Holiday Inn Family Suites reservation/pricing question

[drewc]

We are currently booked at the HIFS for the second week of March at the special rate of $149 per night for six nights (got this deal through Orbitz, although I have seen it at Mousesavers also).

We recently decided that we could add on an extra day (adding the first saturday night to our trip also). I went back to Orbitz and found a weekender rate of $115 for that night. I called the HIFS directly, and asked to have this night added to our reservation at this rate. They said they could give me that rate for 2 nights, but then the other five weeknights would have to be at the normal $170 rate. Needless to say, not what I had in mind. She said that "her computer would not accept both "special" rates for one reservation". I couldn't get a clear answer from the reservation clerk if I could just book the night separately through orbitz, and have two reservations. I'm a bit worried that we would have to switch rooms or something to get this rate, which would be a pain in the a**.

Has anyone been able to work a deal with these rates, so you can get the "best rate" ($149 in my case) plus the "weekender rate"? Has any one just booked two reservations at the same hotel? Or am I just being too cheap?

Worse comes to worse, I can add the night for $149, but I figured if I could knock off about $50, it would be worth it.

Thanks in advance for your opinions or experiences.

 

[lejaf]

I haven't booked separately like you are suggesting, but it doesn't seem like it should be a problem and I can't imagine they would make you switch rooms because they don't assign rooms until people check in and you'd be "checking out" of one reservation and "checking in" under the new reservation at the same time, so it's not like they could have a chance to giv eyour room to someone else unless of course you were booking different kinds of suites under the two different reservations.

One thing I want to mention though is that they offer a rate of $139 if you stay 7 nights. I'm going to be there March 16-24 and they started at $170 and I laughed at them and then they came down to $149 when I asked for the AAA discount and then when I asked if there were any other specials, they came up with the $139 rate for 7 or more nights. Think I'll go check Orbitz though!

 

[grlzmom]

Hi, dont know if you have an entertainment card, but we are getting the 99 dollar entertainment rate for our April/Easter trip. Would even be worth it to buy the entertainment card if you can save 40 - 50 a night on your rate.

Hope you come up with a solution

Jeanne

 

[vellamint]

Did you book on the website or did you call the hotel directly for this rate......I already have an Entertainment book for my area..will this be okay to use in Orlando?

Thanks - trying to get things done and am having a hard time getting the rate I want for the entire trip......the low rate is "sold out" for the last 2 nights of the trip.

 

[grlzmom]

Hi, I booked directly through HIFS. They were extremely helpful, I just asked if they had the entertainment rate and they said sure. They made sure to tell me MUST PRESENT valid entertainment card at check in. They didnt want the number over the phone.

My entertainment book is for my local area (Ohio).

Hope you get that rate, couldnt get much cheaper could it?

Have a wonderful time.

Jeanne

 

[drewc]

I called Orbitz and asked them about the two reservation deal. The rep there said it shouldn't be a problem, since I was honestly only trying to add an extra night. She said to just be sure to print out the itineraries from the web site to show the rates.

My brother-in-law and his family just got back from a trip to Orlando, and they bought an entertaiinment book while they were there, so I'll check to see if I can get that $99 rate. Seems like a great deal! That would save me about $300!

 

[rhazz]

just a note for anyone going before the end of Feb...

Hol Inn offers next night free if you pay their rack rate. We're staying for 4 nights and only paying for 2. This comes out to $73/night.....good deal. The coupon is on the main H.I. website. We've stayed at this hotel before and it's perfect for young kids.

 

[lejaf]

I called HIFS today and was able to get the $99 entertainment rate for when we go in March. Being in their peak season, I was surprised to get it so low. Now my question is...I am a DIsney Club member and the back of the card says it is an entertainment card so that will get me the $99 rate right? Well, my disney club membership expires 03/03....so does that means it expires at the begining of the month or at the end of the month? Also, does I read somewhere that you could renew the Disney CLub memberships on a pro rata basis through 12/03...does anyone know if this is true?
Thanks

 

[LisaRay]

A little info about the buy one get one free offer at hifs.... its ends the end of jan.
all the other holiday inns are offering it till the end of feb. but we have it booked for Jan. and thought we might have to postpone our trip till Feb. so i called to check rates and was told this info.

 

[drewc]

Hi,

After all was said and done, I couldn't find a better deal than the Entertainment card, even with my Orbitz split reservation.

I just booked a King kidsuite for seven nights in March for $99.50 per night!

That just saved me over $300.

All I did was call up and say that I had an Entertainment book and I saw a deal for $99 per night. They honored it over the phone, and just asked that I present the card at check-in.

Sweet! Thanks for the tip!

 

[from Canada]

What is an entertainment card? Where do you get one? And how much does it cost?
Thanks
Karen

 

[drewc]

The Entertainment Book (and its corresponding card) is basically a large coupon and discount offer book, largely comprised of local restaurants, entertainment and services. Books seem to concentrated around certain metro regions, but many of the discounts are national (like car rentals, hotels, and other chains or franchises). Around us, they are often sold by local charities - many people give them as Christmas gifts. I have seen them run from $25 to $40.

Some of the coupons are the tear out type. The more upscale restaurants list their menu, and the deal they offer (usually one entree free with purchase of another entree) and you present a card (like a credit card but with a list of numbers on the back) to get the deal. The restaurant then usually punches or scratches off their number.

These books typically pay for themselves with a few uses, so they are a good deal.

They now have a website www.entertainment.com, which I'm sure has a great deal of info on the books and where to find them.

 

[Debbie]

Karen, I can't remember where you are from, but Entertainment books are available for:
<center>Hamilton (2003) $27
Ottawa/Outaouais (2003) $27
Toronto Area (2003) $27 and of course,
Orlando</center>

You can find the details, and check out the books at: Entertainment Books

Hope that can help you get a great deal!

 

[from Canada]

Thank.... Im in Barrie, so maybe the Toronto and area one will suit us.
Karen