Knocturnal

My guess at your Express deal in question is that it is the Detroit Marriott at The Renaissance Center. The Express property is rated as "7" with 600+ guest reviews, which is a direct match for the Ren Cen. The Trumbull and Porter appears to rate only as a "6" and has only 60+ guest reviews. Best of luck in your booking.

I just won a successful bid to the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Downtown Minneapolis for the dates 4/25/14-4/27/14. I started at an initial bid of $45 and added rebid zones at increments of $3 or $4 until the final bid was accepted. Total, including taxes and fees for the two night stay amounted to $210.70. I feel that it is a nice rate considering PRICELINE had the hotel listed at $162/night pretax and the hotel looks to be within convenient proximity to Target Field. I will be in town with some friends to catch a couple of baseball games, provided there isn't too much snow on the ground :-). I also used the BB PRICELINE link to start my purchase. Thank you!!

I rechecked my itinerary and all of the listed amenities are in fact listed in my initial post. Nothing was omitted.

After several failed bidding attempts using PRICELINE, I decided to go with this offered rate on HOTWIRE. I was just looking for an economical stay for the night as I will be in town for the Lions Monday night football game. I have stayed here several times in the past, and despite the somewhat dinginess of the hotel, it will meet my needs. You can't pass up the free parking and complimentary shuttle service (as of my last stay, anyway). The location is nice as well, at least during the warmer months. Offered amenities include: Free parking, fitness center, business center, golf nearby, boutique hotel, restaurant(s), high-speed internet access, and tennis nearby. Total including taxes and fees came to $82.05. I used the HOTWIRE link on BB. As a side note, Hotwire stated that the property is rated 3.5 stars on Trip Advisor. However, after searching, I found that it is only a 3 star rated hotel. The most recent review was 30 days ago. Should I consider bringing this matter to Hotwire's attention?

This property was indeed The Maxwell hotel. I really enjoyed my stay here while visiting Seattle.

Amenities include: Free parking, free internet, indoor pool, fitness center, high speed internet access, accessible for the blind, accessible for the deaf, accessible path of travel, in-room accessibility, wheelchair accessible, accessible bathroom, handicapped parking, roll-in shower. Need I type more? I really can't. :-) Also, property is located approximately 11.9 miles from Seattle/Tacoma Airport and has a 4.5 out of 5 review rating on tripadvisor.com. My guess is "The Maxwell Hotel". Any other potential suitors?

Just booked a night at the Detroit Inn and Suites (formerly Holiday Inn Express) for what I thought was a reasonable deal. I've stayed here several times previously without any problems, and it's within close proximity to many things downtown. I've been informed by a friend that a deal has been tentatively reached by the hotel to once again become the Holiday Inn Express, but nothing has been officially announced. Date of Stay: 5/27/11-5/28/11 Price: $46 Taxes/Fees: $12.74 Total: $58.74 Amenities include: Complimentary breakfast, business center, fitness center, laundry facilities, pool, high-speed internet access

Just secured a bid for a weekend getaway to Pittsburgh. I had tried several times previously for a 4 star property by starting low and rebidding with surrounding zones, all to no avail. I decided to drop down to 3.5 star and initially bid $55, which was not accepted. I added a second zone and rebid $63 and it was accepted. Prices for the property on Wyndham's website were currently listed at $152.10 per night. I've been to Pittsburgh two other times, but have never stayed at this property. I am quite happy with the outcome, however, as the pictures and feedback received all point towards a quality property. Not too mention that it is a very close walk to the ballpark, as I will be town to watch a Detroit Tigers/Pittsburgh Pirates game with friends. Looking forward to the trip. I used the BB PRICELINE link. 2 nights @ $63/night Taxes and fees $26.54 Total $152.54

On a recent trip to Detroit, I noticed that the former Holiday Inn Express on Washington Blvd had all of the building's signs covered up. Being that I do have a future reservation here, I was concerned that it would not be honored. However, after contacting them, I was reassured. I researched to find out to a bit more information. Here is a link I found: http://detnews.com/article/20110106/BIZ/10...es-out-new-name

http://www.freep.com/article/20100923/BUSI...close-its-doors I thought that it would be very important for the individual to be aware of this property's status, if he/she isn't already. Has a scenario like this been played out before, and if so, what was the final verdict? Just curious...

I just booked two hotel rooms at Auburn Hills Crowne Plaza for the night of August 18th, 2010. Totals, including taxes and fees, amounted to $138.96. After exploring the hotel website, I am pretty excited with the rate I obtained through Hotwire for this property. Rooms were about half price, so it was quite a deal. I booked these rooms for my parents and their friends for a concert that they will be attending in the area that night. Amenities include: Smoke Free Rooms, Restaurants, High Speed Internet Access, Fitness Center, Business Center, Golf Nearby, Pools, and Laundry Facilities. I used the BB HOTWIRE link to begin my purchase.

Initial failed 3-star bids of $42 and $46 (with a Taylor/Southgate rebid) early Wednesday morning left me surprisedly empty handed for a Downtown Detroit hotel. I decided to wait it out and try again early Thursday morning. Again, my initial bid of $47 was not accepted, however, I was given a counteroffer for a room if I increased my bid by $13. I did not accept, and instead once again added Taylor/Southgate and rebid to $51. Price was accepted and upgraded to the 3.5 star Detroit Omni River Place hotel. I have stayed at this hotel before, and have had no complaints. Although it's location puts it beyond the fringe of "downtown", they do offer a complimentary shuttle to all places downtown and I've had a previous positive experience with this property. Looking forward to my last minute booking. The BB PRICELINE link was used. Thanks!!

