Swan / Dolphin on Hotwire

[jtopicz1]

You are correct, and I completely agree with you that resort fees stink. So many hotels use them now, especially in the Orlando area. I've even heard of some 3* hotels adding them on. At one time Swan/Dolphin would let you refuse the fee, but that is no longer the case.

In order for me to add a hotel to my list, I have to have stayed at the hotel myself via Hotwire, or have had AT LEAST two people email me stating that they won the hotel, what zone they bid, what star level and all ammenities. So if a hotel is on my list, people have won it!

Again, inventory changes and Priceline adds hotels, so they could always add an additional hotel with the same description, but it is doubtful. Like I said, if you are in doubt, bid your arrival night first then the rest of your stay. That eliminates a lot of the remaining risk.

I've been using Priceline and Hotwire for the past year and it's really fueled my travel hobby. The savings are incredible if you can deal with a small amount of risk. I've just started using Priceline for stays other than Orlando and have been thrilled (Grand Hyatt in Atlanta(buckhead) for New Years Eve - $50, the person checking in in front of me paid $275!!!).

Your questions are all good ones, keep asking if you have any more!!

Jim

 

[m.pots]

Hey there,
just ran across this thread and got very excited!!!!

I put in my dates May 2-5 and the $81 rate came up with the following: restaurant, pool, fit. center, bus. center, golf nearby, tennis nearby, laundry. Is this the dolphin. It was rated 4 star in LBV. Have you had confirmation from people booking it? This was available for my entire stay but wasn't available for just the night of May 2. Thanks for your help and info.!!!!
Steph

 

[jtopicz1]

That is indeed the property I have had reported to me as the Dolphin. The Swan comes up exactly the same, minus the laundry ammenity!

Jim

 

[m.pots]

I've never done hotwire before...Do they charge your credit card? Do they give you a ressie #?

 

[jtopicz1]

With Hotwire the entire stay is charged to your card at time of ressie. You'll get a screen to print containing both your Hotwire # as well as Hotel confirmation #. You can actually call the hotel direct to add room requests etc. with the # they give you.

Jim

 

[m.pots]

ok here it goes...going to try it...cross your fingers!!!

 

[jtopicz1]

Got them crossed! Just make sure the ammenities match EXACTLY! Good luck

Jim

 

[m.pots]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was the Dolphin!!!! I was able to add an additional night from my stay that I had already booked at the teacher rate!!!

You have made by dd so happy! I can't wait to tell her in the morning!!!

Thank you again!! We will be staying May 2-6th.

BTW...There was another icon popping up for the 81 night...it had a red R in the middle (resort) and a spa, but also had everything else. Just curious what this one was?

Thanks again!
Steph

 

[jtopicz1]

So happy for you!!
I believe the one with the resort icon also is the Wyndham (glad you noticed it and didn't bid the wrong one!!) Nobody has reported it for sure yet though so I haven't added it to my list.

The $81 Dolphin rate is certainly hard to beat though! Great to hear. If you could post a comment that you got the rate and your dates at my forum when you get a chance it would be much appreciated

Jim

 

[m.pots]

How do I get to the forum? I'd be happy to post!!!
Steph

 

[jtopicz1]

Just click the "WWW" Icon under my post! Thanks.

Jim

 

[m.pots]

Just posted for you!! Thanks again, you saved me about $250 for my trip. My dd will be so thrilled!

Steph

 

[jtopicz1]

Thanks again! Glad the info helped!

Jim

 

[Shannon D]

I did Hotwire for a stay over President's Day weekend this year. I looked at only the Lake Buena Vista area and bid on the 4 star (which was $76/nt) and it was the Wyndham Palace. I can assure you, it did NOT have the "R" Resort icon listed. It did have the Spa listed, and at the time I was fairly confident I was getting the Wyndham Palace. I know it usually comes up at $72, but with the holiday weekend, I wasn't surprised to see it listed at $76.

Anyway, I am wondering if it could be possible that Gaylord Palms would be the other 4 star ....the one with the "R" (resort) rating? I know it doesn't technically fall into the Lake Buena Vista area though? I'm curious!

 

[bigsis1970]

Hi Jim, My dates are June 15 to June 21st ( if it helps 2 rooms each with 1 adult and 2 kids ) ... sounds like lots are have luck in May .. that is good.. Michelle

 

[GOHoosiers]

I am on hotwire for night of Sept 13. Put in LBV and a four star at $69.00 comes up. Amenities are listed as restaurant, pool, fitness center and business center. Nothing else. When I do a serach with airfare/hotel, the only four stars which come up in the LBV area are the Swan and Dolphin. Any ideas on what it could be??

 

[freediverdude]

GOHoosiers,
The one with only those 4 amenities listed is definitely the downtown disney hilton. I have bid and gotten that one several times with the same 4 amenity list, so i'm pretty positive about that. When you get one with a fairly long list of amenities ending with the spa icon, for around 70-75 per night, that one is the wyndham, and i have gotten that one several times too and know which one that is. I'm glad this thread came out, because only the wyndham and the hilton used to come up in that category and location, and in the last few months i noticed these ones that didn't look like either of those, and was wondering what they were, and it sounds like those are the swan and dolphin, so now i'm less afraid to try those.

 

[freediverdude]

Here, I punched up some dates and came up with what i've known is the wyndham in the past- right now for some May dates under 4 star, lake buena vista area for $72 is one with restaurant, pool, fitness center, business center, golf, tennis, spa- those 7 amenities are the wyndham.

 

[jtopicz1]

bigsis1970,

This may or may not help you. Every day but the 15th comes up with the Dolphin at $81 for your stay on Hotwire. It way be worth it to look into booking the first night through the Hotel or Dreams and then the last dates through Hotwire (or grab the last dates, and hope the 15th comes up between now and then).

The one that comes up at $81 with the ammenities listed on my sight is the Dolphin. Several people grabbed it last night.

freediverdude,

I think you're right on Wyndham. That rate and the ammenities seems about right. Wonder what the one with the Resort Icon is. Not sure about Gaylord Palms. Does Marriott participate??

Jim

 

[chrissyk]

My husband and I are wondering if the rate that is quoted for a hotel room on Hotwire includes taxes or not. Does anyone know for sure?