Scorp

Welcome to Better Bidding! Can you tell us the exact dates you are planning for your hotel stay? You mentioned the last weekend in June, but does that mean June 23 - 26 or ? :) Also, although you say all areas, can you let us know your preferences? San Diego has so many zones, it helps to have a starting point. Do you have any preferences for hotel type or amenities? You might want to take a look at some of the Hotwire listings, also, especially if you want a property with a kitchenette or similar. (Actually, you posted this in the Hotwire forum, but thereuare can always move it, depending upon which route you would like to take.)

If I delete cookies and search again, I see a different set of reviews, although not the comment about K Street. I do think the Wyndham is a likely possibility, however.

I was thinking it might be the Wyndham Washington, but the reviews I see when I search Hotwire don't mention K street...??? Do you still see this review? The Wyndham has come up as a Hotwire 3.5* before with the same amenities you list, but not as a Customer Favorite. See this thread. The Wyndham is on M Street, so I assume close to K street.

For Sedona, here is the Hotwire Package info.... this doesn't mean you are guaranteed to get these hotels - there might be others that might show up instead. 2* La Quinta Inn Sedona Complimentary Breakfast, Pool(s) 2.5* Best Western Inn of Sedona Complimentary Breakfast, Pool(s), Fitness Center, Golf Nearby 3* Radisson Poco Diablo Resort Resort, Restaurant(s), Pool(s), Fitness Center, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Laundry Facilities (self-service) thereuare, did you wish to add these to the Pinned Arizona Hotel List for Arizona?

Do you mean the Strathcona hotel? It's a quirky place, not deluxe, but it's a great location. It has several different bars within it on different levels, very popular place for people to meet for drinks and appies. I love the rooftop restaurant/bar with its beach volleyball! Big Bad Johns is a bizarre little bar, you have to at least take a look at it! The rooms are small and basic and I don't know if many of them have much of a view, but if you don't care too much about that, it is good value. Be aware that some rooms may experience noise from the nightclub and/or street traffic, etc.

Also, gave you some info on the highway to Whistler in this thread.

It's beautiful! And the area north of Whistler and Pemberton is also stunning, but the road can be a bit rough and winding. Keep in mind that there are some road improvements underway along the highway between West Vancouver and Whistler. (It's called the Sea to Sky Highway - it has a number - 99, but for some reason we Canadians seem to want to ignore numbers and give names instead.) I don't think you would have any problems, but there is a Web site to check for up-to-date information. I don't think you would have more than a few minutes delay here and there. Some sections of the road will be under construction - try to give yourself a bit of extra time and take opportunities to stop at scenic views.

WillTravel, I think Paul's is not a bad choice either, as long as people don't expect any hotel amenities or water views. They are sold out for some dates, though (although available for these ones). Their rates are pretty good - about $75 US. But Traveller's Inn rates this summer are from $120 to $140 Cdn ($96 to $111 USD) for their downtown properties (for rooms with 2 beds), which I think is awfully high! Personally, I would rather bid the same or a bit more and try for a 4* like the Marriott (although you will have to pay about $10 US for parking at the Marriott).

US dollars.

Chris333, are you willing to go any higher on price?

You've picked a really busy weekend! Prices are high and some of the decent lower priced hotels are sold out (e.g. Paul's Motor Inn is completely sold out and I thought it might be a good option for you). There is a rowing regatta in town and a bunch of smaller events and hotel prices are quite high as a result. What is most important to you? Do you have any leeway on dates? I would not recommend the Dominion to almost anyone, although I have been through it and seen the different room types and some are not bad at all. But overall, the hotel's presentation needs work - they should fix up some of the rooms and hallway and do it soon!

That's great that things worked out so well! And smart of you to decide a limit for bidding based on an alternative back-up. thereuare pointed out that Expedia is often wrong with prices and availability lists - if the hotel has rooms available, it has rooms available! It may not have made any available to Expedia, though, if that makes sense. The hotel web site will be the correct resource, not Expedia. There is always a slight chance that a hotel will overbook and will not have a room for you when you arrive, but that is highly unlikely. If they did, they would find alternate accommodation for you. If you are concerned, call the hotel to confirm your booking. You can also request single/double bed, smoking/non-smoking at the same time. Ask them how fully booked they are for your dates. If they are really really busy, you can try and get there by late afternoon to ensure they don't walk you. But it is pretty rare that people have problems with their PL hotel this way!

If you can bid this again, I would bid $80 for a 3*. I am not sure I would want to bid for a 2* at all, but if so, probably around $60. thereuare may have some thoughts to add.... I think you have a very good chance of getting the 3* at $80 (about half the direct rate). You don't have much time and you will still be saving half the price of booking direct. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. I usually start my bids through SavingsBarn.

Expedia may be wrong. I checked the Holiday Inn website directly and it shows availability, albeit the rates seem quite high - about $175 Cdn ($140 US) for AAA rate. The Four Points by Sheraton starts at about $200 ($160 US) Cdn. Also, I think we saw the Holiday Inn come up previously at 2.5* and PL now has only 2* and 3* available for Kingston. However, they may have reclassified the HI to a higher star level.... I think you may be bidding too low given the direct rates. Hotwire doesn't list anything for Kingston, so that isn't an option, unfortunately. There is a big festival that starts later in the week, maybe that is affecting rates. Did you want to try bidding on PL again?

