For the past few weeks I have spent countless hours trolling the internet intent on finding just the right hotel in Orlando. I started with Kayak because I love it and it has always done right by me. But through Kayak I found Bookit.com.
I was entranced by some of the "deals" that were offered and by the ability to sort by hotels that included a free shuttle to the parks. I found hotels that sounded promising including a few seemingly amazing hotels that included a "Buy 1 day get 2 free" for Universal Orlando. But then came the reviews. The hotel was so-so, and if you wanted to take the "free shuttle" to anything Disney it could take up to an hour each way. YIKES!
So, then we thought about staying 3 nights at Universal hotel and 3 nights at a Magic Kingdom hotel. By this point I have read so many hotel reviews and reviewed so many amenities that I can't keep anything straight. Then there comes the balance of not wanting to spend a lot of money on a hotel and still not wanting to stay at a 2 star hotel for our 10 year anniversary trip.
Then tonight I decided that I should probably get an idea of how much the car rental is going to add to the cost. We plan to visit the parks on Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday leaving the weekend open. My eyes about popped out of my head when I saw the insane cost for a car for the weekend.
Then the clouds parted and a light shined from above. Somehow I found my way to Expedia. Can't even tell you how or why I ended up there. For kicks and giggles I decided to check out the hotel+car packages. I could hardly believe that the package that popped up was anything other than a joke. Surely I was mis-reading something. The package was less than $700 for 6 nights hotel and a car. Really? Now, let me tell you about this hotel. It isn't your average, everyday run of the mill hotel. It is a Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four Diamond resort. The "deluxe" room that I booked with the package goes for $225-335 a night (depending on the booking site)! I can't even believe the deal. I still think I might be dreaming. More than half off plus a car? If someone is going to pinch me, I hope they do so before I get there! Wanna see where we are staying? Here it is in all it's amazing glory. Just for comparison---the Holiday Inn that I was considering is only about $100 less for all 6 nights. Crazy!
I was entranced by some of the "deals" that were offered and by the ability to sort by hotels that included a free shuttle to the parks. I found hotels that sounded promising including a few seemingly amazing hotels that included a "Buy 1 day get 2 free" for Universal Orlando. But then came the reviews. The hotel was so-so, and if you wanted to take the "free shuttle" to anything Disney it could take up to an hour each way. YIKES!
So, then we thought about staying 3 nights at Universal hotel and 3 nights at a Magic Kingdom hotel. By this point I have read so many hotel reviews and reviewed so many amenities that I can't keep anything straight. Then there comes the balance of not wanting to spend a lot of money on a hotel and still not wanting to stay at a 2 star hotel for our 10 year anniversary trip.
Then tonight I decided that I should probably get an idea of how much the car rental is going to add to the cost. We plan to visit the parks on Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday leaving the weekend open. My eyes about popped out of my head when I saw the insane cost for a car for the weekend.
Then the clouds parted and a light shined from above. Somehow I found my way to Expedia. Can't even tell you how or why I ended up there. For kicks and giggles I decided to check out the hotel+car packages. I could hardly believe that the package that popped up was anything other than a joke. Surely I was mis-reading something. The package was less than $700 for 6 nights hotel and a car. Really? Now, let me tell you about this hotel. It isn't your average, everyday run of the mill hotel. It is a Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four Diamond resort. The "deluxe" room that I booked with the package goes for $225-335 a night (depending on the booking site)! I can't even believe the deal. I still think I might be dreaming. More than half off plus a car? If someone is going to pinch me, I hope they do so before I get there! Wanna see where we are staying? Here it is in all it's amazing glory. Just for comparison---the Holiday Inn that I was considering is only about $100 less for all 6 nights. Crazy!
