Priceline Hotel: San Juan, PR, Wyndham El Conquistador Resort

[sethuvs]

Hi All -

I'm a newbie here, so would appreciate your help. I found a vacation package deal at this Wyndham El Con resort for $477/person for 4 nights. We checked other websites, and a room here cost $300 per night. This ia a place we want to stay.. so is there any catch?

In general,

1) what type of rooms do we get with Priceline? We can never sleep in a smoking room,

2) can we use resort amenities posted on the resort website?

3) Will the flights in the package turn out to be bad timing? We don't want to return 6am on a sunday.

4) is it good to add a rental car to vacation package opr book separate through priceline.

Anyone been to this resport, help...

-v

[thereuare]

Welcome to the BetterBidding family!

1) what type of rooms do we get with Priceline? We can never sleep in a smoking room

Priceline (and Hotwire) rooms are booked "Run of House" which means that they are assigned based upon what is available at time of check-in. Usually this, and in addition to the fact that others are spending 2x and 3x more than us to stay at the very same hotel, means that we don't typically get the best rooms the hotel has to offer. So much of room selection depends upon hotel occupancy levels, the mood of the desk clerk at time of check-in, availability of rooms that are clean, etc, etc. You may very well get a high floor with a picture perfect view of the ocean, but i don't think that is something you should expect when using Priceilne or Hotwire.

Likewise, rooms are assigned at check-in and based upon availability. Most do not have a problem, but occaisionally there is an issue when a hotel is very full, a user checks in late at nite, and there simply aren't any non-smoking rooms available. If your stay is for a few days this can usually be resolved by taking the first room and then switching the following day. You can the hotel after you book your room and request a non-smoking room... many hotels will input it in their system, while some will say 'we can't touch a priceilne reservation and will try to accomodate your preferences at check-in'.

2) can we use resort amenities posted on the resort website?

As long as there are no additional fees charged by the resort for these amenities... you will be treated just as any other 'standard' guest. Best example i can give is with Embassy Suite hotels, which include a buffet breakfast in their room rate. Priceline guests are entitled to free breakfast here too, but they're not entitled to breakfast at a hotel such a Hilton hotel which may offer a standard rate and then a 'special' rate which includes breakfast.

Likewise, if the hotel charges an extra 'resort fee' which is paid by 'regular' hotel guests, you will also pay this fee direct to the hotel as it is not included in your Priceline rate.

3) Will the flights in the package turn out to be bad timing? We don't want to return 6am on a sunday

It's possible you get bad timing on your flights, you have to weigh the potential of getting a bad flight vs. the savings involved. This is a bigger factor on weekend getaways, less so for a week long vacation.

4) is it good to add a rental car to vacation package or book separate through priceline

You should see how much a rental car costs separately if you had booked on your own, and then see how much the rental car option adds to the cost of your package.

Hopefully the above answers your questions. We might be able to add additional insight as to your best deal if you provide the actual dates of our stay and what airport you'll be traveling from.

Let us know if we can help further and/or what you decide to do.

[sethuvs]

Thank you for the detailed msg.

[sethuvs]

Just wondering if "Trip protection" in priceline is worth it.. for ex: if due to bad weather, snow/rain I'm unable to travel on my vacation package - does this 'Trip protection" reclaim money for the hotel, car and flight?

[thereuare]

Here are some thoughts from a Hotwire thread: HOTWIRE - PRICELINE TRIP INSURANCE.

My own thoughts are in the 3rd post down.