Ty Webb

OK, so all the other zones aren't listed since there are no reported wins on them? I was going to use a couple of the zones from PL that aren't listed on BB since I was pretty sure they would not have any 3.5 or 4 star rated hotels. I do often question how or why a hotel has a certain star rating. It seems it gets a little arbitrary from time to time when something has been consistently won at one star level and then gets a new higher rating without any improvement or upgrade. In fact, it seems if another facility is built or remodeled nearby, in order to keep it in the mix, PL will arbitrarily upgrade the property. I also find that PL has the lowest standard of any rating system I can find for their rating of star levels of properties. Thanks for this board. It is always a good reference. I wish more people would post their wins and losses!!! Ty

Did my research here..... Used the PRICELINE link - of course! Started with 3.5 Stars in the Galleria area at $46.00. Reject I stayed with the 3.5 Stars on each try.... Added Midtown @ $48. Reject Added Jonesboro @ $49. Reject Added Kennesaw @ $54. Reject Added Marietta @ $56. Reject Added Symrna @ $58. Reject Added Perimeter @ 60. Accepted for Westin Atlanta Perimeter North $77.60 with all fees...... I like Westin and Starwood Group. Usually pretty good stuff. It seems this hotel is undergoing renovations in the public areas through April. Hopefully they will be mostly done! I found the best rate I could online for this property at $90. So a good value on a family trip to FLA just staying for the night on the way south. I noted there were all the areas listed on Price.line that I could choose from for locations in the Atlanta area compared to the list on BB. Hope we can get more intel on these areas and hotels in them. Ty Webb

(NOTE - Now considered 3 Star and no longer 2.5 Stars) Used BB PRICELINE link as alwaysStarted downtown for 3.5 Stars and $45 (No Sale)Added Hixson area and 3.0 Starts with a $46.00 bid (Accepted)Got Chattanooga Choo Choo (Has been listed in the Downtown Region as 2.5 Stars - Not sure what caused the upgrade in the property but it is now a 3 Stars) Just needed a place to sleep with the family on the way back from Florida. So long as it is clean this is a good win. I would not have added 3 Star as soon to my bid but still a good deal. Ty

Researched here, used link.....Priceline BB Link Started with 4 Star and $52. Declined Added 3.5 Star and added $2. Accepted.... Taxes & Fees: $14.21 Total Charged: $68.21 Just visiting some friends, having dinner and letting the kids swim for the evening. Direct booking through Marriott: Rate: $79.00 Total $87.31 Happy to save $19.00.

Of note- any of the other 3 star places on the list of known wins would have been a huge step up from this place. This place was on par with Extended Stay and a dirty older Super 8. It does NOT belong in 3 Star. I noted the issues and overall dirty, old decor in my review form I got from Priceline to rate my "recent stay." Ty

3* Minneapolis - St. Paul (MSP - Mall of America Area) Ramada MOA/Airport I bid this last week using the PRICELINE link. I didn't post until now but beware.... Checked this site and had a plan if my first price didn't get accepted.... Also checked the list of available hotels so far. I ended up getting stuck in the low end Airport Ramada. It does have a decent location but it is NOT 3*. First bid $41.00 - Accepted Total with tax/fees - $54.67 This place is a dump and is very old. It is currently going through some updates but the stuff that was done so far in the lobby looked very cheap and cheesy! Low end place. Very dirty and very old style rooms. Think early 70's Holiday Inn with a minor update in the late 80's. Nothing since then. The room was very small and had low ceilings. Dirty, yucky place. Beware!!! Be afraid, be very afraid! Get the trip insurance in case you get stuck here! By far the worst experience I have had using PL! This hotel won't be much better after it is renovated, it just needs to be torn down! Ty

First bid and wasn't quite sure how low to go. Probably should have started a little lower but I didn't want to spend much time re-bidding on a busy day or wait for a re-bid on another day. I wish I would have gone another $5 or so less to start. Still happy with the win! :) Researched the area on BtrBdng and used the Wins Calendar for my main research. Used BetterBidding PRICELINE link - One night stay. Bid 3.5 stars for one night First bid $51.00 - Accpeted Taxes - $13.58 Total with tax - $64.58 Hotel is near Woodfield Mall - Dining - Shopping and IKEA. Also has free parking. My commercial - Tell all your friends about BetterBidding.com!! The more people using, the better the intel on rates! Ty Webb

