Booked a secret hotel via Hotwire? Let us know

Former_MSE_Sally

Hi folks,

If you've ever booked a secret hotel deal via Hotwire, let us know how you got on. Did you uncover the hotel before booking? How much did you save?

Post your responses below.

Thank you

MSE Sally

blindman

MSE_Sally wrote: »

Hi folks,

If you've ever booked a secret hotel deal via Hotwire, let us know how you got on. Did you uncover the hotel before booking? How much did you save?

Post your responses below.

Thank you

MSE Sally

Not used them recently but used to do so

I even wrote a guide

Priceline guide

Hotwire guide

littlereddevil

Blindman's link is excellent, no need for another thread on the same!
It's been going for years

Former_MSE_Sally

Thank you for the replies! The link to the other thread is now closed, plus we're writing a new article so looking to link the two. We're after your feedback more specifically - whehter you were successful, how much you saved etc.

Hope that clarifies it

blindman

MSE_Sally wrote: »

Thank you for the replies! The link to the other thread is now closed, plus we're writing a new article so looking to link the two. We're after your feedback more specifically - whehter you were successful, how much you saved etc.

Hope that clarifies it

It maybe closed but it's still relevant.

It (and the Priceline one) link to still relevant forums that are specifically about Hotwire and Priceline.

Can't see what a "new article" on MSE can add to data already out there.

And I know Martin did a TV program about Lastminute secret rooms and how to ID them-Cos I was a guest on the program (Re Priceline)

(It's on here somewhere).

If you want to do a new cheap accommodation thread\post\"article" then why not look at AirBnB?

It's upcoming and popular (and I use it:cool: )

meow2

Booked a deal for secret hotel in London.
All went ok until checked booking with hotel as wanted to request early check in and hotwire had cancelled the booking.

Checked my bank account and they had refunded but no email to explain why.
Tried to re - book today online same deal. System said problem with my payment card, so it did not complete the transaction. Called reservation instead to book and they also said there was a problem with my card. So checked my account again and no problem with available funds. So called my bank as showing money recently gone out of the account.
They informed me that Hotwire had charged me twice via the online booking that I had been unable to complete.
Called Hotwire again and they after being pushed from pillar to post told me to leave a message with their risk assessment department, as they had suspended my hotwire account but they did not have access to the reason for this. So have left a message but still waiting for a call back. At the moment out of pocket by £410 x 2. Worried will not get my money back.

martmonk

MSE_Sally wrote: »

Thank you for the replies! The link to the other thread is now closed, plus we're writing a new article so looking to link the two. We're after your feedback more specifically - whehter you were successful, how much you saved etc.

Hope that clarifies it

Used earlier this year for Boston.
Had a booking in place I was happy with (but cancellable) close to Fenway Park but ideally wanted to be near Sheraton or Hilton to catch the limoliner down to NY.
Using what info I could find online I was pretty sure I was going to get one of those 2 - I got the Sheraton and saved around 33%.

crickle

My secret Hotel was The Kensington Hilton and it's probably the worst Hilton We've stayed in Hotwire advertised it at £80 but cost to me after charges was £97.65 for one night , we received no notification of bed size or room details and when we got there the room was tiny , a Queen bed and a shower , hotel is tatty and out of the way as a Hilton Honours member I would have expected better but received no member frills , when I've done the lastminute.com secret hotels they have been much better and of a higher standard wont be using Hotwire again ! when I tried to reply to the hotwire post stay review form they found a way to disqualify it !

littlereddevil

I used to use Hotwire but not any more. The charges are too much, making the savings negligible. Also if you book through them you tend to get the worst room in the hotel.
Priceline used to be better, but even they are not really any cheaper , again with high charges.
I now tend just to find a hotel I like, then try to find the best price.
Booking with a hotel direct means more room for negotiation if you don't like your room.

Chriswmids

Just booked a hotel in London through Hotwire. I had a budget of £150 for my family of four. The 'secret' hotel covered the area I wanted, and had a pool, which was great, as the children love swimming! The hotel was promoted as 52% off, but on paying noticed a £35 booking fee. It has a pool, so I'll pay this, I thought. On booking, I was informed that I would have to pay £10 per day to use the pool! On going to the hotel site, there isn't a rate advertised before the 50% off, and the deals at the advertised rate would include breakfast (which my deal does not!). You are unable to cancel the deal as soon as you pay (at least by booking through the hotel site you can cancel up to five days before). I feel totally conned. Will never use them again.

savvy

Wow sounds like Hotwire has fizzled out since 2010 when I used it. We needed a number of hotels over 10 days, used Hotwire for some of them and they were beyond excellent, we had our own villa in Scottsdale for the first night (a golf buggy drove us to it waahay), and a fab suite in the Homewood Suites in Scottsdale when we got back from snowboarding in Big Bear, CA. Both were cheap, as it had to be for me to be able to afford the whole trip!!