actno

Need suggestions-- Any ideas how to go about finding places to stay in the Chicago - Western Suburbs- Schaumburg/Arlington Hts., Schaumburg preferably for a long term stay? Requested amenties will be a suite (1BedRoom), kitchen with utinsels, Refigerator, Microwave etc. Where can I find such places to stay (I know of Hotwire, PL I dont think one can find any.. right?) Thanks for your advices.

Made a reservation for a friend for 2 days, he just wanted a 4* so didn't really explore other options. An offer for $90 was made, Priceline got back with a counteroffer to increase the price by 22$. Did it.

I reckon having seeing this someplace on this board. I'd ask it anyways- can one bid for others (family, friends etc). How will that work, since the card is in my name, and the reservation perhaps in their name. Anyone has tried this, and came across any issues in doing so? (Edit by thereuare: merged with existing thread on the subject)

Nice, and PL refunds you the charge incurred (on PL)? So basically one gets to stay for free... not bad. The hotel which walks you, is it obligated to walk you to an equivalent/better hotel, or are we at their mercy?

Ok I am officially confused: so what happens if you are walked ? Are you left to fend for yourself, since finding a hotel (depending on the time) maybe difficult and Expensive! I read some comments that PL refunded the user, I guess they refunded the price paid by the user on PL, but hey that may not be enough, one could've booked a hotel and gotten the BEST published rate instead of using PL. What is one supposed to do should this happen?

Thanks guys, your inputs were very useful. Last night, I decided to try my luck... and as luck would have it, I managed a bargain and I don't think not many will disagree. I got a 3* Doubletree Boston Downtown for $50, right next to the Commons! The bidding story goes like this... Started off with $60 for a 4* in Downtown-Charlestown, added Cambridge and then Copley .. no luck, then added the two lesser zones for rebidding, increased my bid by 5$ each time.. so 70$ 4* none available at the time. Closed the browser, decreased my bid to $40 for a 3* Downtown Boston, declined. Closed the browser, and added one lesser zone to Downtown and increased my bid to 45$, PL came back saying if I increase the bid by $14, I'd have a shot. I did what I was supposed to do, not accept it :). added the last lesser zone (south boston) and bid $50.. and hoooray... there it was.. Bid accpeted .. for Doubletree. Now the only thing for me is to check out before 10AM on mOnday else, all the savings will go with the parking meter, but that should be ok toooo. Now the final question, anybody know of a better Parking garage near this DT, excpet the Commons parking garage? and lastly, greatluck with your bids...

Whats the realistic bid amount for 4* and a 3* in your mind? for zones Boston Downtown- Copley- Cambridge?

thought so, have been tracking what others have paid.. someone got a Hyatt Financial for $60.. that was dang!!! However, for this trip I require 2 rooms, so dont want to spend toooo much, on the room only ... I guess $60 for a 4* and $50 for a 3? How bad is that? What chances I will have if I throw in Copley and Cambridge in the mix?

Thanks. Boston Commons parking seems very promising (if entered after 6AM Sat and left before 10AM Mon). Now with this information, I think I'd want to try in Dwntn Boston-Charlestown area (surrounding the commons). How much should I bid for a 4* and god forbid :) a 3* incase..... (2night stay, Saturday and Sunday 30-31July)? Suggestions more than welcome.

Ok, will try it the next time, if it works, that'd be awesome!

Did someone on this forum comeup with a strategy to find alternatives to the HUGE parking rates? If not, then I think will have to stay outside the city. What will my best options be? a 15mile trip to Boston could be justified, for a lower price (hotel cost and no/little parking fees:)). I hope I am clear now.

Question: Why do you suggest closing the browser, for re-bidding?

Price is #1. I looked at the recent winning bids and went to some of the hotels website, have been discouraged by the parking rates! Almost all charge in excess of $30 for a night to park! I suppose, that would be an issue in central Boston. So, basically, as things are, I'd go for a 4* in the vicinity (a short drive to Boston, and park the car in Commons garage, charging $10 during weekends) and be happy. The max for the trip, I had in my mind was $60 a night.

