mtohio

Yes, this is memorial day weekend. I have [as a backup - refundable no deposit was required] The Hilton Washington [on connecticut ave.] for $169 per night [includes full breakfast for 2 each day] Now sure what to bid on priceline at this point, but am pretty certain it would be best to do sooner, NOT later.... also, not sure what star class this hotel is [ ? 3* ] With regard to bidding, I have not idea what is reasonable, or where to start. Maybe 4* for $125 per night ??? but, I am really not sure.

Hi, Looking for Washington DC hotel [not suburbs] 4* or 5* for 4 nights, check in on 05/27 check out on 05/31. Any bidding suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Michael

Hi, Arriving at NY LGA on Sat 03/06 4PM, departing on Monday 03/08 6am, need a rental car for "2" days. Any suggestion on what to start the bidding with ? This car is for "1" person, so any category will do. Currently am holding a hertz mid-size car for $50 + Taxes Thanks, Michael

Hi, Just to give an additional opinion. I stayed at both the Hilton and Condado Plaza in January 2004. Personally, the facilities at the Hilton are better; especially the pool and beach area ---- BUT, the Condado is still quite nice. Also, the Hilton will allow you to use your HHonors card w/ a priceline room [which I did in January], so in addition to getting the Hilton for $90 in Jan, I was also able to get free continental breakfast and wine/hor d'oevres in the evening. All in all, the stay at the hilton was very nice. Now... my stay at the Condado was also quite nice, and the room at the Condado was much nicer than the hilton, BUT ---- [AND THIS IS A VERY VERY BIG BUT] you must hope for [ask nicely....] a oceanfront room in the main building. These rooms are very nice, and the view and balcony cannot be beat !!! Also, the Condado has a casino, which is a factor for me. Since you are NOT guaranteed any particular room, the condado is definetly risky... but, if you play in the casino [table games] and put in a few hours a day at $15 to $25 bets, the Condado really does take care of you.... Hope this is a little bit helpful. Regards, Michael

Hi, Please help, need a place for my parents, March 2-9 in Blue Ash [Cincinnati Region] or Montgomery Ohio. Looking for least expensive 3* or 4* Suggestions Please. Thanks, Michael

Hi, For fun, I tried my luck [without success] at 5* for my one night stay MTE 5* $105 reject added rebid zone of MTW $115 reject rebid zone MTS $129 reject rebid zone CPW $145 reject final rebid $152 reject Since MTE is the only zone w/ 5* [to my knowledge] this is a pretty easy rebid. What is the going rate for the 5* [waldorf towers ??] on priceline. I will try again in 72 hours, my fallback is a 4* for under $100; as one can prepay at the NY Hilton for $119 Web Rate [prepay, non-refundable] on the hilton website, and I called hilton NYC in house reservations, and they confirmed that the $119 rate booked on there website is good for Hilton Gold upgrades and free continental breakfast [and points]. This being the case, if I cannot get a 4* for less than $105, I will just go for the NY Hilton, as I can get upgraded and late checkout. Any other ideas ! Love the site, and am using the savings barn link for ALL of my bids. Michael

I would prefer a stragegy that DOES NOT include the Millenium UN hotel --- so, I guess, from you prior response, I should stay away from MTE. Please provide a strategy based on the above. Thanks, Michael

Would be thrilled to spend $75 for the one night, but would spend as much as $115. Priority is midtown, as all of my client appointments are between 35th and 40th street and Broadway and 6th Avenue. Trying to save my $ for my trip to San Juan on Friday night. Thanks again, Michael

