MJRBIM

It's the "Tulip Festival" in Ottawa, so that might be hurting your chances...you might want to change your visit dates.

Review posted.... HOTEL REVIEW

An OK hotel near the Byward Market area and Rideau Centre. It's attached to LES SUITES on 5th floor - they share fitness area and pool. Check-in was smooth, got a very small 3rd floor room (approx. 300 sq.ft) with 2 Double Beds. Beds and furniture were a little old looking and quite cramped into the bedroom area. Nearly a third of the room was taken up by a large well-appointed bathroom - if the rest of the room was as nice as the bathroom it would have been great. General facilities are good - pool, whirlpool, fitness centre, lobby bar, and breakfast buffet ($12 CDN). Had room service a couple of times and food was good. Indoor self-parking (with in and out priviliges) is $14 CDN. In-room wired high-speed is $9.95 CDN - or there is free wireless in the lobby only. Local phone calls are $1.00 CDN each. All in all, the $57 PL bid was pretty high for what I got and the extra charges for services that are included at other Ottawa PL hotels (ie. internet, phone, etc) can add up. If I cant get anything else in the $40-50 PL bid range then I'd be OK with this hotel, but I don't think I'd ever choose it if I was paying rack rate..

Actually the Novotel is connected to Les Suites....they share a pool/fitness area on the 5th floor. The Novotel has room service, so I'm looking forward to that - and checking out the rooms.

(Two -Nights) There's a big conference in Ottawa this week (May 2-6), so this took forever to book. 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $41 = Declined 2nd Bid - 2.5* added Hull @ $44 = Declined -waited 72 hours- 3rd Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $46 = Declined 4th Bid - 2.5* added Hull @ $48 = Declined -waited 72 hours- 5th Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $50 = Counter Offer of $14 6th Bid - 2.5* added Hull @ $57 = Accepted with a bump to the 3* Novotel It's the most I have have PL bid per-night in Ottawa for a sub-4* hotel - but it's still a good deal since the best rate on the Novotel site is a pre-paid at $155.00 (CDN)/$123.77 (US) per night plus tax...so I'm still saving around 50% on this booking vs. the hotel site. http://www.novotel.com/novotel/fichehotel/...che_hotel.shtml =========== Check-In Date: Tuesday, May 3, 2005 Check-Out Date: Thursday, May 5, 2005 Hotel Name: Novotel Ottawa 33 Nicholas Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9M7 613-230-3033 Your Offer Price: $57.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $114.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $18.56 (US dollars) Total Charges: $132.56 (US dollars) =============== I have never stayed at this hotel before, so I will post a review after my stay.

(Three -Nights) 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $41 = Accepted at Les Suites =========== Check-In Date: Monday, April 25, 2005 Check-Out Date: Thursday, April 28, 2005 Hotel Name: Les Suites Hotel 130-Besserer Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9M9 613-232-2000 Your Offer Price: $41.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 3 Subtotal: $123.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $19.50 (US dollars) Total Charges: $142.50 (US dollars) =============== Great deal since the best rate on the Les Suites site is $145.95 (CDN)/$117.04 (US) per night plus tax...

(Two -Nights) 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $41 = Accepted at Les Suites =========== Check-In Date: Monday, April 18, 2005 Check-Out Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 Hotel Name: Les Suites Hotel 130-Besserer Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9M9 613-232-2000 Your Offer Price: $41.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $82.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $15.23 (US dollars) Total Charges: $97.23 (US dollars) =============== Great deal since the best rate on the Les Suites site is $175.95 (CDN)/$141.61 (US) per night plus tax...

OK, so PL is now offering the choice of "Name Your Own Price" or "Shop & Compare Prices!" on the pricing screen (after zone selection). Just as a test, I did some "Shop & Compare Prices!" for some of the zones and hotels I am very familiar with. In every case, the "Shop & Compare Prices!" rates were higher than the rates available from the hotel website, and in many cases were about THREE-TIMES the rates that are often accepted as winning bids for the same hotels. I can see no reason to use this new PL "service"....

Stayed here on a "full fare" business trip (March 20-23), the client was picking up the tab and has a $99 CDN corporate rate. Good location near the National Assembly building just outside the walls of the old city. Very high-end hotel for a 3* - nice rooms, well appointed, decent size. Beds were OK - but it would be nice to see Hilton start a program like Starwoods "Heavenly Beds" or Crowne Plaza "Sleep Advantage". As with all high-end hotels, there were surcharges for many things. Valet Parking was $19 CDN - only $2 different than self-park. High speed internet was $10 per night. Breakfast buffet was $15, and room service was very good. Indoor/Outdoor pool was nice. I would be happy to stay here again...especially at a PL rate.

