Hi-I am coming from Europe for a work-related conference to Orlando in January. My company will pay for the hotel room the 7th, 8th and 9th, but I want to stay the 5th, 6th and then stay on after the 10th and 11th, maybe the 12th.....my problem is that the rate they are getting is $195/night at the Renaissance Orlando Resort. I think I should move someplace else cheaper for the nights I have to pay for myself. Any suggestions? I might like to go to Disneyworld-I have been there once but only a half day and it might be fun to go back-so maybe onsite in DW. Since I will be there alone without my husband, I was also thinking maybe a spa type hotel I would like to stay under $99/night if possible....

Also, since I am an American working abraod in Europe-what I really want to do is shop while I am there-but I assume that with a car I can get most anywhere in terms of shopping?

Any suggestions for hotels that fit the bill or thoughts on how torecreate as a female traveller alone in Orlando?

Have you contacted the hotel directly? I would suggest doing so and telling them just what you've told us. Tell them you'd like to add the extra nights if they can offer you a better price since you will be staying a week or more. You might be surprised. They are just likely to do it. I'm a Marriott Rewards member and I am getting weekly mailing including great deals from Renaissance and Marriott.

Jean,

Look at BiddingForTravel.com and check out the Florida-Orlando/Walt Disney World hotel thread. There are at least a couple of instances where people were able to get the Renaissance Orlando Resort while bidding on Priceline in November.

It appears this hotel is in the Universal/SeaWorld zone on Priceline. (Double-check that to verify that's the same one you're in--there's more than one Renaissance hotel in Orlando.)

Anyway, it looks like people have bid for a Resort hotel in the Universal/SeaWorld zone and gotten this hotel for prices around $65/night (plus $5/night bonus money available via a link on the BiddingForTravel site).

So if you're interested in staying in that same hotel, you could try bidding for a Resort hotel in the Universal/SeaWorld zone and see if you get it. Of course, be forewarned that with Priceline you can't bid on a specific hotel--just a zone in a city and the star-level you want. You might get the Renaissance, you might get another hotel at the same rating level, or you might get nothing at all if hotel space is tight and there's no inventory on Priceline.

Also, be sure to read the Hotel FAQs on the BiddingForTravel.com site if you decide to use Priceline. The FAQs will give you info on how to come up with a starting bid, how to use free rebids to maximize your chances of getting a winning bid in the zone you want to stay in, etc.

Usual disclaimers apply--no vested interest in your using Priceline or the Web site mentioned above, no guarantee you'll be able to match the winning bids posted on the Web site (although it's entirely possible you can, and you might even beat them), yadda, yadda.

Anyway, have a good time in Orlando!

I just checked the www.marriott web site and found the Renaissance Orlando Resort available directly from them for $149 a night for deluxe room for the entire stay Jan. 5 through Jan. 12. Would your company pay the difference, thereby paying an additional $46 per night off your $149 rate for the whole stay, making those nights just $103 per night?

In today's Orlando Sentinel they did a story about how empty all the hotels are. It was something like 60 percent full at most. I can't believe you can't get a much better rate when the hotels here are hurting so much.

The Buena Vista Palace has a nice spa, and is within walking distance to the Disney shopping plaza. They have daily shuttles to the parks. There is a great new mall further out, and several outlet shops within driving distance.

Jean,
Sometimes the established rates for conferences are set much higher than regular guest rates. They might also automatically bump you to a higher room category.

If you go to www.Disboards.com, then to the section on hotels and attractions in the Orlando area, you will see lots of info on nice hotels for a bargain price. I booked 2 nights in a tower room at the Grosvenor through Dreams Unlimited at this site for $49 a night two weeks ago. I also called the Hotel Royal Plaza directly and got $69/night plus buy two get a third night free. These are both large, fairly nice hotels, and normally would have gone for over $100 night.

Jean,

The Wyndham is nice and has a nice spa facility, sometimes they run specials. It is across the street from Downtown Disney, off Lake Buena Vista Drive. It's Disney's 100th Anniversary so they are doing some special programs in the parks.
Being near Downtown Disney give you access to the shuttles to the Disney Parks.
I've also seen specials at the Hard Rock Cafe...through travelocity.

happy travels, Sylvia

Ooops - I think I've dated myself. Sylvia, isn't the old Buena Vista Palace the new Wyndham? I think so - and agree with you that it's a great location and quite lovely spa!