iaurmelloneug

Thanks for your input about the Hotwire hotel. Conventional rates for 2* I've seen with rates averaging starting around $90 per day (on those discount hotel websites)...so I didn't think $75 was that unreasonable for 2.5*.

I'll let you know what happens when we decide which direction to go with...

Yeah, I guess we were considering the Hotwire as a backup since it was at least a suite (even if it was only 2 stars) and we weren't really sure that we'd get anything with Priceline. (We also had mentioned that we would consider flexing with the star levels if that would help us with the price.) But we wanted to see if anyone had any ideas about which place it was first before we decided - I was thinking it might be the Extended Stay America Suites. Any thoughts?

Dates of stay: 5/26 - 6/2/08

Location: Goleta

Price: $84

Features:

Suite

Laundry

None of the hotels on the California hotel list seem to match. Any suggestions?

I would like some help with a bidding strategy for Santa Barbara 5/26 - 6/2/08.

There are 3 regions for this area, but I'd like to stay in either Santa Barbara or Goleta. I'd prefer to spend no more than $75 per night for a 2.5 star hotel...

The max stars for each region are as follows:

Goleta 2.5* max

Santa Barbara 3* max

Solvang - SY Valley 3* max

I'm wondering if this is too difficult given the area and my dates which include Memorial day holiday. I am willing to consider flexing on some on my dates (date earlier or later at the beginning or end) or possibly even changing my minimum star level to 2, but I'm a little afraid of getting some of the 2 star places I've seen online.

Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.

Well, I won on the very last bid...after going through line by line of the whole strategy...

But I'm not sure if this is a good deal or not given the reviews I've seen for this place...actually I was also surprised b/c I had seen this hotel in my research, but I thought it was in the Coastal area list based upon this forum's list...

Holiday Inn Mission Bay-SeaWorld

3737 Sports Arena Blvd.

San Diego, CA 92110

Check-In Date:

Sun, May 20, 2007 / After 03:00 PM

Check-Out Date:

Sun, May 27, 2007 / 12:00 PM

Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $75.00

Thanks!

Actually, I thought of one more thing with the whole question regarding children. You said:

"I travel with my daughter (who is currentlyl 2 1/2 years old) and we use priceline in the United States without a problem..."

So, how do you know if the hotel is okay with adding another person to your hotel stay? Do you win the bid and then call to ask them about it or do you just show up assuming it's not going to be an extra charge?

Thanks for the strategy and let you know what happens!

I wasn't assuming that $75 would include parking...in other words, $75 just for the room is okay for us.

Yes, price is more important than location for us...since we'd be okay with any of the locations I mentioned.

We don't need a bed for our infant - we'd bring our own little pack and play...so it's not an issue for us to have a double occupancy room without a crib.

Thanks!

Just wondering...

Does a child (less than 1 year old) count as another person for a hotel through priceline? Will hotels charge extra for children or does it depend upon whether they need a bed?

Thanks!

Hello! I have never used priceline or hotwire, and would like some help!

I want to stay in San Diego from May 20 to 27, which includes Friday and Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.

My top locations (in order):

1) Downtown San Diego & Harbor Island

2) Point Loma - Shelter Island - Old Town

3) Mission Valley

4) Coronado (I know unlikely based upon prices)

Ideally we'd like to stay in at least 2.5* hotels, but would like to pay max $75 per night...so if needbe we can stay in 2* hotels too.

From looking at hotwire.com, the lowest prices are as follows (ratings according to hotwire - I know they differ from priceline):

Downtown - $244 for 3*

Point Loma - $92 for 3* and $169 for 2.5*

MV - $75 for 2* and $89 for 2.5*

From checking the hotel websites on the hotel list from this website, the lowest prices (for those that are available) that I can find as follows:

Downtown - $219 for 3* and $209 for 2.5*

Point Loma - $159-$209 for 2.5* and $173 for 2*

MV - $160 for 3* $129 for 2.5*, and $90 for 2*

I've noticed that for those places that have availability, some have rates that change for Friday and Saturday. I'm wondering if having such a long stay and one that includes the holiday might be a problem in terms of getting good price. I've also read on this website about splitting the bid, but I'd rather not have to move during the week if at all possible...

Any advice or strategies for bidding would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!