hotwire experience! advice needed!

[carol & jim]

This was my first time using hotwire and I think I just made a big mistake that I now cannot get out of. I bid on a 4 star resort hotel near universal for 60.00 per night. I got the westgate lakes resort and spa. when I researched this property,I found out a few things that I don't like: we have studio accomodations which means 1 king bed, 1 pull-out sofa. we are 2 adults traveling with 2 children, 11 and 13. there is no housekeeping service without paying a fee for it.(25.00 per day) which means no one to make up the bed, take out the trash or provide clean towels! I would have to wash my towels in guest laundry! no one cleans the bathroom or vacumes the carpet! For a week! Please, if anyone has stayed here I would love your comments. I guess I am just really surprised that any 4 star hotel would be without housekeeping services! This resort is also timeshare property which means alot of staff trying to get you to attend the timeshare presentation that we do not want!

 

[threeboysmom]

I'm sorry to hear of your disappointment. At least $60 a night is a great price - think of all the souveniers & good meals you can splurge on!! Plus, having a kitchen will be a real money saver even if you only use it for breakfast in the mornings. Most timeshares do not have daily maid service (unless you pay), but they will have a FREE mid-week cleaning - usually a Tues. or Wed. We always do fine with towels until then, but we do hang them to dry and re-use them (like at home). You have to take care of your own trash - just tie the bag when it's full and place it outside your door - very simple. The only thing I really hate is not having a maid to make the beds every morning!! I dislike making beds on vacation If I'm staying in a timeshare, I like to pack one of those cylinder containers with all-purpose wipes. Perfect for doing a quick wipe of the kitchen or bath. It really only takes 2 minutes when you think about it!

That's the one downfall of timeshare - having to do some "housework", but when travelling with kids - they have an advantage over hotels - more space & privacy!!!

Regarding the sales pitch, you will most likely get a phone call at some point during the week (we always do and we're already owners!) - just say "no thanks" without any hesitation or thought and they shouldn't call back. OR you could just not answer your phone all week!!

Have a great trip!!

 

[Familymoon]

I don't know - I think you're still getting a pretty good deal.
For us - we don't really need housekeeping anyway. I mean, it depends on what your travel plans are but here are my thoughts on it (from our family's perspective)

Sleeping arrangements - if the 13 and 11 year old are of different genders and not comfortable with sleeping in the same bed, can you get a rollaway? Can one bring a sleeping bag and alternate sleeping on the floor (assuming it's clean)?

Making beds - I guess it's just not a priority for me. We aren't going to be hosting guests in our hotel so we don't have to have the beds "made" necessarily, kwim? Just throw the blankets back on and the bedspread - it'll take a few seconds, or leave it unmade. It's only 7 days

Towels - we use them to dry off when we are clean (getting out of the shower). Just hang them up and let them dry - not a big deal

Trash - depends on how much you are staying in the room, but we only plan to be there to sleep. We can't generate too much trash in that amount of time - but if you slip a couple extra bags underneath the one you're using, it's a breeze to tie up the bag.

Bathroom - I don't always get to cleaning my bathroom once a week at home. I'd think in that short an amount of time, one couldn't make too much a mess in a bathroom on vacation.

Carpets - designate an eating area, don't have food or snacks in the sleeping areas - and vacuuming won't be that big a deal. Again, maybe I'm not the best housekeeper at home - but I don't always vacuum once a week at home either.

I agree with the previous poster - the space will make it worthwhile. It's vacation!! Relax Don't do the housework - someone will clean up after you leave!

 

[CarolA]

Are you sure about the housekeeping?

I stayed at a Westgate several years ago on a sky auction and did have housekeeping. They do NOT have it for the timeshares. Have you called to ask? If you don't get daily housekeeping you MIGHT have some sucess with Hotwire, but...

As for the bedding this was a risk you took. Hotwire and PL only gurantee one bed per room so I don't think they will do anything about it.

During my stay I never got bothered about the timeshare tour.

 

[carol & jim]

thanks for all the replies. we are booked in a studio for that price. i'm not sure, is a studio like a hotel room? I think the studio size is 470 sq ft.

 

[mal0808]

My DD and I stayed there about 4 years ago. We had booked into a shabby Ramada that morning and I was extremely dissapointed there. I told the front desk that we were leaving, and they talked me into Westgate. They drove us over and much to my surprise it was a lovely gated community. We too had a studio and found it to be ample room. But there were only 2 of us.
The only problem we had was no transportation. Although we had to use several taxis, it was just a matter of making the best of our time. My only suggestion is to see if you might be able to upgrade to a 1 or 2 bedroom. You might try calling them directly.
If not I still think you will enjoy the community. It is a very nice place.

 

[Robinrs]

I stayed there about two years ago on New Year's Eve. I knew it was a timeshare and would not get the housekeeping so it didn't bug me so I do understand how annoying it can be if you don't expect it.

I liked the studio but it does NOT provide any privacy for the jacuzzi! If you treat it like an outdoor hot tub it'll be fine. It was my favorite part of the room!

 

[Mom-to-3]

What kind of kitchen does it have? Full or fridge/microwave? Either way, you'll save a lot of money on meals/snacks.

I would think all 4 star hotels would give you 2 queen beds so a king and a pull-out are similar.

We stay in timeshares frequently and have a rule that everyone has to make their bed and keep their stuff put away. It's the same as a hotel room in that 4 piles of dirty clothes, shoes, etc makes a mess.

I usually bring laundry tablets and do a load of towels if necessary. Sometimes you get a lot.

There is usually a vacuum sweeper thingy or a true vacuum cleaner. Have one person vacuum, one person wipe the kitchen, one person wipe the bathroom, and YOU go for a 10 minute relaxing stroll. It won't take long.

Timeshare query? No, thank you. over and over

Have fun. Attitude is everything.

 

[Wolfelaw]

I don't blame you for being upset. When I think visualize a 4 * resort, I think a big fancy hotel, like the Wyndham Palace. I realize that these aren't always that nice inside, and there are certainly huge advantages to having a kitchenette -- but I guess if I wanted to cook, I wouldn't be bidding for a 4* resort.

For future reference, when you bid using Hotwire, you are given a list of icons telling you what amenities the hotel offers. At Betterbidding.com, you can access a list of some of the hotel offered by Hotline in any specific city along with the amenities that come up. By reviewing the list, you can often determine which hotel you're bidding on, which can avoid unpleasant surprises. Westgate Lakes is listed as a 4* in the Universal area, as is the Crowne Plaza hotel -- but the Westgate has a "kitchenette" which the Crowne Plaza does not. If you had access to this list, you would have been able to avoid Westgate if you didn't want it -- I am sorry that you didn't. But like everyone else says, I'm sure that it will be fun anywho. Good luck.