mccarthys5

Hi, I just wanted to close out this thread. My Dad is sick (my parents are my babistters), so I have held off on bidding until I knew for sure that my parents would be able to watch the kids. Unfortunately, he still is not feeling well, so they can't take the kids for a full weekend quite now. We really want to visit Chicago, so I will refer to this information/strategy when we hopefully go in the spring. Thanks. Suzanne

Thanks for the information! I got tired last night and went to bed - plan on bidding at some point today. I am glad you let me know about Skokie. Just goes to show you none of this stuff is ever a guarantee! Suzanne

Yes, very familiar with rebidding - as far as I understand it, I have the two rebid zones of Midway and Skokie. Please let me know if I am wrong, otherwise I will assume correct. I will use SavingsBarn link to begin my bids and let you know how I make out. Thanks for the bidding strategy. Suzanne

Yes, NMA and the Loop - sorry, should have given that information more accurately. We are only going for a couple of nights as you can see and don't want to be on the outskirts at all. Thanks -

Hi, Husband and I are traveling to Chicago for the 1st time for a weekend on November 4-6 (2 nights.) Never have been there and have read some threads here, but have little idea of where to start the bidding on Priceline for a hotel. We want a 4* property - am willing to pay up to $150/night for this - am I being realistic? Strategy? Thanks in advance, Suzanne

I stayed at the Club Quarters about a year and a half ago. It was fine, no problems whatsoever - solid 3* property. Very clean. I do recall that the room was somewhat small and the bathroom was super-tiny - but again, very clean - really, though only one person can be in the bathroom at a time. Lobby is nice. The attached restaurant, Davios, is very good upscale Italian cuisine. Location is excellent. I think you should be fine - read the reviews on Tripadvisor if you are concerned - but I think they will say much of what I've said as well. Hope this helps and good luck. Suzanne

Just a FYI, Philadelphia's Sofitel property doesn't have a pool, so my guess is that it couldn't be that particular hotel.

Rest assured no Corbett Canyon here, blech! We actually like the convenience of a full bar, especially since I am not a wine drinker (that would be the husband!) Although there is a place on 13th Street called Lolita that is BYOT (bring your own tequila!) I am VERY interested in trying that one!

Just got a reservation via Opentable for Amada (spanish tapas!) Have been dying to try it - prixe fix is $45/pp -- way more than the Hyatt. That's fine -- this is our every couple of months splurge away from the kids and with the rates I get for hotels, my husband doesn't mind spending the big bucks for dinner! Love both Morimoto and Vetri, but wanted to try somewhere new...

Used the Savingsbarn link to access Priceline. Bid for downtown Philadelphia, 4* - 1st bid: $47 - rejected Was asked to increase my bid by at least $13 - did so - bid $60 and won this hotel - 4* Hyatt Regency at Penn's Landing. Stayed there back in March, so this will be our 2nd getaway there. Great hotel in a great location - probably one of the best bargain hotels in Philly. On Expedia, the hotel is listed at $209 for the same night, so that is quite the savings! Now, the only problem is: where to eat dinner? These days, dinner for 2 costs more than the hotel! Thanks again for your great site.

Stayed here for one night with my husband - 4/28/06-4/29/06. Got the room via Priceline for $75. Great, great bargain. Hotel location is fantastic - literally right in the heart of Center City Philadelphia on Market Street and the hotel is attached to the Philly convention center. Checked in without issue - ended up (somehow, surprisingly!) getting an upgrade to a huge suite, we knew when we opened the DOUBLE exterior doors, we were in for something really nice. Room was complete with a living room with a couch, 2 chairs, a coffee table, 2 end tables, and an entertainment center - a dining room that had a formal cherrywood table and leatherbound chairs with seating for 6 as well as a buffet, there was also a wet bar with a mini fridge and complimentary coffee/tea/bottled water and a really comfortable queen sized bed. 2 double closets with terrycloth robes as well and a separate sink outside the bathroom. It was room #1739. Room also had a great view, 2 huge double windows with a view of Philly. Very clean, and I'm a fanatic about this. Really, an amazing deal given the priceline price! Hotel has a nice big lobby with a number of dining choices, but unless pressed, I'd steer clear of them and eat at one of the many local restaurants in the area, as there are plenty within the few blocks surrounding the hotel. We ate at El Vez on 13th and Walnut, it is great Mexican food. Also, there is a Starbucks in the lobby, very convenient. I'd recommend skipping the hotel breakfast. Head to the Reading Terminal Market about a block away. However, I did check out room services prices and they seemed rather reasonable for that particular service, given that they were basically the same as the hotel restaurant. The fitness center was big and well stocked with equipment, but the indoor pool was a little bit of a disappointment, given the size of this hotel (1408 rooms.) Basically just a lap pool with 2 lanes, not good for kids at all. Large whirlpool next to the pool and dry saunas in both the mens/womens respective locker rooms. Seemed to be well-maintained. We skipped the valet parking at $35/night and self-parked about a block away on 12th Street for $13. Every single staff member I came into contact with smiled and said hello. I am surprised that this hotel is classified as a 3 star hotel - I definitely think it ranks higher than the Hilton Garden Inn up the street and that is a 3 star as well. While the Hilton is nice, this place is better and classier and I would rate it at least a 3.5 or maybe even a 4 star experience. I'd go back in a heartbeat and think this may be one of (if not the!) best deals in Philly on Priceline.

