[ChristyLOVES2TRAVEL]

We (my husband and I) are traveling to London for the first time. I've used Priceline in the US plenty, but I'm a little nervous bidding for London. Help is greatly appreciated.

Here's the specifics:

Area of interest: Central London (sightseeing all the regular spots) Looks like most of the areas will be fine. Just point me in a good direction to start.

Dates: Saturday, October 2 - Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Budget: Looks like I can book the Crowne Plaza London St. James Place for around $205 a night, without using priceline, so I'm thinking less than that. $100 - $150 per night would be just great!

Thanks for your help. I'm ready to begin bidding immediately.

Christy

[yellowdog]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Rates are a bit high for your dates so i don't belive a 5* is within your budget.

Zones that looks doable for your budget are Bloomsbury - Marble Arch, Notting Hill - Bayswater, Regents Park - Baker Street, Mayfair - Soho. But you can also try other zones.

Are the zones above working for your plans?

Yellowdog.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[ChristyLOVES2TRAVEL]

I'm very willing to bid on the zones above, though I've read that maybe Regents Park is less convenient to sights than the others. I'm also happy to bid on a 4* as well. It looks like the higher rated hotels (according to Trip Advisor) come up on Priceline in the Westminster Zone. I would like to pay $100 - $150 a night, but my top dollar would be $200. Thanks in advance for your help!

[thereuare]

Please start by reading your messages.

ChristyLOVES2TRAVEL, on Sep 2 2010, 08:20 AM, said:

...I've read that maybe Regents Park is less convenient to sights than the others. I'm also happy to bid on a 4* as well.

Let us know if you'd like to include the Regents Park zone or not and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[ChristyLOVES2TRAVEL]

Yes, I can include regents park zone.

thereuare, on Sep 2 2010, 02:12 PM, said:

Please start by reading your messages.

Let us know if you'd like to include the Regents Park zone or not and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[thereuare]

Before suggesting a bidding strategy...

HOTWIRE has the 5* Wyndham Grand London - Chelsea Harbour for $217/nite. While this is slightly over your 'absolute' maximum budget, it's not by much, and not sure how much you're willing to pay for a 5* vs. a 4*. As well, the Thursday nite is more expensive then the weekend nites, so if splitting your stay is an option, you could stay at a different hotel for Thursday (perhaps try bidding for a 5* or 4* for this solo Thursday nite) and then change hotels t the $196/nite 5* Wyndham Grand London for the weekend.

If the above is not of interest (either due to budget or necessitating changing hotels) do you want to try for a 5* hotel first (if yes up to what price) OR do you prefer to try for a less expensive 4* hotel first?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know and we'll advise accordingly.

[ChristyLOVES2TRAVEL]

I've never used HOTWIRE. How do I find the deal at the Grand London that you've mentioned?

Christy

[thereuare]

It's no longer available, the price has gone up to $280/nite.

Is your next move to try bidding on PRICELINE?