Universal Hotels

[The Murfs]

Help,

I'm getting really confused. We are looking at booking 3 nights at one of the on site hotels peferably HRH, but it is so confusing. So many different rates, rooms, views! There are four of us including a teenage girl and boy. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[GarryK]

Yeah, know what you mean but if you get to the bottom of it it's really worth the effort. The FOTL access for rides is unbeatable. We stayed there (me, DW and 2 DD (12 & 10)) last year and have already booked for 2005 - 3 nights both times.

I'll explain what I know - others may be able to help further.

Try the USO website and put in your dates to check availability. You'll get a description of the rooms and rack (basic) rates there. from bottom up I think it's Garden view, Pool view and Club level - there may be more but my Visa Card doesn't want to know.

We've always taken the Garden view mainly because we don't spend a lot of time in the room so the view's larger irrelevant. Further, I've read lots of posts from people with 'Pool' views where they've really had to use their imagination to view the pool - behind trees etc. Therefore don't see any sense in paying another $20 or $30 for this.

As for rates.....mmmm. I know of 5 discounts but there may be more. Annual pass, Lowes Hotel, Hard Rock All Access, Entertainment, AAA (our AA).

I think they all give different discounts and it's a case of seeing what's available. Fortunately, you can book at the rack rate and then phone back at intervals to see what discounted rates may have become available - then cancel the original one and take the cheaper one.

We've booked for 2005 at the rack rate but hope to get the Entertainment rate when it's loaded into the system.

For example - 2003. Rack rate was $230 and we ended up paying $125 on the Ent Rate (you need an Entertainment Card for this - see Entertainment.com)

Hope this helps

Garry

 

[pauldents]

Before you do anything else, sign up for your loews first card over at www.loewshotels.com

Next, post your room questions on the Universal resorts board.

FYI. Most HRH rooms have 2 queen beds. Some have King beds. The 7th floor is known as "club" (concierge level). For more space you can get a deluxe room. You can also get connecting rooms. The HRH also has suites:-

King Suites - Larger room with King bed and seperate parlour area. Can be connected to another room with 2 queens.
Kids suites - King bedroom connected to seperate room with two singles. 2 bathrooms.
Hospitality suites
Graceland suite.

When booking a room at the HRH there two views available (pool and garden). Because of the palm trees you really need to be above the 3rd floor for a good view of the pool and parks.

As far as rates go, the entertainment card usually gets you the best rate. You can get one from www.entertainment.com. If you make a ressie with your entertainment card you dont usually get the loews first benefits. You can get other discounts with a FAN club card, A HRH all access card, An Annual Passholder card, A Lowes first card, and a AAA card.

The best option for you would to book two standard (connecting?) garden rooms and try and get the entertainment rate for your dates. Present them with your Loews first card at check-in and ask them if there are any upgrades available. They may offer you club floor for an extra $35 per night OR a complimentary upgrade to a pool view.

Hope this helps.

Paul.

 

[The Murfs]

This is going to sound really stupid, we've been to entertainment.com and cannot work out exactly what the card is and how to get it. We've found a lot about book subscriptions!We have found the ideal room at the loewshotels.com. Delux room with 2 queen beds and a rollaway 500 sq ft compared to 375 sq ft in the queen room. £718 for 3 nights so any discount would be great. We could get the club level with 2 queens for £769 but i've heard these rooms are the same size as the standard queen rooms. We would rather have the extra room rather than the club level perks.

Many thanks

 

[pauldents]

Hi,

You can use ANY entertainment book to get the discount for the room at the HRH. On entertainment.com where it asks for your ZIP put "32819" . This will give you the book for Orlando. It usually takes about 2 weeks to be shipped.

You dont need your entertainment card when making a reservation at the HRH. They wont ask for the card until check-in. So you can reserve the rooms now and get your entertainment card later.

P.S. Not sure if you know? but a rollaway is another $25.00? per night.