Thank you again for your very complete information. It all makes perfect sense --- and I am especially fond of your decoding of the hotwire hotels [and yes, I understand these are always "assumptions."] Will probably bid again in the next few days, using your advice. Since I arrive very early in the morning on Saturday [around 3am] I was hoping to get a resort hotel for $75-85 per night for the 3 nights [fri/sat./sunday]. As stands, I currently am booked for the Condado Plaza on Sat. and Sun. nights at their casino rate, which nets out to approx. $125 per night after gambling time. I sort of figure that they will probably let me check in a little early [around 10am Saturday] and I will spend the late evening in the casino and then watch the sun rise. Since the casino rate assures me an oceanfront room on a high floor [and probably priority towards early check in, though NOT a guarantee] it is probably the way to go if you are willing to pay over $100 per night. Also, not sure if you have read much on the Condado Plaza, but there is a wide "range" of opinions on this property. Those who get the oceanfront rooms in the main building have great views, and seem to be happy w/ the accomodations --- others have been very disappointed [though, some of this disappointment stems from the fact that they spend $300 + per night, and expected a truely grand hotel] If you wish, I can give reviews for the Condado, Caribe Hilton or Ritz Carlton in San Juan, I have stayed at all over the past 4 months. Thanks again for all of your help in understanding the "potential" hotels at hotwire and priceline; I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have access to this info. Also, I am using you link now for all my bids ! Michael

Hi, Looking for priceline bidding advise, 1 night, Thur. Feb. 26 - NYC Times Square or Midtown South. Would prefer a 4* Please advise, Thanks again, Michael

Hi, So far, the $75 bid on priceline has been rejected. Regarding Hotwire --- are you "assuming" the $141 hotel that is 3-1/2 stars that is oceanfront, with beach access is the condado plaza ? Also, I feel comfortable with any of the "resort" category hotels on priceline --- I assume they are ALL oceanfront, but some might have beach access very close by --- please correct me if I am wrong regarding this point. Do you know of any resort San Juan hotels that are "inland" or not on the beach ?? Also --- since Hotwire considers the Condado a 3-1/2 star hotel --- should I NOT be bidding resort on priceline ? Thanks again for your help, and I will use the SavingsBarn.com link for my bidding.

Hi, Would like a bidding strategy for San Juan, Arriving Feb 27th for 3 Nights [departing March 1st]. Would only consider a hotel on the beach. Would like to target the Condado Plaza hotel, if that is at all possible. Thanks, Michael

My first and only Bid was $90 for the Caribe Hilton. Sort of made me feel that I "might" have been able to get it for a bit less. I based my bid on the assumption of the "same" property on hotwire with an approx. price for $111 --- I assumed it was the hilton listed on Hotwire, as I "think" they are the only 4 star/resort hotel which is on the beach but DOES NOT have a casino. I think the lack of casino, often makes this a stand out when reviewing the hotels in this category. Did very well at the casino, actually best ever --- actually hit $575 at the mini baccarat tables on my extra night --- all in all, was up over $150 when I left after 3 days of gaming --- and that doesn't even take into account the comps. Now --- looking forward to going back, but am afraid that I might NOT have this type of luck again. Tried to bid priceline already for for resort hotel for end of Feb. and have been rejected $55, $60 and $75 --- I have a few weeks... so, I wil give a number of additional tries. I am already holding a reservation at the Wyndham Condado Plaza. Any suggestions ?

Hi, Got the Caribe Hilton for $90 night, Jan 25 to Jan 27; since we arrived very early on Sunday morning [3am] the 25th, we didn't expect to be allowed to check in until 12noon or 1PM, but the front desk staff was very nice --- and after a few hours at the Condado Plaza hotel casino, came back and were allowed to check in at 8AM. Also, hotel accepted my Hilton Gold, and gave us free continental breakfast and appetizers with wine at the end of the day. All in all a very successful trip, especially considering that they allowed us to check in very very early. When my flight was cancelled due to weather, I was forced to stay an extra night --- but the hotel would NOT give me any rate lower than $175 [started negotiation at $225] --- went next store to the Wyndham Condado Plaza, where they gave me an oceanfront room for $225-100 Casino Room Comp for a net rate of $125 for my extra night [and a $50 food comp in addition] I am going back to San Juan at the end of Feb. [28th Feb to 1 March]; and will keep you posted on my bids. Regards, Michael