Any advice re when to contact the hotel?

ttt

Hey Mischa-how was the hotel?I've got a "executive queen" room end oct and the hotel have noted my other prefrences-non smoking,high floor etc,but I guess this is no guarantee until I arrive which will be late evening.Any advice?Thanks
Tom

I have to disagree with those who said they would get laughed at by asking for an upgrade after booking through Priceline, I've done it, twice.

Once at the Westin Copley Plaza, and once at the Hyatt Baltimore Inner Harbor. I belong to those hotels frequent traveler programs, and since my husband is a VERY frequent traveler, I always just pull out his card when checking in. They upgraded us to club rooms right away, all we did was say "Are there any rooms available on the club level?". Answer was yes, and they said they'd be happy to give us one of those rooms.

hi just returned home from New york stayed at 'Grand' Hyatt yuk?? it is the worst hotel we have stayed in the USA we have been about 7 or 8 times to other destinations we did not get an upgrade even with Gold Passport nor any points and we booked on Expedia and at over £100 British ponds a night ($150) Mould on the ceiling dirty mouldy grouting around the bath horrible. unfriendly staff .. yes we do tip well loads of building going on downstairs 1 restaurant open the only way to get a cup of coffee was via room service and took 35 mins and cost $5 each

Hi Pauline, sorry you had such a bad experience, I have been a bit more fortunate and have had 5 very nice stays at that property. If you should find yourself in this type of situation again, go to the front desk, tell them your room is unacceptable (i.e. dirty) and request to be moved. Maybe you tried this on this stay, I don't know, but unless the hotel is completely booked-up they will accommodate you.

We were offered an upgrade at the Hyatt in Baltimore as well (booked through Priceline). (Don't have a gold passport.) So, we thought the $30/night was well worth it, especially for the VIEWS. When we booked the Hilton NY through Priceline, we were give all the usual Hilton Honors (with our card) perks. Before staying at the Hilton, the reviews everywhere were miserable. But, we were assigned a very nice room, service was excellent throughout, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. So, perhaps they do pay attention to all those complaints...

Just retourned from 4 days in N.Y. and found my 4 day stay at$135 a night ideal.Room was large clean and comfortable.Small bathroom but my non smoking request was accepted an I got a room on the 28th floor.The decor was a little tired but at this price,no complaints.Alot of work was going on in the lobby but we were out around town from 10 am until 11pm.Location excellent and we ate in the wonderfull Grand Central next door.At this price would stay again,but not at a brochure price of $300.Only complaint was when we asked for an extended check out,to 4pm were told an additional charge of $150 would be required we declined!
Staff helpfull enough no problem and at this price, a memorable stay!
Mike

guys,

stayed at the hyatt-nyc (thru priceline) 2 weeks ago, was given a room with a single bed and they accomodated our request to change into a room with 2 beds. that was for $125.
going back there solo next year and booked myself early (again, thru priceline) for only $123.
for the poster who complained about the $5 dollar coffee, maybe he/she didn't see that there's a starbuck's in the lobby.
stayed @ the hilton -times sq., too, thru priceline and was treated nice and the room was big.
no complaints either with the 2 hotels, nor with priceline.
just my humble opinion.

mike, thanks for posting back - it's always great to hear how the original poster's trip went. Also, to the girl who paid $5 for coffee - the Starbucks in the lobby is free if you sign up for the Hyatt Gold Passport, which is also free!

I have cards for the frequent traveler programs of Hyatt, Marriott, Wyndham and Hilton. When I get one of those properties through Priceline, I just wait a few days after I've made my PL reservation and call the hotel reservation desk directly and ask that my program # be attached to my reservation. have always received great treatmtent - have not asked for upgrades but have been offered them on a few occasions. Wyndham also gives me all the "By Request" perks on check-in including free high speed Internet access and the wine, fruit, cheese etc. when I get to the room. I ahev not seen flyer miles posted to any of my accounts from a PL stay but for the price I'm paying I wouldn't expect to receive that perk (I'm just grateful for the ones I am getting!)