Also, the 3.5* for $87 on Hotwire (with Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Spa, Kitchenette, Golf, Tennis) might be the Summit Lodge. Direct booking rates start at $100 US for your date. The Summit is a very nice property, but the Westin's rooms are larger and their kitchens are more complete. Also, be prepared to pay about $20 Cdn for parking at these properties.

You might also try Resort level at about $90 or so, if you are interested in the Westin or similar property. I see that the Pan Pacific has a direct booking rate for a studio starting at $119 Cdn or about $95 US. I think that's a pretty good deal. Delta Village Suites is about the same. And the Westin's best rate (Internet only rate) is $219 Cdn or about $175 US. So, if Priceline doesn't work out, that Hotwire price of $104 looks pretty good, if it's the Westin. (I think it is, also.... but never want to say I'm positive on any HW hotel!!!)

Omigosh, rruiz2269, what is it with you and dates??!!! :) Are you sure your wife knows what days to book off work? :) Anyway, I am not surprised to see you had problems with June 18. Even in the last few days, several of the larger downtown hotels have started showing sold out for the 18th, even though they showed availability last week. Oddly, Hotwire seems to have some availability for downtown Vancouver for the 18th, if you did want to try and get another night. If you want some help IDing these, let us know. Otherwise, I do think Whistler is well worth a visit!

The Oak Bay hotel is trying to get approval for a sizeable expansion, I think some things with them are on hold until they know what will be approved by the city.

If Priceline does not show any 4* category for a zone at the time you are bidding, you can't get a 4* hotel in that area by bidding for a 4* and adding that zone. But their categories and hotel offerings change, so they may have a 4* in a zone for awhile and then it is gone - you can always (and should) check to make sure before you bid that things have not changed. The information here is your guide, but Priceline can (and does) change its hotel listings and ratings from time to time.

I think you are looking at two different properties, perhaps. When I search for 1 room, I see a 4* hotel with Shuttle, Restaurant, Fitness, Tennis, Business amenities for $94. When I increase to 2 rooms, the 4* price goes up to $111 and the amenities are expanded to also include Pool, Hi-Speed Internet, Kitchenette and Laundry (SS). So, whatever the lower-price hotel is, it seems to only have 1 room available. I don't know what is most important to you, but I also see a 3.5* hotel for $77 night with Shuttle, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness and Business amenities, which I think might be the Delta Vancouver Airport. It seems to have 2 rooms available at that rate. Probably not quite as nice as the Marriott, but reviews on TripAdvisor seem pretty decent.

I am pleased this worked out! I have to tell you I have stayed at the Marriott Pinnacle several times and it is one of my favourite hotels in Vancouver! The staff are fabulous and they may give you some chances to upgrade and you might want to ask them about this... it may be worth it to you or not, but they are NOT going to give you a bad room, no matter what!!! You will have to pay for parking, but the same is true for anything in downtown Vancouver. This is a fabulous hotel that really cares about making their guests happy, I hope you have the same feeling! thereuare, did you want another thread for the other two nights?

You could also try bidding for 6/15 or 6/16 only and see if you are successful for that. If so, you can use Priceline's Add a Night feature to try and get the other night, as well. You will pay a bit more for fees by doing this, though. Or if your wife has a separate credit card and email address, she could place a bid.... Have you tried bidding for 6/18 to 20 at all yet? You could also try those nights using the above strategy... If you decide to wait a few days before bidding again, you should take a quick look at the hotel rates or Hotwire rates before bidding, just to see if there has been any significant change (unlikely, but you never know....) Please feel free to ask questions about any of the above!

It's never too early to try bidding!!! :) You just have to have a starting point in mind... for example, take a look at the Priceline hotel lists to get an idea of what types of hotels have been won in the past. Keep in mind you could always end up with a hotel other than these, but it will give you an idea of what type of properties you are most likely to get at each of the different star levels. Which star level appeals the most, and would you pay a bit more for a 4* than a 3*? If you really want the lowest price, then plan to start at a lower star level. You have lots of time, though, so you can try some lower bids even for 4* properties. Check a few hotel rates directly from the hotels to see if they seem really high for any reason. Do you understand free rebids on Priceline? This will give you the max opportunities to bid at the level you wish. Are you taking a cruise, by the way? This is just one night, right? You sound like you are decided about the Beach zone, but some people do like the downtown zone for pre- or post-cruise stays, also. I am sure thereuare will have info to add to this.

That's great, you got a really good deal! You might even ask nicely and get a room with a water view... !!! Those smaller town hotels can be tricky to bid sometimes, and of course there are no free rebids!!!!

Well I suspect you would have success on Priceline for 6/15 to 17 at about $100 for a 4* downtown. I wouldn't drop to a 3* unless you are unwilling to bid that high for a 4*. What is your comfort level for price and how quickly would you like to get this confirmed? Can you give us a bit of an idea of your bidding history? Have you been bidding on this for a while? When did you bid last and when can you bid again? You could wait a few days and try again, but Vancouver seems pretty busy this summer, so I really don't know if that would improve your chances of getting something at a lower price or not. If you can bid again, and don't mind going up to about $100, that is what I would do. I doubt you would have to go above $100 for the earlier dates, the later ones I am not so sure about. If you just bid this recently, but can still bid again, I would start at $86 and plan your free rebids to allow for $100 max bid for the earlier dates. If you are successful for those dates in that range, that gives us some idea of a starting point for the later dates!