Congratulations on your bid! This is a great property. Very modern and spacious rooms. Good luck at Greektown, I'll be there as well!!

Given the amenities (in particular "SPA"), wouldn't this likely be a match for the Westin Book Cadillac? No other previously won property bids have the SPA designation for Downtown Detroit. If this holds true, it would be a great rate...

$70 bid accepted for the 4-star Ambassador Hotel. Initial bid of $49 was declined, as well as incremental bids of $60, and $65 dollars before the final bid was accepted. Based on the pictures and reviews, it looks to be a very nice find, although many have raised concerns over it's seedy outlying location (not exactly "downtown"). I am not concerned, however. It appears that parking is free and a complimentary shuttle will be provided to downtown. :) . This will be my first time visiting Milwaukee (or Wisconsin, for that matter) as I make the trek to Green Bay for a Packers game. I am looking forward to the brief getaway. Out of curiousity, how much does parking typically cost in a downtown parking structure? Thank you. Ambassador Hotel Milwaukee, WI Date of Stay: 10/16/09-10/17/09 $70 bid accepted. $87.83 including taxes and fees. The Betterbidding PRICELINE link was used to begin this booking.

I just placed an initial bid for two rooms at $70/room for Saturday, June 13th. It was accepted at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel in downtown. Although I have never stayed here before, I was pretty happy with the result based on other reviews, as well as the proximity to everything else. A group of us will be in town to watch our beloved Tigers take on the Pirates that weekend. Looking forward to the getaway. The Better Bidding PRICELINE link was used to begin my purhcase. Thanks! Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $70.00 (USD) Number of Rooms: 2 Number of Nights: 1 Room Subtotal: $140.00 (USD) Taxes and Fees: $28.66 (USD) Total Room Cost: $168.66 (USD)

Thanks for the info. I have always bid somewhat early on a trip, but usually have had luck with lower rates. Possibly because of different markets? Summer months and special events always seem to command more. It really is only two months away (may be an eternity for some), but I'd rather still get a decent rate than be on the outside looking in, ya know?

Just booked the Omni William Penn for one night, 6/12/09-6/13/09. After failed bids ranging from $60-95 yesterday using rebid zones, I got it on my first try tonight. I have stayed at this property before and really enjoyed my experience. Curious as to why bids were unexpectedly high for this day and weekend, but still a fair savings. Cheapest listed on other hotel sites was $152. Total, including taxes and fees, amounted to $127.02.

I recently stayed at the Doubletree Fort Shelby and would recommend it over Omni just based on location alone. I found the hotel to be very spacious and quite nice. I was a little disappointed with the check-in condition of the hotel room (dusting was needed as well as a few hair strands found on both a bed pillow and a chair. But overall, very impressed. Finn and Porter is a great restaurant, even though I actually had my meal at the Roundbar. The warm, soft chocolate chip cookie couldn't have been beat when initially checking-in at the hotel lobby. The elevators were fast, the staff seemed upbeat and positive, and two close people mover stations made getting around easy....although most everything I did was on foot. I parked my car for free on 2nd St, and walked a block over to the hotel. They too, offer a shuttle as well.

Ok, thank you for the information. I do see that if I decide to break up the trip, it could potentially save a lot of money. I would like to spend under $175 US, and I see that Hotwire does have some more manageable offers just 24 hours later.

I am looking for help for booking a hotel in downtown for the weekend of 5/15-5-17. Can someone please tell me why hotel rates are so exorbitantly high for this weekend? Other than "Mayfest" and a Cubs series, I can't find out for the life of me why Hotwire is offering rates starting at $349. Priceline and other hotel sites tend to be listing rates far higher than normal, too. Some hotels I have looked into have no double bed occupancy available, either. Expensive weekend to visit, I guess? Grr...

Update? - I was recently browsing on Hotwire for another stay in downtown Detroit, when I came across a 3* that includes the same amenities as the Holiday Inn Express for the typical price ($45). When I checked my trip itinerary for the April 10th date, it was showing that Holiday Inn Express is a three star once again. The reason this can be rather quick to point out is that it offers complimentary breakfast, yet is not considered a boutique. Quite silly that they would downgrade and upgrade so quickly from 2.5* to 3*, but I won't hesitate to take the "hot Dollars". Haha.

Detroit Downtown Holiday Inn Express Dates of Stay 4/10/09 - 4/11/09 Amenities include: Complimentary Breakfast Fitness Center Pool Business Center Laundry Facilities High-Speed Internet Access Reservation: $44.00 Taxes and other fees: $12.69 Total: $56.69 I made this reservation far in advance, as some friends are flying in from out west to take in the '09 Tiger's Opener.

I recently was the recipient of $25 "HotDollars" given to me by Hotwire due to a future reservation that I had made at the Holiday Inn Express in Downtown Detroit. Reason being is that this property has been adjusted/downgraded from a 3* to a 2.5*. Just wanted to let everyone in the know regarding the new star rating!!!

I made this reservation over my phone, so I did not initially log onto this site first, unfortunately. I thought that this was a good rate for this hotel on a same day, last second decision. First bid of $40 was accepted. Total, including taxes, amounted to $52.35.