Petal

Our bid was $85 USD, summer, Saturday night, 2004. This hotel was easy to access via car (with a plan and a map of Stratford). Parking was an additional 5GBP/day. The room was a good size, clean, and in a very very old building in Stratford. Large lounge areas downstairs and a really excellent breakfast (both cooked and buffet) served in un airconditioned room. We weren't sure the breakfast would be included with a priceline bid, so we called before breakfast and were pleasantly surprised that it was. Reception was pleasant, if not terribly prompt. They weren't sure that it was paid for already, and I assured them that it was, to call Priceline. They seemed to take my word for it. The room had some kind of air conditioning unit that was not very efficient but better than nothing as the humidity while we were there was terrible. We were comfortable to sleep but we were overly warm getting ready for the theatre. Included hair dryer. Location was perfect for what we were there for. The hop on bus had a pick up site at the end of the block. The Shakespeare theatre was an easy block away. There were places to eat nearby and the river Avon was also only a quick strolling block away. This is a classic old British Hotel with lots of interesting Shakespeare memorabilia and decor. There was an air conditioned chinese restaurant very near the hotel that was comfortable to eat in.

I don' t remember my bidding strategy. Hotel was nice and about 2 blocks from the play we were there to see. No problems at all. Bid a few days before our stay. Parking is always expensive in SF. I paid $35 more for parking on site. (wow, half as much as the cost of the room) Again, I was pleased with my Priceline bid. Have often stayed in SF and this is the LEAST I've ever paid for a nice hotel.

Spontaneous trip to Yosemite about 10 minutes from the local Indian casino as well. Simply bid $30 and was accepted. The motel was clean and pleasant, a nice 2* with packaged "continental" breakfast. Plenty of coffee and a few nice apples, juice and pre packaged breakfast rolls. Would do again in a heartbeat. Bid the same day as travel.

Final bid date 5/29. Tried once at $40. Read reviews of the hotels online and decided that perhaps I would bid more hoping for the nicer hotel (assuming that is very likely erroneous). My $60 bid was picked up by the Sheraton quickly. I was pleased to have this particular hotel. (and by reading others reviews, I might ask for an upgrade.. since another reviewer claimed his Priceline room was very shabby and NOT of 4* quality). It will be the end of 3 weeks for us and I think we'll be happy to have a bed close to the airport for our early morning flight. I can't imagine that a 4* could really be all that bad. I'll post a review when I get back.

bid on 5/20. Single bid based on a person who bid $85 and won. I knew I had a lot of time to try again. Hotel is going for double to triple that online. I'm very pleased.

For those of you trying to bid London.. I tried several times back in May. My first attempts were for a 4* but with my bids going as high as 140 and not getting anything, I decided to go 5* and a bit more money. I don't recall the exact details, but I wanted to post what I had to help others. I don't remember my strategies exactly, but bidding a 5* allowed a LOT of rebids as it seemed that at the time there were 3-4 free rebids possible. (maybe even more) Good luck to everyone else. I prefer 4* hotels generally because the restaurants at 5* hotels seem prohibitively expensive and I like breakfast in the hotel before I go out in the morning. Has anyone stayed here who could give me a few tips on what to ask for and where to eat bf? Thanks for being here, betterbidding!