Hotel help please...

[Minnie's Pal]

I don't know a thing about booking on-site hotels for Universal.

We plan on going for a short 2n or 3n stay in Jan. I always used Mousesaver & these forums to study up on the WDW resorts but I am really confused on these hotels. Since I have never been to Universal or stayed at their hotels, I am completely lost. I have no starting point to understanding all of it.

What are the tricks/tips to getting the best rates? We do have AAA and I did sign up for the Loews card (and I have my number.) When I go through that website, they don't have rooms available for that time period (so I assume they don't have the rates set yet.) When can I expect to find that? When will I be able to book?

Is there a website that explains the difference in room types (leaning towards HRH), reviews of the different hotels, etc. So I can know what type of room i need to book and definitely decide which hotel to stay at. And maybe shows what the rates typically were for this year (so we can get a estimate of what we should expect for 2007.)

I need major help with this... I have looked through some of the threads on this forum, but some of it doesn't make sense (club level, etc.) Any help with the basics would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Melanie230]

Hi!! Well we just went this past March. We stayed at Royal Pacific. We really enjoyed our stay there. The standard rooms are just regular rooms. We stayed in Tower 3 on the Club Level. That is a standard room with a few perks. Free breakfast in the morning, Cocktails every evening from 5-7, with hot appetizers, and desserts at night. You also get a discount on renting a cabana from $75 to $40. We really enjoyed the Club Level. It was nice to walk down the hall to eat breakfast in the lounge. It was also nice to relax and have a few cocktails while talking to others staying at RPR, while the kids played with each other. We will be going back next year over Spring Break, and we will be looking to stay at HRH just for something different. But if it is significantly more we will be back at RPR.

 

[Kimberle]

Hi, I'm first timer too. I just book our room at Royal Pacific. I thought it would be the most "kid friendly". We're staying Club level.

Don't book through the Universal Web site. 100% payment is due at booking. Call the 800# at Universal and book through a rep. They will hold the reservation for 5 days. Then a $50 per person deposit is due. The balance 45 days before your trip. You can cancel with a full refund up to 6 days before your trip.

I was going to book the package with the free park tickets (2 Universal parks). Instead, I booked the exact same package with the AAA rate and saved $138. So may sure you ask.

 

[brooke1]

Kimberle

I didnt think you could get the AAA rate plus free tickets, what am i missing here.


Thanks

Brooke

 

[princesspumpkin]

At Universalorlando.com, under the accomodations section, you can find in depth information about all of the different room types. By booking directly thru Universal's website (and using AAA rate), you can get one of the cheapest rates. If you buy an annual pass, or live in GA, FL or AL, you may be able to get rates cheaper than AAA, for the time period that you're going. Those dates, and discounts, may not be out yet, but you may be able to book a regular, rack rate and then switch your rate once they do become available. Different people will tell you different things about which hotel might be better. If all depends on your taste and needs. Many people say that PBH is more "fancy" and best suited towards couples without young children. That HRH is more "party" and best for families with teens. And that RPR is more "in between and laid back" for all types. There are different room types than can hold different numbers of people. RPR rooms are the smallest. HRH next and PBH the largest. HRH's pool is know as the "coolest" with underwater speakers. People like RPR's club level the best. PBH has different pools. HRH has cool cabanas and is the closest to the parks. I could go on and on. I've been pricing out the packages vs. booking room and tx. separately, and I find that separate is the best. Good luck!

 

[Kimberle]

Kimberle

I didnt think you could get the AAA rate plus free tickets, what am i missing here.


Thanks

Brooke

No, you can't. That's why you need to ask. I didn't book the free tickets package. I paid for our tickets. With the AAA rate, it was cheaper for me.