Drew P.

Tried $150/nt and was rejected. PRICELINE said to try $182/nt, but I creeped up to $160/nt and won.

I've been trying to book rooms for next week on Priceline Name Your Own Price, and nothing was coming up less than $202. I checked Hotwire and saw a 5-star hotel for $108. I figured it would be the Trump, because Venetian appears to be sold out and Wynn was going for $309 on their retail website. Here are the listed amenities. Hotwire.com 5-star Hotel in The Strip - North This Hotel features the following amenities: Spa Services Guests have access to a spa facility or spa services; an extra charge typically applies. Resort Resorts offer a complete destination experience. Facilities generally include a spa or fitness center, one or more swimming pools, and superior dining options. Depending on location, recreational activities may include water sports, golf, tennis or skiing. Coastal resorts usually boast ocean views or beachfront access. Note: A resort fee may be charged. Free Parking <amenity names only please... not descriptions> Smoke Free Rooms Guest rooms at this hotel are always smoke-free. Fitness Center Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply. Pool(s) Property offers at least one pool area; hours and dates of operation may be seasonal. Restaurant(s) Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary. Business Center Guests have access to business equipment and services; an additional charge may apply. High-Speed Internet Access Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply. Golf Nearby Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one golf course; an extra charge typically applies. Tennis Nearby Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one tennis court; an extra charge typically applies. Kitchenette Accommodations include a stovetop or microwave oven, a sink and a mini-refrigerator. Please note that Hotwire cannot guarantee the level of services offered at a property and/or if services are operational at the time of visit. Services may be closed due to seasonality reasons and/or may be closed for renovation.

Tried a bid of $89 for Strip North hoping to get the Venetian, but that was rejected. The hotel website had rooms for $199, and PRICELINE EXPRESS Deal was for $169. The median price for the area was also $169. I added the Strip Vicinity South region and increased the bid to $99, which got the Cosmopolitan.

Won on a bid of $149 for a 5-star in region 10 (Strip North), which limited the search to Wynn, Palazzo, and Venetian. The average price displayed was $196, and the PRICELINE EXPRESS Deal advertised for $176. Also, the hotel website had prices starting at $229. I probably could have saved a few dollars on the bid though, but not a big deal.

Sorry, I didn't capture before purchasing.

Tried a bid of $89 but was rejected. The Express Deal rate was $116, so I still saved a few dollars.

I managed to snag a room at Aria for 1 night (weekday) for $79 as an EXPRESS DEAL. I tried bidding at $69, but it wasn't accepted. Rates on Friday night are higher (as one would expect), but I'll take my chances and see if I can extend my stay another night or book another room. My Name Your Price bid for $75 for 2 nights was rejected, and $99 was suggested.

I am planning a trip during the holiday lull between Christmas and New Year's Eve (12/26-12/28). Many hotels have 4-night minimums for NYE, which makes any reservations that include a Friday very difficult. My $79 bid for 5* South Strip Vicinity and 5* North Strip was rejected. Given the currently available standard rates for those hotels, I didn't think the savings would be worth the risk of having to prepay and not be able to cancel the reservation. A $100 bid would have ended up costing closer to $300 with resort fees and taxes, but I wouldn't be able to cancel. Standard prices are my rough estimate and includes resort fees and taxes: Westin Las Vegas is about $250 for 2 nights, but you have to prepay. Otherwise, it's more like $350. Vdara is about $300 for 2 nights. Vdara is right in the middle of the Strip, next to Aria and Cosmo. Wynn and Encore are about $350 for 2 nights. Really nice rooms. Good option because it's walkable to Palazzo and the mall. Cosmo is about $400 for 2 nights. My personal favorite because it has everything - location, style, convenience. Palazzo is about $450 for 2 nights. Not worth it. Mandarin Oriental is about $600 for 2 nights. It's the best hotel in Vegas. Right in the middle, next to Aria and Cosmo. Aria is about $650 for 2 nights. Not worth it.

I would also mention that some hotels will charge a resort fee that is not included in your bid price. Vdara most definitely charges a $20 resort fee per day that gets applied when you check-in.

Won on the first bid. Priceline said the median for hotels in the area was $239, which led me to think my bid of $110 was too low. I started with that price because I had a backup reservation at the Westin Los Angeles Airport for $110 direct from the hotel website. Hope everyone is having a safe and happy Thanksgiving!