If Dolphin discounts dry up, where do we go?

[Fargoman2]

I am increasingly skeptical that teacher's discounts will open up for summer of 2005. Having gotten quite use to that discount and using my Starwood points to upgrade to CL, I am discouraged about where I can get similar value for my money.

Any ideas where a family of 5 can go from here? I really don't think I could stay off site.

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[swilphil]

We wanted to stay at swan/dolphin again in March, but since there are no discounts we are staying at the Contemporary for $199 with an AP rate. It is more money than we've paid in the past, but it's much cheaper than the meager teacher discount s/d ($259) was offering at that time.

If you're somewhat flexible in your dates, you could try to rent DVC points at a Boardwalk studio for Sun-Thurs. I think it averages out to be about $150/night, tax included.

 

[glo]

I can tell you that the teacher discount at the Swan and Dolphin is in no danger of being taken away, according to the director of reservastions. They have not been released yet...Also, discounts are offered only when the hotel is not fully booked up. If the hotel is 80% or more booked for your dates, then pretty much all discounts are removed. Hope this helps.

 

[zagafi]

I can tell you that the teacher discount at the Swan and Dolphin is in no danger of being taken away, according to the director of reservastions. They have not been released yet...Also, discounts are offered only when the hotel is not fully booked up. If the hotel is 80% or more booked for your dates, then pretty much all discounts are removed. Hope this helps.

Glo, I'm confused. I know for a fact that teacher rates have been released because they're available for our December 2005 dates. Do you mean they haven't *all* been released and there are more to come?

 

[Sammy]

Glo, I'm confused. I know for a fact that teacher rates have been released because they're available for our December 2005 dates. Do you mean they haven't *all* been released and there are more to come?

I was actually going to ask the same question. I've been calling every couple of days for just one night in March (3/6), but have been told there are no discounts at all for that time period. In light of Glo's post, should I assume the hotel is more than 80% booked and not bother looking for a discount for that date? Or is there a chance they will still offer some for the springtime?

 

[dreamflight99]

I was actually going to ask the same question. I've been calling every couple of days for just one night in March (3/6), but have been told there are no discounts at all for that time period. In light of Glo's post, should I assume the hotel is more than 80% booked and not bother looking for a discount for that date? Or is there a chance they will still offer some for the springtime?

I would go ahead and reserve a room for the night you desire(as you can always cancel it and receive a full refund). The discounts may have been offered, and already reserved, YET...more may "open up" depending upon availability. Sometimes, reservations are cancelled, including conventions, etc. This opens up more rooms, and more discounted/promo rooms. Just keep checking back for the discounted room, and then "apply" the discount to your reservation. This always works, and should not cause any problems, as the worst that can happen is you have to cancel the ressie and receive a refund.

swilphil~Great rate for the CR! I would also reserve the dates for the Dolphin, and check again and again for the discounts to open. You may save more in the long run, and if not...you have nothing to lose. You only pre-pay one eve for the hold. Give it a try and see how it works out.

TTFN...DF99

 

[MPLsDad]

I just spoke to a lovely rep from S/D reservations and the discounts have been released for 2005 but they are based on availability. If the hotel seems to be booked, the discount is not available but she advised to call back closer to the date...Neither of my dates were available!

 

[estnh]

I just called the Dolphin for the AAA discount mentioned at Mousesavers for the end of April. I got the first 3 nights at the discount rate $189. The next 3 nights were full rate $249 due to convention and the last night at the discount again. Should I book this and hope the 3 days get discounted???

 

[dreamflight99]

I just called the Dolphin for the AAA discount mentioned at Mousesavers for the end of April. I got the first 3 nights at the discount rate $189. The next 3 nights were full rate $249 due to convention and the last night at the discount again. Should I book this and hope the 3 days get discounted???

absolutely...Conventions traditionally book/reserve LARGE BLOCKS of rooms/suites, and hold them until everyone planning to attend is reserved. Then, they call and cancel all the additional/excess rooms/suites, which then are added to the available inventory. A certain % of these rooms are usually offered at a promo rate, such as the AAA rate you reserved. I would reserve the room, and call faithfully, until the discount is obtained. I believe your chances are VERY good, since a convention is the noted cause of the present absence of your discount.

 

[gepetto]

You could see if they have an AP discount for your dates. allears.net also has a discount code. If nothing else, keep checking their website...a lot of times a "fully paid, no changes allowed" rate comes up that's really good. That's what we did Thanksgiving and stayed for $139.

 

[awatt]

Have you tried the Ent Book Rate? I got $169 for std room in 7/05 using this.

 

[glo]

I am sorry to take so long in responding. Yes, keep trying to call and get the rate. Just because it is not available now, does not mean it is not going to be. True, that conventions and even people will call and reserve rooms, and then cancel as the time gets closer. There is a time where the conventions have to have their total room count done, and then the rooms are released back into the system. Discounts are only given when the hotel has lots of empty rooms. When they hit a certain mark...used to be 80% occupancy then all discount disappear. If there is a convention that has 300 rooms on hold, and only 200 get used up, then the rest go in the system and the rate may be available again. It used to be that early Friday mornings was the best time to get released rooms on the system. Not sure now, will try to find out.

The availibilty of the teacher/nurse/goverment rate befoe was that there were less people booking. As the economy has gotten better, and the news of the Swan/Dolphin discounts have gotten out...less rooms at the discount are available Does that make sense?

Good luck...keep trying...book your room and keep calling...Good luck

 

[Fargoman2]

Swilphil: Interesting thought about renting DVC points. How does one go about that?

Dreamflight 99: Thanks to you (and others) for your insights. I guess I can keep trying. But I must tell you I have already checked a plethora of summer dates and everything comes up zilcho. Your theory about more people using the discount and the convention holds is probably right on target.

Everyone: I'm still looking for High quality, discounted price acommodations for a family of 5. Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[mbcary]

We used the Ent book rate last May at the Swan and got the Concierge floor for around $250 a night (maybe a little less)! We loved it, especially for that price. The discount is supposedly 50% off the rack room rate.

 

[mar915]

Keep trying that is what I am doing. Going June 11-18 and I had a rate of 234 the first two nights, 334 3 nights(convention) and 294 last two nights.

Called today and I got ENT. discount for 224.50 for all but the three convention nights. She said that those could eventually get discount if the blocked rooms open up. So keep checking.

If it does not we may go to CBR but I love the Dolphin and if those other nights decrease below 300 I will stay there.

Mary

 

[swilphil]

Swilphil: Interesting thought about renting DVC points. How does one go about that?

There is a DVC rent/trade board here. Check it out. Technically, the studio villas are only for 4 people and a child under the age of 3, though I have seen cases where 5 have stayed there.