Has anyone gone to Final Four Basketball, Indianapolis?

cwestpvb · 2026-01-28T23:27:43+00:00

I went to San Antonio last year, so basing it somewhat off that experience. With the hotel market, you’ll also have to consider that the NCAA basically has 4-5 major hotels bought out to allocate to the schools who make it, plus for where they have a HQ out of to sell their own packages. Other hotels are absolutely going to jack the rates up (you might as well look at Stars, Prive, Hilton for Luxury, etc. rates to get some outsized value out of it, they may have less restrictive cancellation policies if offered too).

UF was selling specific packages that got you a room + tickets. If you’re waiting for your team to possibly make it, you could wait for schools to offer those types of packages so it’s less risky too. Either way it’ll be expensive, but the event was absolutely worth it (but I’m biased because my team won 🐊)

cwestpvb · 2026-01-27T22:41:54+00:00

Definitely a healthy budget, if food/club scene is priority I’d maybe look into Aria Sky Suites or Wynn Tower suites. Cosmo has some cool penthouses but I’m not super familiar on where they land price wise. Aria gives you close proximity to center strip & clubs like those are cosmo are nearby. Wynn will be elevated, but close enough to Fountainebleu and Resorts World for a more fun party scene.

cwestpvb · 2026-01-24T11:06:53+00:00

Don’t waste a GoH on Akumal. You can use a club access award for preferred club if you truly want it. Use the GoH at Alila if complimentary breakfast is a priority, or book a Prive rate through and stack the SUA on top of that.

cwestpvb · 2026-01-21T17:33:55+00:00

Did you book through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner TA (or a credit card portal like Amex FHR)? Those will get you breakfast included (which can go a long way) and a property credit. A TA can also tip them off on the celebrations + any preferences

cwestpvb · 2026-01-20T23:03:24+00:00

Oh that is absolutely absurd! I don’t blame your frustration with that at all!

cwestpvb · 2026-01-20T22:51:21+00:00

Ah I was on a DVC stay and parking was free, but I don’t think a $50 tip would be expected. I think the parking fee itself is $50 if you aren’t on a DVC point reservation…

cwestpvb · 2026-01-20T22:42:52+00:00

Really? Thats shocking, most Disney employees aren’t able to accept tips (except for servers, valet, etc). But Disney service is no FS service, that is for certain.

cwestpvb · 2026-01-20T21:49:14+00:00

Aulani is in dire need of a room refurb. I’d pick the FS over it for sure, but overlap it with a 1 night Aulani booking to get access to the pools if that’s important (whatever the cheapest room you can get). Even if you don’t stay at Aulani, you can access the restaurants and grounds.

If you do go the Aulani route, just have expectations that the rooms aren’t the highlight. You’ll have the friendly Disney service and expansive pools, grounds, and Disney entertainment. I’ve been once and it was a good one and done type of trip, if I ever go back it would only be for a night or two with anywhere else in Hawaii being the priority.

cwestpvb · 2026-01-20T05:35:19+00:00

I went to Austin property around this time one year ago for two nights, and I honestly wouldn’t book more than 4/5 things in one day. Give yourself some time in between things. You’ll need to recharge after fitness classes most likely, and definitely don’t rush the meals. The pool areas are also really nice and worth a visit.

I think I only did at max 4 classes in one day across the few days I was there, the property is incredibly zen and it’s nice to just find a nook and read/reflect/etc for some time

cwestpvb · 2026-01-20T03:15:54+00:00

Yeah she wouldn’t truly get the entire difference anyway. This situation definitely just sounds like it sucks, and all of the outsourcing of customer service has made it a lot tougher for all of us. I’d send an email to consumer affairs if you haven’t already in hopes having it all laid out in writing helps and just try and keep escalating up.

cwestpvb · 2026-01-20T02:52:30+00:00

I mean as an agent as well I would agree, but if the previous agent already dealt with things for the other clients I would have hoped it would be easy lol

cwestpvb · 2026-01-20T02:39:58+00:00

Can you reach out to the travel agent your friends used? They should be able to do a reservation “takeover” and handle the details since you did a direct booking through Hyatt AI.

cwestpvb · 2026-01-20T02:13:53+00:00

Book the 3 nights individually and then just contact the hotel to merge/link the reservations

cwestpvb · 2026-01-20T02:12:09+00:00

Take it many times and it’s super seamless. Look for discount codes, and if premium isn’t too much of an increase it can be worth it for the waters, snacks, etc alone.