4* Chicago (Millenium-Loop-Grant Park) Hyatt Regency Check-in 5/28/2010 One night only - First bid - $55 (Millenium-Loop-Grant Park) - REJECTED - Offered to let me re-bid for $15 more right now. Didn't take the re-bid option for $15. Second bid - $65 (Millenium-Loop-Grant Park and added Skokie) Accepted Of note, the parking costs continue to go up and up and up in Chicago. Self parking at the Hyatt was $50/per night. We were there about 13 hours. Parked at Milleneum City Garage two blocks away for $24. Third stay at this hotel with Priceline - Seemed this room had been re-done more recently than the last room we stayed in. Always recommend going a block to the east to the Swisotel for dining at The Palm. Ty

When I use the link (always do) to Priceline and check the hotel rates, it shows me a list of hotels and their prices similar to any other travel website. I realize, that I could take anyone of those rooms and get the one I want like I would on Orbitz or Travelocity. They list the hotel name and the price as well as their STAR RATING. My question is if these STAR RATINGS directly correspond to the "Name Your Own Price" bidding on Priceline? For example, I go to Cincinnati and stay near the airport quite often. The CVG airport Marriott is listed as 3.5 stars for $109 per night on Priceline. If I was to Name My Own Price and asked for 3.5 stars, would the 3.5 star rating on the Priceline bidding site be the same rating as on the hotel purchase part of their site? Do the stars directly match up/correspond to the bidding side of the site as they do to the "Shop for Discount Travel" part of the Priceline? Thanks!! Ty

Correct... The stay was a Saturday night. I left on the 29th.

Hyatt Place (CVG-Northern Kentucky Airport) Cincinnati Cincinnati Airport - Florence (CVG) 300 Meijer Drive Florence, Kentucky 41042 Review of the Hyatt Place - The hotel is formerly an Ameri-Suites hotel. It is located just off of the interstate and is in a retail shopping area with several restaurants and shopping stores in the area. There is a self-service Kiosk just in the front door. You can check yourself in if you like. They have a reception desk that is attached to a small food service area that has pre-packaged food items. Cookies, salads, sandwhiches, soft drinks, coffee, beer, and wine are available for purchase. They also seem to offer some more substantial items you can get for heating up to consume. The lobby has a TV and sitting area. There is an area for the morning breakfast service as well. A small room with treadmills and two bikes is available for fitness and the property has a pool. They also have free Wi-Fi for working on the computer. Room is not really a suite but has a nice sitting area, large flat screen between the sitting area and the bed, small fridge, and a small table for doing work/writing. When they re-did this hotel, they re-built everything but the bathrooms according to the lady at the front reception area. Room is spacious for a property of this type. I have stayed in the area several times and this is on par with the Holiday Inn and the Courtyard nearby. I would say the hotel does meet the three star rating but would also consider it a 2.5 star property compared to others in the area of the same rating. On my stay the hotel seemed pretty full. Lots of families and kids running around and using the pool. I would bet that using Priceline is helping their revenue! Wish more hotels would follow suit. Ty

Used BB link to PRICELINE after doing my research.... First bid at $40 accepted. Total with taxes and fees was approximately $54.00. One night only for Saturday, March 29, 2009. Hyatt Place Cincinnati Airport - Florence (CVG) 300 Meijer Drive Florence, Kentucky 41042 The hotel is formerly an Ameri-Suites. Room is not really a suite but has a nice sitting area, large flat screen between the sitting area and the bed, small fridge, and a small table for doing work/writing. Has a self-service kiosk for check-in if you want to use it. Also has a small food court for pre-packaged items and soft drinks and beer or wine. Thanks for the help Better Bidding.

