Airport hotel ?

[MiaSRN62]

I had to book airfare for a day earlier than planned because there were no good flight times on Saturday when our hotel stay begins. So I need one night (Fri, July 27) and I was hoping for the Hyatt at the airport but that is going for $199 for my night.
Anyone know of how to get a better rate ? How about other nearby hotels that would offer a free shuttle to MCO (I need to go back on July 28 and pick up the rental car from Dollar). Is there a way to get a good rate at the Hyatt or other airport hotel on Priceline or any other website ?
Thanks for any help.

 

[Giggle]

I booked the Hyatt at the airport through Hotwire.com for $63 a night. This was a year and 3 months ago. It was and probably still is a 3 and 1/2 star hotel on Hotwire. If you have never used hotwire or priceline, let me know. I will be happy to help, I have used them countless times.

 

[MiaSRN62]

This was a year and 3 months ago. It was and probably still is a 3 and 1/2 star hotel on Hotwire. If you have never used hotwire or priceline, let me know. I will be happy to help, I have used them countless times.

I have never used them. Could you please give me a crash course in hotwire 101 ? Do I just do a search for 3 1/2 star hotels and hope for the best. I'd love the Hyatt, but if I don't get that, then at the very least I'd need a hotel near the airport with a free shuttle to pick me up and then take me back to the airport the next day ?
Should I use any special codes or anything to assure I get a hotel near the airport ? I appreciate any and all help you can lend. Thanks !

 

[Giggle]

Mia,

My husband and I are very loyal Priceline and Hotwire users for short stays. Never once have we been disappointed. Have you ever used Priceline? Hotwire is a similar concept. On Hotwire you choose your city and dates and it will give you a range of star levels and prices available.

I typed in your dates on my computer and got almost 30 results all over the Orlando area. Then on the left hand side of the screen you can narrow your choice down to the Orlando International airport area (Area C). You are then given a choice of 4 hotels from 2 star level to 3 1/2 stars. The 3 1/2 star is $59 before taxes. This is most likely either the Hyatt or the Renaissance. You do have to pay in full as soon as you accept the offer. They do not tell you the name of the hotel until you have paid.

When we went over new years for a bowl game we booked two rooms. When we checked in they were very accomodating and gave us rooms across the hall from each other. One with a balcony overlooking the runway and one with a balcony overlooking the inside of the airport. We went and ate in the foodcourt in the airport and took pictures with Goofy and Snow white outside the Disney store. Any more questions? Ask away!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Giggle,
You have been a tremendous help ! I really appreciate it ! I've never used Priceline or Hotwire. First for me.
Do you think it matters booking it now for July 27 or waiting until closer to the date ?

Thanks...and sorry for all the questions.......

 

[MiaSRN62]

This is most likely either the Hyatt or the Renaissance.

Do you happen to know what other options I might get ? I'd be fine with either of these two.

 

[Giggle]

Do you happen to know what other options I might get ? I'd be fine with either of these two.

Straight from Hotwire's website...

Our 3.5-star hotel suppliers include Hilton, Millennium, Crowne Plaza, plus other top brands and quality hotels.
Distinctive establishments offer a higher level of service than most midscale properties, and larger or higher-quality rooms. These properties usually offer features and amenities found upscale hotels, such as restaurants, room service, and a fitness or business center. These properties are frequently located near business centers and attractions.


I usually don't book anything on these websites lower than a 3 star. My mother did have a horrible experience with a 1 star on priceline, but I warned her not to bid on that low a star level. Out of my three Orlando experiences with Hotwire the worst I ever got was the Holiday Inn on I-drive. It wan't bad, they just were booked solid and did not have a King size room available for us. We ended up getting the breakfast buffet free for both mornings we were there in return. So even my worst experience was good.

 

[Giggle]

Do you think it matters booking it now for July 27 or waiting until closer to the date ?

If you wait until closer the price could go up. A friend that works for Ritz Carlton once told me that Priceline and Hotwire pay upfront to the hotels for the rooms they sell. So when HW and PL run out thats it. Then you have to go to the hotel.

We have had two situations where we did not end up using the room. Once there was bad weather and the power was out at the Courtyard marriot we had booked through priceline (2 1/2 *). We called Priceline that evening on our way to the hotel and they refunded our cost completely. We had to find another room at the last minute.

The other situation we had booked a room for one night and found out my husbands company was going to be paying for us instead for 3 nights and all food. So we called Hotwire and the hotel to cancel, but of course no refund was given. We lost $109 to the Hyatt in New Orleans, but stayed in the Ritz carlton for free.

Have you booked your flights? I would say the only reason to wait is if you are unsure of your plans. Airport hotels usually have more availability at the last minute also., so you will be safe waiting.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Here is a messge board to help you ID Hotwire hotels.
www.betterbidding.com
I just used them to book an airport hotel for Sept. We will have a late flight after work/school and just want a quick place to sleep.
We got the Wingate Inn for $49 + tax. Has free shuttle and cont. breakfast.
It was a 3* in MCO area (not west MCO) and listed these amenities:
Shuttle, Business Center, Fitness Center, High Speed Internet Access and Pool.

