mucsea2003

....possible. :)

It get's even weirder. Switched to another credit card, didn't get the screen and was accepted at $61, even though I was rejected at $65 just a few minutes earlier. Maybe Priceline is now into "banning" as well and "banned" my first credit card. :)

Started at $55, got counteroffer of $68, worked myself up in $2 increments, accepted at $61: The Benson Hotel Downtown Portland 309 Southwest Broadway Portland, Oregon 97205 503-228-2000 Check-In Date: Sun, Aug 1, 2004 Check-In Time: After 03:00 PM Check-Out Date: Tue, Aug 3, 2004 Check-Out Time: 01:00 PM Your Offer Price: $61.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $122.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $22.52 Total Charges: $144.52 Was hoping for the 5th Avenue Suites, but this should be good as well. regular rate was $139 on their website.

No, even though lots of availability and low rates (4*, DT Portland, Or, BTW for 08/01-08/03). And, I am still getting the screen today. And it really takes > 5min. :)

I am posting this from the business center at the Sofitel. I can confirm what you found out over the phone: At check-in I showed my Sofitel card and politely asked for a room with two beds. The check-in agent then offered me an upgrade for a charge, which I declined. He then gave it to me anyways - just a little hesitantly. He then told me that next time I should rather book with the hotel diretly rather than through the internet. :) No mention of Priceline and he was very nice. The room and the entire hotel is really great! (Only things I miss are a pool and an in-room coffee maker!) I will post a complete review when I come back. I shall now proceed to the bar to enjoy my complimentary welcome drink. :) Enjoy your stay there!

While bidding today, I always get the following message: "In most cases, we'll be able to tell you whether or not you got your hotel room within 15 minutes. We're still working on your hotel room request, and should have an answer for you soon. Please wait several minutes and click the "Check My Offer Status" button to see if we have an answer for you." And sure enough it really takes them 5 minutes every time until they have an answer. Has anyone else had that problem? Are they trying to slow down the bidding process? What sense would that make?

You might have read this one already: NYT article Salumi sounds awesome! How could I have missed that in 2 years in Seattle? Will head there for lunch next week and keep you posted.

Sorry, I can not provide any recommendations for Bellevue, other than that if you are into shopping, Bellevue Square is a pretty good and large mall. There is also a Pagliacci Pizza (a local chain) in the mall, who serve what is generally considered Seattle's best pizza. Although being from NYC you might be disappointed. I still haven't eaten any good pizza in this country. I've been to Flying Fish, but wasn't too impressed. Pretty fresh seafood, but too pricey and unattentive service. Oh, I don't remember whether I already recommended Yummy House bakery, where I usually pick up some delicious Hong Kong/Portuguese style pastries and take them to the ballgame (close by and allowed to bring food). BTW, the Sushi place at the Westin enjoys a good reputation. Enjoy your trip and maybe see you at Friday's game.

What made your stay so bad? Did you use the certificate?

free WiFi internet access at independent coffee houses Thereuare, this might be useful for your August trip if you want to keep moderating while you are gone!

I agree that would be a useful feature and it should be in the same list as the actual won hotels, maybe in smaller font Italics to separate them. I would volunteer to do Seattle, btw.

I actually think that dividing by these three cities would be the best approach, because they are the most sought after and each gets a good number of posts. Even though that would split California into four sectors. I, personally, don't like search functions in principle, because I always have the feeling I may be missing something because of typos.

Find schedule and route map here. Fare is $1.25 off-peak and $2.00 peak, exact change only. Bus leaves at the south end of the terminal.

One more thing to check out is the new Central library, done by Rem Kohlhaas. Very cool! There was an article in the NYT a few weeks back, but it is now only available on a pay per view basis.

:) :o :)

But beware: $17 Million Renovation Hyatt Regency Montr

I called Marriott central reservations and the CSR added her name to the reservation. I'll call again to make sure, it is really in there and will call the hotel directly on the day of check-in and tell them again. Hopefully that does the trick. :)

First bid $45, counteroffer of $58, added Langley, got it at $50. Check-In Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 Check-Out Date: Saturday, July 3, 2004 Hotel Name: Marriott Vancouver Pinnacle 1128 West Hastings Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 4R5 604-684-1128 Your Offer Price: $50.00 (US dollars) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 3 Subtotal: $150.00 (US dollars) Taxes and Service Fees: $23.85 (US dollars) Total Charges: $173.85 (US dollars) I bid this for a friend of mine but was so stupid to put in my name for check-in. :) Now I need to see what I can do about that. :) Will call the hotel directly, see what they can do!

Congratulations as well! If you want to try espresso by the US champion of Baristas 2004, take a short drive halfway around Lake Union to Hines Public Market coffee on Eastlake Ave. And, yes, she really deserves that title! Take care! :)

Just terminate your phone number after 10 digits. That'll work.

As I said, nothing beats Seattle in August (well, maybe Hawaii any time of the year :) ). It will actually be our last two nights in Seattle before we leave for good :) . We will hopefully have handed over our house, sold our furniture and car by then

Finally I succeeded with this one. I have been bidding $45, 50, 55 for Lake Union about once a week for the last month or so. To my great surprise I was accepted today at the Courtyard. Would have preferred the Residence Inn because I will be staying there with my family, but won't complain, especially with complimentary hi-dpeed internet. Best rate on the website was $169, which it was all the time while I was bidding. Courtyard By Marriott Seattle Downtown Lake Union 2.5* Check-In Date: Sunday, August 15, 2004 Check-Out Date: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 Your Offer Price: $45.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $90.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $20.07 Total Charges: $110.07 Hotel website Thereuare, can you please change the topic title accordingly?

..and the gaping hole on betterbidding.com has been filled! Thanx! :)

I found it hard to believe there is no review on this often won hotel here, so I thought I would add my 2 cents. This is a large hotel (838 rooms and 12 suites in 8 buildings, including 7 motel-like wings and a 14 floor tower) located on International Boulevard close to the airport. Some of the rooms can be quite a walk from the lobby. It seems the nicer rooms are in the tower. Parking is (I think) $12, which we didn't use. We stayed here for a pre-flight night in Feb/March on a priceline win of $32. Check-In was quick and not particularly friendly, mentioned Priceline, didn't accept HHonors Gold number so no points not even on incidentals. Received cookie. Our room was in one of the motel-like wings, overlooking the parking lot and kind of dark, which didn't matter for us. However it was close to the lobby and quite large with two Queen beds and clean. Bathroom was standard but clean as well. A portable crib was provided at no charge. They have a complimentary 24h shuttle to the airport, which worked fine but was very crowded on a Monday morning at 6:30 am. The pool is nothing special and was ice-cold (spring in Seattle!) but the jacuzzi afterwards was hot and o.k.. Overall: Good choice for pre/post-flight sleeping. Not recommended as a cheap alternative to Seattle downtown because of the parking charge.

Ooops, sorry Mrs. WillTravel! :)