I have been trying to get this property FOREVER, it feels like and it finally came through (that's what insomina will do for you, right?!) Went through the handy SavingsBarn link, here's the way it played out: Didn't even bother bidding for a 4* in Philly, just needed the one night (4/28), since the Hyatt Regency was sold out, so I started at the 3* level...figured they would upgrade me if a 4* was willing to accept my paultry price offerings! Bid 3* downtown Philly - 1st bid - $50, rejected Add rebid zone of Stadium area, upped bid to $60, rejected Added last rebid zone for 3* in Philly - Gloucester/Runnymede - placed my max bid of $75 - accepted - Philadelphia Marriott Downtown - comes to $93.34 with tax, etc... Hotel was listed at $269/night on Marriott website, great savings! Very happy with this purchase! Hubby and I can now stumble back from El Vez, just a few blocks away, after feasting on mahi mahi tacos and pomegranate margaritas for the evening... Thanks, as always for your great site, could not do this w/o you!

Stayed at the Hyatt Penn's Landing for one night 3/11-3/12. Got it on Priceline for $60/night. Pulled up to hotel, husband dropped me off with our bag. Parking was listed at $21 self-park, $26 valet park. There is a parking lot about 1 1/2 blocks away across from the Society Hill Sheraton for $14/night, so we parked there instead. Check-in was easy, effortless. Nice lobby with comfortable chairs. They asked us what kind of room we wanted - we requested King, non-smoking. The only king, non-smoking room they had left was a handicapped room - we took it, it had a huge bathroom. Nice toiletries. Our room was on the 12th floor, nicely appointed with a great river view. Very clean. Bed was comfortable. Also provided a mini-fridge and an in-room coffeemaker. Mini ironing board and safe in the room as well. Water pressure in the shower was good. Went to Keating's (hotel restaurant) on the river for a couple of drinks. Two glasses of Chardonney and two import beers came to $26. Outdoor deck was not open even though it was 70+ degrees outside. We ate out in Old City (quick 5 minute walk) at Tangerine. Excellent food, but it's pricey (entrees $23-33.) Highly recommend, though! They have a coffee bar in the lobby of the restaurant that serves Starbucks. Great for the morning caffeine fix, although the prices are slightly higher than a normal Starbucks. There is also a small gift shop in the lobby with the basics as well. Indoor pool, sauna and fitness center located on the 4th floor of the hotel with great river views. Very well-maintained and clean. Women's locker room was basic, but clean as well. We opted to eat breakfast out as well - Keating's has a breakfast buffet for $16.95 person. We went to the South Street Diner at 2nd and South and had a great breakfast for 2 - it came to $14 total. Great omlettes there! Every staff person greeted us with a smile. I did not use the concierge, although he appeared to be quite busy. The doormen are on their game as well and dressed to the nines. A great bargain for $60/night. I'd return in a heartbeat for that price.

Went through the Savingsbarn link... Actually, bid on a 3* hotel in Center City Philadelphia for $47 for 3/11-3/12 - one night - have been trying to get the downtown Marriott because we like the location - got rejected, priceline countered with adding $13, so I did - upped the bid to $60 and got the Hyatt Regency at Penn's Landing, which is actually a 4* hotel. We've never stayed there before, so it's somewhere new for us. It was going for $81 on Hotwire and on the Hyatt website for $209/night - either way, I got a good deal!

Actually, we decided not to do this and stay in downtown Philly - see next topic - thanks, though.

Price is key...like to keep it under $75

Hi, am looking trying to secure a room for tomorrow night 3/11-3/12 in the KOP/Valley Forge area of the city. I haven't seen any recent wins in this area and I don't really know how low or high to start...also I don't want anything less than a 2.5 star hotel - any help is greatly appreciated - Thanks!

