Booking question...having a blonde moment! HELP!

[bubba's mom]

I forget which way to make ressie for hotel that doesn't charge you one nite deposit....thru Universal website OR Loew's??? Having a blonde moment! Also, first time staying at HRH ....would like a "themepark" view....any suggestions as to what room numbers to request??? (I read the "sticky" on HRH, but not as much help as the RPR sticky was.....) Thanks!

 

[lindalinda]

I did Loews and they didn't charge me the deposit. (but then again I'm a brunette! )

 

[bubba's mom]

Well, so I leave myself a "paper trail", I got too impatient and booked thru Universal site. (FWIW, I think I booked that way last time and didn't get a deposit charged to my card....)....we'll see!

 

[bg4]

My guess is Loews.

I went to hardrock.com clicked on HRH Orlando and reserve but I believe that is same as Loews. I was not charged one nights deposit. No guaranteed but I just checked my visa statemnent and it is not there.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Either website doesnt matter. I have booked online using both sites, never a deposit.

 

[aztecgoods]

BM I think if you get the big map of the parks and hotels together, you can look at the wing to see what rooms would have the best view I'm thinking it would be the backside of the far left wings of HRH (if you are facing the hotel entrance), always top floor probably best. You can actually see a lot from the balconies at the Port. so i'm guessing the HRH would have some good views, mainly of the old park though.

 

[jillybeene71]

I booked through the Universal website on Aug. 8 and my card still hasnt been charged.

 

[bubba's mom]

Thanks everyone....I cannot ever remember, so, I figured if i left a "paper trail" I'd remember...... Visa statement comes between the 2nd & 3rd of the month....not too far off , so we'll check then......thanks again!

 

[bg4]

Remember that at Universal Hotels - because you do not pay in advance like at WDW - you must pay for your stay at check-in.

 

[bubba's mom]

Remember that at Universal Hotels - because you do not pay in advance like at WDW - you must pay for your stay at check-in.

We know....we were just there.....we actually had some "issues" because at check-in, RPR "charged" against our credit card the amount of what they estimated our bill to be (room + tax + merchandise and eating we were charging to our card). Apparently they do this to be sure you have money available on that card. Anyhows, somebody screwed up, and charged us the same amount as the first day PLUS about $400 MORE. Well, this ended up being about $3200 "pending" against our card in 2 days. I guess my cc co. freaked, and "froze" our card After our week at UO, we were at my DFIL's house (in Fla) for the rest of the week, and I called first thing in the morning. After talking to cc peeps and RPR peeps, I finally got it all straightened out. RPR should NOT have charged the second day we were there--that's what flagged cc peeps. CC peeps said since we had so much activity for out of home state in such a short period of time (2 days), they were suspicious (cuz I didn't tell them we were travelling either) So, thanks for the heads up......but, we expect to pay the entire bill (room and charges we make to it) on our check out day! (except that "pending" charge at check-in....lessons learned: 1)take another cc (not just 1) and 2) notify cc co. of travel plans!)

 

[macraven]

YOO HOO..........i'm a blonde and i have the answer !!!!


ok now, what do i win since i know?


i always book now with universal direct and a one night's deposit is taken by cc at the time of booking.

good thing about that is when the hotel over books, you get first dibbs on getting the room. long story another thread sometime.

if you book thru loews, they don't charge you on the cc even if they take the card number.

i prefer to pay the one nights stay in advance. i like to pay off some of the trip prior to going.

if you want to wait to after your trip for paying the hotel charge then use the loews site.

