mphysick

After trying unsuccessfully with Priceline bidding up to $150, I tried Hotwire and got this hotel. I had friends stay here and they really loved it. I was fairly sure this was the hotel when I booked and luckily it was! Facilities: Near Beach Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Laundry Facilities (self-service) High-Speed Internet Access Spa Services

I ended up booking a 5* hotel through Hotwire for $164 so I'll start a topic and report my win in that forum.

I tried bidding for a 5* hotel up to $150 in Venice as you suggested but was unsuccessful. I'll now try bidding for 4* up to $150. Do you have any bidding suggestions as there is no rebid zone for 4* in Venice?

Have been trying for a couple of weeks, bidding up to $170 for a 5* hotel. Today my opening bid was $150, and I raised it to $160 and was successful!

Thanks for your response! I'll let you know how I go.

I would like to try for a 5* hotel up to my limit and then as you mention, try for a 4* property. Many thanks, Michael

I am trying to find a 4/5* room in Venice (island) for the 3 nights from 6/8/13 to 6/11/13. I am prepared to bid up to $150. Could you please advise if you think I am being realistic and perhaps a bidding strategy?

I ended up with the Sheraton Garden Grove-Anaheim South for $65.

I have tried up to $160 again, and also trued splitting the bid, but no luck. I am thinking I will try for Downtown, and I can use the money I save on transport!

I have tried up to $70 for a 3.5* but had no luck, so I might wait another week or so and try again.

I have been trying to bid for a hotel near Disneyland for the night of 15 September. I started with a 4* Anaheim South but gave up at $95, which was my limit for 4*. I'm now looking at 3.5* in Anaheim North or South. I have bid up to $65 with no success. I did not want to pay more than $70 a night for a 3.5*. Could you please advise whether I should keep trying or wait a couple of weeks? Thanks

Great advice - really appreciate it! I will keep trying over the coming weeks for the 4* in Hollywood as this sounds like the best area! Thanks

Won Hyatt Regency Boston for $100 a night from 5-7 September.

Thanks so much for your help. I was successful with a bid for the Westin Jersey City at $95, which I am happy with. Do I post this separately? Could you please advise Manhattan 3.5* strategy? Thanks

I tried bidding up to $160 but with no success. I was wondering whether I should try in another area. I notice Downtown is a lot cheaper (Hotrire 4* for $101) and Universal City (Hotwire 4* for $98). Both these areas appear to have metro links. I am prepared to go up to $170 if you think Hollywood is the best area. But as I'm nat a huge "party type" person, is it worth considering Downtown and/or Universal? Many thanks

Yes that work fine for me! Didn't realise a taxi would be so cheap! Thanks

Splitting my time sounds like a good move. Especially since I have an early flight 7am from LaGuardia the next day, so staying in Manhattan would make it easier to get to the airport. I saw Hotwire had hotels in Hoboken-Jersey City for $145, so hopefully I can get something less on Priceline. Could you please advise a strategy for 2 nights in 4* Hoboken-Jersey City followed by 2 nights in 3.5* Manhattan in an area which will be convenient for an early LaGuardia departure (probably not Downtown?). Many thanks.

Unfortunately all my bids were unsuccessful (up to $210). I was wondering whether it was worth bidding for a 4* in Jersey City. The prices seem a lot less and it seems there is good public transport there to Manhattan (although I stand to be corrected). With a preferred budget of $180 per night, would I be better off bidding there, or trying for a 3.5* in New York (Manhattan)? Thanks.

Thanks for the advice about the red metro train. I think I should give Hollywood a go instead. Could you please suggest a strategy for that area? I really didn't want to go above $160, so if you think it may be better to wait till closer to the time I'll do that too. Thanks.

Could you please help with a strategy or recommendations for a 4* hotel in LA from 15-18 September? I have not been before and don't have transportation. I thought West Hollywood may be a good area. I have bid up to $150 for a 4* hotel there but had no success. I notice that the Sofitel LA is offering rooms on their web site for $176 a night (stay 3, pay 2) and was not sure if it was better to take that deal or try bidding for something else. Could you please let me know your thoughts, and whether I should also look at other areas of LA, such as Hollywood? Many thanks.

It seems an expensive time to visit so I'm happy to try going to $200 for a 4* if you think it may be successful. Also happy to split the bid for only 3 nights and try for something near Laguardia the final night as I have an early flight the next day if that would help. Thanks

Thanks for the strategy - unfortunately I was not successful, even at $185. I was wondering whether you could please suggest a 3.5* strategy bidding up to maybe $160 - whatever areas you recommend are fine. Thanks

Thanks for the advice - and the link to the discussion. I was wondering whether adding the Downtown area to my bidding may be more successful? And if so, how you would suggest I do this? Otherwise I will wait a week and try the strategy you suggested again, and failing that, try for a 3.5*. Thanks, Michael

Thanks for the strategy. Unfortunately I was unsuccessful even at $170. As my stay is still over 3 months away, I was wondering whether I should I wait a week or so and try again, or am i better bidding for a 3.5* now? Thanks.

Thanks for the quick reply! Yes, all those areas you have listed would be suitable. Thanks again.