(Two-Nights) 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $42 = Accepted at the 2.5* Courtyard Marriott Ottawa DT =========== Check-In Date: Sunday, April 3, 2005 Check-Out Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2005 Hotel Name: Courtyard By Marriott Ottawa 350 Dalhousie Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7E9 613-241-1000 Your Offer Price: $42.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $84.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $15.43 (US dollars) Total Charges: $99.43 (US dollars) =============== Best rate on the Marriott site is $139 (CDN)/$113.50 (US) plus tax...

(Three -Nights) 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $42 = Accepted at Les Suites =========== Check-In Date: Sunday, April 10, 2005 Check-Out Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 Hotel Name: Les Suites Hotel 130-Besserer Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9M9 613-232-2000 Your Offer Price: $42.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 3 Subtotal: $126.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $19.81 (US dollars) Total Charges: $145.81 (US dollars) =============== Great deal since the best rate on the Les Suites site is $169.28 (CDN)/$138.20 (US) plus tax...

Crowne Plaza's more high-end than the Les Suites...comfy beds, big pool, fancy restaurant, etc - but I like the apartment style at the Les Suites more.

(One-Night) 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $42 = Accepted with a bump to the 3* Crowne Plaza Ottawa DT =========== Check-In Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 Check-Out Date: Thursday, March 24, 2005 Hotel Name: Crowne Plaza Hotel Ottawa 101 Lyon Street Ottawa, Ontario K1R 5T9 613-237-3600 Your Offer Price: $42.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $42.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $11.07 (US dollars) Total Charges: $53.07 (US dollars) =============== Best rate on the Crowne Plaza site is $161.95 (CDN)/$134.14 (US) plus tax... I'm guessing that this hotel is coming up for this week because it's March Break and most of the government offices will be short-staffed.

(Three-Nights) 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $42 = Accepted at Les Suites =========== Check-In Date: Monday, March 28, 2005 Check-Out Date: Thursday, March 31, 2005 Hotel Name: Les Suites Hotel 130-Besserer Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9M9 613-232-2000 Your Offer Price: $42.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 3 Subtotal: $126.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $19.81 (US dollars) Total Charges: $145.81 (US dollars) =============== Great deal since the best rate on the Les Suites site is $185.95 (CDN)/$153.98 (US) plus tax....so I'm getting 3 nights for less than the price of one!

Added a night....at $46. Air Canada moved my flight up because they are expecting a storm to blow in overnight. They called me at 5:00 PM to see if I could fly out tonight instead - just in time to try an "ADD A NIGHT" to my PL bid. They wouldn't take $40, but offered it to me at $46 so I took it. Check-In Date: Monday, February 28, 2005 Check-Out Date: Tuesday, March 1, 2005 Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $46.00 (US dollars) Subtotal: $46.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $11.48 (US dollars) Total Charges for Add. Night Res.: $57.48 (US dollars) Still a great deal....

(Two-Nights) Though I'd see if I could save a few bucks this time....since the US dollar has gone up a little. 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $41 = Accepted at Les Suites =========== Check-In Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 Check-Out Date: Thursday, March 17, 2005 Hotel Name: Les Suites Hotel 130-Besserer Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9M9 613-232-2000 Your Offer Price: $41.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $82.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $15.23 (US dollars) Total Charges: $97.23 (US dollars) =============== Great deal since the best rate on the Les Suites site is $185.95 (CDN)/$150.20 (US) plus tax.

Room was about 450 Sq Ft w/ 2 Double Beds and a work area with free high-speed internet. Sleeping area had all the now standard Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage bedding, CDs, eyeshades, etc - which is great since the door to the hallway had a 2-inch gap at the bottom, which was the source of a lot of hallway noise.. Bathroom was tiny, and in need of a little TLC from both housekeeping and maintenance. Hotel has small Gym, with a whirlpool - and both Indoor and Outdoor pools. Lobby, and public areas have been renovated in the last few years and the staff are helpful. There is a restaurant and bar off the lobby that is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Didn't eat at the hotel, but Room Service menu seemed pretty good and prices were about what you would expect at a Crowne Plaza. Location was only 15 minutes from my worksite, and outdoor self-parking was $8 CDN. It's not as nice as the Ottawa Crowne Plaza - but a great deal for Toronto.

This booking is for my 250th Priceline room night since January 2003. My average cost per night (inc. tax/sc) is $49.21 USD. On average that's been about $100 USD per night less than Best Hotel Rate with Taxes. So in the last two years I've saved my small-business about $25,000 USD while staying in great 2.5* to 4* hotels all around North America. Gotta love PL!