First Bid - 4* - MP, Loop, GP - $70 Rejected Second Bid - 4* - MP, Loop, GP - Added Midway for Rebid with no known 4* $80 Rejected Third Bid - 4* - MP, Loop, GP - Midway, Added Lincoln Park for Re-bid with no known 4* - $90 Accepted Millennium Park, Loop & Grant Park Area 151 East Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60601 312-565-1234 Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $90.00 Subtotal: $90.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $21.72 Total Charges*: $111.72 Trip to the city for a concert and dinner. Link from BB used for PRICELINE. Have stayed here before and it will be a good location for us. There is cheaper city parking not far from the hotel. Underground parking near Millennium Park about two blocks south of the hotel. I think it is about 1/3 the price of hotel parking for a day. Many reviews about this hotel as well on this site. Ty

Review of the Double Tree Hotel in Downtown Dayton - The hotel is an older building re-fitted to be a modern hotel. The room was a very plain box and there was only one mirror in the whole room in the bathroom. The bathroom was very, very small and two people could not be in the bathroom at the same time. I would estimate the bathroom to be 4 feet six inches by 6 feet six inches. That included room for the door to open inward into the bathroom Two people would have a hard time getting ready at the same time. The mirror fogged while you showered and there was no mirror except that one to look at. I got the feeling they gave the worst rooms to Priceline people. There was almost no one in the hotel. Pool on the 7th floor was nice and had huge windows with views of the Dayton skyline. Cookies at check-in were great. Staff was decent. Valet staff on the way in didn't offer to help at all with luggage so they have a buck. The young valet at check out offered to help and was quick to get my car. They had no one else to wait on though. The lobby was nice with older touches. It wasn't really big. Would be a good hotel for business travelers and family on a weekend when the city is not busy. The pool and exercise room were both very nice and well cared for. Bed was comfortable and the TV was OK. There was a place in the TV Stand for a frig but there was none in the room. Space for a microwave too but none in the stand. It was just a touch of a stretch to be 3*. I thought it was a very solid 2.5 *. Ty

Review of Springhill Suites - NE Cincy (Kings Island) This is one of my best Priceline wins. Nice hotel. Fairly new and clean. The room is a little small for a suite hotel room but fine for two people. Bath room is decent sized with the sink out side the bathing area. Sitting area is nice as is the office/bar area. Frig, Microwave, sink in the room with coffe maker and tea to make your own. The pool area is nice, just off the lobby. Lobby is nice and clean. They have coolers for you to buy drinks and snacks. You can also get some microwave food from the lobby too for a late night snack or light meal. Rooms seem quiet but there are not that many cars in the lot. King mattress was very comfortable, soft but firm. The hotel is next door to another Marriott property. Both are back in an office building area and car lots nearby. Big auto mall. Lots of trees and very quiet. Little to no noise from passing traffic. Desk staff has been helpful and the maid staff was friendly. Had a problem with the first room, the door hangle came off on the inside. Told the front desk when we went to the pool. She came in and gave us a new room right across the hall in about five minutes. Lots of dining options in the area. Chain restaurants and some local stuff. If you get a good price, you will be happy with the value. If you were going to Kings Island and other area attractions, this would be a good hotel for a small family or a couple of connecting rooms for larger groups. More than met the 2.5 star rating. Ty

Stayed two nights here over the July 4th weekend of 2008. This hotel is on the NE side of the Twin Cities. It is right off of I-74 and Cunningham. There are a few restaurants nearby and a couple of exits away (3 - 4 miles) there are many chain restaurants. Marketplace Mall is about 3 miles away also. The U of I is a couple miles south of the hotel and it would be a good place to stay for a football weekend. Used to live in the area so I know my way around. The rooms were fine and I am happy with the Priceline deal. Beds were good and they also brought us a crib for the baby in a timely fashion. Front desk staff was responsive and receptive to our needs. I asked to be away from other people since we had the baby with us. They said they were not very full and were happy to accommodate us. There was coffee for guests and they have a bar and small restaurant. The pool was clean and is indoors. Some rooms open right up on the the pool area. The hot tub needed more water and a good cleaning. The hotel was overall clean and well kept. Service was good but we didn't do much other than sleep there after a couple of days visiting friends and family in the area. Pretty typical for Holiday Inn. There is a Holiday Inn Express across the parking lot a couple hundred yards away so don't get confused based on what you got. Ty

