Hotwire Hotel: 4* Los Angeles (Santa Monica-Marina Del Rey) Sheraton Delfina

[markdude]

Hi everyone, this is my first time on this site, and from what I have seen, its looks good. I am going on a family vacation starting May 14th in LA. I will most likely be in LA until the 25th. I plan on going to disneyland and all the big sites in the area. Just wondering what kind of prices I should be bidding for a hotel in the disneyland area, or at least close by. It can be a short drive, that would be okay too, worst case. It would be my wife and I, and 3 kids, 4, 9, and 14. I saw that 4 star hotels could be as cheap as $50 per night in the area, is that right? A heated outdoor heated pool would be a bonus for us.

From what I have seen most hotels with 1 room have a max of 4 people. If this is the case, I would rather get a hotel for 4 and have my 4 year old either sleep with us or on the floor, it certainly doesn't justify having another room.

Talking to a few people, I have "heard" the following. Booking this far in advance, I wouldn't benefit from Priceline as much. Hotwire doesnt require any actual bidding, right?

Any advice or tips would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Mark.

[thereuare]

Are you looking for one hotel for the entire timeframe or moving about the area.

From what I have seen most hotels with 1 room have a max of 4 people. If this is the case, I would rather get a hotel for 4 and have my 4 year old either sleep with us or on the floor, it certainly doesn't justify having another room.

This may be ok with your, but it may not be ok with the hotel, who make take issue 5 person occupancy violates their fire code or if they want an additional fee since. As well, with PRICELINE, all that is guaranteed is double occupancy... you could receive a room with only one bed and the hotel may be unable, or unwilling, to accomodate your request for a room with two beds. HOTWIRE does allow you to search for up to quad occupancy, but you'll still have the issue of one additional person more than you booked for (or over fire code). This area is used to accomodating families so i would think the risk woudl be lower here than if you were in a large city such as New York or Chicago, but it's still a risk and one which you need to decide if you're willing to accept or not. Obviously the risk of using PRICELINE woudl be greater than HOTWIRE since the former would only guarnatee double occupancy (so you would be 3 people over the limit), the latter you would only be one over the limit (and can have your spouse or the other kids someplace else during check-in so they don't count how many you really have, if they were to care)

Talking to a few people, I have "heard" the following. Booking this far in advance, I wouldn't benefit from Priceline as much.

Not sure who you spoke with but i disgree... you can read additional thoughts in the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.

Hotwire doesnt require any actual bidding, right?

Correct, and more importantly for your situation, imo, allows to search for quad occupancy.

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

Let us know your thoughts regarding all the above and how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

[markdude]

thanks, you guys really know your stuff. I think I would be willing to take a chance having a toddler as my 5th person. We would like to stay in one place the whole time ideally, especially if its a 4 star at a good price.

it sounds like HOTWIRE is the route I would have to go with the quad occupancy.

[thereuare]

So if you search HOTWIRE for quad occupancy are there any hotels in the acceptable zones within our budget and minimum star rating? What are the amenities associated with each of these hotels?

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

[markdude]

the best I can find is $84 / night for a 3.5 star hotel. I am sure there are cheaper hotels out there.

[thereuare]

That $84/nite rate is thru HOTWIRE?

Are you stating that you find less expensive 3.5* hotels for these dates thru conventional booking channels? (if so, where?)

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

[markdude]

I guess after looking a bit more into it, the majority were 3 star hotels. Personal opinion, do you think there is a substantial difference between a 3 star and 3.5 star hotel? I am truely a beginner, sorry for that.

thanks for your help.

Obviously due to the size of the family, HOTWIRE.com is our only option now.

[thereuare]

do you think there is a substantial difference between a 3 star and 3.5 star hotel?

It depends, as star ratings are subjective, and within each star category there are those at the top of the star range which may deserve to be upgraded... and there are those near the bottom of the star level which some would think deserve to be downgraded. So while there may not be much of a difference betwen a highly rated 3* and a low rated 3.5*... there is likely a big difference between a low rated 3* and a highly rated 3.5*.

However, i think much of this is a moot point... if you search HOTWIRE for quad occupancy, are there any hotels in any of your accceptable zones within your budget? If so what zone, star rating, and amenities are associated with the property?

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

[Colfax]

Are you sure you want to spend all eleven nights near Disneyland? It's fine if you do, or if you just don't like to move. But if your family also plans to visit some of the attractions further north---Universal Studios, Hollywood, Six Flags, etc---you might enjoy staying a couple nights at a hotel near those places, rather than commuting back and forth to Anaheim every day. It's about 35-40 miles to Universal from Disney and can take an hour in bad traffic.

[markdude]

Hi, I am looking at the following hotel on hotwire in the Santa Monica Area:

4 Star Hotel in Santa Monica Venice Marina Del Ray

Amenities:

Near Beach

Smoke Free Rooms

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Resteraunt(s)

Business Center

High Speed Internet Access

For May 14th to May 18th, I got a quote of $109 per night. Any idea what hotel that might be and how does that price look?

thanks.

[thereuare]

This is a match for the Sheraton Delfina so that would be our best guess.

Assuming correct, hotel-direct rates start at $241/nite so the price certainly seems good. Reviews are mostly good with a few 'problems' which is fairly common, but you should read thru them to see if you think this prooperty will work for your own needs.

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

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[markdude]

I just booked it, and you are correct, its the Sheraton Delfina.

I used your HOTWIRE link as well.

Thanks for your help!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you received the hotel you were expecting and are happy with the results.

Thank you for sharing your results with the board and using our HOTWIRE link to begin your purchase.

Enjoy your stay.