Scorp

Why, he looks just like you! :)

That one just cracks me up!!! :) I almost missed it - it is so delightfully subtle! (at least to us West Coasters...)

OK, it is too early to shop for skis (as well as hotels) at the Savings Barn, but this is early enough for the last golf of the season and the rates are great! En route to the Okanagan Wine Festival , this is a fab stopover, so couldn't resist following up on recent reports of this property. The Sea to Sky Highway is undergoing some upgrades, so may be some delays on the drive from Vancouver, but who cares... more time to enjoy the scenery! Summit Lodge & Spa 4359 Main Street Whistler, BC Boutique, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Kitchen, Golf, Tennis, Spa $31/night X 2 = $79.95 + $17.95 tax/fee = $79.95 I believe parking may be $18/night.

My partner and his son stayed here on a Priceline stay this past Spring. They LOVED it! The cooked-to-order breakfast was worth at least $25/person and they had the friendliest evening reception that featured local wines. The rooms are large (usually suites with separate living area) and the location is great. You can't go wrong with this property, they say. You are paying a little bit higher than the best Priceline/Hotwire rates, but be friendly and ask for a room upgrade (if possible) when you check in. You never know! The staff was very friendly, the location was a block and a half from the beach, the omelettes for breakfast (plus fresh fruit selection) were fabulous and the evening wine reception was a lot of fun! They tell me that you can't do much better than this in the Monterey area!

Saddled up the pony, bust out of the Savings Barn, and roped me a calf and tied it in 14.8 seconds!!! Whoops, that's the Calgary Stampede! This is Spring Training in Arizona!!!! If you love baseball, this is a great deal! Just checking around for the heck of it, I found a Hotwire rate of $42/night for 3/21/05 - 3/28/05 for a 3.5 * with restaurant, pool, fitness and business centers. Reading here, I suspected it was the Hilton East, and they must have forgotten to increase their Spring Training rates for the WorldSpan sites. Most hotels spike their rates considerably for the month of March! Anyway, thought I would try the previous win amount for this hotel on Priceline and sure enough, it worked and it was and here it is: $35/night X 7 = $245 + $37.09 taxes and fees = $282.09 Hilton Tucson East 7600 E Broadway Tucson AZ

When I try to enter a date range of 28 days, this is the response: So, I guess the max is 21 days per request. But you could always try bidding again on a separate request for additional days in the same location.

This is a nice hotel with nice common areas and decent staff. For a nominal amount ($10/night), we upgraded to a suite-style room with separate sitting area. The decor was not outstanding and the sitting area was dark, but it was nice to have a small fridge and microwave, as well as the extra space. The room was clean and bath was spacious enough. All in all, we were quite pleased with out stay here, although we didn't spend much time in the room. There are a lot of motel-style places in Flagstaff and if you are there during a slow time, you can get a really good deal on many of them by simply shopping around after arrival. However, if you prefer hotel-style accommodation with some amenities, the Radisson seems to come up with some frequency on Priceline. It has an outdoor pool and jacuzzi, as well as indoor jacuzzi and small gym, and a restaurant and sushi place on site.

This hotel was just a great place to stay! We were here for 5 nights and really appreciated the spacious apartment style accommodation with a full kitchen, separate living area and dressing area. Our room also had a wood burning fireplace (first log is provided free) and a small balcony with two chairs. I think most Residence Inns follow the same basic design, with either the studio suites or the penthouse suites (separate bedroom and some have more than one bath). The complex is a series of buildings with two outdoor barbecues, three outdoor jacuzzis and a swimming pool, as well as the usual sports court. The main building has a pay laundry and a dining area where they provide a hot breakfast each morning and a hospitality hour (with some kind of hot food and/or snacks) most evenings. Most people want to visit the historic Plaza area while they visit Santa Fe, and although we were not right nearby, I found it a very pleasant 30 minute walk to the Plaza through a rather picturesque residential area. Staff were helpful and efficient, and overall, we were extremely pleased with our stay. The Residence Inns can be very appealing to families, and this may be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences and family situation. With just the two of us and hoping for a quiet room, we were a bit afraid that we might be too aware of children in the complex, but most other guests were either couples or people working in town for extended stays. The buildings and some of the room features here are starting to show their age a bit, but it was clean and quite well-maintained.

I have to say that this was not the best hotel experience I have ever had, but I guess it wasn't the worst, either. The Coast Roosevelt is well located at 7th and Pine and many things are within walking distance. The staff were mostly helpful and seemed efficient. The room we ended up with, however, was small and cramped and awkward. The hotel was sold out for both the nights we were there and as Priceline guests, we were moved to the bottom of the list for room choices. We were given a small room with one double bed. We asked for a queen or king but were told that regular guests had specifically paid extra for the larger beds and they could not move us. Our room had one double bed, one night table, an extra small desk with chair and a TV in an armoire in a small alcove. The bathroom was small and cramped with a tiny corner sink and no counter and no tub - just a small shower. The room did have two windows which helped it feel less claustrophobic, but no views. The decor was pleasant enough and the room was very clean. It is just that for two people, the room felt crowded. I believe the staff would have given us a better room if they had not been sold out, however. Bottom line here is that if the hotel is very busy, do not expect more than one double bed and a small room.