Paul

 

[The Murfs]

Hi again,

One last question. Once we have ordered the orlando book is the entertainment card sent automatically to us or do we need to do anything else? When we book direct with www.loewshotels.com is there somewhere you can ask for an entertainment rate or do we just book it and ask/get the discount when we show the card when we arrive?
Sorry that one question multiplied!

I know it will be worth it when we are there with FOL access.

 

[pauldents]

Originally posted by The Murfs
Hi again,

One last question. Once we have ordered the orlando book is the entertainment card sent automatically to us or do we need to do anything else? When we book direct with www.loewshotels.com is there somewhere you can ask for an entertainment rate or do we just book it and ask/get the discount when we show the card when we arrive?
Sorry that one question multiplied!

I know it will be worth it when we are there with FOL access.

The entertainment card will be inside the entertainment book you have ordered. The entertainment book has hundereds of discounts for various Orlando restaraunts, hotels etc.

You can book via Loews Reservations 001-800-23(LOEWS)56397 or the HRH direct 001-407-503-7625

Give them your dates and room requests and ask them for the entertainment rate.

Dont forget to apply for your Loews first card here: http://www.loews-first.com/loewsfirst_application.asp

"LoewsFirst Blue

LoewsFirst Blue membership is automatic. Your benefits begin as soon as you enroll. The exciting benefits of LoewsFirst Blue include:

Your favorite welcome amenity. Choices include: a bottle of red or white wine and nuts, fresh fruit and bottled water, cookies and milk, or a treat for your pet.

Wall Street Journal, USA Today or the local paper delivered to your door every morning you stay with us.

Free access to our fitness center.

500 American Airlines® AAdvantage® Miles or 500 Amtrak Guest Rewards® Points or 500 Midwest MilesSM per qualified^ stay.*

Enjoy a free upgrade to a premium room, if one is available when you arrive.

Enjoy a late check-out of 3 hours beyond the regular check-out time, if available."

 

[The Murfs]

Thanks for all your help, it makes sense now!!!

 

[The Murfs]

Got a quote off Loews website for HRH delux queen room $369. When I rang Loews was given $344 for same room, no entertainment rates available but could book at $344 and ring back to keep checking if entertainment rates available. If we booked over the phone do they send e-mail confirmation as I would prefer to have something in writing. Have ordered Orlando book to get entertainment card and also applied for loews first card.

Many thanks once again.

 

[MizzPrincezz]

Hi there I am staying in the RPR for two nights at the end of September, they confirmed this via e-mail. I booked it over the telephone and changed my booking several times and each time an up to date e-mail confirmation was sent.

hope this helps

Almost doing the single figure dance
Karon

 

[vernon]

Even if there is no entertainment rate at one of the hotels for a particular date, you may find there is availability for one of the other hotels. When Jana and I stayed there, there was no entertainment rate for HRH or the RPR but there was for the Portifino Bay. So do make sure you ask about each of the hotels individually. They are all excellent hotels so try to get the best rate you can at any of them.

 

[Astrid]

Slightly off topic but do you consider $25 a worthwhile investment for the Entertainment Card?

I have a Loews Card already and plan on renewing my Annual Pass for our stay at the HRH next August.

Astrid

 

[MizzPrincezz]

Hi there

I think the entertainment book pays for itself very quickly its not just about the card discounts its about the vouchers for money off everything from crazy golf to popular restaurants.

Particularly if you purchase the Florida one. I got a better discount using the entertainment rate than using any other ie Fanclub or AP.

Karon

 

[vernon]

Slightly off topic but do you consider $25 a worthwhile investment for the Entertainment Card?

IF you don't go anywhere and never do anything differently then probably no, but for people that like to go out, try different experiences and eat out a fair bit then definately it is a worthwhile investment. I would guess last time we used the book it saved us minimum $300 at restaurants, $300 on hotels and $100 on excursions.

 

[Astrid]

Thanks Karon!

Think I'll bite the bullet and get one.

Astrid