Four Points by Sheraton Studio City- using hotwire

[Miniefan]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me their thoughts and experiences on this hotel. I can get a pretty good deal on this hotel and I am just not sure because we have only stayed at Disney in Orlando. I can get this hotel for $427 for 5 nights through AAA. I am also trying to use hotwire if anyone has any experience with that, I am trying to narrow the search down and I think it might be this hotel but I am not sure, if anyone has any tips for Hotwire please let me know as well.

Thanks in advance
Kim

 

[kellymonaghan]

I stayed there once before Sheraton took it over and it was okay. I assume it's been refurbished since.

Best part, frankly, is the height of the tower with a nice view of Universal is you get the right room.

 

[ky07]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me their thoughts and experiences on this hotel. I can get a pretty good deal on this hotel and I am just not sure because we have only stayed at Disney in Orlando. I can get this hotel for $427 for 5 nights through AAA. I am also trying to use hotwire if anyone has any experience with that, I am trying to narrow the search down and I think it might be this hotel but I am not sure, if anyone has any tips for Hotwire please let me know as well.

Thanks in advance
Kim

Try trip advisor and look at the reviews but it does look like a nice older hotel but never stayed there cause we always used the Doubletree at the entrance to universal

 

[keishashadow]

mods if this is a no-no, please delete

for great success upping ur chances re particular hotel via hotwire, check out betterbidding

they have a list for both priceline & hotwire hotels by star per city/zone & u can post what u think is your find & they'll help u narrow down which hotel u r bidding on by stated amenity & reveiws on tripadvisor. Of course, you are still taking a chance that it might not be the one you want.

note that priceline only guarantees a bed for 2 peeps, think a double possibly.

hotwire is different in that u indicate the # of guests in order to secure the appropriate bedding. I had recent success for 4 star hotel (westin) in seattle 2/3rds off rack rate/over 1/2 of AAA by indicating that i had 2 adults & 2 children. Wound up with room guarantee of a King sized bed & full sized sofa bed, although i did call & ask for 2 doubles, will have to wait & see. Just be prepared to not get the greatest room or any of the affinity percs thru the chain as to frequent guest programs

lastly, did u try pricing out the sheraton directly thru their site (spg) as to any specials they may be offering that would apply to this property? believe there are a couple current ones (buy 1 night, next night 1/2 off & another for free night with minimum stay). Always call the hotel directly jik they're offering an inhouse deal.

good luck, come back & let us know

 

[Darcy03231]

I got the Sheraton Studio City on Hotwire. I limited my search to the Universal area and picked a 3*. It was only for one night so I really didn't care which hotel it was. I got it for $52/night. We really liked the hotel and would stay there again.

With Hotwire there are no guarantees. If that's the hotel you really want I would book it through AAA. If you'd be happy with any 3* in the Universal area I would book using Hotwire.

 

[Miniefan]

Thanks for your thoughts and advice especially with the hotwire. I am almost sure that it is the sheraton because I have checked all the other 3 star hotels in the US area and none of them offer the same amenities. The only other 3 star is the Hilton garden inn which would be fine.

I have also checked the rates for this hotel with Universal, their personal website, AAA, other travel booking websites and so far the best rate is the $427 with AAA, although the rate on hotwire is $40 per night and the total is something like $228. I am so not sure what to do. We started off wanting to stay at Hard Rock or Royal Pacific but I honestly just can't seem to justify $1000 and over for a hotel stay only. We are not going to be in this room except to sleep and shower/get ready. I don't know if I should just reserve with AAA or take a chance and buy on hotwire. Any advice?

Thanks for the info on priceline and hotwire. I saw what you are talking about on the reviews on tripadvisor. On hotwire it says rated a 4 with over 240 reviews and I checked tripadvisor and the Sheraton has a 4 with 246 reviews, but like you guys said this is no guarantee.

Kim

 

[Darcy03231]

We started off wanting to stay at Hard Rock or Royal Pacific but I honestly just can't seem to justify $1000 and over for a hotel stay only.

I thought the same way until we actually stayed at the Hard Rock. I doubt very much if I'll ever go back to US/IOA and stay off-site again. Staying on-site was one of the best decisions I made. There are some really great deals out there now. We stayed the last week in April (school vacation week) for 5 nights and spent $180/night including all taxes and fees. Being able to easily walk back and forth from the hotel to the parks and having the unlimited Express line access was so worth it.

