Priceline Hotel: Splitting up booking or keeping together? San Fran in May

[AKY]

Hi everyone,

I am trying to book San Fran a 4 night stay in San Fran starting May 8th.. I have only done four stars so far and I am bidding in the following districts :Financial District, Fisherman's Warf , Union Square East, Union Square West. I started low and worked my way up to $90 but not bites so far at four star (might be unrealistic). I would be willing to move down to 3 star, but I have seen some good wins for four star around $100 so I am trying to explore that first. Do you recommend that I try splitting up my Friday/Saturday night and Sunday/Monday for better sucess (weekend vs weekday?). Should I be trying to book closer to my actual dates? I am not sure if they lower prices as the dates get closer or not.. I am really willing to stay in any of the four districts, although I like the 3 stars in Union East if I have to go that route. I don't want to pay more then $100 USD/night as the CAD/USD exchange rate is getting pretty rough.

Thanks for the help.

[thereuare]

Nobody can say if rates will come down, or move higher, between now and your trip, but at current rates i don't think that $100 is realistic for a 4* even if you SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID.

If you use the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins and look at wins for these zones for the same timeframe last year (i search May 1-May 15) as well as in 2013, all the reported wins have been over $100/nite.

Using our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com what is the best rate you're able to find at an acceptable hotel, either for your complete stay or a subset of these dates?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

[AKY]

Thanks for that. I guess it is slightly unrealistic.. I moved all the way up to $110 for May 8-10 and still wasn't able to get anything in the districts mentioned. I am fine with staying in a 3 star, but in that case I'd like to get it closer to $90 so I will see if this is possible. I'll post a new thread if I am able to get anything.

[AaronJB]

Please keep all posts for this stay within this thread - thanks. Definitely keep us updated on what you decide and let us know if you have any questions.

 

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

[thereuare]

If you would like help with a suggested bidding strategy let us know which zones are acceptable at the 3.5* level (or at the 3* level if that is the next category you'd like to try) as well as confirm your maximum bid and we will suggest a strategy for you to follow.... although i think $90 still may be tough for even a 3* hotel for these dates.

Have you used MAPS and HOTELS.com to see the best you can do at an acceptable hotel thru regular rates?

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

[AKY]

So for the four star rates,  Hilton is $189.. For 3 and 3.5* (not including hostels),  the prices seem to be around $145-155, although those selections don't seem to have the greatest reviews.. the Serrano is $155 for a 3.5 star so that seems to be the best deal.

For the 3 to 3.5 star I would prefer Union Square East/Financial/ and Fisherman's Warf....Maximum bid is $95 for me.. would come out to $550 CAD after taxes I believe. San Fransisco is so expensive :/ I did Europe for 3 weeks for about $35 average a night by staying in condos/apartments.

[AaronJB]

While I think you have the time to try up to $95, I think that unfortunately is not going to be realistic at this point, given the rates that I'm seeing. The cheapest 3/3.5* on Hot.wire in USW/USE/FW/FIN is $149 (you may see a slightly different rate.) With the demand for rooms in San Fran, I've noticed not only high rates, but discounts that often seem at least somewhat less aggressive than other major cities, especially during a period like this where weather's going to be nicer.

 

Please keep us updated on what you decide and let us know any additional questions.

 

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

[AKY]

I decided to book a condo for a $70/night CAD place that is in a decent area. Thanks for the help, thread can probably be closed unless it is relevant.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for closing the thread.

 

Enjoy your stay.