MJRBIM

A well-appointed room with 2 queen beds, microwave and fridge. Hotel is not in a great location. It's about 10 blocks from Parliament Hill and is close to the 417 Highway ramp - so there is also a lot of traffic noise from O'Connor Room was clean and in good repair. Free Wireless Internet and Parking for only $12.50 CDN. You can find better deals, closer to the city core - but if push comes to shove, I'd stay here again.

A well-appointed room with 2 queen beds, and a great view of Parliament Hill and the Canal. Hotel is in a great location, attached to the Rideau Centre and close to the Byward Market. Nice pool and health club. As with all 4*'s they ding you for everything - parking ($25), internet-access($15) will quickly add another $50 per night to your bill. That being said, the staff were wonderful - and the room service was great. I'd be happy to stay there again...

Great location, and a solid 4* hotel. As with all 4*'s they ding you for everything - parking, internet-access, etc. can easily add another $50 per night to your bill. That being said, a well-appointed room and wonderful customer service. I'd be happy to stay there again...

No Problem, you kept me occupied during a really boring conference call... It's a great hotel - and the best rate on the hotel site for those dates is $199 (CDN) per night + taxes, so you are saving a ton of money. Enjoy!

If you didn't create a sign-in profile, you will need to reenter that info - if you plan on using PL on an on-going basis it's best to create an account. Please remember to start this as a new "clean" bid.

Don't include a 3*...don't resuse you old bid. Please start a new bid at 4* Only for the Toronto Downtown and Don Valley Zones @ $65 Then follow the steps in my first e-mail...add zones and increase price, but DO NOT add a 3* rating - or you could end up in a 3* hotel far from Downtown.

Bidding 4* ONLY will give you the most free rebids for the Toronto Downtown Zone. 3* bidding has fewer rebid zones - and in general the 4* hotels are well worth the extra $20 US (approx) per night. Hotwire is showing $89 US for a 4* in Toronto Downtown for Check-In on Oct.30, 2005 and Check-out on Nov. 01, 2005 - so you should be able to hit something on PriceLine (4* in Toronto Downtown) for under $75 US. Try this strategy... 1st Bid - 4* in Toronto Downtown @ $60 US 2nd Bid - Add Don Valley @ $65 US *(Free Rebid) 3rd Bid - Add Toronto East @ $70 US *(Free Rebid) 4th Bid - Add Toronto Airport @ $75 US *(Free Rebid) If at any point you get a Counter Offer - change your next bid to 1/2 the Counter Offer value. EXAMPLE : If you get a $14 US Counter Offer, and the Free Rebid zone increase your rate by $7 US.

Ottawa is packed again next week (Condi Rice along with a crap load of secret service, and an Bird Flu research conference) - tried a bunch of PriceLine bids for 4*, 3* and 2.5* up to $95 (US) - but no dice. Hotwire had a 2.5* Best Western Victoria Park for $85 (US) - it's not a great deal, but it's a clean room/shower/high-speed...all a boy needs really. ---------------------------------------- Check-in: Tue, Oct 25, 2005 at 3:00 PM Check-out: Thu, Oct 27, 2005 at 12:00 PM Best Western Victoria Park 377 O'Connor Street Ottawa, Ontario K2P 2M2 This Hotel features the following amenities: Airport Shuttle, Complimentary Breakfast, Kitchenette, Laundry Facilities 1 room(s) @ $85.00 per night x 2 nights $170.00 Taxes and Fees: $27.16 Hotel Subtotal: $197.16 Total Cost: $197.16 ----------------------------------------

(Two-Nights) Looks like a B-A-D deal, didn't spend enough time researching bids, reviews and zones first - should have gone for a 3* or 4* at this price range. ------------------------------ Check-In Date: Wednesday, November 9, 2005 Check-Out Date: Friday, November 11, 2005 Hotel Name: Holiday Inn Nikki Bird Resort 7300 Irlo Bronson Highway Kissimmee, Florida 34747 407-396-7300 Your Offer Price: $40.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $80.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $17.79 Total Charges: $97.79 ------------------------------ The regular rate on the Holiday Inn website is only $44.99 - so not much of a deal...luckily, this bid is cheap enough that I can walk away from it if it's a total dump...

Fixed the post - too much cut & paste....I'm at the Intercontinental Toronto on Bloor.

(Three -Nights) =========== Check-In Date: Monday, November 14, 2005 Check-Out Date: Thursday, November 17, 2005 Hotel Name: Radisson Hotel Ottawa Parliament 402 Queen St Ottawa, Ontario K1R 5A7 613-236-1133 Your Offer Price: $53.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 3 Subtotal: $159.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $23.33 (US dollars) Total Charges: $182.33 (US dollars) =============== The best rate on the Marriott site is $119.00 (CDN)/$100.35 (US) per night plus tax...Good Deal!

(Two -Nights) =========== Check-In Date: Monday, October 31, 2005 Check-Out Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2005 Hotel Name: Courtyard By Marriott Ottawa 350 Dalhousie Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7E9 613-241-1000 Your Offer Price: $54.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $108.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $17.99 (US dollars) Total Charges: $125.99 (US dollars) =============== The best rate on the Marriott site is $149.00 (CDN)/$125.67 (US) per night plus tax...Good Deal...50% off rack rate!

