Priceline Hotel: 3* Baltimore (Inner Harbor-Downtown) Brookshire Suites

[tj722]

Pretty good deal for a suite, although I'd say it's a borderline 2 1/2 star at the moment, given the state of the tired room. Took me a couple of days to get this bid. Had a few failed bids from $50 - 60.

They tried to charge me a $9.95 "destination fee" but after stern talk with the manager I was able to get it taken off. These kind of charges really irk me, but they probably can get away with it with biz travelers that don't even look at their bill.

Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $55.00

Subtotal: $55.00

Taxes & Service Fees: $15.06

Total Charges*: $70.06

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

While fees are, unfortately becoming more commonplace these days, the name they give theirs is interesting as i've never heard a hotel use the term "destination fee" before... did this fee include anything? (parking, internet, etc)

Other than the fee discussion with management hope you enjoyed your stay.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your future travel purchases.

[tj722]

Nope, the fee got me absolutely nothing except a line item on my bill. There was a charge of $29 for parking (which I did not need). Although I didn't drive this time, whenever I do I either find street parking or park in a non-hotel lot, as there are numerous cheaper garages all around the inner harbor area.

There was also extra charge for internet.

I also had not seen a fee like that before, and its name was particularly annoying. I politely explained to the manager that my destination "fee" was taken care of quite nicely by Priceline. :)

EDIT: I did get a free bottle of water for my "destination". :)

[dahammer]

fees really drive me nuts, especially for PRICELINE or HOTWIRE bookings because its an opaque purchase and I can't choose my hotel. That's why I'd much rather stay in a 2.5* hotel with free breakfast, internet, and parking than a 3* property that charges for these amenities. So, I sent an email to the management of the Brookshire Suites, here is the reply:

Dear Mr. Hammer,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding out destination fee. The destination fee is actually a 'package' which includes all of the following items for $9.95. ~Complimentary Internet Access in all of our guest rooms

~Complimentary Wireless Internet Access in our public spaces

~Complimentary daily pass to MAC Wellness Health Club

~Unlimited local, domestic long distance, and 800-calls.

~Two Complimentary Bottles of Water Daily In your Room

~Harbor Magic Shuttle Service

~Exclusive In-Hotel Activities - from wine tastings to cooking demonstrations (varies by hotel)

~Services by our hotel Experience Specialist (assists with making your stay more personalized)

~Harbor Magic Destination Guide ($5.95 for non-hotel guests)

~Complimentary Computer and printer access

~Complimentary Fax Services -unlimited

~Complimentary Photocopy Service

~Complimentary newspapers

Instead of being charged for each item individually, we bundle all these charges together and the $9.95 fee is added automatically to your nightly room bill. Overnight Valet parking is $29.00 per night plus tax. Self parking is also available for a nominal fee. I hope this helps answer your question. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank You,

I guess they can't call it a resort fee, but the term "destination fee" is a poor name. Unfortunately, somewhere in PRICELINE's fine print mentions the possibility of fees for parking, shuttle, internet, etc. I'm just going to have to start my own fees....$5 for poor treatment by the brain dead desk clerk, $10 for not getting clear driving directions to the hotel from anyone at the front desk, $3 for waiting too long for an elevator, $5 for having a fuzzy picture on my TV screen, $10 for that wonderful Febreeze scent that hits you in the face when you open the door, $20 for the rock hard mattress.

[tj722]

Thanks for posting the follow up. Interesting what you "get" for your $9.95. I was not told about the fee until I noticed it on checkout. Still seems very shady to me. Pretty soon the room rate itself will only include a bed and one pillow. Everything else will be covered by a "fee". :)

Either way, it's very annoying to have these on a PL room.