Organizing, and setting up a Group Rate hotel stay can be tough, as both the guests as well as the hotel want the best terms for themselves. Ideally, guests want the ability to book the best rates directly with the hotel, instead of giving credit card information to a DISer or a 3rd party
Travel Agent. The hotel is happy to provide a low rate, provided they are guaranteed a certain number of hotel nights for a given night. Some hotels will provide open bookings, or allow groups to cancel their program if they are not able to reach the minimum number of rooms booked ... unfortunately, Sheraton Old San Juan will not let us cancel the program (once opened / enacted). Since location and quality of hotel was paramount, we were limited to the number of hotels we could approach. Since there are a limited number of hotels in paradise, the guarantee was a stickler point for Sheraton Old San Juan. Accordingly, I am happy to say, we have been able to negotiate a Friday night stay (September 26, 2014) for $159 USD per night PROVIDED WE BOOK A MINIMUM OF TEN (10) ROOMS. *** As an example, if we only get 8 rooms booked before sailing, *I* will be required to pay for the other I
HILIGHTS OF GROUP RATE: $159 USD per night (Friday, September 26, 2014), King Room with pull-out sleeper sofa, 10 rooms to be set aside (removed from inventory) - so the rooms are guaranteed available to DISers. All bookings must be completed 75 days prior to 9/26/14 (the hotel will not book rooms under this program past this point). Currently, we only have access to ten rooms. If we need more than 10 rooms, we will have to ASK if additional rooms can be provided on a case-by-case basis, but not within 75 days of 9/26/14. Booked reservations cannot be bumped for any reason, including over-booking on the part of the hotel. More details and explanation as follows:
1) Sheraton OSJ has agreed to provide a GROUP RATE of $159 USD for Friday, Friday, September 26, 2014 (230SF King Room with pull-out sleeper sofa), provided we guarantee a minimum of 10 room night stays for Friday, September 26, 2014. Reservations cannot be cancelled, and will be made via a special website created for our group. Additional night stays prior to the cruise are available (where applicable), but are not counted towards our 10 room night requirement/guarantee.
2) Sheraton OSJ requires a TWO NIGHT MINIMUM when booking a FRIDAY or SATURDAY night stay.
2a) With our GROUP RATE, the two night minimum is WAIVED ... accordingly, those booking in our group rate are able to book a single weekend night, and are NOT required to stay two nights, unless you prefer to do so. *** This is a MAJOR PERK for us, since none of us really want to stay in the hotel, while the ship is sailing away!
3) Sheraton OSJ room information:
3a) Our Group Rate is for the Traditional room (230 square feet, King bed plus sleeper sofa (2 Queen beds are available for surcharge - typical for this resort)).
4) Sheraton OSJ true Rack Rate for weekdays is currently $197.10 (FRI & SAT = $207.10) (prepaid) during our travel period.
4a) As of 1/13/14, a PROMOTIONAL rate of $189 (prepaid) is available during our travel period.
4b) As of 1/13/14, the rate for
AAA and AARP is $197 (prepaid) during our travel period.
4c) It is not uncommon for Sheraton to offer online promotions, which may provide alternate pricing.
4d) As is the case with MOST Travel websites, Sheraton's website EXCLUDES taxes and resort fees.
4e) Sheraton OSJ *may* impose a RESORT FEE if/when rooms are booked through Sheraton, or a Travel website.
4f) Our Group Rate for Friday night (September 26, 2014) is $159.00 USD (prepaid), plus taxes and gratuities. Resort Fees will NOT be imposed when booking through our Group Rate.
5) Sheraton OSJ charges taxes and gratuities to each room stay.
5a) Our Room Rate is $159.00 USD. Mandatory gratuities INCLUDE $5 per night for bellhop services, and $1 per night for housekeeping. Accordingly, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TIP YOUR BELLHOP to deliver your luggage to your room, or pick up luggage for check-out. After adding sales tax and hotel tax, the total for a one night GROUP RATE stay is $207.20 USD.
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What do we do from here? I know I previously asked who was *interested* in rooms. However, since I will have to personally guarantee 10 rooms, I would like to ask who is willing to COMMIT to one or more rooms for Friday, September 26th? I am sure most will understand ... I'd be more than happy to personally guarantee 10 rooms ... if there is a reasonable chance we will get 10 rooms booked. Accordingly, if you believe you are READY to commit to a room, AND BOOK a room, please let me know ASAP. It we get proper response, I will ask Sheraton OSJ to open the booking website, and will post the information for all to see.
2 weeks shy of 7 years old when we cruise