(One-Night) 1st Bid - 4* Toronto DT @ $60 = Counter-Offer of $17 2nd Bid - 4* Added Brampton @ $68 = Accepted at the Intercontinental Toronto Downtown =========== Check-In Date: Monday, October 24, 2005 Check-Out Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 Hotel Name: Intercontinental Toronto 220 Bloor Street West Toronto, Ontario M5S 1T8 416-960-5200 Your Offer Price: $68.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $68.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $13.66 (US dollars) Total Charges: $81.66 (US dollars) ================= A fantastic deal since the best rate on the Intercontinental site is $249.00 (CDN)/$ 209.65 (US) per night plus tax.....a 66% discount!!!

Ottawa is just packed next week (Conferences, etc), nothing decent showing up on Expedia for these dates in the Downtown area. Tried a bunch of PriceLine bids for 4*, 3* and 2.5* up to $95 (US) - but no dice. As a last resort (and because the PriceLine 72 hour block wouldn't expire until after 6 PM on Monday), I took a chance on Hotwire and scored the 4* Westin Ottawa Downtown for $109 (US). ---------------------------------------- Check-in: Mon, Oct 17, 2005 at 3:00 PM Check-out: Thu, Oct 20, 2005 at 12:00 PM The Westin Ottawa 11 Colonel By Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9H4 Canada (613) 560-7000 This Hotel features the following amenities: Restaurant(s), Pool(s), Fitness Center, Business Center 1 room(s) @ $109.00 per night x 3 nights = $327.00 Taxes and Fees = $49.33 Hotel Subtotal= $376.33 Total Cost = $376.33 ---------------------------------------- This is waaaay more than I usually pay for a hotel in Ottawa, but the Westin is a great hotel and the best nightly-rate direct from Westin is $272.33 (CAD) /$229.43 (USD) - so I'm saving more than 50% The $109.00 (USD)/$129.383 (CAD) rate is less than I would I paid for the 2* Days Inn on Expedia. Good Deal!

There's a small strip-club one block east of the Radisson near the Delta and the Crowne Plaza...but it's not a rough area. Expensive condos being built all around, and the National Archives and Supreme Court are 100 meters from the front door of the hotel. None of the truly high-end Ottawa area hotels (eg. Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Hilton Lac Leamy) come up on PriceLine or Hotwire - so for the money you did OK.

(One-Night) Booked for a friend for Canadian Thanksgiving weekend... 1st Bid - 4* Toronto DT @ $50 = Declined 2nd Bid - 4* Added Don Valley @ $60 = Declined 3rd Bid - 4* Added Brampton @ $70 = Accepted at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Downtown =========== Check-In Date: Friday, October 7, 2005 Check-Out Date: Saturday, October 8, 2005 Hotel Name: Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel 123 Queen Street West Toronto, Ontario M5H 2M9 416-361-1000 Your Offer Price: $70.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $70.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $13.92 (US dollars) Total Charges: $83.92 (US dollars) ================= Great deal since the best rate on the Sheraton site is $179.00 (CDN)/$152.68 (US) per night plus tax.

(One-Night) Since this week is pretty booked in Ottawa, I thought that if I was going to be paying $70+ - I should at least try a 4* first...but no luck 1st Bid - 4* Ottawa DT @ $70 = Declined 2nd Bid - 4* Added Hull @ $75 = Declined 3rd Bid - 4* Added Glouster @ $80 = Declined 4nd Bid - 4* Added Ottawa West @ $90 = Declined Started new bid for 3* - since I didn't want to hit the Chimo again.. 5th Bid - 4* Ottawa DT @ $70 = Accepted at the Radisson Hotel Ottawa Parliament =========== Check-In Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 Check-Out Date: Thursday, September 22, 2005 Hotel Name: Radisson Hotel Ottawa Parliament 402 Queen St Ottawa, Ontario K1R 5A7 613-236-1133 Your Offer Price: $70.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $70.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $13.98 (US dollars) Total Charges: $83.98 (US dollars). ================= The best rate on the Radisson site is $118.00 (CDN)/$100.00 (US) per night plus tax...So I am saving a good chunk of money night - even at $70 US.

I've still been starting my bids in the $40-45 range, but nothing has been hitting under $50 during September/October - but it's a busy time in Ottawa for Conferences. For example the Courtyard is SOLD-OUT (which probably means overbooked) on the 21st....so I'll probably actually start my bidding at the 4* level to see if I can get the Arc.

(Two -Nights) 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $50 = Accepted at Courtyard =========== Check-In Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 Check-Out Date: Friday, October 14, 2005 Hotel Name: Courtyard By Marriott Ottawa 350 Dalhousie Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7E9 613-241-1000 Your Offer Price: $50.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $100.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $17.13 (US dollars) Total Charges: $117.13 (US dollars) =============== The best rate on the Marriott site is $169.00 (CDN)/$141.10 (US) per night plus tax...Good Deal!