(Two-Nights) Though I'd see if I could hit the $40 US rate again since I'm pretty sure PL is paying around $50 CDN. 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $40 = Declined w $12 Counter-Offer 2nd Bid - 2.5* added HULL @ $44 = Accepted at Les Suites =========== Check-In Date: Sunday, March 6, 2005 Check-Out Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2005 Hotel Name: Les Suites Hotel 130-Besserer Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9M9 613-232-2000 Your Offer Price: $44.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $88.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $15.85 (US dollars) Total Charges: $103.85 (US dollars) =============== Great deal since the best rate on the Les Suites site is $185.95 (CDN)/$151.24 (US) plus tax.

(Two-Nights) Though I'd see if I could split the difference on my recent bids, and scored a great deal. 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $40 = Accepted at Les Suites =========== Check-In Date: Tuesday, March 1, 2005 Check-Out Date: Thursday, March 3, 2005 Hotel Name: Les Suites Hotel 130-Besserer Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9M9 613-232-2000 Your Offer Price: $40.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $80.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $15.02 (US dollars) Total Charges: $95.02 (US dollars) =============== Great deal since the best rate on the Les Suites site is $185.95 (CDN)/$151.24 (US) plus tax.

(One-Night) 1st Bid - 2.5* Ottawa DT @ $38 = Declined 2nd Bid - 2.5* added HULL @ $44 = Accepted at Les Suites =========== Check-In Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 Check-Out Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 Hotel Name: Les Suites Hotel 130-Besserer Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9M9 613-232-2000 Your Offer Price: $44.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $44.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $11.27 (US dollars) Total Charges: $55.27 (US dollars) =============== Great deal since the best rate on the Les Suites site is $185.95 (CDN)/$151.24 (US) plus tax.

(One-Night) 1st Bid - 3* Toronto Don Valley @ $40 = Accepted at Crowne Plaza May have bid a little high, but it was a last-minute bid. =========== Check-In Date: Monday, February 14, 2005 Check-Out Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 Hotel Name: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley 1250 Eglinton Avenue East Toronto, Ontario M3C 1J3 416-449-4111 Your Offer Price: $40.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $40.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $10.84 (US dollars) Total Charges: $50.84 (US dollars) =============== Great deal since the best rate on the Crowne Plaza site is $134.96 (CDN)/$109.34 (US) plus tax. I'll post a review after my stay...

(One-Night) Bid this for a friend.... 1st Bid - RESORT Key Largo @ $130 = Declined 2nd Bid - RESORT added Islamorada (free rebid) @ $135 = Accepted at Sheraton Beach Resort - Key Largo =========== Check-In Date: Tue, Feb 8, 2005 Check-Out Date: Wed, Feb 9, 2005 Hotel Name: Sheraton Beach Resort Key Largo 97000 South Overseas Highway Key Largo, Florida 33037 305-852-5553 Your Offer Price: $135.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $135.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $24.97 Total Charges: $159.97 =============== Good deal since the best rate on the Sheraton site is a prepaid at $187 plus tax.

REVIEW POSTED : Grand Hyatt Review

http://grandwashington.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml ---------- Really well-appointed hotel - 5 minute walk to the new Convention Center. Impressive lobby in a huge atrium with fountains, walkways and a number of bar and restaurant options. Check-in was smooth, no mention of PL...and had no problem getting my check-out extended to 1 PM. I'm not a Hyatt Member, but I was given an 11th floor "Gold Passport" level room (approx. 500 sq.ft) with 2 Queen Beds, large bathroom, minbar and work area. It was a very nice room, but not as well appointed as the Hyatt in Calgary. Wireless High-Speed internet was $10 per day - and is charged directly to your credit card by the wireless company not to the room. The room overlooked the street and there was a lot of traffic noise even on the 11th floor - I would request an "inside" room that overlooks the Atrium instead on my next stay. On the subject of the Atrium, it's huge and may be a problem for anyone with vertigo as some of the elevators have windows out onto the atrium. As mentioned by others, the pool, sauna and fitness facilities are an added cost, so I didn't check them out. Valet parking (with in and out priviliges) was $26 per day. Had two-meals from room service and found them both to be very good - but you are going to pay 4* prices for your cheese burger plus built-in gratuity and delivery fee. All in all, a solid 4* hotel in a great location for Conventions or Business in downtown DC...and I got my total stay - room, valet parking, wirless internet, and two room service meals for about $100 less than the best room-only rate on the Hyatt site. I would be happy stay at this property again if it came up on PL.