Too Risky With Priceline?

[Canadian Kelly]

Hi! I'm new on this forum so please be patient! I am planning my first WDW trip. I am looking for a suite with enough room for 2 adults and 3 children without paying a fortune. Is it too risky to make a bid on Priceline when I could win a room with just a queen size bed? I have looked under 'discount hotels' and they are advertising a villa - Universal Resorts-Kissimmee for $69.95.
Has anyone ever heard of it? I can't find it in any travel book! Thanks for any tips you may be able to give!

 

[hercamore]

Hi, I would not try to get a suite with priceline, imho. You might get lucky, but iif you're counting on 3 beds or more, it would be risky.

You know, you could get an offsite 2 br condo for about $80 per nit or less depending on your dates.

www.closesttodisney.com or www.floridaleisure.com



Also, how abou the Summerfieldsuites in LBV, the Marriott Residence Inn LBV or the Holiday Inn Family Suites.

All excellent suite type hotels.

I have not heard of the villa type place you mentioned.


herc.

 

[Trena]

Since you have 5 people, and would like plenty of room, I wouldn't do price line.

Keep researching and you should be able to find what you need at a price you like.

Magic Castle Inn has rooms with 2 beds and a pull out sofa. Includes free breakfast. I have heard good things about them, we are going there next week. Their rates are around $33 (depending on time of year).

Days Inn Suites seems to have good prices. (There are mixed reviews on this hotel.)

Trena

 

[BarryHom]

You probably won't get a suite with Priceline. Priceline guarantees a room for two only. You might get a room with two beds, but sometimes I end up with one bed on Priceline rooms.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I have had good luck with calling the hotels I've gotten through Priceline and requesting to have 2 beds. However, I have heard that they will sometimes charge you for each extra person - over the original 2 you are bidding for. If you need room for 5 I wouldn't go with Priceline...just MHO...

 

[tinaluis]

While there are no guarantees with Priceline, the hotels have always accomodated my requests for two beds. We just returned from a 12 night stay at the Wellesley Inn and Suites (2.5* hotel) through Priceline for $23/nt. The room they had reserved for us had one bed and a recliner, but when I said we were a family of 5, they switched us to a handicapped suite which had a king size bed and a pull out sofabed. Our back-up plan was that we'd use an aerobed if we had to, but it didn't come to that. However, if it had we would have been okay with that. Flexibility is the key with Priceline and we have saved a FORTUNE using it, but it is not for everyone. Also, we usually go a non-peak times when hotels seem to have an abundance of rooms, so that may make a difference too.

 

[thereuare]

As Priceline only guarantees enough space for 2 people, it's probably too much of a risk.

A risk as well, although probably less risky, is trying Hotwire. Hotwire will show you the amenities available, and one of the amenities shown/not shown is "Suite". I would think you'd have better luck choosing a hotel via Hotwire that shows the "Suite" icon. HOWEVER, keep in mind that many of the "Suite" offerings are at "all suite hotels" (like AmeriSuites, where i wouldn't consider it a "true suite"). If a property such as this satisfies your needs, you may want to consider the Hotwire route.

 

[JenniferW]

I would not go with Priceline for this one. You can't expect something extra when they only guarantee for 2 people, 1 bed and to hope for 5 people I wouldn't try it.

Jenn

 

[madelyn]

I've used Priceline 4 times and have been happy with all but the last time. I should not have dropped to a 2-star rating - I'm glad it was only for 1 night! I have a similar situation - we have 2 kids, ages 4 and 1 and my sister is joining us for this trip (so that would be 3 adults and 2 kids). We would like a suite for comfort and privacy reasons. The choice was between bidding for 2 rooms on Priceline or booking a suite. I ended up going with Hawthorn Suites near Universal. I got an $85 a night rate through the Hawthorn website, which isn't as cheap as Priceline, but I factored in that I would probably end up paying for 2 rooms through Priceline at about $35 a night each, so $70 total a night for the 2 rooms. At least with the Hawthorn Suites the reservation is cancellable, I know where I am staying and am happy with the location and free full breakfast and full kitchen. I decided that saving $15 per night or maybe no savings at all if we had to purchase our own breakfast, wasn't worth it. Priceline is great for some situations but not for all. If my sister would not be joining us, I would probably go through Priceline. There's a big difference between the $85 rate at the Hawthorn Suites and the $35 or so one 3-star room through Priceline costs!

 

[Canadian Kelly]

Thanks so much for all the input! I am going to check out all of the suggestions! I'm hoping to get some good rates as we are going Aug.23-30. I understand that most US schools have started back at this time so it is a low time. Thanks again, everyone!

 

[Canuckette]

Hi!

I'm leaving for my WDW holiday in 2 days, and found a great deal at hotelkingdom.com I've surfed the net, and they seem to have the lowest prices for the hotels that are the most common.

I booked three hotels thru them last year (two in Orlando) and was pleased with the results.

They have detailed information about each hotel so you know exactly what you're getting. No surprises.