How serious is this website?

[bakrakoni]

Hi,



I'm a new member and checked out my first auction, which happend to be a 3 night stay at a Bangkok hotel. However, the website of the hotel allowed me to book 3 nights for a stunning 25% lower price than the minimum bid price in the auction. No one had entered a bid yet (I wonder why).



So, how serious is this place?



Looking forward to hear that I'm hallucinating.

[cruisinred]

bakrakoni

There are many good deals on LuxuryLink. However, as with any other shopping on the web or elsewhere, it pays to do some research and compare prices. Some auctions on LL are truly amazing deals while other auctions are not that attractive compared to deals that may be available directly with the hotel/resort.

Caveat emptor...and enjoy your travels.

[marolyn]

For further comparison, be sure to imclude benefits beyond the room rate (unless you are just booking the room). When we have travelled via LL, we get free breakfasts, one "big" dinner and multiple spa treatments. Some LL packages include a car rental or transportation services. It helps to get the whole package concept before a price comparison. Cheers...Marolyn

[Mountie]

bakrakoni wrote:

Hi,



I'm a new member and checked out my first auction, which happend to be a 3 night stay at a Bangkok hotel. However, the website of the hotel allowed me to book 3 nights for a stunning 25% lower price than the minimum bid price in the auction. No one had entered a bid yet (I wonder why).



So, how serious is this place?



Looking forward to hear that I'm hallucinating.

bakrankoni, what is the name of the Bangkok hotel? I would be interested in comparing their offer on their web site and I bet the LL_Moderators would like to see the same information. Can you provide it for us? Thank you.

[needtoescape]

Hi, bakrakoni.

I have sometimes seen lower prices directly with hotels than with LL. However, as noted earlier, be sure you are comparing oranges with oranges!

Where there is a real difference, I have always found LL repsonsive to being told about it.

I hope you find a good deal and enjoy it!

[bakrakoni]

Thank you all for your replies. It makes sense; good to hear that the majority of the deals are genuine. Mountie, the hotel is Lebua at State Tower in Bangkok and I'm quite sure that all the extra's do not justify the price difference in this case.



Best regards,

[romualda]

I would agree with the others that typically if youbreak outall of the package inclusions and treat them as a la carte, the price is very competitve if not better - however there are always exceptions.

[funtimes]

Naturally we all all in this to "price shop" Always check a hotel or resorts rates against LL deals Keep in mind that when booking on your own you do not have LL customer service behind you! We 've found out the hard way that LL properties are often better than what we booked ourselves ( websites and brochures may be deceiving by showing pictures taken YEARS earlier) It is a great idea to extend your stay at the same LL property - often they will match the LL rates and you do not have to move to enjoy an extended holiday. Compliments go a long way also - recently we had wine delivered to our room just by complimenting and thanking the property for using LL Using additional days or tipping well will help the entire LL community for future LL properties retention and expansion. Happy Travels ...Funtimes

[omegaet]

bakrakoni...we would consider LL a "serious" web site. There area couple ofthreads in this community dating back several months in which there is a range of discussions and experiences using LL. From first hand experience, I can assure you I have made some exceptional buys......exceptional in "price" and exceptional in "destinations." One of the destinations you might see discussed involved Orient-Express in Peru. I believe almost, if not more than, a year has elapsed, since the last O-E Peru auction package was offered. You can still get a good deal in Peru through LL today, but it involves a company called InkaTerra and does not include O-E properties. Those of us who bought the O-E Peru package will confirm it was a "great deal" and far below the market prices offered by O-E or other agencies. The "informed" buyer gets the greatest rewards on LL.....a little research can result in great prices and great destinations.....a lack of research might result in a "not-so-good" deal! Good luck in your future transactions on LL!

[ferret]

I'm familiar with the Lebua Towers auction and have some experience in Bangkok.



LL auction price for the three-night 1-BR suite is $775.



Lebua Towers website rate for the 1-BR suite is $220/night.



Breakfast is included anyway.



Fruit and flowers would come with the room anyway.



Welcome cocktail at SkyBar - value about $20.



Dinner for two at Mezzaluna - value about $100.



Champagne and canapes - value about $50.



Service charge and Taxes included (at 17.70%) - value about $150.



Value purchased separately = $660 + $320 = $980.

LL price = $775

Claimed value = $1670. I do believe this isexaggerated and should be looked into.



Also note the Lebua website has a special that includes all of the above except the dinner, for $150-180/night(depending on season)which is $450-540. Add the dinner and the service charge/taxes and thatbrings it up to $700-790. So the LL price is about what you can find buysing a special on this hotel's website.



I think LL should check into the claimed value of this package.



Also comparison shoppers should keep in mind thathaving service chargesand taxes included can translate into a bigsavings,which needs to be considered. Most people don't consider service charges and taxes when comparison shopping, but they REALLY do add up!!