bobby_726 Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Hey guys, I'm trying to price out a fairly reasonable small portion of a larger trip. We already have the Disney part picked out, but we decided to take a couple days on the front of our vacation and check out Universal. I stumbled across this site after looking for some hotels on Hotwire and trying to figure out which hotels they are. Below are a list of the three. check in 01/28 check out: 01/30 I drive north hotel 4* 80% reccomended - I'm guessing this is the Crown Plaza - $79 Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Self service laundry Internet access Accessible for the blind Accessible for the hearing impared Accessible path of travel and this one is also 4* same zone 60% recomended (sounded like Royal Pacific Resort, but I don't think it is due to the free parking) $110 ** This is the one I'm just not sure on Free Parking Free Internet Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby Fitness Center The 5 Star Hotel which I'm guessing is the Portofino Bay Hotel $272 Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby Fitness Center Spa Service Children Activities Accessible for the blind Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Welcome to BetterBidding! I believe there are likely more amenities then what you have posted above as HOTWIRE has a new interface that does not show the complete set of amenities unless you click thru a few extra links. If you repeat your search using our BiddingHelper.com tool... use the HOTWIRE EASY VIEW tab and then click the GREEN BUTTON next to each of these listings, do you see more amenities then what you have listed above? Also, what is your budget per nite for this leg of your trip... are you willing to pay $272/nite for a 5* hotel? 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 Link to comment
bobby_726 Posted August 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 You were right that there was more information - I drive north hotel 4* 80% reccomended - I'm guessing this is the Crown Plaza - $79Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Self service laundry, Internet access, Accessible for the blind, Accessible for the deaf, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Handicapped parking, Roll-in shower and this one is also 4* same zone 60% recommendedFree Parking, Free Internet, Resort, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Internet access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services I took off the 5* option as I'm really looking to pay under 400 with tax for both nights. So I guess 200 per night is my limit with tax. Also to add to this - I'm also open to suggestions. This will be the first time to Universal Orlando, and I was looking for a place close by. Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 For the $79/nite property i'd agree with your guess of the Crowne Plaza Universal.. i don't have a guess for the second property, but with only 20 reviews by previous HOTWIRE guests i suspect it's a new hotel recently added to the HOTWIRE system OR a hotel recently upgraded/downgraded. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Let us know whatever you decide to do for this stay or if we can be of further help. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
bobby_726 Posted August 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 I guess my next question would be whether HOTWIRE or Price.line are going to offer a better deal. I thought about bidding on a 4 star from Priceline since based on the information Ive seen I'd be bidding on a Universal Hotel. The 3.5 star seems a little riskier as I'd prefer the Crown Plaza over the alternative. Does anybody have any experience with the Crown Plaza, and if so would you recommend it for a Universal trip? Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 The Crowne Plaza has an excellent 4.5/5.0 TA rating so i'm sure it will likely meet your needs. As far as HOTWIRE, PRICELINE EXPRESS, or Price.line is 'best', it really depends upon your needs... bidding on PRICELINE is usually a little cheaper than the other two options, but you need to be willing to accept any hotel in the zone at the star rating (or higher) that you choose. The other two services usually cost just a little more, but give you the ability to take a guess as to the hotel you may receive as well as know other information about the property that may be important to you (amenities, reviews, etc) Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Let us know how you'd like to proceed, or how it goes if you take the HOTWIRE offer above, and we'll take it from there. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
sfmman2000 Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 and this one is also 4* same zone 60% recomended (sounded like Royal Pacific Resort, but I don't think it is due to the free parking) $110 ** This is the one I'm just not sure on Free Parking Free Internet Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby Fitness Center Any possible way this could be Royal Pacific? I'm seeing this property for my dates as well and am stumped as to what it might be.Edit: Seems like the only mismatch is the free parking. The Loews properties do have free internet.Edit2: Could it be Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge? That's the only other property in the area that is a match. Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 I'm seeing this property for my dates as well and am stumped as to what it might be.Please follow-up your previous Priceline Valencia thread with whatever you ended up doing for that trip, then for help with your own stay, please start a NEW TOPIC. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Thanks. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
bobby_726 Posted August 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 As an update I am looking at bidding on a 4/4.5* on Priceline. I decided its worth the extra money to be on site (Based off what I've seem a 4/4.5* on Priceline is one of the Universal Hotels). I'll update when I complete my plans. Still looking at Hot.wire, but without any information on what the 110 dollar option is Ill probably just bid on Price.line. Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 You can also try our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com which shows hotels near almost any address in the world and makes it easy to see how much more/less it would cost to go up/down in star rating OR to stay closer/further from your ideal location. Keep us updated on your progress and let us know if we can be of further help along the way. 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 Link to comment
bobby_726 Posted August 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 I think you are correct that it is the Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Lodge. It fits all the requirements. Link to comment
