Hotwire Hotel: 3* San Juan Embassy Suites

[Karen O]

Hello All...

New to betterbidding, new as in registered, have many times used the site for advice, not sure why I didn't join !

I'll apologize in advance for my ignorance when it comes to anything I ask that seems obvious ! I'm not quite understanding the "close and reopen" directions. Do you log off first, or just close the browser ?

I'm looking to book 2 rooms, 1 night March 8th in San Juan. I'm only looking at two areas, San Juan and Dorado. I prefer not to have to bid more than $120. I've used the savingsbarn link for my previous bids which have progressively gone up to $111. My top bid offer is quickly approaching and I don't want to blow it....suggestions are greatly appreciated !

Happy travels to all.

KO

[thereuare]

Welcome <officially> to BetterBidding!

What is the minimum star rating you're selecting?

[Karen O]

Thanks for the welcome <officially>!

I've bid much to my chagrin a low of 2.5*, obvioiusly, I would prefer a 3* or higher, but perhaps, I am aiming too high ?

Thanks !

KO

[thereuare]

My first comment would be careful regarding bidding the low star ratings in San Juan, where even the 'better' hotels get very mixed reviews.

So to confirm, you have already bid up to $111 for a 2.5* hotel in the San Juan and Dorado zones and were rejected?

[Karen O]

I figured the 2.5*'s were a little "iffY'. Thanks for the FYI.

I started out bidding at the resort level:

San Juan - resort $115 - rejected

added Dorado - resort - rejected

added - 3/3.5 (can't recall which it was) bid $104 - rejected

added (gulp) - 2.5 for $99 - rejected (won't go there again).

What are your thoughts 4 to a room, and just going strictly resort ? I mean, I prefer not to, but hate spending $250-275 for two rooms, for a night.

Thanks for the help. :)

KO

[thereuare]

The issue with quad occupancy is that Priceline only guarantees double occupancy... after that it's at the discretion of the hotel. They would be 'within their right' if they only gave you a room with one bed, not have rollaway beds available, and/or charged you extra for the occupancy greater than two.

You don't say the makeup of your group of four, but if you search HOTWIRE for 2adults/2children there is a 3.5* hotel for $169/nite (i'm guessing it's the Radisson with a new "Smoke Free" icon). This would ensure that you get a room with at least two beds to accomodate quad occupancy, although if you're actually 4 adults, you'd be best to only have two people go up to the desk at check-in while the others 'wonder around the block or lobby". A risk most are willing to take, but it's something you would need to be comfortable with. (searching for 4adults brings the cost of the above up to $209/nite)

If you like the above idea please use this HOTWIRE link to begin any purchases you make.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there.

[Karen O]

Thanks for your thoughts. Our group will consist of my husband and myself, our 15 year old daughter and my 78 year old mother. I think I will continue to try priceline for two rooms, the idea of being in potentially close quarters is not appealing to me.

I will rebid tomorrow morning....any thoughts as to the bidding strategy ?

Thanks,

KO

[thereuare]

What is your minimum star level?

[Karen O]

3 stars would be the minimum, and as mentioned earlier, would really only like to go to the $120 mark. That brings the price just shy of the $290 pricetag for the two rooms.

Embassy Suites offers a suite via their site $225 inclusive of taxes, etc. If I go that route, at least I know the room is better suited for 4 people. Before too much more thought process goes into this, let me mull this one over.

Thanks,

KO

[thereuare]

Let us know if/when you want to move forward.

If you do choose to book direct, please note as per our support page that we're an affiliate of the Embassy Suites brand of hotels... please use our link to begin any reservations/purchases you make.

I have been inside the Embassy Suites in San Juan and it is a nice property with a beautiful pool (only downside is the highway that runs right beside the pool area, somewhat dampening the experience slightly... photos are Real Hotel Photos.com). I would consider this property if you will have time to use the pool, participate in the evening reception, and the included breakfast. If it's just a quick pre/post cruise stay where you won't really have time to enjoy the amenities, i would sooner save the $50 and go with the HOTWIRE hotel above (presumed to be the Radisson)... and there's not "issue" with the occupancy since you will indeed be 2adults/2children.

