5 star hotel on Hotwire - ?PBH

[DaisyDeb]

Has anyone tried Hotwire for the 3 Universal hotels? I am searching for a better rate for my trip in May. I currently have 3 days at PBH booked through Quikbook - deluxe poolview for $219. Entertainment and Fan Club rates were not available.

For 2 of my days, Hotwire has a 5 star hotel in the Universal area for $153 a night. One of the amenities listed is a spa. This certainly sounds like the PBH, but are there any off-site hotels that this could be?

I don't know if I'll be brave enough to try this because my son really wants the PBH. What do you think?

 

[shpedly]

Have you tried calling lately for the ent. rate? I called every couple of days for a couple of weeks and they kept saying they didn't have for my dates, then suddenly they did!

 

[DaisyDeb]

Yes, I have been trying for the ent rate every day or 2, but with no luck. I appreciate the encouragement, because I was feeling like I was wasting my time. Now I know to hang in there. I thought once they were gone, they were gone!

I am intrigued by the Hotwire thing. I'm just not much of a gambler.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Don't take the chance for the $66.00 per night difference. (And I am a gambler but this is a bad bet).

HBC

 

[Mer]

I got Portofino with Entertainment card in May for $180 per night for a Deluxe Room.

 

[JessicaR]

DaisyDeb,

What are your dates? I went to take a look over at hotwire and read the details on that 5 star (didnt see any others did you?) the spa and the kids activities along with a 5 star rating makes one believe it has to be Portofino. I cant think of any other hotel in the area stated that it could be. Still, its a gamble you would have to be willing to take. If it helps all 3 loews properties do have negotiated rates using hotwire but if there were any other 5 stars in the same category its a gamble. Another place to check out is www.hotelkingdom.com Good Luck!

 

[DaisyDeb]

JessicaR,

I am looking for May 18, 19, 20. As I have been watching Hotwire tonight the price of that 5 star has been jumping around a little. It started at $153, it's now $145. Could be 2 different properties? The thing in the description that I'm not sure of is the tennis and golf. It says tennis and golf must be on the premises or within a short drive. I don't know if that description fits the 3 Universal resorts. Also, it would be helpful to know if Hotwire considers any other hotels to be 5 stars. I don't know how to find that out.

I have tried Hotel Kingdom but Quikbook was just a little cheaper in this case.

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for an entertainment rate. Hopefully, if anyone ever does get a Universal hotel on Hotwire they will post the details to help the rest of us.

 

[JessicaR]

http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/orlando/default.asp has the golf mentioned.

Good Luck and keep trying for the entertainment rate. Maybe give the hotel a call direct and ask if there are ANY discounted rates available like, AAA, Fan Club Card also Loews themselves has some discounted rates like right now its called the home sweet loews but will expire before your dates.


The whole hotwire thing has me intrigued now..thanks for the mention! I'm going to look into that further cause if it is for Portofino its even lower than the ER. Let us know how you make out!

 

[CPM]

What about the Peabody? Isn't that considered Universal area and don't they have a spa? But it does sound like Portofino. Has anyone read Biddingfortravel to see whats been coming up?

 

[ehbis]

biddingfortravel.com is usually better for Priceline. I took a look and nothing on 5 star Universal. Saw Homewood Suites on International as a 3 star and one person got the Dolphin as a 4 star in LBV area.

 

[JessicaR]

Cheryl,

You are so right! I forgot about the Peabody and they do have a spa and Tennis! Would they rate that a 5 star though? I havent seen any other 5 stars yet but I'm still looking om their site.

 

[Robinrs]

This also sounds like the Renaissance at SeaWorld.

I would not chance it...

Hotwire's star ratings have always been questionable. They have rated several hotels differently than Priceline OR the hotel. From the Bidding for Travel website:

Whatever Hotwire has, Priceline will have for less more than 90% of the time. Hotwire often assigns a higher rating than does Priceline.

I don't think, and this is my HUMBLE OPINION, that the onsite Universal hotels HAVE to use PL or HW, but it would be nice if they do.

Until I see it happen, I would not take the chance.

