I'm headed to Manhattan for a conference. Bid for a 3* in the Empire State Building zone, $85. Rejected.
3*, added Midtown East, $95. Rejected.
3*, added Upper East Side, $100 - ACCEPTED!
Retail is $263, so I'm super happy. And there's a fitness center! I used the PRICE.LINE Quick Quote box on the site.
Decided to go with a lower star rating, as long as I could get Santa Monica, and clicked over from the PRICELINE link on the site. I did some sleuthing on the Express Deals and realized that the Best Western Plus was the only 3* that offered free parking, so I decided to snag it. With taxes & fees, it's $170 and change. I've stayed at this property before, and for my purposes (sleeping, perhaps working in the evening), it fits the bill perfectly. Parking is a bit tight in the garage, as in, the spaces are small, and the decor is a little outdated, but again, decent hotel for one night.
Amenities:
Free Internet
Free Parking
Restaurant
Business Center
Fitness Center
Thanks! I'm probably going to just directly book a hotel or try to bid on a 4* on Priceline (which I'll post). I'm not crazy about the idea of staying at the Le Meridien Delfina because it's right across the street from my alma mater, but if I can snag it for less than $200 I'll do it.
Ok. I'm staying one night, January 13, 2014. I really want to stay in Santa Monica proper, not Venice or MDR.
Thanks!
Help ID 3* Santa Monica-Venice-MDR Property
95% recommended
Free Parking
Free Breakfast
Free Internet
Pool(s)
Self service laundry
Internet access
Accessibility
Accessible for the blind
Accessible for the deaf
Accessible path of travel
Help ID 3.5* Santa Monica-Venice-MDR Property
Hotwire customer reviews 70% recommended
Amenities:
Free Internet
Near Beach
Fitness Center
Restaurant(s)
Business Center
Internet access
Started with 4* Back Bay/Copley Square - $190 - Rejected
Added 3.5* - $192 - Rejected
Added Boston Common/Theater District - $193 - Accepted
Not the greatest hotel in the area, but I know it's very close to where I need to be, and they have a fitness center with treadmills. Considering that the Hynes will be overrun with lawyers (and I'm guessing the hotels in the area too, since there's an international bar association conference at the Hynes), this is a good deal. The Priceline regular price was over $300. And I used the PRICELINE link on the BetterBidding.com site.
I'm going to go as low as a 3* for Copley/Back Bay. If that doesn't work, I'll consider other zones - I am just wary of the Theater District because parts of it are sketchy. Plus, Emerson College is right there, and there's usually a giant cloud of cigarette smoke hanging over the corner of Boylston & Tremont Streets.
I would definitely consider a 3.5* in the Theater District or a 3* in the Copley/Back Bay area. I suppose Quincy Market would be ok, but ideally I'd be right on the Green Line or a short jaunt down Boylston. I'm pretty sure that the Priceline Express deal is the Doubletree in Chinatown, which I definitely don't want.
I just discovered that there is an international bar association conference happening at the Hynes in the same time frame, so the area will be overrun with lawyers.
I was looking for a hotel in the Copley Square/Back Bay area, not the Quincy-Financial zone or the Waterfront/Convention Center area.
I'm angling for a 3* or higher in the Back Bay/Copley Square area for 10/9 through 10/11. Prices for these seem to be in the $300+ per night range. My budget is more in the $200 per night range, with an ideal spend of $150/night. Any tips for getting this to happen? Here's what I've done so far (in the hopes of a 3.5*, but that seems unlikely:
Starting bid, Copley Square-Back Bay, 4*, $160 - REJECTED
Added 3.5*, $165 - REJECTED
Added Somerville-Medford, $170 - REJECTED
Added Fenway-Brookline, $175 - REJECTED
Added North Cambridge-Arlington, $180 - REJECTED
GAVE UP FOR THE NIGHT.
I'm flying in a day early due to my conference not being cancelled. I couldn't get my stay extended at the hotel I Pricelined before, so I Pricelined another 4* in the area. Success! Not looking forward to the fees, but I'll just be sleeping there.
Very excited about this win. After winning my credit card dispute with Priceline regarding the Radisson's 3.5* rating, I scored The Westin Imagine for $55/night + $10/night bonus cash. Total charged to my card: $135.60.
