sage

Yes - mybad; this was a Hotwire purchase. Thanks for moving the post.

Amentities are Airport Shuttle, Comp Breakfast, Fitness Center, Business Center, and Laundry. Total with taxes was $47.52. Looks like standard rate was $75. This is a newly renovated facility 1-2 miles from airport. Wireless internet access is $5. Furnishing are quite nice and comfortable. Kitchette has range, micorwave, large fridge, toaster, small coffeemaker, and pots/pans/plates and glassware/silverware. There are 2 TVs (~40 channels) and a DVD player, and a foldout sofabed and recliner chair. The layout is nice, with a separate living/kitchen and bedroom/bath. Bed is comfortable. Outdoor pool. Business center is really minimal. Breakfast looks more than continental. Quite pleased with the accommodations and price for newly identified location.

Bid on 2.5 stars at the old optimum $33 rate for two weeknights at Marriott Somerset but was rejected. Added Basking Ridge at $37 (trying for Courtyard), but was again rejected. Added Bridgewater at $49 trying to pick up Staybridge Somerset, and instead was accepted at Marriott Somerset. (I forgot about the Marriott's $45 price point.) Marriott site lowest rate was $179/nt (+ taxes), so still a great discount at $121.11 total for 2 nights. Bid via savingsbarn.com site.

Amenities are still complimentary breakfast and pool. Started the purchase with betterbidding's HOTWIRE link.

Total for 4 nights was $171.20. This chain has recently upgraded its breakfasts, so that there are many more offerings from which to choose. Free high speed internet throughout. Best chain rate was $63, so much better bargain this time.

I've stayed at both the Radisson and Holiday Inn Select there, and would stay at either one again without hesitation.

The stay was very nice. I'll update my previous stay comments to say that the evening "Sundowner" reception was quite improved from last time. Two nights we made it a light supper: 1) baked fish and potato wedges, with decent salad; 2) chicken wings/drummettes and Stouffer's mac&cheese, with same salad. Menu schedule is posted in the rooms. Breakfast buffets are still excellent and extensive, with special dietary requests honored. Wireless internet worked well for me, though wired was sketchy. Also, the trick to proper shower temperature - a little dial in center of handle.

Yep, Thursday night stay bids often will be accepted in the $30s. I haven't tried the tower rooms. Was this a comp Marriott Rewards upgrade, or a slip $10 to clerk type (Vegas style)?

Got 2 rooms at this nice suite-style accommodation. Extensive bidding to acceptance: $33 in Somerset 3* (rejected) $45 in Somerset & Somerville-Bridgewater 3* (rejected) $45 in Somerset 2.5* (rejected) $40 in Edison-EB 2.5* (rejected) $44 in Edison-EB & Somerset 2.5* (rejected) $47 in Edison-EB & Somerset & Somerville-Bridgewater 2.5* (rejected) $45 in Edison-Woodbridge 3* (rejected) $49 in Edison-Woodbridge & Somerset 3* (rejected) $49 in Edison-Woodbridge & Somerset 2.5* (accepted) Our friend biddingforhotel described a possible complex algorithm to win at Staybridge, so it seems he might be onto something, unless Staybridge has upped their PL rate (from $45). Total was $464 for 4 nights (taxes and fees). Best website rate before taxes was $92 (advanced purchase) or $127 (flexible), so we won for roughly half price (or 2 rooms for price of 1).

It is for three nights, so title should read 12/19-12/22/06.

Bid the old optimum $33 rate for three weeknights at Marriott Somerset but was rejected. Added Basking Ridge at $37 and dropped to 2.5 stars (trying for Courtyard), but was again rejected. Added Bridgewater at $45 trying to pick up Staybridge Somerset, and instead was accepted at Marriott Somerset. Marriott site lowest rate was $194 (+taxes), so still a great discount at $164.24 total for 3 nights. Bid via savingsbarn.com site.

Wow, you certainly have a wealth of information about the area and activities. I may have to check it out if I can get away from the client early enough. Thanks for the tips!

Bid the old optimum $33 rate for one weeknight (Thu) and was accepted immediately. Total charges $45.15. Marriott site lowest rate was $194, so feel quite lucky to have picked this one up. Bid via savingsbarn site. BTW, Priceline offered a $41/day EWR economy car after booking this hotel. Bid $17 instead and was accepted.

Another enjoyable stay at this hotel. Price was lower than the 2.5* offered in same zone. - Fitness Center - Pools - Restaurants - Business Center - Laundry Facilities - High-speed Internet Access (wired) Total was $156.73 for 3 nights.

Found this "new" listing after rejection of third night stay in Clinton Holiday Inn. Bid $45 for 2.5* in three zones ($33 in first, $39 in second failed) and was accepted. Weekday price on website was $145, weekends around $180. Good deal. I believe this is the old Summerfield Suites (per a Tripadvisor review). Since the renovation (just re-opened 2 months ago), I'd say any bad reviews are outdated. My stay was very pleasant. Nice to have hot-and-cold breakfast buffet (very fresh fruit, eggs&bacon, big bagels, potato cakes), plus evening snacks (hot dogs and chips last night) and wine/beer (albeit cheapy brands). HSI in each room (bring patch cable, front desk has a few). Free (they say) on-site laundry. Full size kitchen with big fridge, stovetop, microwave, dishwasher, pots/pans, plates/glasses/cups/silverware.