 

[DaisyDeb]

Here's another thought. How about the Westin Grand Bohemian? It could be a 5 star hotel and it is adjacent to the Citrus Club which has a spa. It also has golf course access, a health club, Kids Club, etc. Here is a link to an Orlando hotel site that gives ratings.

www.hotels-orlando-florida.com/Universal-Studios-Hotels.html

The Grand Bohemian and PBH are the only 5 star hotels in the Universal area according to this particular rating system. (They list The Peabody as a 4 star in the International Drive area.) Of course Hotwire uses their own ratings.

I think the Grand Bohemian looks like a likely candidate.

 

[CPM]

Keep in mind the star ratings for Hotwire and priceline are rated by the discount sites not the industry. Like robin said Hotwire's rating are usually questionable.
Robin, I was trying to think of the name of the Renaissance by Marriott. That also fits the description. I would think Loew's would just put better discounts out there if they needed to instead of usuing priceline or hotwire. All those other resorts that everyone mentioned are very nice though.

 

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by CPM
Robin, I was trying to think of the name of the Renaissance by Marriott. That also fits the description.

That's the Renaissance at SeaWorld. Here's the website....http://www.marriott.com/epp/default.asp?MarshaCode=MCOSR

 

[DVC California]

Originally posted by Robinrs

...This also sounds like the Renaissance at SeaWorld...

Hotwire has Universal split into two sub zones: Wet & Wild and Seaworld. If DaisyDeb selected the former, I doubt the Renaisance at Seaworld would show up. Plus, I believe that Marriott does not participate with Hotwire, so the Renaisance would not be won in either case.

BetterBidding.com has listed a winning bid for a Universal 5 star as the Portofino. The poster also conjectured that the 4 1/2 stars in that zone would be either RPH or HRH.

Hotwire rates are not as good as the Entertainment Card's, but will be less than the standard rate. Hotwires rates will fluctuate, based on availability, season, and when you bid.

HTH, Steve

 

[DaisyDeb]

Steve,

Thanks for your post! I was not familiar with betterbidding.com. Now we know it must have been the Portofino. The bidder just posted that yesterday and his rate was $153, which was the same rate I saw. His dates were for October, though.

Notice I am using past tense here because the Portofino is now gone for my dates. . I tried to get it as soon as I saw your post. It initially came up as available for $136 so I went through the whole process of entering my address and credit card but when I pushed the “purchase” button I got a message that said “This property is no longer available on your selected dates” or something like that. Oh well!

Now we know Universal may be starting to use Hotwire and it may help someone else in the future. One thing I was not too crazy about was the nonrefundable thing. I like the option to cancel. Not that I'm planning to!

 

[JessicaR]

Thanks for the additional info Steve!

I found an interesting website with information on the Pegasus System that Universal uses for their online hotel reservations.
Here is the info off the website and a link.

In addition to accessing Pegasus’ services for GDS bookings (chain code UE), the three hotels will be added to Pegasus’ Online Distribution Database of more than 40,000 hotels. As a result, Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando will be available for bookings on Web sites included in Pegasus’ Online Distribution Network, including TravelWeb.com, Expedia.com, Dreamticket.com, Continental.com and Hotwire.com.

http://www.pegs.com/newsroom/press/2001/021201.htm

I looked at dates for the end of March and it is pricing at $146 a night! I agree with you Daisy Deb the nonrefundable policy would not be an option for us. But of course thats how they make the $. Maybe for a last minute trip though! The Universal properties have been available using quite a few discounters. I think they are very smart. They get their product out there and have a full hotel to boot! Even at a discounted rate of $150 those rates are nothing to sneeze at. Beats a $300 a night hotel room that goes empty.

 

[CPM]

Wow! Great information Steve & Jessica. This is something i will keep in mind for future reference.
Thanks

 

[Robinrs]

Wow, this IS great news!

If the Portofino is being bid for and gotten on Hotwire this is the best news since the Swan and the Dolphin was gotten on Priceline.

The BAD thing is the rate is rather high to gamble and you have to be sure that you're willing to take whatever they give you. I remember HOPING for the Swolphin and getting the Marriott. I took it but I really wanted the other.

Thanks for the update, guys!