.Fitness Center Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply.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.Golf Nearby Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one golf course; an extra charge typically applies.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.There is also an all inclusive hotel listed for $446 but we felt that was a bit expensive, even though it sounds like what we would want. Any idea what that could be?This All-inclusive 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.Beachfront Property Property is located on the beach.Casino Property offers a full-service casino accessible from the lobby.Food and Beverages Included Rate includes all meals, snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Premium-brand beverages may be offered for an additional charge.Premium Brand Beverages Included Rates include unlimited premium-brand beverages.A la Carte Dining Options Property offers at least one restaurant where guests order off a menu, instead of choosing from a buffet. An additional charge may apply and hours of operation vary.Water Sports/Ocean Activities Included Rates include the use of water-sports and ocean-activity gear; an extra charge may apply for motorized water equipment or scuba diving. Activities vary by location.Evening Entertainment Included Rates include evening entertainment, such as theme nights, shows and music.Daily Activities Included Rates include daily activities organized by the staff, such as sports, games, classes, excursions or activities of local interest.Complimentary Breakfast <amenity names only please... not descriptions>Children's Activity Program Property offers supervised programs, events or activities for younger guests; an additional charge may apply.Fitness Center Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply.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.Golf Nearby Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one golf course; an extra charge typically applies.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.All-Inclusive All meals and beverages are typically included in the up-front price. Many all-inclusive resorts also include all taxes and gratuities in the price.As an alternative we were considering bidding on Priceline. Do you have any tips for landing 4* and above resorts on Priceline for Aruba? Was thinking of starting the bidding around $125 just to see what we could get, but I want to make sure we get something in line with the Marriot Resort/Stellaris casino, Westin, Hyatt etc. Also - can you get all inclusive on Priceline? Should we bid higher for that?Any thoughts are totally appreciated -- we are newbies at this and could use all the help we could get getting a reasonable deal in Aruba for our vacation! Thank you!!!!
thereuare Posted February 8, 2012 Report Posted February 8, 2012 Welcome to BetterBidding!Please post only the amenity names (and not the descriptions) as you can see how much easier it is to read and helps minimize the chance that we'll miss an amenity when researching your trip.There is a deal for the dates above thats listed at 224 a night. The amenities are copied below. My concern is that beach access/beach front is not listed. Any idea what this hotel could be?Resort Casino Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Laundry Facilities (self-service) High-Speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby Spa Services There is also an all inclusive hotel listed for $446 but we felt that was a bit expensive, even though it sounds like what we would want. Any idea what that could be?This All-inclusive hotel features the following amenities:Resort Beachfront Property Casino Food and Beverages Included Premium Brand Beverages Included A la Carte Dining Options Water Sports/Ocean Activities Included Evening Entertainment Included Daily Activities Included Complimentary Breakfast Children's Activity Program Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Laundry Facilities (self-service) High-Speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby Spa Services All-Inclusive The 'regular' hotel has not yet been reported to the board, although my guess is that this is the Westin with a 'missing' Beachfront amenity. HOWEVER, if you are interested in this property go back to HOTWIRE and try your search again but use 2adults/1child as the occpancy... the same amenities above appear but with a Beachfront amenity listed. This is a match for the Westin, and it ensures you of the beachfront location you're looking for ;)The all-inclusive property matches previous reports for the Riu Aruba so that would be my best guess for this one.If you're looking to bid on PRICELINE, what is your maximim bid for this stay (as $125 doesn't seem to be a high probability bet based upon current prices)Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
joy007 Posted February 8, 2012 Author Report Posted February 8, 2012 Thank you for the tips - especially on that Hotwire property being a Westin! We were thinking of bidding $200 for the resort class property on Priceline - to see if we can get an even better deal on the Westin or Hyatt. What are your thoughts? Worth it or better to go with Hotwire?
thereuare Posted February 8, 2012 Report Posted February 8, 2012 What is more important to you... saving a few extra dollars OR having a guess as to the property you may receive before your purchase? (there isn't a right/wrong answer to this, the answer will be different for each person based upon their budget, needs for the trip, alternate properties in the zone they may receive, etc)Are there any 'known' hotels at the Resort level in this zone that you're hoping not to get?Since you mention you're traveling with your best friend (assuming 'just friends'), one advantage of HOTWIRE in this instance is that by searching for 2adults/2children the price doesn't really change much and it ensures separate beds for each of you (assuming you each prefer your own bed)... although the 'second bed' could be a rollaway brought into the room, a pullout sofabed, etc. With PRICELINE you could get a room with only one bed and switching to a room with two beds would be at the discretion of the hotel and could be an additional charge (if a room with 2 beds is available) Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
joy007 Posted February 8, 2012 Author Report Posted February 8, 2012 Well it seems that on PRICELINE currently the only resort class hotels available for the dates that I search are the Westin, Hyatt and RIU -- any of which would be fine with me -- so if we could get one of those 3 for a price slightly cheaper than what we're seeing on HOTWIRE, that would be ideal... I guess it's just a question of if we'll get a surprise "resort class" hotel that's not currently listed as a result in the regular PRICELINE search.That is a good point about the beds though -- wasn't thinking about that and we would prefer 2 queens rather than one bed. Decisions decisions!
thereuare Posted February 8, 2012 Report Posted February 8, 2012 Well it seems that on PRICELINE currently the only resort class hotels available for the dates that I search are the Westin, Hyatt and RIU...You can't use the 'retail' listings on PRICELINE to determine what you will get when bidding, each side of their service uses a different universe of hotels. Some participate with 'retail' but not 'name your own price' while others participate with 'bidding' but not the retail side of things. See the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ for more on this subject.Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
joy007 Posted February 8, 2012 Author Report Posted February 8, 2012 Bid $200 for resort class 3/9-3/12 and received the Westin! Very happy with the result and wanted to share for future reference. Thanks!
AaronJB Posted February 8, 2012 Report Posted February 8, 2012 Congrats on your success. :)Very good deal for this resort property, and glad you are looking forward to your stay.Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.Enjoy your stay.
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