(Three -Nights) I was in a rush, and rather than re-enter all the PL info - I reused an old failed bid from "My Trips". This time I screwed-up, my old bid had included the Gloucester zone which I avoid because I really don't like this hotel. 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa (All Zones) @ $55 = Accepted with a "bump" to the 3* Chimo Hotel =========== Check-In Date: Sunday, October 2, 2005 Check-Out Date: Wednesday, October 5, 2005 Hotel Name: The Chimo Hotel Ottowa 1199 Joseph Cyr Street Ottawa, Ontario K1J 7T4 613-744-1060 Your Offer Price: $50.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 3 Subtotal: $150.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $22.35 (US dollars) Total Charges: $172.35 (US dollars) =============== The best rate on the Chimo Hotel site is $104 (CDN)/$87.82 (US)...so the price is OK, but I can't believe that I'm spending three-nights at this place. Lesson learned.

(Two -Nights) I was in a rush, and rather than re-enter all the PL info - I reused an old failed bid from "My Trips" - this time it worked out OK 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT/Hull @ $55 = Accepted at Courtyard =========== Check-In Date: Monday, September 26, 2005 Check-Out Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 Hotel Name: Courtyard By Marriott Ottawa 350 Dalhousie Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7E9 613-241-1000 Your Offer Price: $55.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $110.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $18.18 (US dollars) Total Charges: $128.18 (US dollars) =============== The best rate on the Marriott site is $169.00 (CDN)/$141.10 (US) per night plus tax...Good Deal!

This was a pretty hellish bidding process...but still way cheaper than paying rack-rate. I was in the middle of doing other stuff while placing these bids - and am well aware that I broke many of the "Best Practice" bidding rules during this process. I wanted to book three-nights Sept. 19/20/21 for Ottawa. There's some big conferences/conventions going on for the next few weeks so Downtown hotel rooms are at a premium. Started ou with the full three-nights, Sept. 19-22 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $45 = Declined 2nd Bid - 2.5* Added Hull @ $50 = Declined Started new bid for just two-nights Sept. 19-21 3rd Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $55 = Counter-Offer add $12 - (Ignored) 4nd Bid - 2.5* Added Hull @ $60 = Declined Started new bid for just two-nights Sept. 20-22 5th Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $65 = Declined 6th Bid - 2.5* Added Hull @ $70 = Declined Started new bid for ONLY Sept. 19 7th Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT/Hull @ $70 = Accepted at the Courtyard Marriott =========== Check-In Date: Monday, September 19, 2005 Check-Out Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 Hotel Name: Courtyard By Marriott Ottawa 350 Dalhousie Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7E9 613-241-1000 Your Offer Price: $70.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $70.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $14.00 (US dollars) Total Charges: $84.00 (US dollars) =============== Then I started new bid for ONLY Sept. 20 8th Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT/Hull @ $60 = Accepted at the Courtyard Marriott =========== Check-In Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 Check-Out Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 Your Offer Price: $60.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $60.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $12.95 (US dollars) Total Charges: $72.95 (US dollars) =============== Then I started new bid for ONLY Sept. 21 9th Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT/Hull @ $50 = Declined I will start a new "clean" bid for the 21st after my 72 hours expires. Even after the multiple bids, the best rate on the Marriott site is $169.00 (CDN)/$141.10 (US) per night plus tax...So I am saving a good chunk of money each night - even at $70 US.

A decent 3* hotel near the highway at the north-end of town (Worthington). It's an older property that needs some TLC - but it's a safe, clean hotel for a couple of nights. Got a non-smoking King room (approx 350 sq. ft) with a large bathroom and work area. Free wired internet in the room. Had room-service breakfast one morning. Service was great, food was good - and prices were much cheaper than you find in bigger cities. If I find myself in Columbus again, I'd be happy to land this property again on PL.

(One-Night, Same-Day Bid) 1st Bid - 3* Toronto DT @ $40 = Declined 2nd Bid - 3* added Don Valley @ $45 = Declined 3rd Bid - 3* added Scarb/Pick (FRB) @ $50 = Accepted at the 3* Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley =========== Check-In Date: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 Check-Out Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 Hotel Name: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley 1250 Eglinton Avenue East Toronto, Ontario M3C 1J3 416-449-4111 Your Offer Price: $50.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $50.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $11.81 (US dollars) Total Charges: $61.81 (US dollars) =============== Best rate on the Crowne Plaza site is $149.95 (CDN)/$125.86 (US) plus tax...Great deal for a same-day bid.

Large Room on the 17th floor was about 600 Sq Ft w/ King Bed and a spacious work area with high-speed internet ($9.50 CDN per day). Good bed and a quiet room for sleeping. Bathroom was a decent size and well appointed. Hotel has huge Gym, with a whirlpool and Indoor pool. Outdoor mini-golf and hockey/soccor rink for the kids off the pool area....also two large games rooms for little kids (books, treefort, slide, etc) and teens (pool, video games, etc) . Lobby has a restaurant/bar and a Starbucks. I had room service for dinner and it was very good (but you are paying 3* rates for food/delivery/gratuity). Underground self-parking was $15 CDN. Valet is also available. Staff were pleasant and helpful - I would be very happy to win this property on PL again.