I feel a little better... but the carpet being dirty is a problem because I do yoga every morning first thing (as is a weird noise from the fridge, because I do bring my own food wherever I go courtesy of insane dietary restrictions). I guess if I have to I can put the bedspread on the floor (it's not like I'd want that on the bed anyway). Did you use the wifi at all? I've heard reports that it's slow... I can always bring my mifi unit with me.
Glad that your stay worked out. Fingers crossed if I end up staying there... although hopefully I'll be posting about my 4* win prior to my trip.
I bid for $49. I'm actually doing a chargeback because I was already displeased with the ratings, and this was before guests had posted about being put in the Metropolitan. I wasn't thrilled about the cleanliness, mentions of outdated furniture, and a parking lot that you needed to hike to - I'm a woman traveling alone for business, and TSA won't let me carry my pepper spray on the plane. (I checked. And I doubt anyone would hear my whistle, considering the proximity of the parking lot.) I really don't want to spend hours on the phone with Priceline when I get there and have to argue them into a better hotel. I know how I am after I fly (tired, cranky, just want a shower and a couple hours zoning out in front of the TV), and I am afraid that I will use words that will make a construction worker blush, which obviously won't help my cause. I really think Priceline should downgrade the Radisson's rating - even the price is vastly lower than the other 3.5* properties. When I called the front desk, they wouldn't even check to make sure that I wouldn't be shuffled to the Metropolitan. So they were much nicer to you than me.
If it doesn't go through, they're going to feel the full force of my wrath - both Priceline and the Radisson. Bait and switch is illegal in Florida, and the Radisson can be sued for treble damages. In my state, I can also file in small claims against Priceline for unfair and deceptive advertising - again, treble damages.
Good luck :) I'm concerned about my own priceline reservation. The Metropolitan is a $35/night job, which says a lot. It's a two-star property to boot. When I called the front desk, they didn't even look up my reservation and said, "Oh, it's very rare." Not according to the reviews on Priceline.
The property looks sketchy to me - the reviews on Priceline makes it seem like they put the Priceline guests in the Metropolitan motel next door.
Thanks for the support, BMW! I just need a treadmill and free weights, and some space to do lunges with said weights. I know I'm not going to be able to run in Orlando - running's my thing, and the heat and humidity would probably cause me to pass out. The reports of dirty carpets also make me jumpy, because I wouldn't be able to do yoga/use my resistance band in my room as a last resort. YUCK.
The reviews mention the beds being horrible, which also makes me unhappy. I think I'll be ok in the car department (economy rental), and hopefully ok in the "walking from the parking lot" department. Fingers crossed; I'm tough, but I don't like to have to use it, you know what I'm saying? I've gone in circles with the Priceline reps and then just filed for a chargeback.
That said, hopefully I will get my money back. I have plenty of time, so I'm only going to bid on 4* hotels from now on in Orlando (or anywhere else, really).
I'm most concerned about the fitness center, as I'm training for an adventure race.
AAA rates the property as 3 diamonds (out of 5), and Google Reviews only gives it 2 stars. I'm also really concerned about reviews I've read that include ants and roaches, as well as a door being taped open - what? Add in the fact that another review mentions a car break-in, and I'm a little worried for my safety.
Started off at an opening bid of $45. 2nd attempt submitted at $50. 3rd, and winning, bid was $55 per night. All in with taxes and parking we are looking at $165 for two nights. Not bad at all for a last minute trip.
That's awesome! I've heard it's a great place to stay.
This is not a 3.5-star hotel: the fitness center is NOT on site, and the rooms are dingy and outdated, according to reviews on Priceline's own website and TripAdvisor. Plus, they charge a $10 resort fee ON TOP OF THAT for slow wi-fi.
I'm initiating a chargeback on my credit card; this is not what I signed up for at all.
3* Houston (The Woodlands) Best Western Plus The Woodlands
in Priceline Hotels - Texas
Posted
Bid $60 - The Woodlands 4* - REJECTED.
Added 3.5*, went up to $65, REJECTED.
Added 3*, went up to $67 - SUCCESS!!! Looks like a decent place to crash while visiting Houston with my dad and running The Woodlands Half Marathon that weekend. I used the PRICELINE link on Better Bidding as well.