Help won my bid on priceline

[iluvmickeytown]

Oh my just won the bid I offered on Priceline I just found out I got the "Sheraton Safari". I have no clue about the hotel. Some of the reviews are not that good. Any opionions. Can I request anything when you win a bid? For example can I get a pool view with balcony? I don't know if I like doing it like this. I feel like I have no control at all.

 

[scammermom]

I have found that you don't have alot of control that's why you can get such a good price. We like being able to make sure we get a king bed.

We liked it. The restaurant is very nice. Almost too nice for our bunch. The kids enjoyed the pool and giant slide.
I didn't use priceline but got a deal from Travelzoo last year when we went.

 

[CarolA]

The Shearton Safari is nice. Very close to DTD.

You can request anything.....expect nothing. What you paid for is a "run of house" room. That means that more then likely you are not going to get the "great" view, balcony etc. (Whatever they can charge more for)

Now, don't call the Safari today. If you do, your next post will ba a paniced post because they don't have your reservation. That's true. They have a PL blocked room. It takes several days for them to get YOUR data from PL.

Have a great trip.

 

[DMRick]

We liked it a lot. They do allow dogs, and our first room smelled it, but they apologized and moved us to a better, clean, non smelling room, and sent us up free breakfast coupons for our trouble. (Power was out in the entire area the time we went (just had a hurricane), and help was short (they told many of them to stay home with their families) so that may explain the lack of a really clean room). The pool was great..nice and warm, and the area was perfect. It has a Pizza Hut next door, and a Denny's very close and other places to eat across the stree. It's minutes to Disney. We wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

 

[dannyh23]

I feel like I have no control at all.

100% Correct -- You lose control of your choice of hotel to get a "deal".

Every hotel has negative reviews... if *most* are negative, then you might have something to worry about...

 

[scammermom]

Also people tend to post negatives because they're angry more often than a happy camper!

The location is great for being able to shop and eat! Lots of choices! And the clinic is very close in case you're in need of some first aid (as we unexpectedly did last trip, long story but not from something that happened at hotel!)

 

[Detailor]

Now, don't call the Safari today. If you do, your next post will ba a paniced post because they don't have your reservation. That's true. They have a PL blocked room. It takes several days for them to get YOUR data from PL.

Carol's advice is good! Priceline advises customers to contact the hotel directly with any requests, but you should only do that a few days before your check-in date. I usually call the hotel about a week before check-in to make sure that they have my reservation and to request my needs. The room that you've won guarantees you a non-smoking room for two people. In some hotels that might mean one king or queen bed. If you're traveling with more than two people you'll want to call and request two beds. I think that the Traditional room class at this hotel usually has two queen beds. You can request a particular view, but the hotel is under no obligation to provide that view for you. But if you request then get there early to check-in you might get what you want.

Dick Taylor

 

[happymommy]

I haven't stayed at the Sheraton Safari, but have mostly heard nice reviews. For a good rate, if you have a good attitude (not expecting the Grand Floridian) I'll bet you'll have a good time!

I agree - wait until close to your arrival to call the hotel with any requests.

I did, however, use priceline recently for two different hotels in St. Louis. I got different ones since I was originally going for only one night, then decided to go for two instead. I got a Marriott the first night and a Doubletree the second. Both hotels treated me same as any other customer, even though I was paying $37/night instead of over $110 (cheapest rates on their websites). Matter of fact, the front desk at the Doubletree said he didn't even have any information regarding how much I had paid for the room, only that the room and tax were prepaid. So I bet you'll be treated as such, just someone who prepaid for a standard room. You could even ask about paying a bit extra when you check in if they have higher category rooms available.

Also, if there is any major issue with the room, just let them know. It sounds like the staff there is very accomodating - have fun!

 

[travelin' tigger]

I won a night at the Safari on Priceline a month ago and was psyched. It was my 4th stay here and I've always had good experiences here. As previously posted, the location is great and very close to DTD. The rooms I've had have always been clean and in good shape - the beds are awesome! I'm a Starwood Preferred Guest (spg.com) and have always been placed on this floor even with a Priceline win. You can register to be a SPG (it's free) and start getting points toward future stays when you stay at a Sheraton/Westin hotel.

Enjoy your stay!!!

 

[FayeW]

We've stayed at the Sheraton Safari twice, and last year actually changed our plans specifically so we could stay there! We love it. They breakfast buffet is wonderful; very fresh and plentiful (kids under 12 are free!).

The beds are the Sheraton Sweet Sleepers with lots of comfy pillows.

As suggested by travelin tigger, sign up for the Starwood Preferred Guest program and that will pretty much guarantee a pool view.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

I stayed there in 2005. It was great!! The beds were super comfy, the pool looked great (we didn't use it). And it was in walking distance to Pizza Hut & Olive Garden. I thought it was very clean and we got it through priceline. and yes...super close to downtown disney.

