Hotwire Hotel: 4* Ft Lauderdale (Hollywood Beach) Westin Diplomat

[Sunnybuffalo]

Booked this on 2/12/10

6 Nights

3/31/10 - 4/6/10

$104 per night

Recommended in 95% of customer reviews

Resort

Fitness Center

High Speed Internet Access

Near Beach

Pool(s)

Golf

Smoke Free Rooms

Restaurants(s)

As other users have mentioned, I receiived same email from Hotwire on 2/20/10 explaining that the hotel is not able to offer the Near Beach. I was offered the option of either cancelling for a full refund along with $50 HotDollars, or keeping the reservation and receiving 50% of entire stay in HotDollars. Instructed to phone Hotwire or respond to the email with my decision.

I have not responded to Hotwire, but did phone Hotel directly last night and was confirmed at the ocean front property in a room with two queen beds for my stay.

Are we to assume that by agreeing to keeping the reservation (and receiving the 50% Hotdollars) that you are not guaranteed to be at the oceanfront property? The email from Hotwire states the options as "either" cancelling the reservation OR keeping the current reservation with the near beach amenity no longer being offered. Very confusing.

I will keep everyone informed as to what what happens in my situation. Right now, I'm not sure how to proceed. The golf property would be unacceptable to my husband at any price, so I need to insure I get the beach property.

I am greatful for the board and any advice given.

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

I'm not sure regarding the "near beach" situation with this property as it's right by the water - I'm guessing there's possibly a beach that is no longer accessible by guests, and that was what caused the "near beach" icon to be taken down? If you called the hotel and confirmed that you are staying at an oceanfront property (did you note who you spoke to?), then you should be set at the oceanfront property. I'd call HOTWIRE and ask what the situation is, but if you have confirmation of Oceanfront from the hotel and you can get the 50% credit, then that would seem like an awfully good deal to me.

HOTWIRE offering this deal because an amenity is no longer available is not entirely uncommon - a couple of weeks ago, the Planet Hollywood Towers in Vegas had a situation where in-room laundry wasn't offered, so HOTWIRE was offering the same deal.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and please use the site's PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

Enjoy your stay.

[crockea]

I too have run in to this with Hotwire and took the 50% credit thinking "what a deal". I did find out afterward that the Westin now also has a Golf resort and that we could have moved over there. I was told to call back during the weekday and speak to inhouse reservations. I asked them repeatedly if I had moved to the golf resort and was told I was still booked at the ocean reasort and to bring my confirmation with the ocean front address on it when I check in (just in case). I hope this info helps.