Report: San Diego - Hotel Bargain!
 

It took me almost 2 weeks to find a Los Angeles Hotel for the LA portion of our upcoming two week trip to Southern California.

San Diego came a lot easier.

I was starting to spin my wheels all over again when I got an e-mail from Hotwire TravelTicker. (I almost never even look at Hotwire because I need to KNOW where I'm sleeping before I pay the freight, but TravelTicker seems pretty good.)

TravelTicker offered rooms at San Diego's Manchester Grand Hyatt for as little as $159 a night with a $100 hotel rebate which could be applied directly to your hotel bill or used for anything on property with a minimum 2-night stay. The link takes you directly to the Hyatt website.

But the promotion curiously listed blackout dates in the middle of our proposed stay (December 25-December 30)

But I followed the link anyway and found I COULD stay during those nights. I actually broke our stay into two separate reservations to save even MORE money (Excuse please, but - Yeah for me!)

By booking the first 3 nights as a State Government employee (my husband works for a State University, so we qualify) we paid $110 per night X 3 nights.

I then went back into the system, reserved the final 2 nights, used the Code "TT304" to reserve a room at $159 a night X 2 nights, and qualified for the $100 bonus.

I checked with Hyatt Reservations and they said both reservations carried the same the room category.

(Even a non State-government employee could repeat the prices by booking the first 3 nights using the FIRST option for Code "TT304" at $129 a night X 3, and the last 2 nights by using the SECOND option for "TT304" at $159 X 2 with a $100 bonus. The trick was to break it up into 2 separate reservations!)

Here's the link:
http://www.hotwire.com/travelticker/...tId=tbug-index

If you are considering going to San Diego in the next few weeks, I think the Machester Grand Hyatt is a great choice, so hopefully someone else can benefit from all my research!

Great! When you return, post a trip report and let us know how you enjoyed all your adventures ! -
have a good vacation.

jlsct, one heads up, when I was in the hotel business, we would not honor the government rate unless the guest was on official business and they had to provide proof.

Enjoy the Grand Hyatt. It is a fabulous hotel and even if it is chilly outside, you can enjoy the hot tub and pool because it is glassed in.

When we were there in March, even though it was on 70 degrees, the pool was packed because it was so warm by the pool.

Fabulous property very close to Gaslamp and right in front of the Seaport shops.

Dear GoTravel,

Thanks for the heads up, but I checked the Hyatt "Rate Details"* It just said Must have State ID; Can be an Employee of Any State."

I am a meticulous travel planner (my husband should be paying me for this!) but thank God I have a creative outlet for my OCD! (I don't really have OCD, but then again, maybe I do...)

I printed the Hyatt page detailing the rate requirements* and stapled it into the printouts for the reservation paperwork...

No I'm just hoping that it won't rain while we are there since we want to see the Zoo, Animal Park, Balboa Gardens, etc.

:)

Enjoy it. I haven't stayed there but it is in a perfect location. Right near my favorite restaurant - the Fish Market. Enjoy SD.

I have used my DOD 'dependant' ID at dozens of hotels, including Hyatts.
There are supposedly many hotels that require guests pay with a Govt issued credit card, but I have not seen one yet... knock on wood.
I am not sure if this is prepaid, but either way you will not be able to check into a Hyatt at the kiosk.
All Govt rates require desk check in.
Have fun!