Priceline Hotel: Calling all Cars!

[SJT]

I am trying to book something in Orlando 10/02/07-10/10/07. I am brand new to the site and even though I have been doing research on this for the past couple of months, I'm not sure what my best option is? Let me clarify a little further, if I could find something with good shuttle service, as we won't have a car. Also somewhere that doesn't charge a resort fee, would be wonderful.We would like to stay fairly close to Seaworld/Universal area as opposed to Disney world. Basically a nice 2.5 to 3 * that will allow us to get around. I"ve never really used Pricline either, so any info there would be a big help. Thank you guys so much, you really are the best.

Loves,

Stacey

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Regarding shuttle service, no resort fee, and exact location... these are things you can not guarantee when using priceline. You can't guarantee them with HOTWIRE either, but you can often ID the hotel the hotel beforehand and then figure out what services (shuttle, resort fee, etc) are offered (of course there is some risk involved are there are no guarantees as all of this will be based upon the accurate ID of the property)

Could you rent a car if you had to? (ie- if you received a hotel that didn't have a shuttle or was otherwise inconvenient, do you have a valid license that you'd be able to rent a vehicle (which are usually relatively inexpenisve in Florida)

Basically you have to weigh the risks above vs. the savings you'll be receiving based upon your next best deal to determine if an opaque purchase is worthwhile.

I'd start by doing a HOTWIRE search for your dates and see if there is anything offered at the star level(s) you're seeking and if they're within your budget... we can then try to help you ID them and we can take it from there.

Let us know your thoughts, questions, and/or how you'd like to proceed.

[SJT]

WoW you are awesome!!!! I did exactly what you said, and I can see one on hotwire that might be what we were looking for.

3* I-drive North Area Pool, Restraunt, High Speed internet.

Trip advisor rating of 3.5 with a best value sticker $49. I would be very curious to know what it is? I don't think it's quite what we are looking for, I could be wrong but I'm thinking something just slightly nicer. Yes if worse comes to worse we absolutely could rent a car, however we are trying to avoid it like the plague as to avoid paying extra daily fees for being under 25. So bascially if the one at Hotwire doesn't end up being exactly what we need I would definitley consider priceline. I'm thinking the Hotwire is most likely the Clarion, which is nice but am looking for something closer to the Studio City or CP, thoughts?

Thank you Thank You Thank You!!!

[thereuare]

Best guess would be the Clarion.

Have you also tried EasyClickTravel which may have something in the area as well.

If you decide to try priceline let us know the zone(s) you're willing to bid, maximum bid, and minimum star rating and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

[SJT]

I'm not 100% on which areas I'm willing to consider, preferably something close to I-Drive or within 10 miles of Universal. As far as price probably around the 60-65$ range, would be happy with like Sheraton Suites, Crown Plaza type hotels. Essentially something just slightly better than the Clarion, I've just heard to many bad things about that place and there non opaque rates are like $68.50. Hopefully you experts can help me out, especially if someone knows the area well and could direct me somewhere nice, that would be greatly appreciated?

[SJT]

I'm wondering if I should consider a different strategy, as it seems most 3* and above hotels have little or no shuttle service? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! :)

[thereuare]

... and most of the under 3* properties do offer shuttle service? :)

[SJT]

... and most of the under 3* properties do offer shuttle service? :)

I appreciate the snide remark, rather than some actual help. You help alot of people, so silly me being unexperienced that's what I came here for.

I guess I made a mistake.

Thanks

[thereuare]

It's not a snide remark... i really don't know the shuttle service policies of the hotels in this area (just the prices) so it was a legitimate, and sincere, question.

For example, lower star rated hotels often offer free hi-speed internet (or complimentary breakfast) while the higher star rated hotels don't... so maybe this is something specific to this area where the lower rated hotels offer this service. I wouldn't expect it to be the case, but it's possible, which is why i asked. If the answer to the question above is "no, most of the lower rated hotels don't offer this service", then perhaps an opaque purchase isn't the best option for this stay (unless the savings are enough to offset the cost of alternate transportation)

If you re-read my question above, without the tone you added to it (as it was not written with one), perhaps you'll see that i am trying to help.