Coward looking for guidance!!

[rickcop44]

We're on the February 14, 2010 Carnival Victory sailing out of SJU. We'll be flying in on the 13th so need to book a room. We want to book at the Sheraton Old San Juan as I understand Victory leaves from pier 4 and one can literally walk from the hotel to the pier. When I look at the usual websites (expedia, hotels.com, travelocity, etc.), all I see is a $250 a night charge for a room there. Everyone talks about booking the hotel on priceline or hotwire. When I go to priceline, for example, I put in my bid, choose "resorts" as the type facility I want and then freeze when I get to the page where I have to officially enter my bid. I'm so afraid of the website giving me some hell hole that is 5 miles from the pier. Is there any sure fire way of ensuring I'll get the Sheraton? I've looked at betterbidding.com and others for guidance, but in the end, I'm just afraid of getting burned. If any of you have some rock solid way of ensuring you get the hotel you want, I'd love it if you'd share. Thanks!

[wrp96]

I believe on Hotwire the Sheraton is the 3 star that is close to a tennis court.

[ColoRockiesFan]

The Sheraton is most definitely not a resort!

 

Try reading the boards at www.betterbidding.com for instructions and other help.

[rickcop44]

Colo, I didn't think it was, but in looking at the variety of posts on CC regarding the Sheraton, it seemed that most folks said a person had to choose "resorts" to ensure the Sheraton was included. Seemed a bit odd, but oh well.

 

Another poster said the Sheraton was listed as a 3.5 star hotel on Hotwire with the following amenities: Casino, fitness center, pool(s), restaurant(s), business center, high speed internet access, tennis nearby. Well, I found two in area 6 - one is a 3.5 star and the other is a 4 star. Both listed essentially the same amenities. Another poster said I'd know I had the Sheraton if it said 3.5 stars and no beach or ocean nearby.

 

The 3.5 star I found on Hotwire lists the room rate at $206 (taxes and fees included). I thought that was a bit steep. Apparently one does not bid on Hotwire.

 

I have looked at betterbidding. Either I'm having a bad day or I'm an idiot - not sure which at the moment. I didn't find the instruction guidelines all that helpful. That's why I captioned my post as Coward Looking for Guidance.

[ILgirl]

Fellow coward here.... From what I can tell on betterbidding and the comments I've read, Hotwire lists the Sheraton as a 3 * listing the amenities you listed. I have never used Hotwire before, am used to bidding on Priceline, but unless I am misunderstanding something, I am reluctant to use Priceline because I definitely want to be in Old San Juan. I'm waiting for Hotwire to post the 3 * matching the Sheraton for the dates I need in November and if it is reasonable, I'll probably book it through them. Right now Hotwire is not offering any 3 *s for my dates.

[rickcop44]

Thanks ILgirl. I've never used Hotwire or Priceline before and I'm just a bit hesitant to use a tool that isn't guaranteed. Yeah, you end up with a great price on a room, but there is no way of knowing you'll get the hotel you want and if you don't, there isn't a thing a person can do about it. Basically, it's a crapshoot. I'd love to see statistics that show how often people end up with the hotel they wanted initially.

[ColoRockiesFan]

Rickcop44: It is a crapshoot for many! I didn't do my research and ended up with the Wyndham Resort in PR for $130/night. I was overjoyed until I realized I'd have to rent a car or spent a gazillion dollars on a shuttle or taxi. It was an expensive lesson .... :mad:

 

The above poster are correct in that Hotwire lists the Sheraton as a 3*. And, many times during busy seasons, the Sheraton Old San Juan won't let you book for less than 2 nights. I decided I didn't really want the Sheraton after someone posted that the noise on a Friday/Saturday night from the streets and nearby bar is really loud!

 

Good luck to you! Priceline is great sometimes and other times painful ...

 

(I just won the Renaissance Ft. Lauderdale, a 4* for $80 for one night pre-cruise, on Priceline :D)

[FlaKrznNubie]

I suggest if you want the Sheraton Old San Juan, you read this thread

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=962087

 

and this thread last couple pages of this thread

 

And you can get the hotel for just 1 night on Saturday. I and others have just done so.

[jbroons]

I suggest if you want the Sheraton Old San Juan, you read this thread

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=962087

 

and this thread last couple pages of this thread

 

And you can get the hotel for just 1 night on Saturday. I and others have just done so.

 

FKN...do you have a problem?....grammatically incorrect once again.:D

[PhotogrFrGal]

We're on the February 14, 2010 Carnival Victory sailing out of SJU. We'll be flying in on the 13th so need to book a room. We want to book at the Sheraton Old San Juan as I understand Victory leaves from pier 4 and one can literally walk from the hotel to the pier. When I look at the usual websites (expedia, hotels.com, travelocity, etc.), all I see is a $250 a night charge for a room there. Everyone talks about booking the hotel on priceline or hotwire. When I go to priceline, for example, I put in my bid, choose "resorts" as the type facility I want and then freeze when I get to the page where I have to officially enter my bid. I'm so afraid of the website giving me some hell hole that is 5 miles from the pier. Is there any sure fire way of ensuring I'll get the Sheraton? I've looked at betterbidding.com and others for guidance, but in the end, I'm just afraid of getting burned. If any of you have some rock solid way of ensuring you get the hotel you want, I'd love it if you'd share. Thanks!

 

Currently, Sheraton main reservation site is showing no availbility for that date. When you put in 02/12-02/14 it shows available rooms, so apparently Sheraton is requiring minimum 2 night stay (Probably V-Day weekend) - there are also no discounts available for the 12th and 13th- AAA or AARP. My guess is that you will not get that hotel on Priceline or hotwire now - you would have to try closer to departure if the hotel is needing to fill rooms. Suggestion - make a reservation elsewhere that is cheaper and cancelable. You could get a much cheaper hotel and still only be 10-15 from pier with taxi fare around $15.

[FlaKrznNubie]

Currently, Sheraton main reservation site is showing no availbility for that date. When you put in 02/12-02/14 it shows available rooms, so apparently Sheraton is requiring minimum 2 night stay (Probably V-Day weekend) - there are also no discounts available for the 12th and 13th- AAA or AARP. My guess is that you will not get that hotel on Priceline or hotwire now - you would have to try closer to departure if the hotel is needing to fill rooms. Suggestion - make a reservation elsewhere that is cheaper and cancelable. You could get a much cheaper hotel and still only be 10-15 from pier with taxi fare around $15.

 

You are correct, didn't come up on Hotwire for his dates.

[rickcop44]

Well that's good to know - depressing, but good to know. So my next question is, what other decent hotels are there that are close to pier 4 in OSJ? I don't mind a cab ride, but given that we're getting into SJ Saturday afternoon, we'd like to wander around OSJ on foot and enjoy the sights. We've been there before so we're familiar with OSJ. But we've never spent an overnight there. If anyone has an idea for an alternate hotel, I'm all ears!

[ColoRockiesFan]

I understand there is a Howard Johnson in Old San Juan. There is also El Convento (a 4* boutique hotel that is on the expensive side but right in the heart of Old San Juan, as well).

 

Outside of Old San Juan, there are several hotels such as the Courtyard by Marriott San Juan Miramar (very inexpensive and right on the bus route to Old San Juan).

 

Have you tried a visit to http://www.tripadvisor.com? Excellent source of reviews and hotle info.