Los Angeles Hotels - best place to book?

dmg24

TomPrince82 wrote: »

Thanks dmg24. Did they request you complete this form?

Not that I can remember - what kind of information does the form ask for, and how do they want you to send it?

TomPrince82

dmg24 wrote: »

Not that I can remember - what kind of information does the form ask for, and how do they want you to send it?

It asks for card number, cardholders name (as it appears on the card), Address, Post Code, start date, expiry date, security code etc.. and also for a front and back photocopy of the card. They want it either faxed or scanned and emailled.

dmg24

TomPrince82 wrote: »

It asks for card number, cardholders name (as it appears on the card), Address, Post Code, start date, expiry date, security code etc.. and also for a front and back photocopy of the card. They want it either faxed or scanned and emailled.

A lot of bookmakers ask for this, although normally prior to withdrawals. I would ask again why they need this information. Unless you are travelling very soon, there is no reason why they cannot submit the transaction to the bank and allow them to decline it if it is fraudulent!

Vikki_74

iainfitzy wrote: »

hi all,

My girlfriend and I are hitting the west coast of the US this August and we have 3 nights planned in Los Angeles.

We want to stay in either:-
The W hollywood
The Andaz, West Hollywood
The Roosevelt

Can anyone recommend the best place to book on the web? We have got a few quotes through tripadvisor partner sites..

The dates would be Sun 15th Aug til Wed 18th Aug.

Many thanks in advance.

I'd definately second the recommendation to use Hotwire or Priceline for real bargains on hotels, but not necessarily the tip to wait until right at the last minute - we've bagged some great deals using both for our trip to California in September/October, some of which were booked months ago or have just been done so still about 3 months in advance. You need to know what price you'd pay booking direct and to properly do your research on what you're likely to end up with before getting involved though.

Out of interest, why have you picked that particular list of hotels? Is it the area(s), the prices, the hotels themselves?

You haven't said what quotes you've had so far or what your budget is per night, but I had a quick look and Hotwire has the following available for your dates:

Beverly Hills - West Hollywood Area - 4.5* - $203/night --> Likely the Sofitel Los Angeles
Hollywood Area - 4* - $159/night --> Likely the W Hotel Hollywood

The Andaz would come under the Beverly Hills/West Hollywood area but according to the lists on the Better Bidding site (http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showtopic=971&) has not yet been reported since changing from the Hyatt West Hollywood.

By The Roosevelt I assume you mean the Hollywood Roosevelt? If so, that would also be a 4* in Hollywood area on Hotwire, so you will never get both that and the W coming up for the same dates.

Prices are plus taxes and fees...the Hollywood area property as an examples ends up at $545.80 in total for the 3 nights once you've added everything on.

Obviously with Hotwire there is always a risk that you might not get the hotel you expected, but the suggestions on Better Bidding re. ID'ing the hotels on offer is usually pretty accurate.

I hope this is of some help. Any more questions please ask - our trip is all booked now but I love looking around for hotel deals!!

blindman

Vikki_74 wrote: »

I'd definately second the recommendation to use Hotwire or Priceline for real bargains on hotels,

Never heard of them, are they any good :cool:

TomPrince82

dmg24 wrote: »

A lot of bookmakers ask for this, although normally prior to withdrawals. I would ask again why they need this information. Unless you are travelling very soon, there is no reason why they cannot submit the transaction to the bank and allow them to decline it if it is fraudulent!

Thanks for the advice dmg24.

I called my credit card issuer and they said the payment had gone through. So i emailed Atlas Choice back and asked exactly what they needed it for as it had gone through, said the bank had approved the payment and advised me not to send all that info.

It is apparently part of their normal proceedure, but agreed to me not completing the forms as a show of goodwill.