minnmedia

Big savings on last-minute trip to Portland during Rose Festival weekend - quite possibly the busiest days of the year for downtown Portland hoteliers. Background: I've known for awhile that I might be coming in this weekend, and have been watching the Hotwire lists. Only one four star available downtown, and that for around $140. Then, on Wednesday night, price of a four-star dropped to about $125 for 6/10, and about $130 for 6/11. I knew from the amenities lists here (thanks, guys!) that this was the Hotel Monaco, one of my favorite hotels in the world. Guessing that if they're releasing rooms to Hotwire, they might also be available on Priceline, I took a chance and bid on a downtown 4-star for $95. No dice - though Priceline came back and asked me to bid $125. Instead, I added a non-four-star zone for $100, got another rejection, then added yet another at $105, and got it. Just when I was patting myself on the back for doing everything right (for once), I realized I hadn't connected to PRICELINE through this board. Sorry about that! I only use this service a couple of times a year, so it's tough to remember all the details... PS: When someone comes up with a similar system for the bed and breakfast industry, I will personally nominate that person for sainthood.

Hotwire now lists a 3.5 star hotel among its Winnipeg offerings (and Priceline doesn't). That's news to me. Offerings: Suite, airport shuttle, fitness center, pool, restaurant, business center, high-speed Internet, golf nearby. Thoughts? If it's the Fairmont or Inn at the Forks, Sunday night at $105 is a real bargain. If it's the Hilton Suites, not so much...

As requested, here are the amenities: 4.5-star hotel in West of Strip This hotel features the following amenities: Resort Casino Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center High-speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby Spa Services

Got Red Rock Casino Resort (West of Strip in Hotwire zones) for two nights, at the astounding rate of $66 a night, through Hotwire (hotel's own Internet rate: $140 per night). Total for two nights incuding taxes and fees: $150.24. And yes, this time I remembered to use Better Bidding link to access HOTWIRE.

OK, I get it - just glad it worked for me this time. Thanks for the info and the great site.

thanks - but to extend the analogy, i'll wait for a response from the administrator before taking that to the bank. seems like, if hotels are using the same technology to respond to HOTWIRE and PRICELINE requests, then when the price for a condo is higher than the price for a hotel on hotwire, the hotel will also be cheaper on priceline. doesn't it? (granted, i don't claim to be any sort of expert on this.)

Just booked a room at the Wynn for Friday (3/27) and Saturday (3/28) - traditionally the toughest nights to find a cheap room in Vegas, for $119 per night through PRICELINE. This after several free rebids over two days, starting at $95. As noted in response to another post, I checked HOTWIRE first and found that the 5-star hotel (which I took to mean either the Wynn, the Venetian or the Palazzo) was available on that site for $143 a night, while the 5-star condo (the Trump) was going for $168 or thereabouts. I took this to mean that it was fairly safe to bid low for a 5-star property on PRICELINE (for those two days) without getting the Trump. I succeeded, but am still wondering if this is, in fact, a good way in general to avoid the Trump. And I just realized I should have made the bid by first linking through the PRICELINE link on this site. Sorry about that.

I'll do a separate post on my win in a moment - but in response to this thread, just wanted to point out that I just now booked the Wynn through Priceline for the weekend of March 27-29, for $119 per night. I was fairly certain I would get the Venetian, the Palazzo or the Wynn - and not the Trump - because I checked Hotwire first and found that the 5-star condo (which is Hotwire-ese for "the Trump") was actually going for $20 more than the 5-star hotel on those days. And sure enough, I got the Wynn. Or was there a possibility that I might have gotten the Trump anyway? I realize there is no "foolproof" method when it comes to opaque booking sites, but isn't this about as foolproof as it gets?

Hope you'll post a review of Hard Rock after your visit ... it's traditionally been a great hotel (for those who like that sort of young crowd/party atmosphere) - the recent complaints mostly seem to be about construction noise. But now that high tourist season is approaching, surely that must be wrapping up? Or maybe not, given the low price at which your bid was accepted. Anyone on here know when the construction is supposed to settle down?

Based on the Priceline map, the 3 star has almost got to be the Sheraton Midtown. It's not in the best part of town (though not the worst, either) - but it is right next to the Global Exchange, a sort of global marketplace with eateries staffed by immigrants from just about every country on the planet. It also offers good proximity to downtown for those with a car, so it might be a cheap alternative on those rare days when downtown is booked up due to conventiongoers. If there's another hotel in Midtown zone that could possibly compete for the 3-star rating, I'm not aware of it.