I am wondering if anyone knows where to get the discount code (either 50% or 60%) off for the Restaurant.com website? Or if anyone could post a discount code that hasn't expired? I'd love to purchase some of these, but it really only seems to be a great bargain w/the discount code. Thanks in advance! Suzanne

Just returned from a really nice one night stay (2/18-2/19) at the Doubletree Hotel in Center City, Philadelphia. Booked this on Hotwire for $68/night. Well worth that price and then some. Great location, right in the heart of CC Philly at Broad and Locust. Checked in yesterday 2 hours early without issue. Front desk reception was pleasant and efficient. Was given the standard Doubletree cookies that were still warm! Nice touch. Room was on the 6th floor - Room 606. Standard size hotel room with 2 queen beds. View was nothing to speak of, but fine given the price paid. Room was very clean. Bathroom, adequate size, also very clean. Neutrogena toiletries in bathroom. Beds were EXTREMELY comfortable - one of the best I have ever slept on, honestly. Coffeemaker in room with the usual options. Nice array of Philadelphia-based magazines displayed in the room as well. The only thing wrong was that our door stuck a little, so you really had to slam it to close it properly. Parking is $18/day, typical of downtown Philly prices. There is a lounge in the lobby (Standing O Bistro) and the Academy Cafe is located on the 2nd floor. We did not use the restaurant(s), opting to eat out instead, for both dinner and breakfast. Dinner at Rouge on Rittenhouse Square was very good and breakfast at the Marathon Grille (2 blocks away from hotel) was excellent. Although, I did notice that the prices for room service seemed quite reasonably for that particular service. Indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness center all located on the 5th floor. Philadelphia Inquirer delivered to room in the morning. Every employee I met at this hotel greeted me with a smile and a pleasant greeting. Concierge was helpful as well - a friend in our group wanted to purchase lottery tickets last evening for the big Powerball drawing and the Concierge called the local store to see if they were still selling before we walked over in the cold. I left my bags this afternoon after I checked out for a couple of hours to shop before I went home and when I returned - they were retrieved quickly and efficiently - service was really good at this hotel, especially given the fact that they were sold out for the night. Great price, wouldn't hesitate to recommend and stay again!

Hmmm...that hotel doesn't get very good reviews on tripadvisor - I know you are not sure that it's La Quinta North, but I may keep looking for now. I'll keep you posted as to what I decide to do...thanks!

Hi, need to stay near MIA for one night, 6/20-6/21. Am seeing a hotel on Hotwire, MIA Internat'l Airport area: 2.5* Best Value Shuttle, breakfast, pool, internet $52/night Any idea what this might be? Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I had the same thing happen at the Hilton Garden when I stayed there a few weeks ago - my statement under my door said something different than what I actually bid on the hotel via Priceline - it was only off by a few dollars - and I knew what I had been charged for the room because it had already come out of my account - but that is interesting to know that Priceline is gleaning some extra $$'s off that as well. What I did not like at the Hilton Garden (they did not tell me this upfront and now I know not to do this) is that I paid for my room via my debit card as opposed to my credit card, so that is the card I gave them at check-in. I monitor my checking account online and when I checked in, they immediately deducted $50 for "incidentals" from my account - they put it back a few days later (like about 4 days later.) This could mess up a person's account if they are not careful. I wish they had told me upfront when I was giving them the debit card to check in - I would've given them my credit card instead. After I got home and saw this online, I gave them a call and they said the money was on hold and would be refunded in the next 72 hours. It was, but still. Just an FYI!

I actually thought this might be the Crowne Plaza, but I was wrong, which is fine. Booked via SavingsBarn/HOTWIRE links. Here's the information: 3 * Center City East Amenities: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Business Listed as a Customer Favorite Staying one night 2/18/06 $68/night + 16.09 tax and fees Grand total for one night stay = 84.09 I'll post a review after the 19th! Suzanne

Went through the Savings Barn/PRICELINE link and tried the following. Maybe this information will help someone else for the same dates. I was trying to get any 3* property in downtown Philly for 1 night, 2/18-2/19. 1st bid: 4* - $51 - rejected 2nd bid: added 3*, lowered price to $48, rejected 3rd bid: added Stadium area (free rebid), increased price to $55, rejected 4th bid: added Gloucester/Runnymede (free rebid), increased price to $58, rejected I may just go via Hotwire for that night, they have a 3* in Center City East which looks to be the Crowne Plaza for $68/night + tax or maybe I'll wait a few more days and try Priceline again and see what happens. Just wanted the Board to know in case anyone else is trying to get a hotel for these days - maybe because it is President's Weekend, the prices may be higher than usual.

Hi, thanks for all of your help. I started a tad bit lower for the 3* range than you suggested ($47) for my first bid and it was (surprisingly) accepted! The reason I did that was because I saw a couple of people on the site had recently gotten 3* rooms that low in Philly and thought it was worth my first attempt. However, did not get the downtown Marriott, as I was hoping, but that's Ok. My win was for the Hilton Garden Inn in Center City Philly - $47 - with tax and fees it comes to 60.94. Can't beat that. We stayed at the Hilton Garden over the summer and it is a reasonably nice hotel with a nicely maintained indoor pool in a good location. Dinner that night will easily cost us twice that at Buddakan, but that's OK! Thanks again for all your help.