slruud

Just did a dry run with NYOP and chose all zones in MSP, and 4 stars came up...apparently Airport/Mall of America has 4* bidding.

Thereuare forgot to shill for his favorite haunt in his response. Brasa, which is not far from the Westin, and their half price appetizer menu for happy hour. Excellent right priced eats. There are also plenty of other lounges in the Belltown area with happy hour drink and food specials. This area draws a young professional crowd. Be adventuresome.

Just a little off topic, but if you intend to use public transportation, plan on getting a multi day Muni Passport. With cable car rides $5.00 one way, it can pay for itself in one day...I think the 3 day one is $18. This entitles you to ride cable cars, trolleys, and muni busses.

Hope not to intrude, but you can get Southwest at $262/ticket. Sign up for email updates and DING! and possibly get a cheaper rate and rebook. At least you will know for sure your itinerary.

Be aware there is a W Hotel French Quarter also.

Having quiered about the 4* a couple weeks ago, it appeared it was the W Hotel New Orleans...as opposed to the W Hotel French Quarter. Got it on Priceline for $71/nite.

Started bidding Convention Center at $60. Added rebid zones until accepted at $71...last rejected bid was $70. W New Orleans on 333 Poydras...web site quoting $199 lowest rate. Total with taxes and fees...$172.93. Opted not to finalize Hotwire request on Hotwire side of this thread. Bid through Savings Barn.

Thinking this might be Intercontinental. Dates 10/19-10/21...4* Downtown. Amenities: Fitness Center, Restaurant, Business Center,Pool,High Speed Access, Golf Nearby. Best Value tab. $88 last night...$89 this morning. Thanks in advance.

Started bidding 3* Downtown at $32...received counter offer to increase by $8. Added Albuquerque East and bid $34...rejected. Added Santa Ana Pueblo and bid $36...accepted. Total with taxes and fees...$47.95. Internet web rate for Doubletree...$90....$101 w/tax. Bid through the Barn.

Started bidding 2.5* Scottsdale at $36...added free rebids to $39. Threw in Downtown zone hoping to get Courtyard Camelback...upgrade to 3* Hyatt. Total with taxes and fees...$52.25. Hyatt website quoting $110/nite.

Just think positive and it should be fine. We stayed at the EM a couple of years ago, and due to location, it was very quiet. Something that can be a problem on the Riverwalk.

I'd try the 4.5* but I already booked the 4* Omni for $130. I know the 4*'s in USE are going for $75-$90. $120 for a 4.5, whatever the hotel chain, wouldn't be too bad. Maybe a little extra service for the extra $30-$40. Googled "Le Meridian Hotel San Francisco", and found that indeed the Park Hyatt is now Le Meridian, a Starwood property.

Just checking Hotwire rates for San Francisco Embarcadero area, and noticed 4.5* Hotel going for $119, regular retail $360. Went to Hyatt and to check rates, for Park Hyatt, which I think is the only 4.5 in the area, and website stated that as of 5/9, the Park Hyatt is no longer managed by Hyatt. I assume this will impact Priceline 4* bidding also.

First bid at $75...counteroffer to increase by $22. Used free rebids from $78, $1 at a time til accepted at $82 for 2 nites. Total with taxes/fees...$200.64. Hotel website quoting $179/nite for these dates. Accessed PL through Savings Barn, at least I think I did. Got a little confused with a second PL window open to verify rebid zones. Hope I got it right.

Started bidding for 2.5* Scottsdale...Rates for Courtyards and Hilton Garden Inns $109-$199. Bid $45...counteroffer for $13 more, Added rebid zone, bid $48...rejected, Added rebid zone, bid $50...accepted. Upgrade to 3* Doubletree Paradise Valley...Hotel web rates $98/$109. Total with taxes/fees...$63.73. Appears Hotwire has this property at $104.

Build an altar...get a chicken and a goat... Well not really. When I bid for the Downtown/Harbor Island zone for our trip in early March, I noticed that the Sheraton had not been won for some time. That gave me some confidence that these hotels do not always provide inventory to Priceline constantly, and resulted in a win at the Hilton Gaslamp Quarter. Just got to think positive. Or get the rabbit's foot and go see Madame Zuco down the street. Good luck.

After reviewing previous posts on 4* USE hotels, thought I would try for the Omni. Reviews mentioned 5* and something about a great steak, so took hotel which turned out to be the Omni for $130/nite or $304 total. Omni website quoting $335/nite. Dates are 7/20-7/22...two nites. Amenities: Restaurant, Fitness Center, Hi-speed Internet, Business Center..."Customer Favorite". Went through Savings Barn. The 3.5* situation was a bit confusing...if I was sure I would get the Harbor Court, probably would have. The Omni is closer to Tadich Grill and just a few $$$ more. Plz to edit title to reflect Omni. Thanks.

Planning a short getaway trip to San Francisco 7/20-2/22. Noticed that Hotwire is offering a 3.5* hotel in the Embarcardero area with ammenities of boutique and restaurant for $113. This should be a match for the Harbor Court, but the retail price matches those of the Club Quarters, which does not carry the boutique designator. Should one just ignore the posted retail prices, and/or can Hotwire redesignate a property as boutique at their whim? Thanks.

Dates please.

Started Bidding at $90 and added free rebids until accepted at Hilton Gaslamp Quarter for $110 for two nites. Sheraton hasn't been showing up so that was a relief. Web rate from Hilton web site was/is $219/nite.

When faced with a similar situation a month or so ago, with the 4*'s having no availability or $259/nite rate, I bit the bullet and bid for 3* for Memorial Day weekend. To my surprise, won the Sheraton Inner Harbor for $67/nite. The Sheraton web rate was/is $241/nite. The reviews look good. Just got to think positive. SteveR

Grand Hyatt or Hyatt Regency???

Baseball spring training???

Not a lot of help on this bid except Dahammer's suggestions. Originally bid 4*...no availability at Marriott or Hyatt, and Renaissance web rate at $219/$259. Bid up to $131 with no success. Bid 2 1/2* at $60...got the $17 counteroffer...scarred away by Holiday Inn. Started new bid for 3* at $60....again got counteroffer. Bid again at $65...no dice...raised to $67, accepted for Sheraton Inner Harbor. Total with taxes and fees for 3 nites $236.24. Web rate on Sheraton/Westin website $241/nite. Bid through SavingsBarn.com. Adds more fuel to the fire about bidding close to dates or further out. Can cancel my reservation at Hampton Inn which was for $179/nite. Feel free to incorporate this into previous thread.

Radisson Hotel Santa Fe Plaza zone is now The Lodge at Santa Fe.