[Karen O]

I think we're going to go the Embassy route. Just a little nervous as to what we'll get otherwise. $225 breakfast included, beautiful pool...we'll take it. We'll actually be able to make good use of the hotel, our cruise leaves at 10:00 pm. Do you know if they have a hospitality room, otherwise I have read a few things about storing luggage at places besides the hotel. I'll look into that.

Thank you so much for your advice, and I will certainly use the Embassy link you provided.

Sunny days to all,

KO

[thereuare]

I'm not sure if they have a hospitality room, but they'll almost certainly have a bellman/valet room where you can store your luggage.

Thanks in advance for using our Embassy Suites link.

[Karen O]

Hello All,

Once again I am attempting to book through Hotwire for one night March 8 - 9, pre-cruise. While I was set to book Embassy Suites through of course the Embassy link on this site, I was concerned about the shuttle to and from the cruise port. While I read there was shuttle (I'm not even sure it's directly affiliated with the hotel) available for $70, it didn't mention how many people that covered, luggage, etc.

I am now getting an option on Hotwire for:

3* Condo in Dorado at the cost of $204/night.

Amenities include:

Resort

Studio

A/C

Fitness

Restaurant

Golf Nearby

Beachfront

Daily Housekeeping

In Room Laundry

Pool

Tennis Nearby

Any help would be great.

KO

[thereuare]

Please keep all posts for the same stay in the same thread.

Before looking at this hotel, i'm not really sure why/if it is an option...

To begin, after HOTWIRE's fee it's about $10 less than booking the Embassy Suites direct... which can easily be made up when factoring in the cost of breakfast for four people.

So the two are just about equal, but you still have the added expense of getting from the hotel to the pier... which would almost certainly be much more expensive from Dorado than from San Juan. Why not just get in the taxi line at the hotel and take a cab to the pier?

[Karen O]

Ok, for our pre-cruise stay we booked through HOTWIRE via this site.

Amenities were listed precisely as you had them listed for the Embassy Suites Hotel San Juan Hotel and Casino-International Airport. The room cost us 185 plus 26 in taxes, fees and recovery, $211 total. Booking through the Embassy would have cost us approximately $60 more. This Embassy is only a mile from the airport (approx. $12 fare) and 5 miles from the port (approx. $18 fare).

Now....on to the post-cruise booking !

Thanks,

KO

[thereuare]

Not sure why you didn't think others wouldn't want to know about this win :)

Can you please confirm the star rating (we've added 3* to your topic title) and also add the amenities that shown before your purchase... you can still view this information by going to HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top of their home page.

Thanks for using our HOTWIRE link to begin your purchase.

Enjoy your stay.

[Karen O]

Sorry Thereuare, and fellow bidders!

It just seemed like I was all over the board with this one....Priceline, Hotwire booking through Embassy Suites, etc. Couldn't make up my mind with it, and when I finally did, forgot the most important part, listing the final outcome. And while the thread was started with Priceline, it was through HOTWIRE that I ended up booking.

It is listed as a 3*.

Amenities are as follow:

Suite

A guestroom designed for an extended stay and/or that more spacious than the average hotel room. Suites typically offer residential-style furnishings, as well as separate living and sleeping areas; some also offer kitchenettes.

Near Beach

Property is located within easy walking distance of a beach.

Casino

Property offers a full-service casino accessible from the lobby.

Complimentary Breakfast

&lt;amenity names only please... not descriptions&gt;

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

&lt;amenity names only please... not descriptions&gt;

Kitchenette

Accommodations include a stovetop or microwave oven, a sink and a mini-refrigerator.

Now, if I could just get that same hotel post-cruise. (Started on another thread !)

Good day all, 8 inches of snow overnight here...sun is sounding good!

KO