DelArmy

Got hotel 1st bid. Could tell from express deals that hotel was probably priced at $49. Bid $45 and was told by Priceline that there was only a slim chance of getting a hotel. Well, it went through. Wanted a hotel with breakfast and heated pool for the little guy. I have stayed there in the past and it's a nice hotel with a decent breakfast. Hope they have hot cookies at checkin again this time. Free parking is a plus. Used this forums link to PRICELINE. Thanks!

I usually start bidding for a hotel about a week before I need the room. This allows multiple days of bidding if necessary in order to get the best price. The first day I bid Rochester Downtown 3* at $45 and got a $55 counteroffer. Since the Springhill Suites has recently been upgraded to a 3* I figured I’d get either the Springhill or Holiday Inn DT. I was afraid I’d get the Holiday Inn DT if I bid higher so I switched gears to bidding on a 2 1/2 * . 2 ½* usually have breakfast which saves time and at least another $10. Well, tried Rochester North 2 1/2* at $40 and no go. Added Rochester DT at $45 and got a $53 Counter. I knew I could do better than $53, but was out of bids for the day(I don’t like any of the hotels in South Rochester so did not bid that zone). Second day I just threw the dice and bid 3* Downtown again. Started at $46 and got the same $55 counter. Added Rochester North and bid $49 for a 3*. What the heck, if I get the Holiday Inn DT so what, it's convenient to Mayo. Fortunately, Springhill Suites popped up at $49 ($63.27 total w/fee and tax). Free Breakfast, Free Parking and a small pool. Holiday Inn has nice enough rooms a pool, but, no free parking or breakfast. Since I go to Mayo a lot we’ve stayed in a lot of hotels in Rochester. The Springhill, at this price point, is our favorite. I made out fat this time!!

Tried $45 and got the raise by $12 to $57 offer. Continued bidding with $47, $49 and hit with $51. In the past, I've been bidding in the MCI airport zone and been getting the Hilton. The Hilton is okay but not a 3 1/2 star hotel. No breakfast and you have to pay for internet. Thought I'd try the airport south zone this time and go with a 3 star. The hotel listing on this web site needs updating in order to get the hotels in each zone listed in the zone that they actually are. Anyway, got the Hyatt Place. Nice hotel, we've stayed in them in other parts of the country. Suite type room, large and convenient. Free breakfast and internet. Tight parking. Very solid 3 star. The free stuff makes this a better deal than the Hilton 2 miles away. No indoor pool.

Price point seems to be $55 now. Tried $51, $53 and hit on $55. We stayed here on our way to WV as well as the return trip. Again, this hotel should be rated a 3 vice 3 1/2, but being rated 3 1/2 allows for better bidding chances. We bid on this the morning of the night were were going to need it.

Bid $53 dollars, no go. Bid $55 and won. We've stayed in this hotel in the past when it was rated a 3 star by Priceline. Since then it has been raised to 3 1/2 stars. It's NOT a 3 1/2 star hotel. Public areas are not clean and smell musty. You have to fight a raft of smokers to come in the back entry. Naturally, there are cigarette butts scattered everywhere. Carpets and tile floors need a good cleaning. The pool was without towels, which the staff rectified upon request. The room was okay, but nothing to hoot about. Bathroom was basically clean and had nice towels. The breakfast was one of the best breakfast buffets you'll find anywhere. TV was small and no HD. I hate that! We like the hotel, but lets get some truth about the star level.

It took a while but finally got the room for $49 plus fees for total price of $65. Started out at $40 and worked way up a dollar at a time. Usually get this hotel for $45, but, because of Thanksgiving it may have adjusted price. Should have went with 3 star airport south for about same price and gotten the Courtyard which would have included breakfast. Oh well, may do that on the return trip. Hilton is a nice hotel.

Vikings and Lions game that weekend....... I've had the same issue with getting a room downtown Saturday night. Had the same results as you....

Saw other posts win at $40 ($47/rm total) so bid same for 3 rooms just hours before we arrived. Won. Hotel is okay, very basic. Small pool. Pet friendly. Breakfast is very meager. Went to McD across road for Bfast. Room decent size, quiet and clean. Slept well. would stay here again.

Bid $65 on first try. Needed 4 Rooms and only one chance to win. We placed our bid about 5pm the night we needed the room. Got the Best Western. Hotel was nice. Nice pool. Okay breakfast. Pet friendly which we needed. Rooms good size and clean. Staff friendly.

Bid $45 first time, knowing I could probably have gotten the room for less. We needed 4 rooms and only one crack at it so I bid a level I felt confident at getting the rooms at. Nice enough hotel. A little tired but had all the needed stuff.

Tried $55 for 3 1/2* in Rochester Center and was turned down. Tried $55 for 3* and was turned down. Tried $50 for 2 1/2* and hit with Springhill Suites. We've won the Springhill for $55 in the past and liked it. It's a good value near both Mayo and St. Mary's. Good breakfast too, if you're allowed to eat prior to tests.......

Tried a couple days to get a room for between $45 and $50 in North and Rochester regions, which were rejected. I have been getting Rochester North for under $50 the last couple times. I guess rooms are not as plentiful on my dates. I was hoping to get the Country Inn and Suites NORTH (South is a no go for quality) but failed. Today, after bidding $60 for 3 1/2 and 3 star in Rochester proper (rejected), started a new bid of $52 for Rochester north 2 1/2 star and was rejected. Added Rochester proper and bid $55 and won at the Springhill. It's a good enough hotel. Rooms are newly renovated suites. First floor is a bit of a mess though. We stayed there last week for $55 also. As noted above, I don't bid for a 2 1/2 star in Rochester SOUTH because the Country Inn and Suites is the only 2 1/2 star and it's really not a 2 1/2 star quality.

Bid $49 for 3 1/2 star in Rochester proper, rejected. Bid $47 for 3 star Rochester proper, rejected. Bid $45 for 2 1/2 star Rochester proper, rejected. Added Rochester North and bid $47 for 2 1/2 star, rejected. Added Rochester South and bid $49 for 2 1/2 star, won Country Inn and Suites, South. Will stay in hotel next week.

Began with $45 bid 3 1/2 star in Rochester proper, rejected. Then $45 3 star in Rochester proper, rejected. $45 2 1/2 star i Rochester proper, rejected. Then added Rochester - North 2 1/2 star at $45.... Accepted at Country Inn and Suites - North. Very nice hotel see my Tripadvisor review. Total for two nights came to $108+