Well, I figured out that the week that I had initially booked, 10/11 - 10/15, was going to be super expensive no matter if I go to further areas. Thankfully, Southwest allows changing your flights with no fees. I figured that the October dates were expensive due to the probability of Red Sox playoff games. After doing much research, I found a week in late November that had cheap rates (probably because its Thanksgiving week). My new dates are now 11/20 to 11/25.
PRICELINE EXPRESS had a 4 star hotel in Copley Square/Back Bay for $85. Hotwire had a 4 star hotel in the same area for $88 (though the taxes and fees were much higher). As a backup plan, I knew I could get the Omni Parker Hotel for $98 direct from their website. I preferred a newer hotel though, preferably in the Copley Square/Back Bay area, and close to the subway. Did some research, I was fully expecting (and hoping) that the 4 star hotel in PRICELINE EXPRESS and HOTWIRE was the Westin Copley Square Hotel.
Here's the listing forPRICELINE EXPRESS:
Pets Allowed, Business Center, Indoor or Outdoor Pool, Fitness Center, No Smoking Room/Facilities
Here's the listing for HOTWIRE:
(Favorite!), Airport Shuttle, Business Center, Fitness center, Indoor Pool(s), Internet Access, Pet Friendly, Pool(s), Restaurants, Smoke-free Rooms
I have no proof of course that the above listings were for the same hotel, but in each instance (Priceline Express and Hotwire) there was only 1 hotel whose rates were in the $80's, and both were in the Copley Square/Back Bay area.
So I started bidding at PRICELINE (using the Better Bidding links of course) at $50 at $3 increments using multiple re-bid zones. Found out that I no longer had to wait 24 hours once I exhausted my re-bid zones, so it only took me 3 days to finish the process. I was expecting to get a discount from the Priceline Express price (which has been my previous experience) but surprisingly I didn't get a bite in the $70's range and not even a counter offer! (did they do away with those?). Finally, this morning I put in a last bid of $82, if it was not going to be accepted I was going to buy it via Priceline Express. It finally got accepted at $82 and I got the Sheraton Boston Hotel! Was hoping for the Westin due to the proximity to the Subway line, but apparently the Sheraton is near a Subway stop too as its inside the Prudential Center.
So to summarize, Sheraton Boston Hotel from 11/20 to 11/25 at $82/night (plus approx 18.4% taxes and fees) using the Better Bidding PRICELINE link.
And I just noticed this now.... In Priceline Express it will say the original price (which is crossed out) and the discounted P.E. price. If you click on 'What Hotels?', it will show sample hotels in the area and you just have to match the original crossed out price to the hotels listed in the area. In my case, Sheraton Boston matched the original crossed out price. So while vague, you can still get an idea what hotel you'll be getting via Priceline Express.