WARNING-HOTEL RES. NETWORK
 

I've just had a bad experience with the 180096hotel.com (Hotel Reservations Network). I attempted to make reservations at a Boston hotel through them. They said there was availability for the full five nights. On a hunch, I called the hotel directly and they said they were booked. I subsequently told the hotel manager of what happened to me and she is looking into it as we speak.. Just 411 for everyone who has been so helpful to me.

I've seen 180096hotel.com suggested by many posters in the past and have never heard of an experience like yours. Before we all jump to conclusions.... is it possible that they're a consolidator, purchased a block of rooms in advance (which is exactly what consolidators do), and still have some available while the hotel has since sold out for the dates in question? I'll be curious to know if anyone has insight on this, as I've thought of using the same reservation service for my next trip.

Owen, I don't know if that is the case. I wanted to relay my personal experience. However, I agree with you..many kind people have referred me to this service and I have no doubt that this is probably a misunderstanding. The manager of the hotel though, made it clear she was going to call them, as she'd never had that problem before. She said that is they are sold out, they are sold out. She also said they do business with them quite often.

I have used 180096hotel to book rooms in Boston more than half a dozen times in three different hotels and have never once had any problem whatsoever. Incredibly low rates (compared to booking directly or any other service) at nice hotels for terrific rooms. Because I am obsessively conscientious, I always call the hotel to double check the reservation and it has always been perfectly in order. Are you sure you called the same hotel? I don't think 180096hotel is a consolidator, but rather that they are authorized to list vacancies by various hotels for periods when they have low fill rates. Perhaps the hotel neglected to notify 180096hotel of their true vacancies? Do hope that you will e-mail or phone 180096hotel and inform THEM that the hotel advised you that they were fully booked so that they will be aware of this problem. Agree with Owen: a warning should NOT be posted unless you have all of the FACTS!

Donna, thank you. I posted the warning with my personal experience. At no time did I allude to the fact that they were less than honest. I stated the facts as they occurred to me and based on what the hotel manager said. Again, I'm certain there is a misunderstanding, as everyone here has always been kind enough to refer everyone there and have seemingly not have any problems.

You didn't mention if you received confirmation from the Hotel Res. Net. or you just checked on availability from HRN. HRN may be exactly as mentioned earlier, a consolidator and they(HRN) do indeed have availabliity. The only thing the hotel mgr. knew was they are indeed booked. Try HRN again, and if they show 5 night availability when you want it, book it, receive a confirmation #. Wait, and then call the hotel and check that they have you confirmed. Good luck.

As an ex-travel consultant, I can tell you that hotels are never "sold-out". For their best customers (and this is the case of hotel reservation services because of the number of guests sent to a hotel) there is always room at the inn. I'm not specifically fond of the particular group that you mention. Prefer to use QuikBook because of no pre-pay and no cancellation policies. Hope all ends well for you.

The scenario that is presented is quite common in very busy areas. I use "Travel Web" all the time to book rooms on line. I talked to the manager of the Hilton in San Jose, CA about this. Travel Web showed availability but the hotel reported "sold out" if you contacted them directly. The Hilton manager assured me that there was no problem. What happens is that "Travel Web" and others are given a block of rooms to sell. The hotel considers these rooms as having been sold even though they may not be. Therefore there can be availability on line when the hotel indicates a sold out condition. This is nothing to worry about. In an area like Silicon Valley, you would never be able to get a room during the week unless you do it on line. The hotels are always sold out. <BR> <BR>Don't worry about it. As I said, I use "Travel Web" all the time and have never had a problem. Many times the hotels were reporting no vacancy if you called them directly.

Read my posting on the on line services in your other thread. Hopefully you will realize that booking on line is fine. At least it is with "Travel Web". Next use "Travel Web" ( Hotel Reser... ) and you will find out what you want. It will include hotels in the outlying areas as well as Boston itself. There are often maps and other info. If you find availability on line then book it. You will save money and it is very easy. <BR> <BR>If "Tavel Web" shows availablity then you have no problem. It doesn't matter if the hotel reports a sold out condition if contacted directly. I guarantee that if you can book the room on line then you WILL have a room. You get a confirmation number and everything. On line is the only way to go unless you are looking for 50% off via "Entertainment".

I disagree with the statement that hotels are never "sold out". This is not true. Many hotels, especially those which permit cancellations up to and including the day of arrival, deliberately overbook based on their cancellations experiences. Once, we arrived at a very nice hotel and were politely advised that they did not have a room for us, in spite of a credit card confirmed reservation for late arrival. When I declared that they had some nerve overbooking and creating inconvenience for us, they (again, very politely) advised that they were not overbooked, but simply "underdeparted". At any rate, they had secured another room in a similar hotel and provided transportation there, along with a voucher for two complimentary nights at the original hotel. We never used the voucher. I have also witnessed similar situations when checking in at various hotels.

It is true that 99% of the time there are vacant rooms even though the hotel is sold out. They usually hold rooms back for special guests etc. Now some of the smaller hotets/motels may not do that. Many times we have been able to book a room at a "sold out" hotel because we have a special relationship with that particular hotel. We have done this many times especially at the Flamingo Hilton's in Nevada as well as others and some in Mexico.

