Priceline and Hotwire Blogs On The Web

February 17th, 2010

You probably know that I am a huge fan of Priceline and Hotwire.  In fact I like it so much and believe so much in the concept that I have created the site www.hoteldealsrevealed.com, which is entirely dedicated to Priceline and Hotwire.  As a blogger, I was curious to find out what other bloggers are saying about Hotwire and Priceline.  Here are some of the best posts out there.

Mymoneyblog.com actually has 2 great articles.  The first one specifically deals with how to identify your hotel on Hotwire.  This describes the old technique, which requires comparing the number of tripadvisor review.  Although the method described in this article no longer works, it is worth a read, particularly the blog post comments. 

The second blog post on mymoneyblog.com describes techniques to get the best deal on a hotel room. Not specifically Hotwire or Priceline centric, it has some useful tips for users.

The author of this next blog links to a video that describes how to get great hotel deals using Priceline.  It is worth a look.

Maxablog, by Rudy Maxa, is also worth a look.  While I focus on getting great hotel deals, Rudy describes how he used Priceline to save $74 on a rental car from Priceline.

This next blog is extremely valuable.  I’ve always said that the vast majority of Priceline complaints could be avoided if you understand how Priceline works.  This article does a great job of explaining Priceline caveats - Read this blog and you will be a better Priceline user.

Olympic Fever

February 15th, 2010

Here are some pictures around downtown Vancouver.  There were taken just before the start of the 2010 Winter Games.  I will post some photos and provide a review of the Marriott Pinnacle Vancouver (purchased on Priceline) in a forthcoming post. 

In the meantime, I hope you are enjoying the Olympic games as much as I am.

 

Vancouver Building

ABOVE:  In the heart of downtown Vancouver, about 3 blocks away from the Marriott Pinnacle, is this building showing Olympic sponsorship (Samsung).

Vancouver HBC

ABOVE:  The Hudson Bay building in downtown Vancouver.  Hudson Bay is the official supplier of Team Canada.

 

Vancouver Olympics

ABOVE:  Another building in Vancouver showing the spirit of the Games.

 

Vancouver Robson

ABOVE:  The ice rink at Robson Square.

 

Vancouver Victoria

ABOVE:  The ferry from Vancouver Island to Vancouver.  This is an amazing ferry ride through the Gulf Islands and the Straight of Georgia.

 

Vancouver Canada

The construction of the Crowne Plaza Georgia Hotel in Vancouver, along with the Private Residences at the Georgia Hotel.

Vancouver Olympics – Here I come!

January 29th, 2010
Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle for $81 per night on Priceline

Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle for $81 per night on Priceline

My wife and I were both presented with the opportunity to volunteer at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. We will be volunteering at the British Columbia Media Centre as the word’s media descend on Vancouver during the week prior to the Olympics.

Although we could probably have stayed with friends, I viewed this as an opportunity for my wife and I to get away from the kids and enjoy some time in Vancouver and getting into the spirit of the Games. We were fortunate enough to get a fantastic deal on Priceline for a 4-star hotel in downtown Vancouver. In case you’re wondering, we paid $81 per night through Priceline, compared to a similar hotel on Hotwire for $120/night and $225/night via the hotel’s own website (Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Vancouver). Way to go Priceline!

I’ll update my blog during and after my Olympic experience. Check back for updates on the hotel, the volunteer experience, and the pre-Olympic excitement of downtown Vancouver!

Priceline Hotel List – Youtube Video

January 27th, 2010

This is a video recently posted on Youtube to provide an overview of how to use Priceline hotel lists when bidding on Priceline hotels.