Now this is what happens, when you play smart: you end up in a different hotel the day after! I slept the night earlier at the posh Marriott, only to end up in central Denmark (wow) in a not so comfortable room. Palace Hotel Copenhagen Raadhuspladsen 57 Copenhagen, Denmark 45-33-14-40-50 Your Offer Price: $85.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $85.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $27.58 Total Charges: $112.58 The location was the best thing about the hotel, better than the Marriott (previously booked). The hotel was in need for tremendous renov. The staff was helpful, and suggested since they were bought by Le Meridian, they might get some updates on the propoerty (that was to be late last year). So hopefully, this place would be now really ready for travellers.

Not sure, where to post this, but there was nothing from Denmark that I saw, so thought would add a drop to the bucket. This one comes from a trip last year (Oct04). Marriott Copenhagen Check-In Date: Saturday, October 9, 2004 Check-Out Date: Sunday, October 10, 2004 Copenhagen Kalvebod Brygge 5 Copenhagen, Denmark 45 88 33 9900 Your Offer Price: $97.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $97.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $30.67 Total Charges: $127.67 First bid of 85$ was rejected but it gave me an option to add $12 for another try at a 4* and got this deal. Was way less than the posted rate (and my coporate rate as well). I think the posted rate was 1200 DKK (PL rate comes out to 600DKK). Hope this helps for those travelling to CPH, a beautiful city.

yup, a trifecta of Marriott! yes, it indeed is on the day (july24), hope Im not being stalked! :)

Hmm I guess it could've been the AAA rate? I even called them up asking (begging) for the BEST possible rate, and I was told (what I recall) a price less than what you found from their website! Maybe, the prices shot upwards in a day(?) .. wow, am I pleased to be spending what I am :) I just hope they don't stuff me in some dingy corner of the hotel!

Knew I had left the better details for people to guess... sorry for that. Ideally I'd like to be in the "Downtown Boston - Charlestown" area, if thats not possible then Cambridge - Brookline and Copley will be next on my options, in that order. I absolutely would die of worry, if my bid were to be accepted for a Holiday Inn, hence my reluctance for a 3*, else I think I would be fine with a 3 * rating. Not that ALL Hol Inns are Horrible, but I've had some really sad experiences and most of'em have been with a Hol Inn (not just the HI express). Thanks again, please feed me with some solution :).

I am looking to bid for 2 rooms for a 4* in the Boston/Cambridge area. How low should I start with? and where, for all practical purrposes, I could end up at (price and location)?

ah on the other hand, if your maximum is $125 USD (=$156 CAD), you may actually get a Renaissance Fallsview for example, without going to Priceline/Hotwire. You control the flexibility of changing dates, cancellation etc. The rack rate for Ren Fallsview, varies between $149-$179 CAD. Try going to the hotel site directly, or even calling them up to get a better rate.

Try for a sunday night, if you have the flexibility. Saturday nights are I suppose most expensive days, in such touristy places. Good luck

Got it in the first attempt, kicking myself on not starting off on a $30/$35 bid, the difference could've paid for the parking!

Again, 2 rooms at the Marriott Dwtn. Bidding started at $45, added I think it was Toronto East in the mix, and then bid for a 3*. Bid accepted. The hotel, doesn't have great review, so I am dreading on that, have an infant with me... ah we'll find out soon enough. Parking as I hear is $25 + CANADIAN TAXES, that somewhat ruins the deal :), but still, I guess, I'd be in downtown.

Wanted a good place to stay (near the falls and reasonable), when at Niagara. Started with $50 (yes, I know I am cheap) for 2 rooms and added one more zone (by using the awesome betterbidding tip) and got this deal. The rack rate is $179CAD, so it does seem to be a steal.