Hotwire Hotel: 4* Orlando (Sea World-I-Drive South) Sheraton Vistana Villages

[ljg]

Help!! I'm a NEWBIE to the idea of bidding on hotels, but based on some research it looks like this is the only way to save. We are 2 adults/2 kids (12 & 9) traveling to Orlando, FL 6/20-6/26 (6 nts), and are seeking a 4* condo/hotel, with great pools, restaurant on-site, resort-type atmosphere, 100$ or less. We may visit a park or two, but most of it is planned on enjoying the hotel.

I'm not sure whether to try Hotwire or Priceline. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[AaronJB]

Welcome to the site.

A few ideas:

1. The new Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and Spa is $99 on Orbitz for a 1BR on these dates. If you use coupon code deal0hotel, you get 10% off = $89.10. This hotel also gets fantastic (4.5/5) reviews on Tripadvisor.

2. The Caribe Cove Resort (which also gets a 4.5/5 on tripadvisor) is $82.50 on Orbitz.com (which includes the 4th night free), plus you can use the deal0hotel coupon, PLUS you get a free upgrade from a 2BR to a 3BR. This seems like a remarkable deal, with both the 4th night free and the upgrade.

3. HOTWIRE has a 4* in the Lake Buena Vista/Downtown Disney area with the amenities: Resort, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Spa, which would appear to be the Buena Vista Palace. $72 (although the price you see may be slightly different. Personally, I'd rather go with the Caribe Cove deal, with the free upgrade.

4* HOTWIRE has a 4.5* in the Disney Maingate/Celebration area with the amenities: Resort, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Smoke Free, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Golf, Childrens Activities, Spa for $99 (the price you see may vary slightly), which is likely the Gaylord Palms.

Personally, I think the Caribe Cove deal looks very good, with the upgrade from 2BR to 3BR (and according to Expedia, the 3BR rooms are 1,600 square feet)

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or Orbitz.com links if any of these ideas are of interest. If you would like further help, please feel free to ask.

[whenpigsfly]

I looked at the Carib cove for an upcoming stay as well but it looks pretty quiet if you have kids and for a shorter stay the $65 cleaning fee (we are only looking for two days) looks steep. but the reviews look mixed but pretty decent, property sounds nice the staff is hit or miss ...check it out on trip advisor

[ljg]

Thanks so much for your thoughts, I do appreciate your help. I believe we've narrowed it down to two choices:

4.5* Disney/Maingate: resort, smoke-free, fitness, pool(s), restaurant, business center, ... (which appears to be Gaylord Palms); and

4* condo SeaWorld: resort, 1bed, kitchen, free parking, daily housekeeping, ... (which I believe is Sheraton Vistana Villages).

Please let me know if you think my guesses are wrong. We plan to book by tomorrow, I'm not sure if rates will drop any more by June 20 (and holding out this long is painful, I have always booked by February in the past). I don't know much more about the Gaylord and Sheraton, other than what I've read on this site and TripAdvisor. My kids think both have great pools though!

I also haven't heard much about PRICELINE, and am a little more fearful with trying to bid on that site, but am always open for ideas. Thanks again...

[AaronJB]

PRICELINE isn't an option in this case due to being a party of four, and how PRICELINE does not guarantee 2 beds.

The guess on the 4.5* is correct, but a 4* in the Seaworld-I-Drive South condo listing has quite a few more amenities than what you have listed and would not appear to be the Sheraton.

I would book now, as while rates may drop a couple of dollars, I think the price risk is more to the upside.

[thereuare]

I believe the 4.5* probably has more amenities associated with it as well.

If you'd like help confirming the two properties above please include the full list of amenities assoiciated with each, keeping in mind to see the complete list you may need to go to HOTWIRE, click the CONTINUE button next to the offering, then click the "See all amenities" link under the icons on the ensuing page.

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

[ljg]

Yes, I apoligize, they do both have more amenities listed. They are:

4.5* Disney/Maingate ($657.99) (Gaylord Palms??):

Resort

Smoke Free Rooms

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-speed Internet Access

Golf Nearby

Spa Services

Children's Activity Program

It also reflects 4*, 360+ traveler reviews (3.5* Traveler Rating);

TripAdvisor reflects 4*, 369 traveler reviews, 3.5* Traveler Rating.

also, 4* condo SeaWorld ($628.31) (Sheraton Vistana Villages??):

Resort

1-Bedroom Suite

Fully-equipped Kitchen

Free Parking

Daily Housekeeping

Air Conditioning

In-Room Laundry

Children's Activity Program

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

24-hour Front Desk

Laundry Facilities

High-speed Internet Access

Golf Nearby

Tennis Nearby

Condo

This reflects 4*, 620+ traveler reviews, (4* Traveler Rating);

Trip Advisor shows 4*, 636 traveler reviews, 4* Traveler Rating.

PS: This betterbidding.com site is fantastic!

[thereuare]

Glad you're enjoying the site and finding the information here useful :)

I'd agree, best guess for each would be the Gaylord Palms and the Sheraton Vistana Villages.

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

Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[ljg]

I haven't been able to access the calendar list of wins (Hotwire) for May 24 and 25. Is it because of the holiday weekend? I can see the other days before this.

:)

[ljg]

Please, help once more trying to ID:

3.5* LBV-Downtown, 13.8 miles from MCO, 540+ traveler reviews, 3.5* traveler rating with the following:

fitness center;

pool;

restaurant;

business center;

laundry facilities;

internet;

tennis nearby;

children's activities.

I was hoping it was Holiday Inn Club Vacations...

And as always, very appreciative of your assistance!

[thereuare]

The Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins is working fine for me and i haven't heard of anyone else with an issue... if you're still having a problem please send me a PM with the details of your search and what type of error occurs.

The HOTWIRE property above appears to be the Regal Sun Resort and that would be my best guess.

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

Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[ljg]

SUCCESS!! I couldn't hold out any longer - 2 adults/2 kids (12 & 9) June 20-26, 2009 (6nts).

4* condo SeaWorld ($652.31) , 8.9 miles, 620+ traver reviews:

Resort; 1-Bedroom Suite; Fully-equipped Kitchen; Free Parking; Daily Housekeeping; Air Conditioning; In-Room Laundry; Children's Activity Program; Fitness Center; Pool(s); Restaurant(s); Business Center; 24-hour Front Desk; Laundry Facilities; High-speed Internet Access; Golf Nearby; Tennis Nearby

And we received SHERATON VISTANA VILLAGES. We're very pleased, and appreciate all of your help... and of course, booked thru your HOTWIRE link.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you received the hotel you were hoping for and that you're 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.

[ljg]

UGH.... I guess I should've waited on bidding for our 6 nights beginning June 20 (2adults/2kids) because the price has dropped!! We paid $652.31 (which is still a good rate), but it now reflects the same for $515.51!!!!!

I guess with the economy, waiting two weeks prior to our trip may have been a better idea.

Though I have to say, I doubt I will ever book another way from now on. Hotwire/Priceline rock!

[thereuare]

And if the price had gone up you'd be kicking yourself for not taking a good deal when you saw one :)

With HOTWIRE, if you you're happy with the hotel that you think you'll be receiving and it's a good deal, then you should just take it, as the risk is not only that the price goes up without you buying, but that the current offering is replaced by a completely different property (which you may not be as favorable on)