songdoc

Hi— Can you try to I.D. these Paris hotels? Thanks so much! Feb. 25, '13 - March 3, '13 Notre Dame – Louvre – Marais area 3* 70% recommended $138/nt Amenities: Free Internet Boutique Hotel Fitness Center Business Center Hi-Speed Internet Access In-room accessibility **** St. Germain des Pres – Jardin du Luxembourg area 4 * $172/nt Amenities: Free Internet Smoke free Business Center Laundry facilities (self serve) Hi-Speed Internet Access In-room accessibility Wheelchair access Roll-in shower **** Latin Quarter/Sorbonne Area 3* $120/nt Amenities: Free Internet Smoke free Laundry facilities (self serve) Hi-Speed Internet Access

I finally got one--after five days of using all the re-bids and going up in $5 increments. I had been about to spend around $230 - $235 for 3-1/2 stars on Hotwire, but decided to try one last time, going up to $243 (plus $7.50/night bonus) for a 4-star, because I knew I'd be having a couple of business meetings at the hotel--and wanted to make the right impression. I got turned down for Times Square & Midtown West. Added MSG -- and the rest is history. :D It's more than I hoped to spend; I've never spent this much in NYC. But I feel like my research showed that I'm getting a good deal for these particular expensive travel days--and the hotel is only 4 blocks from the venue where I'll be working! Thanks for your help!

Thank you SO much for your help. I'll resume the search tomorrow!

Last night I bid up to $240 for 4 star and $220 for 3.5 in the zones mentioned previously. No luck. Now I see these Hotwire rates. If I like your guesses for the Hotwire listings below, I guess I’ll be booking through Hotwire. I’m surprised that I wasn’t able to get a better rate on Priceline than Hotwire. 3.5 star Hotel in Times Square - Theatre District $225 75% recommended This Hotel features the following amenities: Fitness Center Restaurant(s) Business Center High-Speed Internet Access Accessible for the blind Accessible for the deaf 3-star Hotel in Times Square - Theatre District $230 75% recommended This Hotel features the following amenities: Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Restaurant(s) High-Speed Internet Access

Any guesses? I’m not seeing anything on your list that includes free Internet. 3.5-star Hotel in Midtown Central November 28 – Dec. 2 (4 nights) $230/nt This Hotel features the following amenities: Restaurant(s) Business Center High-Speed Internet Access Free Internet Thanks!

Can you offer any advice? I’ve been trying for four days to get a 4- or 3-1/2 star hotel in NYC for 4 nights: arriving November 28th. My preferred zones: TS, MTW, MTE Also acceptable for 4 * -- MSQ, Hell’s Kitchen, CPS Also acceptable for 3-1/2* -- MSQ & Hell’s Kitchen I’ve used the re-bid zones to raise my bid in $5 increments and have gone up to $225 (including $7.50/nt bonus $$) for 4-stars; and up to $200/nt for 3-1/2 stars. No luck. I see lots of people getting hotels in these zones for much less—but of course, those are different dates. I’ve been spending at least an hour a day on this. Saving $$$ takes time ;-). Is there some other strategy you’d suggest? Maybe wait a week or two – instead of trying every day? Settle for 3 stars? I’ve got almost 6 weeks till the trip. I'm hoping not to spend more than $225/night -- but will do what I have to. Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks!

It was easy to I.D. this one and I'm pleased with it.

You were right about the 2.5* being the Comfort Inn Valley Forge. It's what I wanted, and the $57 rate w/ free Internet, brkfst & parking is great. I booked it and I'm happy ;-) Thanks for your help with this.

Just wanted something basic & cheap -- close to the beach. This is 3 miles from Venice Beach and near the Fwy. Free brkfst; WiFi & Parking. I'm pleased.

I'd appreciate if you'd share your best guesses for these ... Thanks! Nov. 15 – 19 2 - 1/2 star King of Prussia/Valley Forge, PA $57 This Hotel features the following amenities: Fitness Center Business Center Laundry Facilities (self-service) Accessible for the blind Free Parking Free Breakfast Free Internet Accessible path of travel In-room accessibility Accessible bathroom Handicapped parking Roll-in shower Nov. 15 – 19 3-star Hotel in King of Prussia - Valley Forge, PA $72 This Hotel features the following amenities: Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Pool(s) Business Center Laundry Facilities (self-service) High-Speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby Free Breakfast

Thanks, will do. FYI, I've booked the Travelodge Presidio. They were running a special with one night free. It was my preferred hotel, and with the free night was approximately the same price as going through Hotwire. Again, thanks for your help!

<Please keep all posts for the same stay in the same thread.> Even with different star ratings and different zones??? I appreciate your help!

Hi- Would you please help me I.D. the following Hotwire listing? I'm not finding anything on the list that seems to match it. Hotwire 2* Cow Hollow/Marina/Pacific Hts Area 10/31 - 11/5 $90 (which is higher than the $84 2-1/2 star also shown) Amenities: Laundry Facilities (self-service) High-Speed Internet Access Accessible for the blind Free Breakfast Free Internet Accessible path of travel In-room accessibility Thanks so much!

Thank you SO much. That hotel is not on your list -- and I would not have been happy. Much appreciated. I'll use your link and post if I decide to go with Hotwire or Priceline for this.

Extended Stay America San Jose - Airport- 2.5-star hotel 55 E Brokaw Rd, San Jose, CA, 95112 Amenities: Fitness Center, Pool, Business Center, Laundry Facilities, Hi-Speed Internet Access, Free Parking, Free Breakfast This hotel was not on your list under any star rating. The only Extended Stay in this zone was the 2-star Extended Stay Deluxe Downtown. Tue, Oct 02, 2012 - Wed, Oct 03, 2012 1 0 1 (1 night ) $63.00 Total trip price $78.01

The stay would be 10/31 - 11/5. Thanks! PS. I'll add the other info you requested.

