Burton C

Needed two rooms for one week but with St Patrick's Day I couldn't get a room for the 17th. Paramount Hotel seems to have some mixed reviews but I'm happy at the savings, particularly since I've just booked a month off to travel around Asia. Will keep trying for March 17.

Needed a hotel for a business trip in Paris. Tried for 4* in CDG, Bestille and St Germain at $98 and $107 before being awarded Le Meridien in the Champs Elysees - Opera Quarter West zone.

First bid was accepted.

Got Novotel London Euston for $68

Today I successfully bid

Successful bid

On July 17 I successfully bid

To be honest, I'd try everything within Manhattan Island (perhaps leaving Downtown/Financial area to last). I'm not sure many people get hotels in Manhattan for under $100 so start with one zone then keep adding zones and increasing your bid. We were lucky enough to get the 4* Intercontinental The Barclay hotel on 48th (in MTE) for

With only one zone there's very little strategy you can use - go and bid $100!! But I have to admit, you'll be extremely lucky to get something for under $100 during October - even the Super8 is $200 plus. Have you thought about New Jersey?

Meant to add, nice to see another "bargain hunter" taking advantage of Delta's cheap LGW -> JFK offer -- I'll be coming back in March 2007 (just returned last Tuesday from JFK having "won" the Intercontinental The Barclay for

For Outlet Malls there is also Harmon Cove ( http://www.harmonmeadow.com/pages/harmoncovepage.html ) Although it's probably not the best mall in the area, it is very easy to get to (30 minutes on the NJ Transit bus 129 with a 20minute frequency during peak time). Best pick-up (and study) a map though, I completely missed the Nautica and Kenneth Cole shops which are away from the main "mall". There's also no sales tax on Clothing and Shoes in New Jersey.