discount hotel web sites.....

We live in the burbs of Chicago. Love to ';getaway'; for a weekend now and then in the city.

Having said that, what is thought of the discount web sites that offer lower rates on the rooms in 4 or 5 star hotels?

I have heard that the service can be less having booked the room thru these sites rather than the hotel chain or hotel location itself.

Or perhaps the service is better when the room is booked with the hotel itself?

Either way, has anyone had any experiences with this?

Just a question I have been thinking about and thought I could get great opinions here on TA.

Thanks,

Moe

discount hotel web sites.....

I frequently use Hotwire for hotel reservations. I%26#39;ve never had a problem with hotel service with a Hotwire reservation.

discount hotel web sites.....

I use Priceline all the time, friends of mine use Hotwire and Priceline to get rooms in Chicago. I%26#39;ve never had a problem with any of the rooms I%26#39;ve received, my friend has requested upgrades which they have given her for a nominal fee, still less that what she would have paid on the hotel%26#39;s website.

Remember that rooms booked on either of those websites are non refundable.

I don%26#39;t think I could ever book regularly (unless I had to be at a specific hotel) again, given the rates I%26#39;ve gotten on PL/Hotwire.

Thanks to all of you.....

L.C. These upgrades are made thru Hotwire or Priceline rather than when you get to the hotel? Are they guarenteed?

DVD, I see you are very helpful to all that ask as well, thanks. You have never had a problem with attitude of the staff or anything?

Thanks, Moe

My friend has gotten the upgrades once she%26#39;s at the hotel and checked out the room, the last one at the Knickerbocker was a little too small for her.

I agree with DVD, if I had to get a room in Chicago I%26#39;d use one or the other, I feel the same way about London, I%26#39;ve used Priceline there at least 10 times and have always been satisfied, only once did they say something like ';well you did book it through Priceline';.

I usually call ahead and request a specific room type (double vs. single), they won%26#39;t guarantee it but they do try to accomodate it if they can. If you HAVE to have a specific bed type or a specific hotel, then Priceline isn%26#39;t for you. With one exception, I%26#39;ve always gotten the bed configuration that I%26#39;ve needed.