slruud

The Clift is now $135/nite on Lastminutetravel.com...not Lastminute.com...as of this moment. The Hilton Union Square is still $132/nite.

Also, Lastminutetravel.com bookings are cancelable, whereas Priceline and Hotwire bookings are not.

I don't know and don't care whether it's USE vs. USW, because I usually stay in Financial District/Embarcadero, but Lastminutetravel.com has the Clift for $122/nite and the Hilton Union Square for $132/nite for the OP's dates.

Not sure what rate Hotwire was quoting, but Lastminutetravel.com has the Westin in River North/Magnificent Mile area for $101/nite for above dates.

If you don't mind a ride on the subway/el, Glenn's Diner is a real find. Saw it on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives a while back. It is a diner, but serves about 20 types of seafood every day. It's about 20 steps from the Montrose station.

The Chicago Omni is an all suite hotel.

To the OP:

Checking Expedia, there are a number of hotels in the Downtown, and more specifically the Gaslamp area much cheaper than $135/nite. Westin Gaslamp is going for $107, Hilton Bayfront $109...not sure what Hilton you are trying to avoid...Manchester Hyatt $129. Expedia's "Unpublished Rates" has a 4* in the Gaslamp South/Convention Area for $99/nite...possibly the Solamar or Omni.

Sometimes you just eat your mistake and move on. No guarantees not to get the Sheraton again as mentioned above.

Lastminutetravel.com bookings are cancellable..check the rate rules for each hotel...so no downside there. Sometimes it's good to have a cancellable backup while you investigate Priceline or Hotwire. I didn't look too close at 3 or 3.5* properties on LMT, so don't know what's available there. A lot of people book the Howard Johnson's on Harbor via the Entertainment Book rate...how cheaply I don't know.

I've stayed at the Hilton before. It's a very large "convention" hotel, but we found it walkable to the parks, or you can take ART. Don't know much about the Marriot. Regarding internet, when we stayed at the Hilton, we were able to connect up via the hotel next door, so no internet fee. If you don't secure your signal, never can tell who might hook up to your network.

Good luck.

If you can stretch your budget a little, Lastminutetravel.com has the 4* Hilton Anaheim for $85/nite, resort fees included. That would be for 2 adults/2 children. They are also offering the Marriott Suites Anaheim for $83/nite.

As a Hotwire Express member, I have the Solamar blocked as a hotel I do not want when looking for hotels in San Diego. Not that there is anything wrong with the Solomar, but I prefer the Omni. They both have the same amenities, so when I start up Hotwire and log into my account and then search for hotels, the same hotel comes up that the OP is seeing. That would mean it would not be the Solamar because I have it as a blocked hotel, and more than likely the Indigo. Another thing is that I have never seen the Solamar with a boutique amenity.

Edited to add: The minimum age to checkin at the Solamar is 18, while the Indigo requires 21, which fits in with what Hotwire is offering.

You can get the Clift on Lastminutetravel.com for $135/nite to use as a cancellable backup while you deal with Hotwire/Priceline.

To the OP...just to let you know, there are a couple of hotels listed in Priceline's Downtown zone that are no where near downtown. The AT&T Conference Center comes to mind. I'm not familiar with the relatively new W hotel and it's location.

That being said, Lastminutetravel.com has the Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol for $103/nite ...their rating 4*, Priceline rating 3.5*...which you could book as a cancelable backup.

Good luck.

First thing is to go to the Omni website and sign up for their Select Guest program. That gets you complimentary hot and cold morning beverage per person delivered to your room. Not much for views, but ask for a high floor if possible to cut down on road/cable car noise on California. If you are in the back of the building then it's not a problem. We usually just walk the 3 or 4 blocks from the Montgomery Bart station, but you can take the California Street cable car from the Hyatt. I wouldn't pay the $6 for that short a ride, but you can stop at the Walgreen's across from the Hyatt and get a 1/3/7 day Muni pass for unlimited use of cable cars, Muni buses, Muni subway, and F-line trolley.

Lastminutetravel.com has the Sax for $88/nite for above date.

Wouldn't let me edit, but best rate on Omni website for above dates is $287/nite.

Scabbing off WindyCityHokie to win the Omni for $120/nite. Just stayed at Omni this past weekend. Last unsuccessful bid was $110.

Used PRICELINE link on this site.

Thanks WCH.

Read the FAQs about free rebids and you won't be limited to one bid a day.

While you're learning about bidding, you can always book the Clift Hotel for $122/nite on Lastminutetravel.com as a cancelable backup.

Lastminutetravel.com has the Hyatt Embarcadero for $165/nite. You could use that as a cancelable backup....can cancel 3 days before...while you continue bidding. They are also offering the Stanford Court on Nob Hill for $154/nite. It's just a short cable car/cab ride down California to the Financial District.

Lastminutetravel.com has the Hyatt Regency (Embarcadero) for $149/nite, however it is "on request". It would take a day or so to find out if LMT can negotiate a deal for you, but might be worth it. I've booked "on request" before and got the room. Good luck.

Omni is having another holiday sale thru Friday AM for bookings late in January. I booked the Omni San Diego for $99/nite for mid January. Promo code is CYBER.

If you want to spend a little more $$$, you can book the Omni for $119/nite during their Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale. Promotion code is CYBER. Sign up for the Omni's Select Guest program and get a little pampering. I don't mind the Hyatt or Le Meridien, but I believe you get better treatment at the Omni. Good luck.

Just booked via phone San Francisco Omni for $119/nite for December 15-18. Had reservation for $160/nite.

Omni hotels is having a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale starting midnight Thursday for stays through January 31. Depending on availability, San Francisco Omni will have rooms from $99 and up and San Diego Omni will have rooms for $89 and up. Those are the only ones I checked, so depending on your location, YMMV.

The 992 bus runs from the airport down Broadway where the Sofia is. The fare is $2.25 for regular folk, and $1.10 for seniors (60+). The bus stops at 2 or 3 stops at the airport. That being said, a cab to that part of downtown would probably run $10 or so, maybe less.

Lastminutetravel.com has what appears to be the Radisson downtown Minneapolis for $87/nite...$101 and change all in, but it is on request. Worth a shot. The Radisson website has availability for $100/nite...$113+ all in. Probably bid

up to $80 to $85 on PRICELINE and then take a shot with Radisson. Good luck.