We have stayed at this hotel a few times now. Previously, it was the Delta Pinnacle but now has been taken over by Marriott. Many of the former staff stayed on, however, and I have to say that they are some of the best hotel employees I have ever run across. Helpful, polite, friendly, and with a touch of humour, it was always a pleasure to interact with them - the concierge, the front desk staff, the doormen, or the restaurant or housekeeping staff. I suspect they have some really good managers at this hotel who empower their employees to make some decisions on their own. I saw them handle situations quickly and efficiently without having to 'check with a supervisor.' The rooms are also very nice. Some may feel a tad small (but I like big rooms and tend to prefer suites hotel for the extra room), but the hotel is quite new and the decor is lovely. Our rooms have always been immaculately clean. Our last stay at this property was in May, 2004 and we were several hours early to check in. The clerk offered us an upgraded room that was available immediately or else promised to get a room ready for us ASAP. We decided to take the room upgrade. For $40 Cdn, we were given a top (31st) floor room with an expansive view of the ocean and Coal Harbour and Stanley Park and the north shore mountains. This room was an oversized curving room with a huge wall of windows and a separate seating area. The bath had separate shower and tub. Although the floor plan was a bit awkward, the view was breathtaking. We were also given lounge privileges, which meant we could make use of the lounge for snacks, fresh fruit and bottled water during the day and have a breakfast in the morning as well as appetizers in the evening. We would have been very happy with the basic room, but we really enjoyed the upgraded room. I believe the cost for valet parking was $25 Cdn, and $20 for self-park. We felt like we were treated like favourite guests at this hotel. I would be delighted to end up at this hotel again.

Just wanted to add to this... I know that some rental companies will not let Canadians drive US licensed vehicles into Canada, and I understand that it is because Canadian Customs may cause problems - they don't want Canadians bringing US autos into Canada for resale or something, does anyone know for sure??? It seems silly to worry about this with a rental car. I thought it might be an insurance issue of some kind, but have been told that is not the case. Anyway, some rental companies will have Canadian-licensed vehicles in border cities in the US and this eliminates the problem. However, we recently rented a US licensed vehicle at Sea-Tac airport in Seattle for a one-way trip back to Victoria after our flight was cancelled and we had no problems. Hertz would not rent to us because the only available cars they had carried US plates, but Budget rented us a US licensed vehicle and there were no issues at the border at all. But if you are Canadian, the safest bet is to request a Canadian-licensed car.

OK, this one requires a bit of an explanation. I thought the Radisson would come up between $45 and $55, but was actually hoping for either Residence Inn (2.5*) or the Embassy Suites (3*). So, I bid a bit high for a 2.5 * for the first night only, knowing I might get an upgrade to 3* but still thinking that the 3* might be the Embassy Suites. I did get upgraded but ended up with the Radisson. So, for the second night, I bid lower for a 3* and again received the Radisson. You pay additional fees by doing things this way, but total cost is still so much less than conventional booking! I knew the risks involved, but it wasn't that much difference in cost and it was fun to give it a shot. We are quite happy with the Radisson, also. $52 + $12.28 taxes and fees = $64.28 $44 + $11.27 taxes and fees = $55.27

I just couldn't resist taking advantage of this bonus money and it gave me an excuse to plan a few days in Vancouver. The Marriott was the expected hotel, and I was happy to get it at this rate as I don't think it ever comes up for less than $45 w/o the bonus money. It is a nice hotel with a nice location and nice staff. $35 X 3 nights = $105 + $18.26 taxes and fees = $123.26 total What a great deal!

This is another Coast hotel (the Coast Gateway at Sea-Tac has been coming up recently as well), which are usually pretty decent. Started bidding at $42 and was pleasantly surprised to get this at $44 (plus the $10 bonus). I think downtown Seattle often requires $60 or so for a downtown 3*. $44 X 2 nights = $88 + $19.80 taxes and fees = $107.80 total. We can watch the Mariners play at an afternoon game on the 23rd!

This is the place we really wanted to stay while in Santa Fe! A nice property which offers a full breakfast and evening reception, and the rooms have kitchens and fireplaces. We weren't concerned with staying close to the Plaza or anything, because we are there for several nights and have a rental car planned. This hotel used to come up at $47/night, I believe, but several bids at less than $52 all failed, although some generated counteroffers of $60 to $64. Don't know if this is a general price increase for this property or what, as the current conventional rate is still only around $99.

I think this hotel used to be owned by someone else, but Coast hotels are usually pretty decent. They offer a rate as low as $60 or so when you book directly, so don't overbid! They are very close to the airport - you can walk if you don't have heavy bags, but they also have a free shuttle.