2009 Hillarious Travel Incidents

January 5th, 2010

I saw a great article in the newspaper today about odd mishaps that have happened to people while traveling during 2009. Here are some gems:

  • An American border guard who questioned Desidrio Fortunato, a BC man who was about to drive into the U.S. “Turn off the car,” the guard commanded. The Canadian man asked him to be polite and say please. As a thank you for the manners lesson, the guard pepper-sprayed Fortunato in the face, pulled him from the car and threw him onto the ground. He was handcuffed and questioned for 3 hours.
  • Davor Ivanovic had to spend his birthday all alone on a business trip to Croatia – or so he led his wife to believe. As a surprise, the wife arranged a live call to his hotel room from his favorite radio station. The phone was answered by a woman. Listeners heard the wife scream. The husband’s replay, braodcast live: “Why have you done this to me? We have kids.”
  • German sweethearts Mika and Anna-Lena planned to elope and get married in Africa. They set out in the early hours of New Year’s Day, accompanied by Anna-Lena’s sister, Anna-Bell. Their suitcases were stuffed with summer clothes and swim suites. But police foiled their plans after spotting them waiting for an airport train in Hanover, Germany. They were returned to their parents, who had no idea what they were up to. Mika was 6, Anna-Lena 5, and Anna-Bell 7.
  • It was bad enough when United Airlines baggage handlers smashed the custom-made $3,500 guitar of Halifax musician Dave Carroll. Only when Carroll composed a song called United Breaks Guitars and posted it on YouTube – where it became a viral hit – did United promise to do better. It failed. Just over 3 months later Carroll flew United again. He arrived safely but his bad did not.

Here’s to happy travels in 2010.

Hotwire Video – Identify Your Hotel Before Purchasing

December 31st, 2009

Here is a video I produced and put on Youtube.com that shows how to identify your hotel on Hotwire before you purchase. More “how to” instructional videos on Hotwire and Priceline will be added in the future. It’s a bit long and I will work on making future videos shorter. Additional feedback welcome.. comments on this video? What Priceline or Hotwire help videos would you like to see?

Enjoy…

Resort Fees

December 15th, 2009

Many hotels (and resorts) are not charging a “resort fee” above and beyond the hotel room reservation price. Two tourist destinations notorious for charging resort fees are Hawaii, and more recently, Las Vegas. Often, the resort fee is not disclosed when reserving or is only in the fine print.

Before you reserve a hotel room in Hawaii or Las Vegas, you may want to check out the resort fee lists below:

Las Vegas Resort Fee List
Excalibur $8
Gold Coast $3
Hard Rock Hotel $7
Hooters Hotel $5
Hyatt $10
Luxor Hotel $11
MGM Grand $15
MGM Signature $20
New York New York $3
Planet Hollywood $6
Sahara $6
Stratosphere $8
Treasure Island $20
Tropicana $8
Trump $15
Westin $15

Hawaii Resort Fee List

BIG ISLAND
Castle Hali’i Kai At Waikoloa $30
Includes: Entry Gate Electronic Key Card (access to the resort premises and Ocean Club), Two Welcome Drink Coupons, Two 20% off Restaurant Coupons, Parking Permit.

Hali’i Kai At Waikoloa $30
Includes: Electronic key cards for access to the property and Ocean Club facilities, Two Welcome Drink Coupons, Two 20% off Restaurant coupons

Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa $20
Includes: Parking, Unlimited in-room high speed Internet access, Daily half-day snorkel rental for two, Free local long distance calls to the U.S. and Canada.

KAUAI
Aston Kauai Beach at Makaiwa $12
Includes: Daily parking, unlimited toll-free and local calls, daily use of exercise facility, 15 % off selected treatments at Pua Spa, incoming/outgoing domestic faxes, coffee or tea coupon from the hotel’s Coffee Kiosk, in-room high-speed internet access, use of in-room safe, coffee packs in-room, daily newspaper (Mon. – Sat.), rollaway extra bedding, kids 12 and under eat free at the Voyager Grille.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa $15
Includes: Unlimited local & 800 number phone calls, Self and Valet Parking, Incoming Faxes, One-hour Court time per day at the Tennis Garden, Daily Fitness Accessa, Wellness classes, Garden Island newspaper, 10% off selected merchandise at ANARA Spa, 10% off selected merchandise at the Tennis Center, 10% off Business Center Internet Access, 10% off selected merchandise.