 

[bubba's mom]

YOO HOO..........i'm a blonde and i have the answer !!!!

ok now, what do i win since i know?

you win a brand new

i always book now with universal direct and a one night's deposit is taken by cc at the time of booking.

over the phone?? ....or online?? i book online

if you book thru loews, they don't charge you on the cc even if they take the card number.

i went thru universal last time (i think) and wasn't charged 1 nite deposit....went thru UO website again....waiting for my cc bill to come to see if it's there....doubt it....i'm prepared to pay the WHOLE thing when we go (which is really ok w/ me....gives me 10 months to save for it! )

 

[macraven]

my last 16 stays at hrh i used a live person at universal to book.

each time the cc showed the charge for a one night stay immediately.


i have pages and pages of notes from previous trips.
and i have that many room numbers. i am trying to sort out the best ones.

i always take a picture of my door at hrh.
on the back of the pic i put the date and what i loved about the room such as view.

i'm looking for more of the pics so i know which rooms were the boat launch view , pool view, park view......

i always take floor 6 unless i am concierge.
one time only i took floor 5 due to the view of the park.
i never take the view that faces the drive up to the hotel.

 

[bubba's mom]

have pages and pages of notes from previous trips.
and i have that many room numbers. i am trying to sort out the best ones.

you're the bestest.......

i always take a picture of my door at hrh.
on the back of the pic i put the date and what i loved about the room such as view.

this is an EXCELLENT idea!!! boy, you sure are smart!!! great idea!

i'm looking for more of the pics so i know which rooms were the boat launch view , pool view, park view......

....i/we appreciate it.....

i always take floor 6 unless i am concierge.

that's my plan

one time only i took floor 5 due to the view of the park.
i never take the view that faces the drive up to the hotel.

don't blame you.....

Thanks so much for the help w/ room.......we aren't going for awhile, so no rush, take your time and get in YOUR vacation mode. The idea of taking pic of room # and writing notes on the back is GENIUS!!!!! You ARE the "official" HRH room guru!

 

[macraven]

eh, you give me too much credit bubba mom.........i'm just a dumb blonde that likes to spend money at universal most of the time........


in the early 90's, i started taking pics of the door of the hotels we stayed at.
the door always has the room number on it.

on the back, i list the view from that room.
list how far from ice machine, elevator, etc.....


being blonde and all, i sometimes forget the basic facts of some rooms.
like, was this a good room location or a bad one. all i have to do is read what is on the back of that pic of the door.

 

[bubba's mom]

eh, you give me too much credit bubba mom

nu-uh...I'm jealous I didn't think of that idea!

.........i'm just a dumb blonde that likes to spend money at universal most of the time........

me too..... guess that's why OUR great minds think alike

being blonde and all, i sometimes forget the basic facts of some rooms.

sadly, I know where you're comin' from......
But again, I thank you for "researching" those rooms.....everyone who posts room assignments on the boards for HRH seems to stay at club level....and we're not going to stay club.....I didn't have any trouble finding room requests for RPR....and I even posted our room view! Anyhows, I appreciate your help!

 

[marvel]

On the topic of booking rooms. I am trying to book for May 07, but cannot get any prices other than room only? Am I doing something wrong? Or do the packages such as "kids stay and play for free" come out later on for 2007?

Should reserve something now and wait for specials to come out??

 

[macraven]

i don't know what others think on this but i can tell you what i do.

i always book on what is available.
then, i modify it when the rates or promo/specials come out.


i have done room only and packages.
my concern is to hold the room and then change it around.

 

[bubba's mom]

Well, so I leave myself a "paper trail", I got too impatient and booked thru Universal site. (FWIW, I think I booked that way last time and didn't get a deposit charged to my card....)....we'll see!

NOTE TO SELF: Booked thru Universal site and NOT charged deposit on credit card.....

 

[crazymama]

I phoned up the Loews ressie number to book... they then immediately transferred me to the Universal phone ressie number for PBH. I did get charged a night on my cc immediately. I wonder why it is different depending on whom you call or when you do it? I guess I am looking at it as "Well, at least on night is paid for!!" HAHAHA I think the bill will be bad enough as it is. We are doing the PHB club level deal with 2 free tickets. Lets just say that I haven't paid this much for a hotel ever before!! I have to confess that, as a confirmed "Cheapskate", I am having some anxiety. I am SURE we will really love it though.