mgaebler

bid $85 per night. $106 after all fees included. Tried $80 and $82 in some of the other downtown areas (SOMA, Financial District) first. Rate at Hotel Nikko website was $237 (unclear if that is taxes included or not) at the time of winning, so nice savings. I used the PRICELINE link on Betterbidding.

First try (I didn't try lower bids). I remembered to use the PRICELINE link on BetterBidding.com . Thank you for this website.

lower bids failed. This is close to the highest I have had to pay to get 3 1/2 stars in Woodland Hills.

Can't recall if I tried a lower bid first. I believe I did.

I just saw this message now (Jan 2009) and tried to see the amenities but couldn't see them now.

You are correct. This was 3 1/2 star, not 3 star. Can you edit the subject line? I believe I did you the links, although it's possible that I closed the browser window accidentally. I'll remember to use the links in future. Regarding the hotel: there are personal balconies on most of the ocean-facing rooms, with an outdoor lounge chair. We are pleased with the hotel.

$85 failed. $95 per night succeeded Parking is $28 per night. There is VERY limited self-parking, but we asked about it, and didn't say yes to valet right away, and they gave us half-off valet parking ($14 each day with in and out privileges). It sounded like that might be standard, particularly if you are staying 2+ nights.

First bid, $60, won. Used the BetterBidding PRICELINE link.

Bid $60, got it first try. Bid was same day, early morning. I just the BetterBidding link to go to PRICELINE.

I won Marriott Warner Center Woodland Hills on first bid for 3.5 star for $65. I bid in this area all the time at 3.5*, and I have never won anything but the Hilton Woodland Hills. The Marriott is listed in the hotel list - I actually didn't think there were any other 3.5 * hotels in this area. So, either this is a recent addition to the area, or they are increasing their priceline inventory.

Wow. Just tried to bid for the night before, rather than using the "Extend Stay", to get a lower price, as I needed to come a day earlier. And I got the "Marriott Warner Center Woodland Hills", not the Hilton. So, there's a new Priceline 3.5 star in this area now! Used to just be Hilton Woodland Hills;

Tried $65, $70, $75, $80... Succeeded with $85 per night (for 3 nights). I don't think I have ever had to go above $85 per night.

First bid was successful: $60 per night ($143.83 for 2 nights, including all fees) At the hotel website, the cost was $233.90 total. Boston Park Plaza Hotel 3

Had previously failed at $80 for 12/8 - 12/11/08 (3 nights only) I used the betterbidding link: PRICELINE

tried $60, $65, $70, $75, $80... all failed ... for 3 nights Dec 8 to 11, 2008. The rate on the Hilton website for these nights is about $177. Based on past experience, this probably requires a bid of $85 per night. I'll try that tomorrow.

Tried $52 and $56 unsuccessfully (others have gotten 4* SFO Airport for $56 previously). Successful at $60. Additional $16 in taxes and fees, so $76 total.

This is the lowest I've ever gotten on this hotel I believe. I tried $50 (failed) and jumped to $58, so maybe there is a lower threshold there. This is a Friday night and Sat night. At Hilton.com, the rate for these nights is only $103 pre-paid (or AAA discount) plus tax.

tried various bids below $85.

Success at $65 (meant to put that in title). Tried $60 first and it failed

accepted on first try of $48 per night.

Was already at Hilton and tried to use the 'add nights' feature (at the same rate). That didnt work. Was able to bid separately and get $85 / night. Then decided to stay one more night and bid again, and got $65 night (tried $60 and it failed). Weekends and near-weekends always seem cheaper at this Hilton.

Bid $65 - won first try. The Hilton tends to have lower rates Fri, Sat, and Sun, so always bid low at these times. Priceline fees add $11 per day.

First bid at $70 was successful for one night for 8/27/08. Not always able to get the Hilton for this price during the week but it worked in this case. Note that the Hilton is now 3 1/2 stars. This means you have multiple 're-bid' opportunities, as 4 other areas nearby do not have 3 1/2 star (at the time of this posting). But in this case, I didn't get to use the re-bids. Your Offer Price: $70.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $70.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $16.13 Total Charges*: $86.13

Note that Priceline now has introduced a 3 1/2 * rating in this area. This is good: Woodland Hills used to only have 3*, now it is 3 1/2 *, and there are more areas that don't. Specifically: Simi, Studio City, and Van Nuys all don't have 3 1/2*, so that means you can get 3 free re-bids if you want to stay in Woodland Hills (or one of the other areas that has 3 1/2*). But bids of $70, $75, $85, and $90 failed. Often these will win the Hilton, but this is less likely during the week.

Also tried $80 and $85 for 9/17- 9/18/2008 (one night) and $90 for 9/17-9/19/08; all failed. Current price on Hilton website is $259; that seems to be about the rate at which no priceline rooms are available.