PS. I want to add that I know that Hotwire changes hotel ratings--and that's not your fault. And I know that you state that this is a possibility. But I want to warn other readers that they can't always trust that the ratings on the list to be accurate. Despite the disclaimer, I trusted that they would be. And I hope this will be changed on the list.

Can you help me I.D. this 2-1/2 star in SF’s Marina Area? I’m a little gun-shy about trusting this because I just booked a 2-1/2 star hotel in San Jose expecting a specific hotel that matched the amenities, and got a hotel that your list showed as 2 star. I do understand that Hotwire changes their star ratings--and that's not your fault -- but it was surprising and disappointing. So, I’d really appreciate if you can confirm that I can reasonably expect this hotel to be the Travelodge at the Presidio. Hotwire listing: 2.5-star Hotel in Marina - Cow Hollow - Pacific Heights This Hotel features the following amenities: Free Parking <amenity names only please... not descriptions> Free Breakfast <amenity names only please... not descriptions> Free Internet <amenity names only please... not descriptions> Accessible path of travel <amenity names only please... not descriptions> In-room accessibility Accessible path from the room entrance to the window, the bed and the bathroom; accessible hardware and minimal resistance to open the door; accessible temperature controls and window coverings Accessible bathroom Raised toilet, hand-held shower and grab bars at the tub and toilet Handicapped parking <amenity names only please... not descriptions> Roll-in shower Bathroom has a roll-in shower The amenities listed at your website. (FYI, at the hotel’s website, they also list that it is accessible.) San Francisco (Marina - Cow Hollow - Pacific Heights) 2.5* Travelodge at the Presidio Amenities: Complimentary Breakfast, Smoke Free, Free Internet, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Free Parking

Hi -- I used your link to bid on a HOTWIRE Hotel for a one-night layover at the San Jose airport. There were only two 2-1/2 star hotels listed on your hotel list -- and one of them matched the amenities of the Hotwire listing. I booked the 2-1/2 star Hotwire hotel for $63, certain it was the La Quinta. That would be perfect because it is only 1/2 mile from the airport and they have a 24 hour shuttle. I was very surprised to get Extended Stay America because that was on your list as a 2-star -- not 2-1/2. I'm sure it'll be fine for my purposes. I'm just disappointed that I made the decision based on expecting one of the hotels on your 2-1/2 star list.

Thanks. I was afraid of that. The (2) Hotwire hotels that show a shuttle as part of their amenities are too expensive. (The lowest is $100.) I'll have to think about this ... I'll probably take a chance and bid low for a Priceline hotel and hope that I get one with a shuttle (that runs after 11 PM) or hope I get something close enough to offset the cost of the taxis. The previous poster got the 3* Holiday Inn for $52. They have a shuttle--and if it's not running, it's less than a mile from the airport, so a taxi wouldn't be much. The alternative is to book through a traditional site where I can know I'd be less than a mile away -- or they have a shuttle. Thanks for your help. Will be sure to use your link if I go with PRICELINE.

Hi -- I'm hoping to book a hotel for one night (Oct. 2nd) close to the San Jose airport. I'll be arriving 11:10PM and will need to be back at the airport by 7:00AM the next morning. I don't really care where I stay--or the star rating--as long as it has an airport shuttle, and a low price. (2 star would be fine.) Is there any way to know if the hotels in the San Jose zone would have an airport shuttle? Thanks!

Hi. I decided to go ahead with an airport p/u and drop-off because I'll be spending the first night at the aiport, anyway. I bid $16/day on PRICELINE for an economy car -- and my bid was accepted on the first try. The $75.96 total (for 3 days with Hertz) was $10 less than the HOTWIRE rate. Thanks for all your help.

Splitting the stay was the ticket. It actually worked out fine because we're going to be at the airport the first evening anyway (to pick up a rental car). So, we'll stay at the airport that first night. I started by bidding for a 4 star hotel at the airport. Bids were rejected (using free rebid zones) at $62, $68, and $72. Went down to 3-1/2 star and was rejected at $60. I did not go higher by adding zones because Hotwire showed a 3-star at the airport for $60--and that would have been fine. My first bid for a 3-star at the airport was accepted: $54 -- for the Wyndham Garden. With free Internet and free parking -- it's a good price for a place to just sleep. The following day we'll check into the other hotel. As per the previous entries, I was having a hard time snagging a good deal for the Convention Center zone. Bidding ONLY for Sunday & Monday nights, I tried again for a 3-1/2 star in the Convention Center zone. Using free re-bid zones, I was rejected at $67, $72, $77, and $82. Tried a 3-star in the same zone and got it on my first bid of $77. It's the Hilton Garden Inn at 11th & Arch. With free Internet--I'm very happy about this. I've finally got everything booked! Thanks for your help!

These were the amenities shown: Resort Beachfront Property Airport Shuttle Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Laundry Facilities (self-service) High-Speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby Spa Services

Sorry ... I thought this was a different topic from ID'ing hotels ... I want to be sure I understand the concept of splitting the bid. Do you mean I'd bid (for example) $100 for Saturday night -- and bid $67 separately for Sun. & Monday nights? With multiple hotels in the zone, I'd be running the risk of having to move to a different hotel, but ... there's only one 3-1/2 star listed. I'm thinking the problem is that you can't know what bid you'll have to make on the second bid. For instance, if I lock in Saturday at $100/night -- I'd have to keep bidding until they accepted my bid for Sun. & Mon. -- even if it was $100/night -- which is higher than I'd like to spend. Thoughts? Thanks!