 

[Momto3Girls&Max]

We just got the 3* Hyatt Place Universal on Priceline for $30/nt. for ten nights in August, 2009. We stayed there several years ago when it was the Amerisuites and had a great time. It includes free WiFi and a free continental breakfast every morning and the new rooms are gorgeous.

I'm not sure if you have your heart set on Sheraton Studio City but I thought I'd mention it.

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks for your thoughts and advice especially with the hotwire. I am almost sure that it is the sheraton because I have checked all the other 3 star hotels in the US area and none of them offer the same amenities. The only other 3 star is the Hilton garden inn which would be fine.


Kim

one last thought, did u check the list of successful hotwire purchases on the site i mentioned above? another good way to ascertain if the rate ur getting is same for those who bought already

 

[Miniefan]

one last thought, did u check the list of successful hotwire purchases on the site i mentioned above? another good way to ascertain if the rate ur getting is same for those who bought already

I did check the site and the page with everyone's wins unfortunately I didn't see any wins for a 3 star property around that time, only 3.5 star and over.

I am going to talk to my dh about it when he comes in tonight and decided wether or not we want take our chances and use hotwire- it will save us a good bit of money I really don't have a preference as to any hotel brand, but I am really thinking that we could also buy tickets to Wet n Wild with the money we will save.

I will let everyone know what I decide. Thanks for all the help.

Kim

 

[Mad Hattered]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me their thoughts and experiences on this hotel. I can get a pretty good deal on this hotel and I am just not sure because we have only stayed at Disney in Orlando. I can get this hotel for $427 for 5 nights through AAA. I am also trying to use hotwire if anyone has any experience with that, I am trying to narrow the search down and I think it might be this hotel but I am not sure, if anyone has any tips for Hotwire please let me know as well.

Thanks in advance
Kim

When are you going?

 

[Mad Hattered]

I just found this little blurb on another site advertising it for $95/night. That's the same as their site states. I did see where you save thru AAA. One thing I don't know if you were aware of is the little perk you get by staying there. I copied this...

As a Universal Partner Hotel, Sheraton Study City gives you more (just show your room key):

15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages*: Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Confisco Grille® , Mythos Restaurant, Universal Studios, Finnegan’s Bar & Grill and Lombard’s Seafood Grill.

10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages* at select CityWalk® venues: Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville® Bob Marley—A Tribute To FreedomSM , CityJazz® , The GrooveSM , PastamoréSM , Pat O’Brien’s® Orlando

Extended FREE scheduled transportation service to Universal Orlando theme parks, Universal CityWalk® entertainment complex and Sea World Parks

15% off merchandise on purchases over $50* at Islands of Adventure Trading CompanySM and Universal Studios Store®

Seems like nice a pretty nice little deal you get by staying there. I stayed there about 6 years ago while working a trade show in Orlando. It was pretty nice but I see they have, and are refurbishing thru July so it will probably be nicer than when I stayed. The one thing I hated is that it's a completely smoke-free hotel (and I smoke - which won't be a problem for most visitors). I was on the 14th floor and had to exit the hotel completely to smoke or pay a $250 fine. Needless to say, I got my money's worth out of that elevator!

I'd probably book your deal so you know exactly what you're getting. I have gotten some great deals thru Hotwire for some great hotels. It's somewhat disappointing to end up in one you weren't hoping for though.

 

[Miniefan]

I just found this little blurb on another site advertising it for $95/night. That's the same as their site states. I did see where you save thru AAA. One thing I don't know if you were aware of is the little perk you get by staying there. I copied this...

As a Universal Partner Hotel, Sheraton Study City gives you more (just show your room key):

15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages*: Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Confisco Grille® , Mythos Restaurant, Universal Studios, Finnegan’s Bar & Grill and Lombard’s Seafood Grill.

10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages* at select CityWalk® venues: Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville® Bob Marley—A Tribute To FreedomSM , CityJazz® , The GrooveSM , PastamoréSM , Pat O’Brien’s® Orlando

Extended FREE scheduled transportation service to Universal Orlando theme parks, Universal CityWalk® entertainment complex and Sea World Parks

15% off merchandise on purchases over $50* at Islands of Adventure Trading CompanySM and Universal Studios Store®

Seems like nice a pretty nice little deal you get by staying there. I stayed there about 6 years ago while working a trade show in Orlando. It was pretty nice but I see they have, and are refurbishing thru July so it will probably be nicer than when I stayed. The one thing I hated is that it's a completely smoke-free hotel (and I smoke - which won't be a problem for most visitors). I was on the 14th floor and had to exit the hotel completely to smoke or pay a $250 fine. Needless to say, I got my money's worth out of that elevator!

