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Noticed a lot of new properties from "Preferred Property" group. I am seeing some options for the East Coast. I did notice in the print that some fees are not included. For example, the Kingsmill in Williamsburg lists hotel taxes only covered. All other costs are to be paid to the hotel directly. Has anyone used any of this group's properties? Any experience with the fees and other costs? Just checking before I call the hotel directly. Thanks.
Yes, bonniejoy03, we have used some of these Preferred properties. Some of these properties get on the LL site initially with just the bare minimum to gain exposure, and no breakfast, parking, or any of the extras are included. However, the low prices on these packages are way below the rack rate, as little as 25% of the rack rate. For the difference, you can easily buy breakfast, etc.
We auctioned a Preferred package last May in FL, 5 nights for $500, taxes included. The hotel upgraded us to a 1-
Bedroom Apt., gave us breakfast vouchers for the duration, but we paid for meals and parking. When I checked again, the same accommodations were going for $2445.00. I think this must have been one of the best deal we ever made. Figure in the VIP Gift Certificate and it cost us really just peanuts...
My sister just bought a pkg for the Broadmoor and it only includes hotel taxes. The hotel will still levy the resort fee which covers everything from coffee-making in-room to swimming pool and local phone calls. There is no option to NOT pay it. Parking was so outrageous, I told her to have her kids drop her off and enjoy the joint--resort fees and all!! It's really close to her house--I recommended it to "escape" after the holidays--and it's pretty darned cold there...bet that indoor heated pool must be quite nice...Quote:
Originally Posted by bonniejoy03
Many of the Preferred properties are for accommodations and taxes only, not even breakfast included, which is a bummer. Breakfast can easily run up $30 and more for two.... I think, the real value of the LL packages has always been in the extras, like breakfasts, dinners, massages, etc..-
I agree about the extras - I have noticed that more packages are not including as many little extras as there used to be!
I like to at least get the taxes and breakfast included.
I agree with D.....love those little extras....makes the auction more exciting for me. I hate to have to figure out all the incidental costs!
We really don't mind whether breakfast is included or not when the property is located in an interesting urban environment. Several of the Preferred Properties (rooms only) are really pretty good deals, as long as taxes are included.Quote:
Originally Posted by LL_Travelfan
We like to venture outside of the hotel, explore some of the nearby breakfast spots and dine with the locals.....it was a blast in Buenos Aires.... "Porteņos" can be so engaging and willing to share their opinions on a variety of subjects....sitting at an outside cafe....smoking and having coffee and share philosophical dissections....fascinating to listen to their critiques of America and openly attacking their own politicians....much more interesting, at least for us, then sitting inside a hotel and eating an 'included breakfast'....different strokes for different folks.
I like to get up in the morning and not have to go anywhere for breakfast unless in a smaller area like Anitgua in Guatemala. Then after a relaxing breakfast we hit the streets and explore, eat and shop!
I like having breakfast included. Breakfast can run up quite a tab, especially in the 5 star establishments. Breakfast in the 5 star establishments, as a rule, are superb, much better than what you can get in a side walk cafe. At times, we have done both, especially in Paris. Sharing of philosophical and political dissections can just as well be done over lunch.... a meal you would go out for, and pay for, normally anyway. We recently stayed 5 nights at Marenas Resort and Spa a Preferred Property in Sunny Isles/Miami, FL with a LL package, where breakfast was not included, but we were given 10 vouchers for continental breakfast by the concierge when we checked in. Another Preferred Resort we recently stayed at was Costa Estefan in Vero Beach, FL, were breakfast was not included. However, there was an early morning coffee station for early risers and we made use of it, often just adding fresh fruit from a nearby grocery store after our early morning beach walk. We stayed there without a LL package, but the LL $30 breakfast allowance would have barely covered breakfast for two since every item was individually priced.
The Inn at Perry Cabin had a $45 credit for breakfast. Sounded like a lot however, we still went over. The credit was fantastic and I really appreciated LL adding this as part of the package! We were able to enjoy a beautiful breakfast over looking the water and watch the sun come up! LOVELY!!!