Originally Posted By crazycroc SoThisisLove--- You must be tenacious when dealing with priceline customer service. I received 4 or 5 no's before I received a yes. Make sure you let them know that you have used the service before,may times, have always been happy with it and you WILL NOT use it again, without them fixing this for you. I would initially try to contact the hotel and get them to make you feel better about your stay, if that can't be done, I would recommend contacting not only priceline, but also Candlewood corporate, Better Business Bureau, etc. Do this with both email, and snail mail. You get better results than with phone calls. Be honest. It's the best policy.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I'm honestly not sure what good a complaint to PL would do. I'm a PL LOVER and I've used them many, many times in Anaheim and never gotten this place and am not familiar with it. But as long as it's in the area requested -- and Garden Grove most certainly is as that's where many place like the Hyatt, Crowne Plaza, Marriott Suites etc... that come up are located -- and it was the level you bid for (I'm assuming this was a 2-star bid? Maybe 2 1/2?) I don't know what you expect PL to do. PL explains its rules going in. You aren't guaranteed anything ... and you could wind up with a dog. Although in eight years of using them many hundreds of time all over the world, I've only gotten maybe 2-3 places that weren't acceptable ... and I lived with them.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove Spirit and Croc....both valid points and I shall be fair and honest. I guess I just didn't pay enough attention and got what I deserved (albeit unknowingly). Heck. After reading of people's troubles on this site and thinking of all the people in my own family battling cancer and other trials....what in the world am I complaining about? Will it kill me? No. Will I do a better job planning next time? You betcha. I've got to suck it up and just deal and enjoy my precious time there and celebrate my birthday and anniversary like there's no tomorrow! And thanks to everyone's great advice. xoxo
Originally Posted By Ursula I kindly disagree. I've read and re-read Priceline's rules, and I can't recall them saying that you won't get daily cleaning! I know. In the grand scheme of things, it is petty of me to think this way.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove OOOH, count on Ursula (spoken like the sneaky eels I love) to come up with this. I will be prepared to be firm, yet kind! Somewhat like Maria Von Trapp. (For you Sound of Music fans out there!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^I'm not sure that's a valid complaint. They often put folks in properties without daily housekeeping ... they do a lot of Homestead Studios and Extended Stay Americas. <<Heck. After reading of people's troubles on this site and thinking of all the people in my own family battling cancer and other trials....what in the world am I complaining about? Will it kill me? No. Will I do a better job planning next time? You betcha. I've got to suck it up and just deal and enjoy my precious time there and celebrate my birthday and anniversary like there's no tomorrow!>> Yeah, but it's still frustrating. It would likely bother me too. But, either way, you should still go and have a great time!!! I doubt the place is a dump. I may go look at TripAdvisor reviews just to satisfy my curiousity.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove The old caveat "buyer beware" is so true. The moral is: don't act like you're in Vegas and spin the wheel one too many times like I did! I took a foolish chance and got burned and I'll be much more careful next time around. And who knows? Maybe come November I'll publish an absolutely glowing trip report and my angst will have been for naught. Gee, I love Laughing Place! What a wonderful world with cool people!
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf Back to LeggyB's question, you can get great deals on PriceLine but you have to be flexible. I've gotten the Hyatt a few times (between $25 and $50 per night) but they charge you $15/day for parking. And, given they won't guarantee the bed situation in the room, you could get stuck with a 1 King bed for your group (which they probably wouldn't allow anyway). If you're cool with these contingencies then give it a whirl. Otherwise, I'd bite the bullet and book the type of room you want at the place you want. There's 4 of you so you could stay somewhere nice for under $50/person per night (Embassy Suites, Marriott Suites, etc.). If you're looking at saving money (which I can totally understand) I'd try and cut back in other ways. Maybe skip Vegas??? ;-) But that's just me....
Originally Posted By LuLu Even tho it's been asked twice, I'm gonna try it again - what star level is Candlewood? Let us know what happens. But you certainly can't complain to the hotel and BBB on internet hearsay... (re post 21).
Originally Posted By crazycroc Lulu- The Candlewood Suites comes up as a 2 star on priceline. If you go to www.biddingfortravel.com and click on the Orange County/Disneyland area forum there will be a topic listing entitled,"Orange County and Disneyland Hotel List" this will tell you all the known hotels participating in Pricline in the area, as well as their star levels. The list is not complete as there may be other hotels being used, not yet discovered. re: post 21: I wasn't trying to encourage her to contact the BBB based on internet heresay, I was encouraging her to try and work out her issue with the hotel, AND to be honest when dealing with them. I was trying to let her know that Priceline does respond to problems with their properties prior to check-in, but it does require lots and lots of legwork, involving hotel corporate, and other sources, and not by starting with the Better Business Bureau. In re-reading my post, it does appear that I suggest she contact the BBB at the same time, or immediately and that is not what I meant. What I meant is that the BBB is a resource to use after all attempts to resolve your situation in a reasonable manner have been resolved. Sometimes, it's hard for me to get the meaning of words right when posting vs. speaking. : ) I apologize.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove LuLu and croc: sorry I'm so sporadic here. I hadn't realized I had gone down to a 2 star (churros-for-brains, I know) so I wasn't sure. Thanks for saving the day, croc. Hey, I'll live and I will report!
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Still happy with priceline. I was disappointed finding out after the fact that I was going to have to pay $20 to park but I liked the Marriott. We were suppose to be on the 7th floor of the new tower (don't remember the name) but it was quite a hike from the parking garage and I am still putting off my ankle surgery so we opted to be in the closer Oasis Tower second floor (pretty much right above the starbucks). Both rooms would have had the 2 beds so either would have worked. They were very nice and had no problems. Worth the $55 per night!!
Originally Posted By AZDLDad Over this past weekend secured 3 nights at 3star Doubletree Orange for 7/12-14 at $55. There is $10 parking, hourly shuttle. Great bargain, mmmmmm, I can smell the free warm cookies already.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Just stayed there last month ... for the same $55. Hadn't been there since 2001 and all the rooms were recently renovated. Great beds ... and great cookies too!
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove *SIGH* I'm happy for you guys....those cookies are just great! You can Google the recipe, by the way. Haven't tried it yet.
Originally Posted By MickeyMommy The biggest gripe I have with Priceline is that they have the Radisson Main Gate as a 3 star. It is pretty run down. I was checking Expedia this morning for rates for our November trip, and they are offering rooms at the Radisson for $63, so that gives you an indication that they are not on the same quality level as the Anaheim Marriot or the Garden Grove Hyatt Regency. But we have been very happy with every other 3 star we have gotten through Priceline. I just think the Radisson is too dumpy to be included in that group.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove <---hiding her head in shame for taking so long to "report". The Candlewood actually turned out to be just fine for us! We had no problems, unlike some of the trip reports I had read. So, if you ever end up with it, don't despair. It's a quick commute to DL, and there's a Target on the way to pick up any retail therapy you may need to indulge in. I'm happy to report I just picked up the DoubleTree (now listed as a 3.5 star) for $50 for a few weeks from now. Of course, you find out after you win that the parking fee is now $12, but...you take your chances with Priceline and I'm not complaining. Besides...DoubleTrees have those incredible warm chocolate chip cookies to welcome you with. Almost as good as a warm, snuggly blankie.
Originally Posted By mickeynewe I'm trying to pick up a room in the Hollywood/Beverly Hills areas for one night prior to making our way to Disneyland. Anyone know what rates they might accept? I'm bidding on a 4-star. Last year I got accepted for $100 a night, but trying to go lower this time around since I have more time to play and be rejected. Thanks! ^_^