I'd probably book your deal so you know exactly what you're getting. I have gotten some great deals thru Hotwire for some great hotels. It's somewhat disappointing to end up in one you weren't hoping for though.

Thanks for the info. We are staying there June 16-21 2009. I have been doing a lot of research on Universal hotels and all of the partner hotels so I knew about the perks, those are nice perks too, not as great as FOTL but still nice. Plus I found out that there are a good bit of AAA discounts at US also.

I know the best thing to do is probably book the rate with AAA, the rate per night is around 85 with tax, but I am one of those obsessive type people and it is going to eat me alive if I don't get to find out if this is the same hotel for nearly $200 less. I thought that it could be Hyatt Place Universal but the thing about tripadvisor is what makes me think it is Sheraton Studio City. Hyatt is a three star hotel in the US area but it only has 71 reviews and the hotel info says 4 out of 5 with over 240 reviews. Good grief I don't know what I want to do. I'll sleep on it .....

Kim

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

We stayed in 2007 for 11 nights and loved this hotel - we usually split our stay between staying Disney and I Drive as we don't drive to get the most out of the parks. We're going to be staying here again next year, it's a really nice hotel and we got a room overlooking IOA which was fab.

We'll be there same time as you (14-24 June), but in the Days Inn over the road this time... couldn't have Disney/Sheraton/US on our last minute/low budget trip! Never mind!!

 

[torinsmom]

I just got Hyatt Place Universal for our July trip for $30/night. It is listed as a 3 star and got great reviews. Seems like everyone who posted a bid on 3stars in that area (Universal/Seaworld) has gotten Hyatt Place. It is only 1/4 mile from Universal.

Marsha

 

[pomlover]

This is a great hotel, we absolutely loved our stay there.

 

[kpadalik]

Thanks for the info. We are staying there June 16-21 2009. I have been doing a lot of research on Universal hotels and all of the partner hotels so I knew about the perks, those are nice perks too, not as great as FOTL but still nice. Plus I found out that there are a good bit of AAA discounts at US also.

I know the best thing to do is probably book the rate with AAA, the rate per night is around 85 with tax, but I am one of those obsessive type people and it is going to eat me alive if I don't get to find out if this is the same hotel for nearly $200 less. I thought that it could be Hyatt Place Universal but the thing about tripadvisor is what makes me think it is Sheraton Studio City. Hyatt is a three star hotel in the US area but it only has 71 reviews and the hotel info says 4 out of 5 with over 240 reviews. Good grief I don't know what I want to do. I'll sleep on it .....

Kim

I bid on Priceline a couple of nights ago and got the Sheraton Studio City. I tried figuring out what I was bidding for, but couldn't figure it out on betterbidding.com I was hoping for the Hyatt Place, but no luck. Anyway, I read reviews and it sounds like the rooms are newly refurbished. I looked at pics of old rooms and new rooms and there is a HUGE difference! It looks nice! We are only staying for two nights June 18-20 and as long as there aren't bugs in the room, I'm fine. Oh and I got the room for $40/nt. Can't complain there!

 

[taliategan]

I just got the Sheraton Studio City on Hotwire for 2 nights at the end of June for $ 38.00 a night. It was listed as 3*, with the only amenties a pool & internet access. There are more amenties for this hotel than those listed, but that was all that was on the Hotwire list. I did have a reservation at Comfort Suites Universal South, but wanted to get something closer to Universal - also saved some $$$ - which I may end using for an express pass if needed.

 

[Miniefan]

Ok, thanks for all the help. I did get the Sheraton Studio City on hotwire. It was $40/night for a 3 * the amenities listed were fitness center, pool, restaurant, business center and hi speed internet. The hotel has pretty good reviews and it is close to Universal so we are psyched. The total for 5 nights with taxes was $228.85 that is almost exactly $200 less than what AAA quoted me for this hotel. Thanks everyone.

Kim

 

[Momto3Girls&Max]

Ok, thanks for all the help. I did get the Sheraton Studio City on hotwire. It was $40/night for a 3 * the amenities listed were fitness center, pool, restaurant, business center and hi speed internet. The hotel has pretty good reviews and it is close to Universal so we are psyched. The total for 5 nights with taxes was $228.85 that is almost exactly $200 less than what AAA quoted me for this hotel. Thanks everyone.

Kim

Glad it worked out and you got the hotel you wanted. Saving about $200 is great!