Hilton Kauai Beach Resort $13
Includes: Access to the Fitness Center, parking, wireless Internet connection in lobby, nightly poolside entertainment, manager’s cocktail hour.

Koa Kea Hotel & Resort at Poipu Beach $15
Includes: In-room internet access, use of fitness center, valet parking.

Sheraton Kauai Resort $17
Includes: Internet access in guest rooms, Mai Tai Reception with Hawaiian Entertainment, Tennis Courts, Toll free and credit card access telephone calls, Local on-island telephone calls, Cultural arts and crafts, Guest news library with internet and e-mail access, Self parking, Weekly movie venue, Discount on selected beach activities, Oceanfront Yoga three mornings a week, Access to the Oceanfront Fitness Center.

MAUI
Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas $13
Includes: Daily parking, unlimited local phone calls & long distance access charge, daily use of fitness center, special discount rates at the day spa, wireless internet access.

Grand Wailea Resort $25
Includes: Floral lei greeting and Mai Tai punch (non-alcoholic) upon arrival, unlimited local, toll-free, and credit card calls, internet access, coffee & tea in guest rooms, nightly turndown service, unlimited use of Spa Grande’s cardiovascular and strength training facilities, participation in Sunrise Power Walks and Yoga classes, admission to twice-daily scuba clinics and water aerobics, participation in scheduled Garden and Art tours featuring the works of Botero, Leger, Picasso and Warhol, use of self parking facilities, shuttle service to scheduled stops throughout the Wailea area, and use of the water features to include water slides, water elevator, whirlpools.

Honua Kai Resort & Spa $25
Includes: Daily Parking, Internet Access, In Room Safe, Fitness Center, Free Local and Toll Free Calls, Suite Starter Kit (laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, sponge, liquid soap, dish towel and wash cloth, condiment and coffee).

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa $15
Includes: Parking, in-room coffee & tea, in-room safe, access to 800, 888 and local telephone calls, daily admission for 2 to the fitness portion of Spa Moana, daily newspapers, and one hour per day of tennis court time.

Kamaole Sands Resort Maui $16
Includes: Free parking, daily newspaper, coffee, and free local and 800 number calls.

Kapalua Villas and Homes $18
Includes: Shuttle service from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm, parking permit, unlimited tennis, in-room safe, local calls, free international calls to select countries, incoming faxes and a premier guest certificate booklet (valued at over $200 in discounts at resort shops and restaurants.)

Makena Beach and Golf Resort $15
Includes: Self parking, free local and toll free calls, Kona coffee and tea replenished daily, two bottles of water in guest room replenished daily, shuttle service to Makena and Wailea Resort areas, access to Ho’ohana Fitness Center, boarding pass printout.

Ritz Carlton Kapalua $20
Includes: Wireless high-speed internet access, local telephone calls, toll-free telephone access, discounted golf fees and preferred tee times, Resort shuttle services (Kapalua Resort & West Maui Kapalua Airport only), use of our 24-hour fitness center, Aloha Friday festivities and cultural history tours, arts & crafts, self-parking, resort charging privileges at select shops and restaurants, and in-room coffee.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa $25
Includes: In-Room Hi-Speed Internet, Free Wireless Internet access in Public Areas, including Lobby and Pool Bar, First Night Valet Parking, and Daily Self Parking thereafter, Unlimited local (on island) telephone calls, Starwood Maui scheduled shuttle service to Westin Maui Resort and Spa, Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, and historic Lahaina town, Kaanapali Resort scheduled shuttle service to Kaanapali resort hotels, and The Fairway shops at Kaanapali, Yoga and Pilates Classes, Daily Cultural Activities, Lessons, and Entertainment, Children under 12 eat free from Keiki Menu at Kekaa Terrace with Paying Adult.

Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa $25
Includes: Unlimited U.S. Domestic Long Distance Phone Calls, Unlimited Local Phone Calls, Outgoing Domestic, U.S. Fax Service (up to 20 pages), Daily Self-Parking, 1-Litre Bottle of Water per day (in-room), 500 Marriott Reward Points per stay, 15% discount on Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services, Grandes’ Gems – 10% discount on jewelry purchases (excluding special events) and complimentary jewelry cleaning between the hours of 3pm-5pm daily, Mandara Spa – 10% discount on 50-minute service and complimentary spa gift, Mala Wailea Restaurant – 20% discount in Restaurant, Dinner only (excludes lounge dining, Pre Fixed Menu, early bird specials and alcoholic beverages), Maluhia Pool – 20% discount on full Cabana and Casabella rentals, Pool Side Concierge & Activities – 20% off any scuba lesson or ocean dive and 20% off paddle board rental, Two Welcome Mai Tai drinks per stay at Kumu Bar & Grill OR Two Cups of Starbucks Coffee per stay at Lauhala Hut

Westin Maui Resort & Spa $25
Includes: Admission to the Spa and Fitness Center, in-room high speed internet service, self parking, shuttle service to Maui Airport upon availability, shuttle service to Kaanapali golf and tennis facilities and nearby sister properties Sheraton Maui Resort and Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, Westin Maui heavenly logo gift bag in room, 2 bottles of spring water in room replenished daily as necessary, outdoor portrait sitting and free 4 X 6 color photograph through West Maui Photography, cultural activities, unlimited local calls up to 60 minutes per call.

OAHU
Imperial of Waikiki $6
Includes: Access to Kalia Spa Facility, Unlimited DVD’s, unlimited local/toll free calls and use of in room safes.

Turtle Bay Resort & Ocean Villas $20
Includes: Local calls, 800 number calls, parking, self-service guest room coffee and tea, daily newspaper Mon-Fri, one hour snorkel equipment rental per day, one hour tennis time and equipment per day, in-room safe, and use of fitness center.

These are current as of December 2009. For a current list, please visit HotelDealsRevealed.com’s forum.
Las Vegas Resort Fee List
Hawaii Resort Fee List

Priceline PriceBreakers & Flight Deals

December 2nd, 2009

PriceBreakers Hotel and Vacation Package Deals:

35% off 4-Star New York City Hotels only $129 this Holiday Season! ends 12/6

3-Night Vacation Packages to Stratosphere Tower Las Vegas from $63/night per person! ends 12/6

3-Night St. Thomas Vacation Packages Just $196/night per person! ends 12/6

National and Hertz Rental Car Coupons extended through 12-9:

Coupon Code: $20 off National Weekend Rentals! ends 12/9

Coupon Code: Hertz up to $20 off Weekend Rentals! ends 12/9.

Airfare Sales:

Fly Midwest Airlines from $88 Round-Trip*! ends 12/4

American Airlines Flights to the Bahamas from $210 Round-Trip! ends 12/15

NO priceline booking fees on ALL published Flights!

Hotel & Travel Deals – December 1, 2009

December 1st, 2009

Hand-picked hotel and travel deals for the week of December 1, 2009.

Cyber Monday Special: Fly Round-Trip to Europe from $465 on Lufthansa! (Expires 12/3/09)

1 Day Only: Fly Within the 50 States from $116 Round-Trip. Book Your Flight Today and Save! (Expires 11.30.09)

4 Day Sale – Black Friday through Cyber Monday – Save up to 50% on hotels in San Diego. Expires 11/30/09

Ends Soon: Washington DC on Sale: Save up to 30% on hotels! Expires 11/30/09

Oahu from $69 at Hotels.com! Travel by December 14, 2009

Myrtle Beach from $35 at Hotels.com! Travel by December 14, 2009

FAA Computer Outage Now Fixed

November 19th, 2009

Thursday, November 21, 2009: An FAA computer outage that resulted in widespread flight delays and cancellations. This outage has been traced to a telecommunications system in Nevada. Problems began at about 5 a.m. EST and lasted for roughly four hours.

During the outage, air-traffic controllers managed flight plans manually and safely according to FAA contingency plans, the agency said.

UPDATE: The outage is now over. The system is up and running and the FAA, airlines, and passengers hope to get things back to normal in the next few hours.