Company is Alamo. Probably could have got a compact for $12/day, but we wanted to be sure to have at least a mid-size as we are doing a lot of driving and want some comfort and space. $14/day X 14 days = $196 + taxes/fees of $62.50 = $258.50

Bid through Savings Barn. Hoped for a better rate and have been shopping the specials and trying lower bids, but nothing worked. A couple of the majors have some great sale rates, but they don't work for our dates. So, $38 looked like the going rate and turned out, it is! Still better than the $50/day best rate I could find otherwise. Summary of Charges Your Offer Price: $38.00 (per day) Total Rental Days: 4 days Subtotal: $152.00 Taxes and Fees: $26.28 Total Charges: $178.28

Sorry, I was in a bit of a hurry and didn't explain myself very well, did I??!! Yes, there are 3 zones in this area, and the Hyatt is the one that many people 'aim' for in Monterey-Pacific Grove. But the Embassy Suites is very close to the border of this zone, anyway, if people wanted that location. But in fact, it is in the zone called Marina-Seaside. They are both considered 3* properties. I guess I was saying that for our purposes, after looking at others' feedback, we thought the Embassy Suites was far better value, even though it cost a bit more up front. (BUT, no 'resort fee'!) I should add that there are other hotels that come up - other than the Hyatt, there is the Hilton and Marriott, at least, but it seems odds are stacked for the Hyatt. Check TripAdvisor for a LOT of negative reviews of the Hyatt. Also, I seem to recall that Seaside is quite a nice little town, entirely on its own. I did not know for sure that Embassy Suites would be the winning bid, but I had a pretty strong suspicion. I also tried 4* and Resort categories in these two zones up to $80, but they were rejected. I thought they would be, but tried it anyway, just to see. You never know with mid-week dates during the transition season, but I think March is the cutoff for cheaper rates with many of these properties. Once you get into April, the nice hotels can fill up quickly.

Bid for two nights through Savings Barn. One night was $73, the other $75. I know the Hyatt Monterey usually goes for about $46 or so, but then they charge a $15 resort fee as well, and there are so many negative reviews about the Hyatt! The Embassy Suites includes a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, as well as a manager's reception each evening (with wine) and the suites have a separate living area with refrigerator and microwave. (These can make a big difference when staying in pricey regions.) The reviews on the Embassy seemed so much more flattering; people liked the location and the newer building. The going rate for these dates was over $200, so this is still a great bargain!

No surprises here! Bid through Savings Barn and tried $33 first. No go, so added San Jose South as free rebid and upped bid to $36. Accepted. Hilton web site has rates starting at $95 or so for this date. This was exactly the hotel we hoped for, as it is right across the street from the airport (you can almost walk) and has a free shuttle. Have stayed here before and it is a decent hotel with a nice heated pool and a couple of restaurants and lounges. Check-In Date: Sat, Apr 3, 2004 Check-In Time: After 03:00 PM Check-Out Date: Sun, Apr 4, 2004 Check-Out Time: 12:00 PM Your Offer Price: $36.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $36.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $10.01 Total Charges: $46.01

Hi squeegee and Merry Christmas! I use the Bank of Montreal Mosaik credit card, which includes a number of optional items such as medical coverage, trip cancellation insurance, airmiles, etc. There are two options for the medical coverage, at either $49 Cdn per year or $89 Cdn per year, depending on the length of your stays. There is no deductible and your spouse/partner and children are also covered for up to $1 million. You do NOT have to use the Mosaik card for your travel in order for the medical coverage to be effective. (Although I think you have to use the Mosaik card for at least some part of your travel costs in order to make the trip cancellation insurance effective.) It may not be right for you if you spend lengthy periods of time out of the country all at once, but if you take many shorter trips, it is a lot cheaper than buying insurance for each and every trip you take! It looks like you might be able to extend the coverage period for trips longer than 31 days, but I have never enquired about this. I had to make a claim for medical treatment for an injury that my partner received in Mexico, and I can tell you that the claim process was not onerous and the reimbursement cheque for our expenses was received quite quickly. The total cost of doctor and clinic fees was reimbursed, but I didn't bother starting the process until we had returned to Canada, so I don't know what it is like to contact them out of the country for very large medical expenses. From the BMO Mosaik site:

Hi WillTravel, I think you will probably be quite happy with the HoJo. I have never stayed there and my recollection of the area it is in is a bit fuzzy, but I think it is quite central and the shuttle service definitely makes life easier, doesn't it? I think Rosecrans is a stretch of strip malls and light industry, not thrilling or beautiful but you should have a variety of shops nearby. I believe there are some social service offices and Goodwill along Rosecrans, but I don't think they are likely to scare you off. You'll be spending your time seeing all the sights in town, anyway, right?

Hey, congratulations on that high-speed sign-up! (oh yeah, and congrats on the impending nuptials, too!) :)

We need an update, squeegee!!!!