Can booking a "secret hotel" with Hotwire be a nightmare or a godsend?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Going to Krakow in the Autumn & have been scanning the internet for good deals on hotels.

After reading Martins' thread on how to find secret hotels.

Checked out Hotwire & there appears to be a few "bargains" on there.

However, having never used this method to book hotels in the past, how reliable is Hotwire/other sites offering the same and is it trouble free?

Mr_Wang

You don't need to hotwire/priceline hotels in Krakow.

Book the Pergamin Aparthotel, stock up on Lech and relax

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Well..when I say holiday..it's more like my partner is getting tattooed by a famous tattooist who is based in Krakow, so no drinking or merriment will be occurring lol.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Mr_Wang wrote: »

You don't need to hotwire/priceline hotels in Krakow.

Book the Pergamin Aparthotel, stock up on Lech and relax

Actually checked out this place on trip advisor & it says breakfast surcharge..how much is it?

littlereddevil

I've always been really happy with hotwire secret hotels but I do my research and have always had the hotel I thought it would be from other people's experiences

duchy

What sort of nightmare are you imagining ?
I've used priceline and hotwire all over the UK and the USA -provided you research properly so you know what the "worst" hotel you might get is ...and know it would be acceptable then there's some good deals to be had.

Out of fifty odd bookings I've been disappointed twice - once in Las Vegas where I messed up on the zone so entirely my fault (turned out OK in the end -when I got to check in they upgraded me to a suite unasked-pretty good for a $30-40 booking) and once in Utah where I got impatient and overbid on a three star and got a travelodge-otherwise I've always had excellent deals- the last was a Crowne Plaza in Liverpool with Hotwire -booked very last moment half the price -I'd have paid more to stay at Jurys a little further up Albert Dock and very basic by comparison.

I do regard it as a way to get a *better* hotel for the money - rather than the cheapest deal so generally expect to go for a four star and pay a 2 star price.

Hobsons_Choice

Hotels and/or apartments in Krakow aren't expensive anyway.
For peace of mind book direct or through Trivago/Trip Advisor.

paddyrg

I am wary of secret-style bookings having had a couple of lemons. There are some hotels which seem to do the least they can to get their stars, then create artificially high rack rates so they can discount heavily - they stand no chance of *ever* getting their rack rates.

I had one room for £125 which had I booked via any other agent was £99 - yet they posted a rack rate of £480 for this tiny room in Victoria. That's pretty much the same rack as Mariott Grosvenor House on Park Lane.

Now, I don't book secret rooms - never had a better deal than booking through a big online agent anyway, the 'secret' bit doesn't seem to make any significant difference. Considering you can end up with such lemons which can really ruin a holiday, better to do research to get somewhere decent, then see trivago for best prices.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Thanks for all the replies.

I had been looking at hotels in the center of Krakow (old town). Last time I visited there, I stayed in a Best Western hotel on the outskirts. It was a lovely hotel, however it was out of the way & I had to get taxis everywhere.

There is a Best Western in old town & am considering booking there. However, whilst on the hotel search I came across Hotwire. The secret hotel I was looking at, the room (for 4 nights stay), would be £642 full price. However, the secret rate is £341.

It is rated as a 5 star hotel & I have narrowed it down to a possible 5.

Do hotwire hot rate hotels offer breakfast included in the price?

blindman

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

After reading Martins' thread on how to find secret hotels.
Checked out Hotwire & there appears to be a few "bargains" on there.

However, having never used this method to book hotels in the past, how reliable is Hotwire/other sites offering the same and is it trouble free?

You've been reading the wrong thread :cool:

blindman

paddyrg wrote: »

I am wary of secret-style bookings having had a couple of lemons. .

Did you do any research?