I searched your dates for 2 adults only. (didn't mention if kids too) The 3.5* was ID'd as the Renaissance. $59! That's an awesome price and does have shuttle.
I didn't see the Wingate on your dates but the guys on betterbidding are pretty good at IDing hotels so maybe can tell you what the others are.

We stayed at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott in Feb. before our cruise. (booked direct) It had free shuttle and continental breakfast (make your own waffles too) and was clean. Not glamourous and nothing to do in the area w/o a car but restaurants were in very close walking distance. Bennigan's and Tony Roma's and something else but I forget.
The pool had a lot of debris in it but we arrived the afternoon of a really bad storm thru Orlando that am. People even died from tornadoes, It was on every channel and all you could find on TV. It dropped the temp a lot so it was way too cold to swim anyway. I would stay there again. We booked way in advance and got it for $89 with AAA discount.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Have you booked your flights? I would say the only reason to wait is if you are unsure of your plans. Airport hotels usually have more availability at the last minute also., so you will be safe waiting.

Our flight is booked.....arriving at MCO at 9:30 pm on July 27. Our original plans were to fly out Saturday but the times weren't good.
I am going to use your advice and check out hotwire.

Ruadisneyfan,
Thanks for your advice as well. I'm going to look over those boards you listed. We're actually 2 adults and 2 teens.
Thanks to both of you for helping a novice bidder.

 

[Giggle]

Since I am usually the one asking for help on these boards it is nice to return the favor.

RUADisneyfan- Thanks for the hotwire message board. I knew about the priceline one - biddingfortravel.com, but the mod doesn't even allow talk of hotwire.

 

[MiaSRN62]

It's ME....the pest again

I was reading the biddingfortravel boards and it states that Priceline only guarentees double occupancy ? I need two beds....would hate to get there and have a king with nowhere to put the girls. Is hotwire the same ? Only will guarantee double occupancy ? I'm really trying to do my research before I bid.......
Thanks again...

 

[MiaSRN62]

Ok....I'm on hotwire....ready to bid. Giggle...you had mentioned option C ?

I typed in your dates on my computer and got almost 30 results all over the Orlando area. Then on the left hand side of the screen you can narrow your choice down to the Orlando International airport area (Area C). You are then given a choice of 4 hotels from 2 star level to 3 1/2 stars. The 3 1/2 star is $59 before taxes.

I'm on Hotwire looking right now and the airport choices are options A & B ? I see the C but it says : "Universal Orlando".
Options A & B only have 1, 2, 2.5 and 3 stars available. No 3.5 ? I'm only getting like 5 choices too ? I must be doing something wrong ?

 

[MiaSRN62]

I think I answered my own question !!!
I took away the two kids and just put in 2 adults and the 3.5 star came up for $59 ! Unfortunately, I need a room to sleep 4 so I guess I'm not getting a 3.5 star hotel

 

[Giggle]

hmm... interesting. I have never had that happen before. OOH I just searched your way and the 2 1/2 star doesn't show that it has an airport shuttle.

 

[Giggle]

hmm... interesting. I have never had that happen before. OOH I just searched your way and the 2 1/2 star doesn't show that it has an airport shuttle.

oops I meant the 3 star that is $64. I know you can get a taxi, but a free shuttle is much better.

 

[MiaSRN62]

This is my dilemma.......unless.....the 3 star is the Hyatt ? Then you wouldn't need a shuttle ? But the description says "midscale establishment" ?
This is really quite a mystery game.....

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

The Hyatt in MCO terminal is a 3.5 * and must have Tennis as one if its amenities.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Another way to figure out what is the identity of a hotel:
1. Search Hotwire the regular way and find something that looks appealing.
2. Write down its * rating and amenities.
3. Search again adding a car as a "package." It now lists the names of the hotels! See if you can find a match and ta-da, mystery solved!
Good luck.
Of course the suspense is killing me so now I have to go look!
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Based on above method and looking up other people's posted "wins" on betterbidding.com, I would say the 3* is the Crowne Plaza and the 2.5* is the LaQuinta West (not to be confused with the LaQuinta North)
Personally, I'd jump on that 3* and pay for taxi!
good luck

 

[Giggle]

Mia,

I did some research using ruadisneyfan's technique. (a technique I use also every time I book). It appears the 3 star $63 hotel is the Crowne Plaza Airport. When you search vacation packages, the CP is the only one with those same 4 ammenities near the airport. The good news is when you go to the Crowne Plaza website you find out that they do actually have an airport shuttle. The bad news is that the rate on the Crowne Plaza website is only $92.95 a night. So you are really only saving $30. I wouldn't feel in a rush to book, knowing that the CP has good rates on their website. You could keep checking Hotwire for a few weeks and see if anything better comes up.