GDrinnen2

For whatever reason I had a heck of a time booking a room for this stay. It seems like many of the hotels are nearly full. The conference I am attending only has 100 or so attendees, but there must be plenty of people coming for other events that week. Combined with the fact that I was booking so many nights, I didn't get as good a deal as I expected. I booked the 4* The Melrose Hotel for $105/night using the links here. 2/22-2/27. The reviews on The Melrose seem very hit or miss, so we'll see.

This is fascinating. I've tried booking a 4* in foggy bottom for this very same week for the past two weeks. I have bid up to $98 with no takers. I noticed this is only for one night. I've been trying to book 5 nights. I guess they are more reluctant to offer up discounts for longer stays?

I'm attending a conference at the Marriott in Foggy Bottom 2/22 - 2/27. The hotel has offered a group rate of $145/room. While that rate isn't bad, I think I could bid on a much better rate. Besides, I'd just assume not stay where the whole conference is staying. So far, I have surmised that there are no 4* hotels in the following zones: Arlington West Bethesda DC Suburbs Mt. Vernon Alexandria West Although there isn't anything in the Calendar of wins for this week in Foggy Bottom, I have found that the Rennaissance M Street has been won multiple times with a $70/bid. I would consider this a home run. It's half the price of the negotiated rate and Rennaissance properties are often some of my favorites. So I tried the following bids: First, I used the PRICELINE link from this site! Second, I tried 4* Foggy Bottom for $65. Rejected. 4* Foggy Bottom, Alexandria West for $70. Rejected. 4* Foggy Bottom, Alexandria West, Bethesda for $72. Rejected. I continued this way, adding one zone at a time, until I reached all the zones at a bid of $87 (I kind of just used random increments). I now realize that I probably could have gotten a few more bids by not adding a zone at a time. Maybe doing 1 zone, then adding 1. Then closing the browser trying 1 zone, then adding one. Etc. Etc. Am I doing this right? It seems like I would have gotten a couple more bids this close and re-access route, correct? Any other tips? I guess I'll try again tomorrow.

I'm needing to return to DC in February 2/22 - 2/27. I need to stay in Foggy Bottom. Our group has a negotiated rate of $145 at the Marriott in Foggy Bottom. However, it looks like I should be able to get something better. If I'd like to pay $75 for a 4* in Foggy Bottom, what would be the best strategy.

Thanks for the help. I was in a bit of a crunch and big before I read your post. I now understand your post about strategy. We ended up with the Sheraton National for $42/night in Arlington. The hotel was actually extraordinarily nice, but the location wasn't good at all. There is a shuttle to the metro (over a mile) that was incredibly unreliable.

Well, as I'm just bidding on priceline for the first time, I'm trying to learn. I guess my main goal is to get the cheapest 3* or above hotel in the neighborhoods I mentioned. Crystal City would be the lowest on my list with all the other neighborhoods I mentioned about the same. However, I would be fine with Crystal City if all the other neighborhoods are twice as much.

I'm trying to book a room in DC from 12/29 - 1/1. I've been to DC a couple of times between Christmas and New Year's. It's a great time to visit. The hotels are empty, the attractions are open (but empty), and its easy to get anywhere. My wife and I are hoping to go this year. I've been looking at prices and it looks like there have been some winning bids in the $50 - $60 range for Convention Center. My preference is to stay in Downtown, Conv. Center, Foggy Bottom, or Dupont Circle/Woodley Park. What would be a reasonable bid amount? Also, for a good deal, I'd be open to Crystal City. I noticed the Holiday Inn Crystal City is $67 on their website, priceline, and hotwire. I figured a $39 bid for a 3* in Crystal City would bag that won, but it didn't. Any guesses?