Anyone here use Hotels.com? good/bad?

[scottmandue]

I have always just called the hotel direct but on a whim I decided to try one of the online reservations services to get a discount.

Have any of you used Hotels.com or know of someone who has and what was your experience?

I got a room at Humphrey's in San Diego February, if they really suck I could still cancel.

When I called them back with a question about when could I call the hotel to confirm they got my reservation I got a nice lady with an Indian accent who spoke very softly and assured me I didn't need to do that but I couldn't understand here very well.

TIA,
Scott

[Cdnone1]

I've used them. Booked hotels in both the states and Canada. Never had any problems. I have never heard of problems from friends who have used them as well
Hope that helps
Steve

[RickM]

Originally posted by tcar
Bet you were talking to a woman actually in India...

More likely in the south or in Canada.

[PorschePilot]

I have used Hotels.com several times for business and personal trips. Good expereince each time. I haven't had to cancel any resverations so I don't know how that would go. They have some good rates. My number one travel os is Orbitz, where I have had to call them to cancel or change a reservation and it was no problem.

[scottmandue]

So everything is paid for right, I just show up with my Hotel.com reservation number and they give me a room?

Thanks everyone for the replies.

No, I'm not going to cancel... if my lady friend cancels on me what the heck... it's my birthday and I'm in San Diego!

[Paul T]

I've used hotels.com several times with good luck..I've been very happy.

[scottmandue]

Just so I understand the process, hotel.com charges my credit card and you don't pay anyting at the hotel.

[Cdnone1]

yes only a card imprint for incedantals
Steve

[pbs911]

I've used Hotels.com many times. Good rates and any issues (only one out of about 20 times, which was my fault) are quickly resolved. It is true that you do not pay anything at the hotel, but you do pay Hotels.com at the time you confrim your arrangements.

[scottmandue]

Thanks guys,

Whoo hoo, I'm going to San Diego!!!

[Noah930]

I've only used Hotels.com once, but I did have an annoying charge (by the hotel) on my credit card. Yes, the hotel is allowed to charge incidentals (phone, movies, minibar, etc). I got charged some bogus facilities fee (for the pool...that ironically wasn't even working while I was there). I wrote a complaint to both the hotel and Hotels.com, and my money was refunded, though.

[LeeH]

We found a great travel web site. Travelers write reviews of hotels and resorts.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/

Is this your hotel? If so, it sounds like it's a winner. Way more positive comments than negative.

[MysticLlama]

We used them once for a trip to Vegas.

First night there, the hotel we ended up with was terrible. Called them up, told them what we needed as far as getting Internet in the room, etc.

At the time a few years ago it was pretty rare to be able to get Internet in room, and we were there during Comdex week, so it was pretty crowded.

Stayed on the phone with them while they put us on hold and called around to various hotels to verify they had what we needed and had space, got us a great price, and we moved the next day. (it was 1am by this point)

As far as I know they even dropped the hotel we complained about from their listings.

Overall, awesome experience, and a good way to go unless you have some specials direct with a hotel for something.

[cashflyer]

I've used them and I've never had a problem.

As for charges... what the others said. Hotel will require a security for incidentals like international phone calls, pay per porn, stolen towels, and hooker removal (though sometimes you can just stash them in a stairwell because nobody thinks to look there).

[Joeaksa]

Have used almost everyone when running a flight department. Only problems we had were when we needed to leave early and need to cancel or change the reservation. The hotels themselves are very flexable (we are platinum with most chains) but the agency (Hotels, Orbitz, or travelocity) do not want to change anything, period.

If you make a booking with them and stick to it then it will probably be fine but if you need to make any changes they can be really difficult. We stopped using them and just deal directly with the hotels now.

Joe A

[Neilk]

Want a cheap good room? Use priceline.com in conjunction with the bidding tips from biddingfortravel.com. You'll have zero flexibility, to change the reservations once made. Use biddingfortravel to see all the winning prices for 2. 3 or 4 star hotels in your budget.

Here's a direct link for the San Diego listings.

[speeder]

I used them once for a 3-day trip to NYC, (hotels.com), it was awesome. I got a $400 @ night room for $100 @ night w/ really short notice. (~1 day before).

The way I remember it is that I picked the neighborhood(s) that I wanted and then bid my price for (X # of stars) hotel, at first you shoot for the moon and ask for a 3 star for $75 @ night, it rejects the request and you adjust towards reality until you get a hit. I got a 2.5 star for $100, it was an incredible bargain. The people in the next room were paying 3-4 times as much. (Unless they used a website too).

No problems w/ extra charges, etc..

[scottmandue]

Lee,

Yes that is the place, Humphrey's half moon bay. If I like the place I would be very interested in staying there for one of their on site concerts.

Have a few drinks in your room.. stroll down to the concert... stumble back to your room... how cool would that be! They also have a nightclub on site with live music, don't know if I will get the lady friend down there, she's more of a "let's camp out in the room" kind of gal.

Internet sites crack me up, eighty percent of the reviews are gushing about it being the best place they have ever stayed but the other twenty percent make it sound like he11 on wheels!

This place was actually recommended by a fellow pelicanhead on my "where to stay in S.D." thread.

[motion]

Humphreys summer concert series is awesome!