Like Donna, I've used 180096hotel to find a room when travel agents and calling direct failed. On more than one occasion, I was offered a room by Hotel Reservation Network minutes after I had been told by the same hotel that there were no rooms. <BR> <BR>If you work with the agents at HRN, you'll find that they operate in real-time... they get an on-screen notification of an opening; a few minutes later, it has been snapped up. They can block a room for an hour while you determine if it meets your needs, but if you don't reserve the room, it will disappear. Once you have a confirmation, however, you have the hotel room. <BR> <BR>HRN faxes a confirmation, once you have the confirmation in hand, call the hotel and they'll verify that you're a guest. <BR>

Here's my experience with HRN. This past January, my husband and I took our two nieces to Disney World as a Christmas present. We made our reservation through HRN and assumed that they only recommended quality properties, even if the price was affordable. We didn't want to pay a fortune for a room, and they recommended the Quality Suites in Orlando. When we arrived, we found the grounds in unkempt conditions and our hotel room was full of very tiny bugs, especially in the kitchenette and bathroom. We notified the hotel during our stay. They supposedly sprayed our room. While we were offered a chance to change rooms, we wanted to use every minute we had to allow the girls to see Disney World, so we chose not to do this. Letters to HRN and the hotel after our stay also were not answered to our satisfaction (i.e., refund, a credit, bill adjustment, etc.) I've decided in the future not to use HRN only because I don't like the pay ahead feature and should something like this happen again and I chose to change hotels, the money would probably be lost. My preference will be self-reservation or using a TA. <BR> <BR>Also, I agree with Donna in response to the travel consultant and others who stated that hotels are never sold out. I once worked in the sales and convention services office of a large resort/hotel property, and I can tell you we "overbooked" rooms on many occasions and at times were forced to move guests to another property. Bookings are made on a tentative/definite basis and while a particular group may ask for a certain block of rooms, the hotel or sales office will adjust the block downward based on the system they have set up, usually decreasing the booking by as much as 20 percent. The customer/agent has no idea, but internally that is what happens. Granted, you are always going to have a no show on the night of stay, but most times that is not known until the day of arrival. Then, unless there is a waiting list, the customers who inquired about reservations weeks and months ago are probably booked elsewhere. It was not customary for us to hold several rooms for special customers or for a "just in case" occasion. <BR>

This just goes to show that no matter how you book a room, it's a good idea to check out the hotel any way you can. The same thing could happen if you book yourself or go through a travel agent. I have completely given up on travel agents myself, ever since I asked for a hotel in Paris that was charming and moderately priced. What was recommended by the TA was a "business" traveler's hotel in a neighborhood FULL of charming, more reasonably priced, hotels. I have also observed that there is little or no service at hotels these days. Almost never do they resolve problems or make restitution. And, TA's are just too ho-hum.

UPDATE! <BR>Okay, my tripmate WILL be able to make it (thankfully, as it will save me beaucoup bucks)..we'll be staying in Braintree. We will have a rental car, but I've advised my tripmate that driving in downtown Boston has NOT been recommended by many of you. I remember that traffic and I wouldn't think of it..so, we'll just have to find a subway somewhere in Braintree and go to the city like that. When we visit Hyannis (if we have time), we'll take the car...seems to me anywhere we go...towards Hyannis, for example, there will always be some traffic. I should be used to it living down here. thanks!

Definitely don't drive in Boston - it's claimed that the streets were laid out on the paths the cows originally walked in colonial days - cows are not noted for logical or efficient street design :-) Also - if you're going to Hyannis to "see Cape Cod"..... PLEASE consider going to other points on the Cape as well (or in place of Hyannis). It's the busiest and most commercial place out there and doesn't offer a real feel for the beauty of New England seashore areas. One last important point: traffic going out to the Cape on Fridays is horrendous (even in the fall). Consider going during the week and gloating as you drive back into Boston on Friday afternoon and see the opposite side backed up (almost all the way to Boston!).

Mids, the terminus of the T's red line subway is in Braintree pretty much at the junction of Rtes. 3 and 128. There's a very large parking garage at the station, although it fills up with commuters before 9 a.m. If you're at someplace like the Sheraton Tara, there will be a shuttle bus to and from the T station at regular intervals. Be sure to inquire about a weekly pass; it will save you significantly on individual fares. <BR>

hi again...glad to hear your friend will be joining you. it's always more fun with others! anyway, from braintree, it's an easy drive to the quincy adams train station - the red line (get directions at the hotel). I would suggest parking there (be sure to find out when the parking lot closes - if it does, I've never been there)and heading into Boston that way. It's much, much easier. And don't worry about the subway - this line is very safe. While most of them are fine, if you stick to the red and the green lines - which is all you really need - you'll be fine. Quincy is maybe 10-15 minutes from Braintree. Also, skip Hyannis. Way too touristy. Instead, if your schedule is flexible, I suggest heading to Truro/Provincetown. Heads up - if you are homophobic, Provincetown might not be the best spot to visit. However, if you're not, then check it out. It's so beautiful down there. It's a long drive, but worth it, I think. You could also take the ferry from the World Trade Center in Boston. On a nice day, this is a great option! You could drive to the WTCB and park right there. You'll need to check the schedule. The only problem with this is your limited on where you go. If you drive down, you can stop at places on the way. Hope this helps. have a great trip!

Thank you all for the input. I've printed it out and put it in my notebook which will be com ing with me on our adventure. :-)

I agree never to drive in Boston--as a former Angelino, it even scares me! As to bad experiences with hotels, the same situation occured when my son and I reserved at the Days Inn in South Bend, Indiana. There were a lot of creatures roaming those grounds besides little bugs!! and the lock on the door was broken so we couldn't lock them out!! Horror story.Dirty, broken bed, moldy bathtub, and roach infested. When we left to go to the Ramada, they refused to give us back our Visa charge and refused to call the manager to talk with us. When we returned to California, we just contested the charge by calling Visa and eventually after various threats to ruin our credit and all sorts of equally nice behavior on Days Inn's part, they gave up and dropped the charge. All is not lost if someone has your Visa number---you just call the credit card company and tell them why you are contesting the charge. They were very cooperative. I got so angry I wrote a letter to the alumni group at Notre Dame because I know that some of them book at that horrid place during football season. Enjoy Boston! <BR>