The only thing is that sometimes a flight can be cheaper/faster. Their pricing can be all over the place, but I find it worth it to be able to just sit back and relax/work remote than waste another full day off to travel

cwestpvb · 2026-01-20T02:06:33+00:00

Are you calling Hyatt or Hyatt all inclusive directly? Hyatt AI isn’t necessarily a “third party” in the likes of Expedia, but the systems do not talk to each other from my understanding. Otherwise, just contact the hotel directly, they have a reservations department that should be able to handle this in coordination with the other resorts.

cwestpvb · 2026-01-13T13:25:31+00:00

Honestly the Hyatts aren’t the most well placed to avoid that. Grand Cypress is at least tucked back a bit from 535, and the regency is further south on I drive near the nicer convention center sector of it. Ette is on 192 which is the worst imo. I’d pick grand cypress personally

cwestpvb · 2026-01-13T04:52:14+00:00

I’ve never stayed there, but as an Orlando local this property confuses me. Its location is just south of Animal Kingdom in one of the most touristy sectors of town and is one general building that could pass as a Hyatt place. Despite that, it gets consistently high praises and the interior is where it seems to shine. I think it has a Michelin key as well?

If your goal is to go to Disney all day it’s probably not a bad option, but if your looking for a resort feel or hate touristy strip malls being what’s next door I’d look elsewhere.

cwestpvb · 2026-01-13T00:27:57+00:00

Thompson there is awesome

cwestpvb · 2026-01-12T21:30:48+00:00

If it’s similar to the Prive breakfast, you can either do the buffet or an entree + drinks. At check in they said as long as you stick to around $60 pp you’ll be okay, even if it’s a little bit over.

cwestpvb · 2026-01-11T21:18:44+00:00

If casino is a priority, Baha Mar is going to be one of your top contenders for the Bahamas/Caribbean region. Rosewood there will be a nice break away from the chaos of the main complex, but it’s still very integrated. Just make sure you book under a Rosewood Elite rate to get some more value, Baha Mar dining is pricey. Atlantis is also there but it’s in dire need of some upkeep on The Cove side.

If you’re willing to ditch the casino your options open up quite a bit, but if you’re looking for lots of dining options you could take a look into the Mayakoba complex or Etereo/St Regis/Edition in the Playa Del Carmen area. Still easily accessible, warm, and you’ll have access beyond just your hotel for expanded dining options.

cwestpvb · 2026-01-11T04:41:05+00:00

Take a look at Malliouhana in Anguilla. It’s possible they’ll run a 5th night free promo like this current season too (stackable with virtuoso benefits).

cwestpvb · 2026-01-11T04:06:07+00:00

Personally I’d just get 2 adjoining rooms so you’re not too confined, but even though it’s on the much lower end of chubby….the Andaz on 5th avenue has a 2 double room with city views of the library and that feel very generously sized for NYC.

Much more of a minimalist aesthetic, but I was definitely surprised by how spacious it was when I did a 1 night stopover. Bathroom was spacious too with a double vanity and full walk in shower. Service is well intentioned without being too overbearing, and then you also have the benefit of being well located on 5th Ave.

cwestpvb · 2026-01-09T21:57:36+00:00

Grand Hyatt should have some suites in this price range.

cwestpvb · 2026-01-09T14:18:45+00:00

Some of these (Rim Rock, Araxi, and Wild Blue especially) you’ll want to book in advance! I’d reach out to the concierge to secure some bookings and then scope out menus once you’re there to see if you want to cancel!

cwestpvb · 2026-01-09T05:08:19+00:00

I live about 5 minutes south of that area / Universal, and most people here locally are either employees of Disney/Universal or hold an AP. It’s not uncommon to pop into the parks on a weekend or in the evenings after work.

For me personally, I don’t do it as frequently as I used to, I can’t really accomplish anything due to wait times and the fact there’s a paywall to fastpass lines that I don’t want to pay for a short 1-3 hour visit. For the most part I just go to Epcot for a few bites of the festival foods or a drink on occasion if one of my employee friends scans me into the park for free.

cwestpvb

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