Hotwire & Swan & Dolphin

[thesmiths]

Where should we look to find out the star rating for the Swan & Dolphin on Hotwire.com

I've read some conflicting reports. We were thinking about trying Priceline.com, but I'm afraid of giving them my credit card info if we get something for out of the park.

Any suggestions?

 

[madelyn]

The site www.betterbidding.com has all kinds of hints for trying to spot a hotel that is the Dolphin/Swan. For June 25-28th a poster found a 4* with the following amenities for $90/night: Reataurant, pool, fitness, business, golf, tennis, laundry. It turned out to be the Dolphin.

I don't understand your comment about being afraid to give Priceline your credit card number? With both Hotwire and Priceline you have to give them your credit card number before you know the name of the hotel you are getting. You also prepay the reservation and it cannot be cancelled or changed. I have used Priceline for hotels and Hotwire for an airline ticket and both have been tremendous money savers. But if you are set on a certain hotel or your dates are not set, it's best not to use Priceline or Hotwire.

 

[summerrluvv]

Since the ammenties are listed on hotwire before you pay and you can pretty much conclude that it's the Dolphin (or Swan)...I think the OP feels more comfortable, rather than doing priceline where you don't get to see amenities at all and are taking more of a risk.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I am the person who got the Dolphin at the end of June for $90/night. You can pretty much tell what you are going to get because of the amenities, but I was a little nervous! I had a reservation at the Dolphin already for $165/night with the entertainment rate, so we saved over $200 total for the 3 nights.

I would never use Priceline unless I didn't care which hotel I got. I really wanted the Dolphin, and would have been disappointed if I had "won" a bid at another hotel.

 

[LisaR]

Originally posted by Letsbgoofy
I am the person who got the Dolphin at the end of June for $90/night. You can pretty much tell what you are going to get because of the amenities, but I was a little nervous! I had a reservation at the Dolphin already for $165/night with the entertainment rate, so we saved over $200 total for the 3 nights.

I would never use Priceline unless I didn't care which hotel I got. I really wanted the Dolphin, and would have been disappointed if I had "won" a bid at another hotel.

I've used Priceline before but never Hotwire. Can you explain what you mean when you say you can pretty much tell if it is the Dolphin. I know with Priceline there isn't anyway of knowing. Is there a way to not accept what is offered from Hotwire. I need 2 nights in May or June and the Dolphin would be ideal since DH and DS are only going to MGM that weekend. Thanks.

Lisa

 

[summerrluvv]

go to www.betterbidding.com and it tells you what icons to look for when searching for the dolphin or swan. You need to open up www.hotwire.com and just look around, so you know what they are talking about.

 

[snowball]

I feel sooooo smart now! I read the better bidding stuff and you can figure out what hotels are which! Now I just need to figure out when I can go!

 

[snowball]

I feel sooooo smart now! I read the better bidding stuff and you can figure out what hotels are which! Now I just need to figure out when I can go!

 

[BuzzMe]

You can price a "package" on Hotwire and see exactly which icons show up for specific hotels.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

The thing to remember about the Swan/Dolphin is that the laundry icon comes up. The Wyndam Palace has the spa icon.

 

[cindala]

I have the Dolphin booked for the first two nights of our stay using the teacher discount of $129 a night. I went to Hotwire, plugged in the dates, and the price came up at $93. Because I can't cancel after I make the reservation, I'm waiting to see if the rate goes down anymore, but I have some questions:

1. Can you still call the Dolphin/Swan, and have them note room requests on your reservation even though you booked the room through Hotwire?

2. Can you use your Starwoods number for express checkins and possible complimentary upgrades?

3. Is there anyway to tell the difference between the Swan and Dolphin on the Hotwire site, or not?

Thanks in advance!

 

[time101]

Originally posted by cindala
1. Can you still call the Dolphin/Swan, and have them note room requests on your reservation even though you booked the room through Hotwire?

You can try. The S/D reservationists have told me that since I've booked through Hotwire, they can't get at the reservation on their system (same applies to Priceline). I'm not even sure that they were able to add my SPG number to the reservation. They might be able to request King/2 Dbls. But they cannot request Epcot view, balcony, etc. I'm sure they are able to request smoking/non-smoking. But I found that when I checked in and flashed my SPG card, the desk personnel worked VERY hard to meet all of my requests.

Originally posted by cindala
2. Can you use your Starwoods number for express checkins and possible complimentary upgrades?

Some of this was answered above. I have the AAA SPG card, which is supposed to mean automatic free upgrades. I was upgraded to a Water View room in November with a Hotwire stay. However, I thought I read that starting January 1, 2004, Starwood was no longer going to honor the SPG card for Hotwire/Priceline ressies. However, the S/D have been so focused on customer satisfaction, my hunch is that they will still work hard to make you happy. (Don't hold me to that though, it's just a hunch!

Originally posted by cindala
3. Is there anyway to tell the difference between the Swan and Dolphin on the Hotwire site, or not?

Yes. The Swan includes the Resort icon in the amenities. Also, on the Swan, you will not see the Laundry Facilities icon at first, but if you click on View Amenities, it will show up. Better Bidding can offer more help on which amenity icons go with each resort.

Hope this helps!

 

[Letsbgoofy]

The Dolphin cannot change the number of people on your reservation (it comes through as 2 all the time), but they will add that you need two beds (we have 4 people) and that you need either smoking or non smoking. I will bring my SPG card with me and show it at check in. I too remember hearing that you don't get the points anymore with a Hotwire stay, but I am hoping for a good view!!


cindala,

As for waiting for a better price...the number of rooms is limited, by waiting for the price to go down you may be losing a great rate.