Mystery Hotel's from lastminute/wotif are they really good deals?

[trippin_the_rift]

I would disagree to that based on my dozen or so experiences

Using mystery sites, here are some of the hotels I have stayed in:-

Westin Paris, Westin Regina Venice, Sheraton Waikiki, Movenpick Resort and Spa Cebu, Westin Grand Frankfurt, Hilton Old Town Prague, (previously) Sheraton Delfina Santa Monica, W Hollywood, Le Meridien Barcelona, Sheraton Wall Centre Vancouver, Sheraton Heathrow.

The only negative is that I do not earn any night credits booking through 3rd parties, and have lost around 30 nights that could have been credited to SPG (my preferred hotel group) which would have helped me towards lifetime status.

But you've saved thousands in the process....

 

[Alanslegal]

But you've saved thousands in the process....

Hehe I did save too and no doubt I was happy at winning/getting those hotels

Just recently I've been expending more time on BRGs to ensure that I can stay at the same type of hotel for 3* pricing and get all the status benefits

 

[boomy]

I've used the Wotif mystery deals a few times when traveling solo on business and all my preferred hotels were overpriced. It's usually good value for money and an opportunity to check out some different hotels.
However, when going away on holidays I'm more particular about the accommodation and don't like surprises

 

[Paul_PER]

I 've used mystery rooms quite often on lastminute.com. Usually you can work out which hotel it is with a reasonable degree of confidence and save reasonable $$$.

It does take time and effort - so it depends on if you enjoy the hunt or not.

Often the hotel will list under it's name - but be half a star different (higher) to the mystery listing. The silly / lazy listings are when they use the exact same wording on both listings. The easiest are when they leave in the name of a restaurant or a feature like "great views from our 11th floor bar" or "we have 246 rooms" and you can do a quick cross check via google.

As an example, the current hotel I use in Bangkok - The Grand Swiss on Sukhumvit 11 - I found via a mystery room. The upside for the hotel is that I've now stayed there a few times and quite like it.

I wouldn't recommend mystery rooms via expedia - got burn't once with them.... - the "airport" hotel was nowhere near the airport.....

 

[cosi]

Last January I used lastminute.com.au and got a fantastic room at the Westin in Sydney for $140/night.

I always book 1 night to reveal then hotel location and then make additional bookings if I am happy with the property.

Very happy with my stay.

 

[boomy]

Last January I used lastminute.com.au and got a fantastic room at the Westin in Sydney for $140/night.

I always book 1 night to reveal then hotel location and then make additional bookings if I am happy with the property.

Very happy with my stay.

Nice!
CBD hotels are usually cheaper in Jan but still $140 for Westin (one of my favourite hotels in SYD) is great deal.
Just booked two nights directly with SPG for $217 p/n and thought that's a good price...

 

[Ausbt]

$140 for Westin (one of my favourite hotels in SYD)

The Westin! One of my least favourites, not that I've actually stayed there. To explain, the Westin is where my wife sulks off to on the odd occasion we have an argument. I guess it's better than me having to decamp to the dog-box!

 

[samillionaire]

thats a good idea, cosi to book a room for the night and reveal, are they always fixed? just wondering on the 2nd booking if they actually switch to a diff hotel heh

 

[Paul_PER]

thats a good idea, cosi to book a room for the night and reveal, are they always fixed? just wondering on the 2nd booking if they actually switch to a diff hotel heh

Individual hotels are responsible for their own listings on lastminute.com. So if it's the same listing it should be the same hotel you are booking / re-booking.

If making two bookings for consecutive nights email the hotel and advise them so they arrange for you to be in the same room for the entire stay - otherwise if they don't notice and they are near capacity they may require you to check out and re-check back in (in another room!).