Tried bidding for three-night stay up to $61 down to 2 stars. Failed. Next day (Monday 7/24), tried again. Failed. Changed to 2-night stay. Bid 3 stars $39. Failed. Bid 2.5 stars $49. Failed. Bid 2 stars $59. Accepted. This is the second time I've had to go to $59 to win (other time was marathon where $58 was not accepted, didn't post that). So, $59 seems this may be the next price point for this property if $39 isn't accepted. PL offered to extend stay. Tried the third date at same $59. Failed, saying it was due to lack of availability. Found new listing in Somerset for third night (separate post). Holiday Inn website lists these rooms around $125. Still a decent deal for this hotel.

Ah yes, the Business Center is also listed as an amenity - tiny one in actuality, but still there is one. Several restaurants are on site. There are three indoor pools and one hot tub that open at 9am, close at 9-11pm depending on weekend or weekday. Two of the pools are restricted to Waterpark passes (extra charge). Total Hotwire price was $194.59 ($30.59 in fees and taxes). Tuesday evenings is a manager's reception for Priority Club members with free drinks (low end brands) and eats (e.g. last night, bacon-wrapped scallops, fresh fruit, cheeses, chips). :)

Amenities: Restaurant, Pool (indoor), Fitness Center, H/S Internet, Laundry Nice family oriented hotel with "waterpark" (extra cost). Near many restaurants, easy interstate access (I465 at Michigan Rd).

I've tried to get Courtyard Basking Ridge recently without success on weekdays up to $60 bids. Dahammer mentioned Marriott Somerset. Last week this indoor/outdoor pool looked in good shape, but may need $45-50 on weekdays. Holiday Inn Clinton has very good indoor pool. It goes for $39-59 on weekdays.

Started my usual bidding in Somerset at $33, thinking at least I had a "sure" room at HIS in Clinton at $39 (see prior wins). Wrong. To make a long story short, tried about twenty bids across four zones (Somerset, Bridgewater, Edison/W Brunswick, Clinton) over various days this week for 2.5* and 3*. Also, tried Basking Ridge up to $65. Finally got 3* Holiday Inn in Clinton for $59 (bidding for 2.5*) after previous unaccepted bid of $55 over the four Somerset-Brunswick zones for 3*. This whole area is expensive. Hotel's site listed at $126, so I guess it's still a bargain for the area, just not as outstanding a deal as with previous wins. It may not have helped that I bid only one day in advance. The property isn't full, so maybe they're determining the price point for priceline.

All bids were started through SavingsBarn. Didn't realize hotel chain sites started from your site links help to support as well. I've added your support page to My Favorites for future bookings (routing to direct hotel and car rental sites) to ensure this site continues its fine work.

PL warned that it was unlikely to be accepted. Ha. 5 days=$90 Taxes/fees=$35 Total price=$125 Lowest elsewhere was $145 total (Dollar). PL says I saved $299 but Avis site was much less than $424.

Tried to get hotel in Bridgewater (bidding up to $65) or Somerset (up to $60) for 2.5*. Unsuccessful. Tried $65 in Basking Ridge for 2.5*. Unsuccessful. Many PL hotels in that area show no occupancy these days. So expensive now. Went to Clinton sub-zone despite annoying eastbound traffic in morning (how early before 7 do you have to leave for a speedy commute?). Tried to get the 2* there thinking it is likely Hampton Inn (w/ free breakfast). Tried $35, $37, and $38 but none were accepted. Went to $39 knowing that I've gotten Holiday Inn Select at that price before. Accepted there ("upgraded"). Didn't want Ramada (2* in Somerset) due to bad reviews. So instead I booked another 3 nights directly with Best Western Garden Executive in South Plainfield at corp rate of $64 with $9 tax per night. They have hi-speed internet, "deluxe" cont. breakfast, and recent refurbishing. We'll see how it goes....

Good point - I remember seeing reviews on Ramada Somerset. One would need to specify (at the start) only the Clinton-Lebanon zone option for exclusive shot at getting the Hampton Inn Clinton. I don't see any other chain hotels in Clinton that might be 2*.

Bid $37 for the 5 nights at 2.5* level hoping to get either 3* Holiday Inn Select Clinton ($123 on website) or 2.5* Courtyard Lebanon ($154). Not accepted. Bid $39 adding Somerset-Piscataway which I had separately bid earlier and had failed with bidding up to $51. Accepted by Holiday Inn Select Clinton. I stayed there several weeks ago (also for $39) and liked it except for morning commute east on I-78 to Somerville. Might try highway 22 or leave earlier in morning. There is a 2* in zone I would have tried if not accepted. Could be Hampton Inn ($119 on website). Picked up weekly PL car rental economy for $19/day in ABE.