Whill381

Sorry, there's no way that I know of to ensure you get any specific propery when you use Hotwire or Priceline. You have a general idea, but it's a gamble...no guarantees. Also...from what I can tell based on these boards and what people post AFTER a win, the Hyatt seems to come up very seldom. Usually the Sheraton is what people win. I have stayed at the Sheraton before and we loved it, we won it on Priceline in 2005 for $150. I also have it booked again for part of my August trip as my "Plan B" while I work on WINNING it (or another resort) for cheaper on Priceline. I can't compare the Hyatt to the Sheraton because I haven't stayed at both properties. From the sounds of what I've read, the Hyatt has a nicer pool, but the Sheraton is on a better stretch of beach. For the record, my huband and I liked the pool/lazy river/hot tub at the Sheraton just fine. The Sheraton is also on Black Rock and in my mind, that can't be beat. It's very pretty and the snorkelling right off the beach there is great. Maybe call the Hyatt and see if they'll give you a group rate for the block of rooms you need. Good luck!

Goldendeal, Thanks for the offer on Wailea...I can't stay there though because the people we're travelling with are staying in Ka'anapali...we'd like to all be in the same area. I am intrigued that you found the Whaler for $148. That offer is not valid this morning I see a 4* condo for $252 and a 3.5* for $335. Which is the Whaler? The 4*? I do have plan B set up right now, a reservation I can cancel for no penalty (by 8-14) if I don't find anything else. I'm hesitant to book Hotwire because like Priceline, it's non refundable. But I'll keep checking for the $148. That'd be awesome! I get to go another round on Priceline later this morning. I don't expect much luck...but at least I have options. This whole thing (trip) is goofy. Thank you to everyone for your patience and advice...and for putting up with me. It's less than smart to throw these things together last minute. That's the lesson I'll take away from this! Wendy

Michelle, I called the Sheraton and didn't get much helpful info. I will try again tomorrow...I find the responses you get vary a lot depending on who you talk to. Glad to hear your vacation is set...even if you didn't get the Hyatt like you wanted. My husband and I won the Sheraton for 5 nights in 2005 and we LOVED it. Being right there at Black Rock is very nice...the beach is great, the snorkelling is good...right at your very own resort, no excursion needed! Rest assured you'll enjoy your night there. I'd be thrilled to win it again, or the Westin, or the Hyatt. Heck...the Whaler is sounding good now too! Wendy

Epicureangirl... Thank you for the tip about calling directly. I know the Sheraton and Westin are both Starwood properties so maybe they can tell me something. Or...offer me some kind of package that's a bit lower than rack rate. I am a Starwood member, but that sure doesn't get me even a $5 discount!! Yes, I have plugged in my dates, one at a time, on Hotwire. It's interesting to see how things change. I wonder what's going on in the area the week we're trying to go...rates are VERY high everywhwere I look, including hotwire. I've had good Priceline expeiences without much hassle, till now. It's probably my own fault since this trip is so last minute. I'll keep trying! Based on Hotwire/Hotel/Expedia rates, I have to increase my bidding amount but knowing how expensive things are for August, I don't feel as bad doing it. If Priceline couldn't do it...I hope you got SOME kind of accomodations for your Sept dates. Thank you! Wendy

Me again. LOL! Ok, so Plan B (Resort Quest Ka'anapali shores) is going to cost me $275 or more a night with a $25 cancellation fee if I do win something on Priceline. I've been bidding on priceline from home and work, yesterday morning, last night, and this morning. Up to $260. Now I have to let some time pass and bid from home tonight. The Sheraton/Westin/Hyatt all still have availablity. I've tried the 17th-21st and I've tried breaking up the dates. I read that Saturday check in is often not easy to pull off...so I tired the 18th-21st, thinking if I need one more night I'll put my tail between my legs and end up at the Royal Lahaina. For one night, knowing I'd be leaving for somewhere better? We could do it. The Sheraton is higher on weekdays ($428) and lower on the weekend ($378). Strange... Should I throw a bid out there at $275 to see what happens? Should I keep trying for my four nights, or should I try for three? None of the combos I can think of are getting me anywhere. So...regardless of budget, etc...I'd just like to get advice on what you think I should do. Start bidding at what price, for which days? I was VERY excited about this last minute trip to Maui. Now it's driving me crazy! I need to stay in Ka'anapali and not Wailea becuase we're travelling with family and they are staying in Ka'anapali, paying crazy big bucks for the Hyatt. Actually, right now the Starwood site is unavailable. I wonder if they are changing rates? Wishful thinking. Thanks again, Wendy

Goldendeal, The scenerio you mention is my fear right now. Tomorrow morning I'm going to work on Plan B. A refundable reservation to hold while I keep bidding priceline. It seems the Resortquest properties have some decent rates. None of them are my ideal choice but one of them is a 4* on the beach (I forget which right now). Anything around Ka'anapali that's NOT the Royal Lahaina is a good thing in my book. The RL is pretty much the only place (within reason) I don't want to stay. I'm going to re-think what we're willing to bid, try in the morning, and work on plan B too. Thanks! Wendy

Thank you for the tips. I will keep monitoring hotel rates with your checker and go from there. If rates drop, I'll JUMP into the bidding. If they go up then I know everything is really up in the air and I have to increase my bids or give this trip up. And, I'm off to read your suggestion about bidding timetables in the FAQ. I WILL post my results.

I checked rates on the hotel websites, yes. Starwood.com has the Westin at 440 and the Sheraton at 485. The Hyatt was 468, I think. I will use your betterchecker to look too. I do not have a back up reservation. We are flying to Maui on Air Miles and if I can't get a decent deal ($250 is the limit I think) then we will just cancel the flight and save the air miles. This was a last minute trip, we are trying to go with a few other family members that have been booked since June. The air mile portion of everything is working out. Hotels, that's another story! I'm just wondering if I MIGHT win a bid on priceline last minute when Hotels don't sell out. A hotel would rather pull in $200 a nite on priceline than have empty rooms for $0. (In my land of wishful thinking, anyway!) Thanks! Wendy *EDITED TO ADD, that BetterChecker is AWESOME. Sheraton is 428, Westin is 440. Hyatt is 468 to 500++

I've had luck with priceline in the past, even with Maui on priceline in the past. But, I've been bidding this morning for a resort in the Ka'anapali area with no luck. Started at $180 pretty much knowing it wouldn't be accepted. Went to $220 and still got nothing. $225 would be my maximum bid and I'm hoping to try bidding again over the next few days with prices going down. Any words of wisdom or tips for bidding? Wondering if resorts would accept my bid closer to my travel dates or if rooms will just plain sell out and I'll be out of luck. It's risky either way, I know. No one can predict it. Thanks, Wendy