Help with Hyatt hotel in Sonoma

[MaryH]

I'm not sure is anyone can help me with this but any and all suggestions are welcome.

I planned to do my birthday weekend with two good friends. (For reasons too personal to go into, this is something I really need.) Six weeks ago I managed to get reservations at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek in Sonoma for Sat & Sun (10/6 & 7). I need to add on Friday the 5th. I have called the hotel property itself everyday for the past two weeks (the people who answer the phone know me by now) as well as calling the 1-800 number (because sometimes inventory is a bit different.) I even have my travel agent check availability on her computer every couple of days.

The problem is I am told they are oversold. I have tried internet searches through Orbitz, etc - no luck. I know that as it gets closer they may (or may not) have rooms open up but I'm wondering (1) if anyone has an in with Hyatt and can help me out or (2) if anyone has other strategies I could try.

I am told that there is a three night minmum - and I always explain that I already have two nights and am just looking to add the third. At this point, I don't care what the rate is.

Any ideas??

[mbrogier]

Happy birthday, Mary. (my 30th is tomorrow, Monday. ;) )

Usually Orbitz like places will only allow you to book 3 days together, which is why you can't see their inventory for one night on the weekend. Try searching all 3 days, or getting the hotel to do a new search for you for all 3 days instead of an add on day.

Most hotels will allow you to cancel without penalty until 24 hours before the date, so you could cancel your initial reservation if you found a suitable second one.

If y'all already figured that out, try www.kayak.com which compares rates on lots of sites. I've looked at airline rates through this site, but I usually find the best rates for airlines on the airline company websites. I think you might have better luck since you're looking for rooms instead of lower price.

If worse comes to worse, find an even swankier place to stay that first night or maybe a cool B&B--with a jacuzzi tub to relax in after a day of traveling. My mom and I have done that, and while it's a bit annoying to change rooms, you can get two views of the same area. (We look for B&Bs that allow you to eat at your own breakfast table instead of a family table--9am breakfast is way too early for me to make small talk with strangers.)

Good luck, and I hope this birthday getaway is exactly what you need.

[MaryH]

Happy birthday!! (Sorry it's a day late but I didn't have access to a computer yesterday.) Not sure just what is going on in Sonoma/Napa that weekend but Fri is basically sold out everywhere and Sat and Sunday are available. (I could understand if Fri & Sat were sold out, but it seems to just be Fri.) I'll just keep calling but it's not looking too positive.

[Gumbeaux]

I'm not sure is anyone can help me with this but any and all suggestions are welcome.......... if anyone has other strategies I could try.



Does anyone in your party have handicapped hang tag?

[kim21]

Are there any CL friends who will host you for the night? :)

[Canice]

I know the feeling! We landed a FL reservation for 7:30 on a Friday night in June -almost unheard of- and then learned it was Auction Week and every place we called was booked. May be the Coppola event you're up against?
http://www.sonomaparadiso.com/auction.html

[aggie94]

Happy birthday!! (Sorry it's a day late but I didn't have access to a computer yesterday.) Not sure just what is going on in Sonoma/Napa that weekend but Fri is basically sold out everywhere and Sat and Sunday are available. (I could understand if Fri & Sat were sold out, but it seems to just be Fri.) I'll just keep calling but it's not looking too positive.

In the meantime, while trying to continue to book your night at the Hyatt, you might make a reservation elsewhere, which you can always cancel. Not everywhere is sold out. I checked the Renaissance, and they still have availability Friday night.

[MaryH]

In the meantime, while trying to continue to book your night at the Hyatt, you might make a reservation elsewhere, which you can always cancel. Not everywhere is sold out. I checked the Renaissance, and they still have availability Friday night.


Oh, Eva, I so owe you a drink (or two). Thank you. I just called and reserved a night there. My friend was looking for Mariott properties but for some reason this one was completely off the radar screen. The only downside is they tell me it's a 5 day cancellation policy. :eek:

[aggie94]

Wow, I have been a Marriott devotee for years, and I've never heard of them having a 5-day cancellation! I have prepaid rooms with Marriott hotels before to get an exceptional deal, but never a 5-day cancellation! Sorry about that part, but at least you have a place to stay Friday night. :) When you mentioned the Hyatt and other properties were sold out, I thought for sure the Renaissance would be as well but I checked online and they weren't! If you end up staying there, please report back. We will be staying there for a long weekend in late November.

[slknight]

If you end up staying there, please report back. We will be staying there for a long weekend in late November.

Eva and Mary, are you talking about the Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance? I stayed there several years ago (2000, maybe). If I recall, it's in kind of a weird location - not very scenic and next to some kind of electrical power station thingy (although it wasn't noisy). You can see it in the aerial view on the map on the Marriott website. The hotel was quite nice though.

[aggie94]

That's the one, Susan. How odd about the location. I thought everything in Sonoma was scenic. ;)

[slknight]

That's the one, Susan. How odd about the location. I thought everything in Sonoma was scenic. ;)

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/travel/sfols-the-lodge-at-sonoma-renaissance-resort-and-spa/

Click on the icon that has the 3-D buildings for birds-eye view, align it to South is at the top and zoom in a bit.

It doesn't have a real "resort-y" type feel IMO; not like the Camelback does and I know you've been there. It's more like really nice condos or something - no sweeping vistas of countryside, kwim?

[aggie94]

Hmmm, that's disappointing. Oh well, we'll only be sleeping there. And the rates were good. :rolleyes:

Thanks, Susan.

[nowimcooking]

I just want to let you know that the Hyatt Vineyard Creek is in Santa Rosa (Sonoma County), not in the town of Sonoma. It's a nice hotel, though, and there are restaurants and a few shops within walking distance in Santa Rosa's Railroad Square.

It'll be a 30-ish minute drive to wineries and the actual town of Sonoma.

[MaryH]

I just want to let you know that the Hyatt Vineyard Creek is in Santa Rosa (Sonoma County), not in the town of Sonoma. It's a nice hotel, though, and there are restaurants and a few shops within walking distance in Santa Rosa's Railroad Square.

It'll be a 30-ish minute drive to wineries and the actual town of Sonoma.


You know, my friend mentioned that and I was telling her "no, it's in Sonoma" but you're right. When I originally booked it, I thought it was at the sqaure dowtown in Sonoma and I thought it a bit odd that there was Hyatt there, as my recollection of downtown Sonoma was that it was all small boutique type places. However, if I can get us in there on Fri, that's where we'll be.

Susan, thanks for the info. Right now, just the fact that I found something for Fri. night is good. :)

[MaryH]

Update:

So one of my friends has an American Express account and she called them for a booking at the Fairmont in Sonoma. Apparently with enough points (and she and her H apparently have quite a few) you can get a reservation, so we are IN at the FAIRMONT on Friday and Saturday. :p ;) :D I am SO excited. :p :D My other friend is arranging a private tour at Mondavi's winery (or Coppola's, I'm not sure - or maybe they are one and the same??)

Now, I just need to pick and schedule a spa treatment and I think I am set.

[Canice]

OMG, as in Sonoma Mission Inn?? How fantastic! Wow, that's a total luxury getaway! My mom and I used drive up there from Marin to have lunch, she was so in love with the place.

[MaryH]

That's the one. :) :cool:

http://www.fairmont.com/sonoma/