Priceline 4* Hotel in Orlando/Seaworld Area $79

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Hello,
I have to go to Orlando for 4 days next week and seeing that those worthless One-Plus-Ones are fraudulent (there was a Silver Lake on Last Call for the days I needed, but oooooooooohhh nooooooooooooooh, they wouldn't take both of my One-Plus-Ones for it).

Anyway, I digresss.

I got the Renaissance Orlando Hotel (Marriott) near Seaworld for &79/nt all taxes included. It's $144 on Hotels.com and Expedia/Orbitz, etc. Or it was at the time I nailed this down.

Has anyone stayed there recently ? They renovated it.

I am going to a graduation and am pinning the graduating nurse, one who I mentored ! Isn't that nice ?

I get to wear my full academic regalia. I like dressing up in academic garb on 96 degree weather ! (Where's the sweating pig icon ?). Makes me feel smart ! "Her a smartie" ! Ha !

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

You are a smartie!! Aand a nice one at thatHave a wonderful time. shaggy

[mdurette Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mdurette]

I believe this is the hotel across the street from the SeaWorld parking lot. We stayed there in May of 2007. We only paid $100 per night with a gov't rate - so $79 is a great price. They were just in the process of finishing renovations while we were there. It was a very nice hotel - we even got a high level floor with a balcony that overlooked SW so I could watch the fireworks everynight! I do remember the onsite restaurant was a bit pricey (but aren' they all). The pool area was very large and they even had basketball and tennis courts. The room was a bit bigger than I expected and it has a nice king size bed. Enjoy your time!!!

[jackio Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close jackio]

What an honor, to pin your mentee. Congratulations to both of you! You ARE a smartie!!

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

I have found the best values on Hotwire and Priceline to be in the Airport West and Universal Zones.

Perhaps we settlefor less, but Extended Stays, with kitchenettes (not that we use them), are normally less than $40. They are always clean, OK for a place to hang your hat (with or without tassle )

Here's a sample from Hotwire:

$35 per room per night
3-star hotel in Disney Main Gate - Celebration Area

$35 per room per night
2.5-star hotel in SeaWorld - I-drive South Area

$32 per room per night
2-star hotel in Orlando Airport West


$39 per room per night
2.5-star hotel in Orlando Airport West


$43 per room per night
2.5-star hotel in Universal Orlando - I-drive North Area

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

I booked two rooms in Sioux Falls with Priceline They charged me $139. When I got the bill from the hotel slipped under my door, the charge from the hotel was $108. (total, all taxes, etc.) I can't believe Priceline makes that much off of booking a room.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Sounds outta line.

On the room I booked in Clearwater/St. Pete for Jan. 2, the taxes and service fee is $11.59. I'm sure the booking fee is only like 6 bucks. That is for the entire booking, not per night.

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Well, as of earlier today, Hotwire had this hotel, it sounded exactly like it locaton and 4****-wise at $144/nt.

I was trying to hold out for a partial t/s rental, but nothing good came along. Orlando, though not sold out, seems to be very busy this year.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

HUH!?

When I did my Hotwire search, to post sample results above, the first listing was a 4-star in that zone for $79.

Hotwire hotels are not as good as Priceline for the same rating . . . 1/2 to one star poorer. A 2-star Priceline is normally fairly nice, but a 2-star Hotwire can be a crappy HOJOs (which we have found out, so we don't take anything in Kissimmee/Main Gate).

Well, as of earlier today, Hotwire had this hotel, it sounded exactly like it locaton and 4****-wise at $144/nt.

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

The price must've just gone down just as I gave up on Hotwire and bid on Priceline.
Same thing, apparently.
Timing.

I agree with the star rating. Hotwire, in my experience, tends to grade up a half star at times and I am hesitant to book with them unless time is running out.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Our experience is that with Priceline, the Star level at which uppity begins, where the free stuff like continental breakfast is no longer free, begins at 3.

From experience, say in Omaha, that would be the downtown Sheraton or Doubletree. In the same area, the Courtyard by Marriott in the refurbished warehouse in the market district, is a 2 1/2. It is very nice. I have stayed at all of them through Priceline, and the Courtyard is much more convenient, easier to stay at, than the Doubletree or Sheraton.

A Residence Inn would be a 2 1/2. We usetaget Amerisuites, also 2 1/2s, and they are nice.

Like I said, a 2 through Hotwire may be a crappy HOJOs, but is normally decent through Priceline.

So, I don't like to go below 2 1/2 on Hotwire or 2 on Priceline.

Checking this past January, we had the Extended Stay Deluxe at Universal for $30, through Priceline. I believe it was a 2, because of the limited amenities.

For next January in St. Pete/Clearwater, I used Hotwire's $45 low as a bidding guide and got a Days Inn through Priceline for $35. Also a 2. It is only for one night and right at the airport.