Yeah! This is a great forum. I just wish more people would post their wins!! I also wish more people would review their wins after they stay or use a service. Ty

Started with the PRICELINE link after I did some BB research. First bid accepted! $50. I used BB and saw that there were some recent bids accepted at this price in Dayton for 3 star properties. I had a strategy to go up if I had too but I am happy with Doubletree. My wife will be happy with the cookies!! Have some business on the 7th in Cincy then going to stay in Dayton and go to Wright-Pat on Monday. I will review the hotel when I return. Love this Forum! :) Doubletree Dayton Downtown Downtown Dayton - Dayton South 11 South Ludlow Dayton, Ohio 45402 Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $50.00 Subtotal: $50.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $14.20 Total Charges*: $64.20 Ty

Started at $44 and CVG/Northern Kentucky Airport for 2.5 * - declined! Had a Second Chance Offer for $12 more but did not use it. Went to $48 and added King's Island area. Accepted. We are going to do some family stuff now in the area. Springhill Suites Cincinnati Northeast King's Island Vicinity 9365 Waterstone Boulevard Cincinnati, Ohio 45249 Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $48.00 Subtotal: $48.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $14.40 Total Charges*: $62.40 Started process from BB Forum PRICELINE Link as always!! Thanks!

Just a note, we decided we are going to stay another night and got the same deal today. I didn't extend it initially because we were only planning to stay one night. I ended up bidding again and got the same hotel for the same rate for another night. Ty

Bid: Tuscola, IL - Over the past few days: (June 26th - June 29th) $60 2* Rejected $62 2* Rejected $71 2* Rejected Bid Champaign 3* $60 - Accepted Taxes and fees of $14.57 Holiday Inn Champaign/Urbana Champaign - Urbana (CMI) 1001 Killarney Street (Just off Lincoln Ave & I-74 on the north side of the Twin Cities) Urbana, Illinois 61801 Check-In Date:Fri, Jul 4, 2008 Check-Out Date: Sat, Jul 5, 2008 $95/night was the best price I found online before taxes. That would have been $17.50 in taxes for a total of $112. Visiting friends overnight for the Holiday and just need a decent place to crash. I will post a full review when I return. BB - PRICELINE link used to start the process!!

Thanks! Pretty safe to say you could use it for Re-bids for the other areas with 4 star. Ty

My map on PRICELINE show an area north of River North called Lincoln Park. Is it referred to as something else in the posts here and in the BB list of Chicago area hotels? Thanks, Ty

Hotel Review on this property has been posted following the stay.

Stayed at Hyatt after a 3* bid and was upgraded to a 4* hotel. It gave me the Hyatt on Capitol Square. All in all, it was decent place. I am not sure why it is 4* versus several others in the area rated 3* that seemed to be more recently upgraded and one in particular we spent a good amount of time in that was far nicer and rated 3*. I would call this Hyatt 3* solidly but by no means 4*. The bad: Serious problems with water temp changes in the shower. Huge temp swings to scalding hot and even when I turned the temp down, it stayed very hot. The drains were very slow as well. The shower head needed some cleaning as well. Ice maker out of order on our floor. Maid service did not resupply anything but towels on our stay. So, I drank the provided coffee on the first day and had none on the second day. Two vents were badly in need of cleaning. Heavy dust collection. Would liked to have had a pool for the child. In all, the room was mostly clean and decent furnishings. Bed was good and the mattress was soft but firm. The good: The parking is $21/day for in and out valet. The guys at valet were very good. Very helpful. Made a couple of trips to the hotel just to change clothes and they held the car in front for us. It was usually retrieved in a timely manner as well. The front desk staff was pretty nice and got us what we needed in terms of rooms. Adjoining and in a quiet area. Good people at the hotel. They have that going for them. I would be happy to stay again but this would not be my first choice in the downtown area. Hyatt Regency or Crowne Plaza would be better as far as I am concerned. The Red Roof Inn seemed nice as well in that same area. I got a good deal and that is fine. That is what it all comes down to.