 

[prncess674]

When staying on Priceline stays you do not earn SPG points.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/terms_conditions.html

See Section 4A.2

4A.2. Preferred Guests will earn 2 base Starpoints for each U.S. dollar or equivalent of all Eligible Charges incurred and paid for by the Member at Participating Properties. See Section 4B.4. for the complete definition of Eligible Charges, but note that pre-paid rooms where the booking is made by an agent or third party and you pay for that booking directly to such third party, such as tour or tour operators, and pre-paid channels, including, but not limited to priceline.com, expedia.com, hotels.com, hrn.com, hotwire.com, lastminute.com, site59.com, orbitz.com, travelocity.com, cheaptickets.com, quickbook.com, travelweb.com, lodging.com, yahootravel.com, and msntravel.com are not Eligible Charges and do not earn Starpoints. “Paid” shall mean “receipt of good funds”. Accordingly, if you stop payment on a check, if a check bounces, or if you dispute a credit card bill, you have not “paid” and you will not earn Starpoints on that transaction.

 

[iluvmickeytown]

Thanks everyone I feel better. I'll have to take lots of pictures and post them.

 

[rae662000]

Oh my just won the bid I offered on Priceline I just found out I got the "Sheraton Safari". I have no clue about the hotel. Some of the reviews are not that good. Any opionions. Can I request anything when you win a bid? For example can I get a pool view with balcony? I don't know if I like doing it like this. I feel like I have no control at all.

What was your bid, if you don't mine me asking???

 

[spiceycat]

here is the website - if you are interested
http://www.sheratonsafari.com/

 

[iluvmickeytown]

rae662000 my bid was $60 dollars. I guess I can't complain too much. The price is great I just hope I like the place. We are going to be going next week. I don't know what I was thinking going on the 4 and 5 of July. My DD wants to go to Blizard beach. I'm only an hour and a half away but with a baby and a 5year old I wanted a hotel in case we wanted to rest. I don't know if I'll be using Priceline again. It's kinda scary not knowing what you are getting until it's paid. And no refunds.

spiceycat thanks for the website . That's the first thing I did when I saw the hotel. I just freaked out a bit with some of the reviews. Anyway since I'm such a photo nut I'll make sure too take lots of pictures and do a review. Thanks for everyones help.

 

[jdm]

If you go to websites like biddingfortravel.com and betterbidding.com it'll educate you on what an appropriate bid would be and what hotels come up in certain zones. While it's not a guarantee, it certainly gives you an idea of whats out there. I love Priceline, but not sure I would bid without the support of these sites and their hotel lists. Have a great time!
Jenn

 

[happymommy]

When staying on Priceline stays you do not earn SPG points.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/terms_conditions.html

See Section 4A.2

4A.2. Preferred Guests will earn 2 base Starpoints for each U.S. dollar or equivalent of all Eligible Charges incurred and paid for by the Member at Participating Properties. See Section 4B.4. for the complete definition of Eligible Charges, but note that pre-paid rooms where the booking is made by an agent or third party and you pay for that booking directly to such third party, such as tour or tour operators, and pre-paid channels, including, but not limited to priceline.com, expedia.com, hotels.com, hrn.com, hotwire.com, lastminute.com, site59.com, orbitz.com, travelocity.com, cheaptickets.com, quickbook.com, travelweb.com, lodging.com, yahootravel.com, and msntravel.com are not Eligible Charges and do not earn Starpoints. “Paid” shall mean “receipt of good funds”. Accordingly, if you stop payment on a check, if a check bounces, or if you dispute a credit card bill, you have not “paid” and you will not earn Starpoints on that transaction.

You won't get the points for the amount paid to priceline, but you still get points for the amount you spend on food, drinks, movies, etc in your room if you provide the spg number at checkin.

 

[rosiep]

I was originally booked to stay had the Sheraton Safari but because I won't be driving their bus schedule worried me. I called to ask about bus service for special nights like MNSSHP and they told me I would have to take a cab...so I felt I needed to change hotels but still would like to try them someday.
QUESTION: For anyone who has stayed here-I know they allow pets...did you have any trouble with noisy animals? Could you hear dogs barking for example?

Thanks folks

 

[deej696]

I have stayed and even worked in hotels that allow pets, and the noise isnt much of an issue. It seems most who travel with pets have them trained really well and they tend to be quiet animals. Naturally, now that I have said this, you will be next to an increidibley loud dog, but I have my fingers crossed.

As far as room requests on a Priceline rate.... Tell you like it is you're probably the lowest on the totem pole, but just remember the great deal you got when/if you dont get your desired room.

When I was in the hotel business I always felt bad for the priceline guests, because if we were sold out they were often stuck in smoking rooms with no view. Its easy to say, "well they booked on priceline so it comes with the territory." But the guest who has an unpleasant stay because priceline booked them a smoking room always associates the hotel with their poor experience, not priceline....