bobby_726 Posted August 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Okay I have a couple more - 3.5 star $92 Free Parking, Resort, Pet friendly, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Self service laundry, Internet access, Accessible for the blind, Accessible for the deaf, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Handicapped parking, Roll-in shower 3.5 star $79Free Internet, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Self service laundry, Internet access, Accessible for the blind, Accessible for the deaf, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Handicapped parking, Roll-in shower 3.5 star $69Free Parking, Daily Housekeeping, Air-Conditioning, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, 24-hour Front Desk, Self service laundry, Internet access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services, Kitchenette Link to comment
yellowdog Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Okay I have a couple more - 3.5 star $92 Free Parking, Resort, Pet friendly, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Self service laundry, Internet access, Accessible for the blind, Accessible for the deaf, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Handicapped parking, Roll-in shower 3.5 star $79 Free Internet, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Self service laundry, Internet access, Accessible for the blind, Accessible for the deaf, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Handicapped parking, Roll-in shower 3.5 star $69 Free Parking, Daily Housekeeping, Air-Conditioning, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, 24-hour Front Desk, Self service laundry, Internet access, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services, KitchenetteAs an update I am looking at bidding on a 4/4.5* on Priceline. I decided its worth the extra money to be on site (Based off what I've seem a 4/4.5* on Priceline is one of the Universal Hotels). I'll update when I complete my plansI don't follow you here. What is your plan and goal with the stay in the Universal zone? Have you tried bidding on PRICELINE for your stay or have you decided for a lower budget? The Crowne Plaza is a great hotel that is close to the park. Please note that the 3.5* you're asking for is a lower rated hotel with a higher price and a TA rating that is lower compared to the 4* and has a $15 additional resort fee. What is it that you're looking for from this stay? If you want to stay a bit closer to the park so go for the 3.5*/ $79. Best guess would be The DoubleTree Hotel. But it's not as good as the Crown Plaza and there's not much around the hotel if you don't plan to stay in the park late and maybe have dinner there. The condo property might be the Point Orlando but I'm not sure Thank you for keeping us updated with what you decide. Please let us know if you have any questions. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your purchases and searches. Yellowdog. Link to comment
bobby_726 Posted August 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Just looking at all my options. I have Gold at Hilton, so the Double Tree seemed interesting. Also thus far I have not won a bid at Price.line for a 4+ star hotel (I'm at $119). The Crowne Plaza may be nice, but I decided I want to be within walking distance of the park (Some reviews I read did not speak favorably of the shuttle - probably due to not making shuttle reservations). That was the reason to check out the 3.5 star options. Also Universal has a new 3.5 star option at the park that gets great reviews as well. Link to comment
AaronJB Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Thank you for keeping us updated with what you decide and let us know if you have any questions. Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches. Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 ...thus far I have not won a bid at PRICELINE for a 4+ star hotel (I'm at $119)... I decided I want to be within walking distance of the park If you're bidding on PRICELINE, how do you intend to keep any win to hotels that are within walking distance to the park? 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 Link to comment
bobby_726 Posted August 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 If you're bidding on PRICELINE, how do you intend to keep any win to hotels that are within walking distance to the park?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. I may have incorrectly assumed that the 4 and 4.5 star option on priceline are both of the Universal Hotels. If I go with the Doubletree I'll probably just go through Hotwire or use Honors points (less likely as its 30k a night). Although undecided at this point my list is as follows -Priceline - Bid up to $150 for a 4/4.5 star in hopes I snag a Universal Hotel.Hotwire - Look at the DoubleTreePriceline - Go for a low ball bid on a 3.5 star in hopes of the Crowne Plazza (Still in my sights as some extra cash for the incredibly expensive Disney Dining would be nice) Also I was looking at the cheaper Universal Hotel which seems to get pretty good reviews. Its fairly cheap and onsite with early access. Either way I'll keep you posted if I win a 4/4.5 star hotel. Link to comment
yellowdog Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 I may have incorrectly assumed that the 4 and 4.5 star option on priceline are both of the Universal Hotels.Things can change at any time. The Crowne Plaza could be re-rated to a 4* at this moment. The retail side of PRICELINE is a different service and use different hotels. Sure, it's an indicator what you can get but don't rely on it. The following quote is from the top of boards Hotel List:This Priceline Hotel List is NOT a complete list of all hotels that Priceline offers in this area, it is ONLY a compilation of hotels that have already been reported on this forum. Hotels are added/removed by Priceline all the time, and star ratings can change at ANY time. As well, the geographic boundaries of an area are subject to change Keep us updated on your progress and let us know what you ultimately decide or if we can be of further help. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your purchases and searches. Yellowdog. Link to comment
bobby_726 Posted August 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Alright I decided to throw the dice for a 3.5 star on priceline. What would be a reasonable bid to try and win? After some deliberation with my wife, we decided we could extend our stay a couple extra days if we went with a cheaper hotel. I put in my last attempt for a 4 star on priceline at $129 Based on what I've seen $53 seems to be a reasonable number. Link to comment
AaronJB Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 I think you have more than enough time to start with $45 and work higher by $3/$2 - $48, $50, $53, $55, $57, $59, etc. Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches. Link to comment
thereuare Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 ...we decided we could extend our stay a couple extra days if we went with a cheaper hotel.What would be the new set of dates that you would be bidding for, as this could change the amount necessary for a winning bid. 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 Link to comment
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