Where would YOU stay?

[alexbigday]

We want to stay off site--budget is a huge consideration. We want something for under $50 with a refrigerator and a heated pool. I know that this is possible--we will be there late January. We don't want anything fancy (obviously with that budget), just something safe and clean.

What do you suggest? This is our first trip to the area and welcome all advice and suggestions.
Thanks

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I would definately go with skyauction. You could get a week for something around $260.

How many are there in your party? Would you need a 2 bedroom or just a one bedroom?

Right now there is a one bedroom at Celebration resort on SA...........
http://www.skyauction.com/action/offer/1063867

 

[alexbigday]

Thanks for the link, however, we only need 4 nights.
I am new to this and don't quite understand Skyaction. It seems like you pay a huge daily tax/fee ($30-40) Do you just factor this in when bidding?
If so, that would make my bid at $10-15--that seems quite odd.
Please excuse my ignorance, but would appreciate any details.
Thanks

 

[runner26.2]

Don't just limit yourself to per night offers only on skyauction. Provided you will be checking in on a Fri, Sat, Sun you could get a 7 day condo and simply leave early.

It would not surprise me if you can get a 2 bedroom condo on skyauction for under $50 which when their fee of $195 or so is added is still $250 which is pretty close to your price range. Be warned that this will likely only work if you plan on checking in on the weekend as they may not hold your reservation if you don't show up until Tuesday or Weds.

The other thing with skyauction is if you wait until last minute you can get very good bargains. Take a look at what they have to offer for travel in the next 14 days and you'll see what I mean. Those generally go quite cheaply.

Just watch skyauction over the next few days and you'll get a sense of how it works.

Alternatives to skyauction are priceline & hotwire. Here is a link to a board that discusses tactics on how to find good deals. It also can assist in determining what hotels are advertised on them.

http://www.betterbidding.com/

Since you are going in January there is no requirement that you book your accomodation months in advance. There will be lots of vacancy in Orlando. It takes a certain amount of courage to not book rooms until very late but doing so can save $$$. Everything will not be sold out. You have the benefit of going at low season as opposed to March when occupancy rates are quite high.

 

[alexbigday]

Thanks so much for the info and encouragement!

I will keep an eye on skyauction. We will be arriving on a Thursday until Monday, so I don't know if it will work. Are they all 7 day rentals? I saw some hotels on there that the prices looked the same as other sites?
We would only need 1 bedroom if a condo, just 2 adults and a 6 year old (who would happily sleep on the floor next to us or on the couch). If we use a hotel, 2 double beds.

Thanks and I love the advice!

 

[mommaU4]

Try calling the Comfort Suites Main Gate East. We were going to stay there on our next trip because there are 6 in our group and they had rooms that would accomodate us. The reviews seemed good at least the ones I read. They have a free breakfast that is supposed to be good, more than just cereal. And the rooms have a refrigerator and microwave. With the Orlando MagicCard you can get a decent rate from what I remember.

Now we never actually stayed there, even though we were booked there because we were able to get in a condo style place through a relative, so maybe someone who has actually stayed there can tell you if the good reviews are accurate or not. Good Luck!

 

[spiceycat]

thursday to Monday is not a good stay for a timeshare

can you change it? good stays start on Fri, Sat or sun.

the ones on skyauction that I recommend are timeshares not hotels. You can sometimes get a better price just visiting the home website for the hotel.

if you can't change it and still want just a hotel.

www.hotelkingdom.com
www.hotelmartusa.com
www.choicehotels.com

be sure to read the description from hotel kingdom - they give you a pretty good ideal of what you are getting.

 

[Bonnie40]

We have stayed at Comfort Suites Maingate East a couple of times and really enjoyed it. I would be surprised if you could get it for under $50/night, but the breakfast is pretty good and the pool is lovely.

I might also suggest what used to be the Holiday Inn Maingate East (I think it's called something else now...). It has always offered decent rates and is conveniently located. If you did a search, you should be able to confirm the proper name. There are lots of restaurants, etc., very close by. Will you have a car? I'm not sure about shuttle services...

I did hear about codes being available for Disney resorts. You are travelling during the slow season and rates should be good anywhere you go. Might be worth checking www.mousesavers.com and seeing what's available. It's not unheard of to get a $49/night rate at a value. No fridge, but you can keep stuff cold in a disposable cooler. Transportation at your doorstep, extra magic hours, etc.

Just a thought...

 

[Bonnie40]

It's now called the Seralago Maingate East.

 

[2BigKIdz]

We stayed one night at the Rodeway Inn on International drive, I think I got it for $38 plus tax. I don't remember if they had a refrigerator/microwave or not. It was a basic room but it was clean and the staff was very nice. Our room had a view of Islands of Adventure. Very centrally located, restaurants all around. I would stay there again. I rented directly from their website as it was cheaper than the rates from travelocity, orbitz etc.

 

[2BigKIdz]

Skyauction hotel rooms are the bid price (say $10) plus a nightly fee, usually $39, which would make the room $49 per night. Usually the bid per night auctions are not a good deal. Skyauction is definitely the way to go for weekly condos though.