Hotwire Hotel: 4* Aruba Westin

[bschrager]

First the good news, booked a last minute trip to Aruba. Jet Blue non stop from JFK for $434 per person all taxed included.

Got the Westin through the hot.iwre link on this site for $115 per night plus taxes. Don't have the amenity set to list but was 90% good reviews and beachfront so knew it was not the Renaissance.

Now for the bad news. I usually do my homework by checking this board and once I have a good idea what hotel it is I will check other sites for pricing and usually the hotel site directly. This time I did not check the Westin site direct and for SPG members they are having a sale till July 7th. Basically the same price as HOTWIRE but you can get an Oceanview Premium room for the same price I paid for an island view with Hotiwre. Kicking myself in the rear end for not checking the Westin direct as I am a SPG member.

Called the Westin in Aruba direct to inquire about upgrading directly through the hotel, $20 per night per room category. So the Hotwire room is island view, to go to Oceanview floors 5-11 is $40 per night and Oceanview floors 12-18 is $60 per night, both plus taxes and fees. Not sure what we will do.

[thereuare]

Looks like a nice deal for this property, but sorry this wasn't necessarily the best deal you could have received.

Can you please add a reply to this thread with the amenities shown before your purchase... you can still view this information by going to HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top right of their home page.

I would call again to inquire about an upgrade, and know what type of upgrade you're willing to pay for. If given the same $20-$60, i would ask "How come so much? On the Westin website the cost difference in the room rate is $xx" (i think it's closer to $13-$15/nite and only $20 to go from Island View up to Premium view). Tell them that you'd willing to pay the current difference in room rate which is $xx (based upon the Island View --> whatever room type you're willing to pay for the upgrade). If you're turned down ask to speak to the manager and very cordially say that you're looking to pay for an upgrade and you think a fair rate is the current difference on their website for the room class you're booked in vs. the room class you're want, and if he's able to upgrade you for $xx per nite.

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

Good luck and let us know how you make out with the upgrade.

[bschrager]

Amenities listed were:

Resort

Beachfront Property

Casino

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

Laundry Facilities (self-service)

High-Speed Internet Access

Golf Nearby

Tennis Nearby

Spa Services

Accessible for the blind

Free Parking

Free Internet

Accessible path of travel

In-room accessibility

Handicapped parking

A little tip about Aruba and Hotwire. Seems the Westin is 90% rated and will always say "beachfront" where the Renaissance is 85% and "near beach" Wife and I prefer to be directly on the beach.

I have been emailing back and forth with someone from the hotel. I checked the Westin site and see the price difference you are referring to so I did mention that and now waiting to hear back, thanks for the suggestion!!

[bschrager]

Good news...............after mentioning the price difference direct from the Westin site and mentioning it is our wedding anniversary which it truly is they were kind enough to upgrade us to an Oceanview room for free.

[thereuare]

Thanks for the follow-up with the amenities and glad to hear about the upgrade... that's GREAT NEWS!

Glad to see it all worked out and you're looking forward to this last minute getaway.

Have a great trip.. and anniversary