wallyworld

Using the PriceLine widget above, booked the Holiday Inn in SaddleBrook for $55 a night, first bid, only locale chosen. ($70 with taxes and fees). Never stayed at the property -- hopefully will be satisfactory. A Side Note: Thanks to this forum on HotWire I resisted the 3.5* @ Newark Airport for $68-- which would have actually been the Newark Downtown Hilton (@ $21 a night parking ! -- No Thanks!!). Great Forum again, thanks!

Using PRICELINE widget above, booked this property $56 bid, $72 total price. Original bidding strategy was $55 for 2.5* in Secaucus - North Bergen. Immediately rejected and upped the bid to $56 and added the Meadowlands. Thought I'd stay aggressive after win last week @ $65. Parking lot was nearly empty !!

Using the PRICELINE widget above -- made a $65 bid on Sunday evening for a Monday overnight for Secaucus and the Meadowlands-Clifton areas. Was accepted on first bid. Total cost was $82 with fees and Taxes.

Was using smart phone (sorry, my kid booked it and didn't use the link) -- booked the "Extended Stay Deluxe - Research Triangle Park - Miami Blvd". Nice property, nice value. Amenities listed were Laundry and Pool.

Using the HOTWIRE Widget above -- booked the "Holiday Inn" for two nights. Not such a nice property, a bit "tired" in the public areas, just a single elevator, and a bit of a "smell" throughout the halls. The room was updated and clean. Acceptable, but a bit high on the star rating at HotWire. Unsuccessful at similar bids using PriceLine (using the similar PriceLine widget above). Amenities listed were pool, restaurant(s) and fitness center.

Using the HOTWIRE Widget above -- booked the "Inn at Virginia Tech". Very nice property, nice value. Unsuccessful at similar bids using PriceLine (using the similar PRICELINE widget above). Amenities listed were business center, internet, restaurant(s) and fitness center.

Just a comment on the property, the most recent TripAdvisor reviews were horrid for this hotel. Was terrified walking in. Turned out that despite the arrogant nature of the clerk/manager checking me in, was a very enjoyable stay. Thanks again for this forum!

Started my bidding with the PRICELINE Search box above. Started bids using 3* and offer price of $61 using just Secaucus - North Bergen, rejected. Raised bid to $63 and included Meadowlands, still 3* rejected. Raised bid to $65 and included Newark Airport, Rejected. Fearful of the 2.5* bid, as saw in the list La Quinta in Clifton in the forum here which is an absolute dump (and a current list price of about $80 or so). But Priceline had it listed as a 2*, so decided to go ahead -- $65 and 2.5*. Accepted. Bid placed approx 2pm on day of arrival.

3* in Rutherford-Meadowlands, first bid @ $65. Was hoping for the Renaissance in Lyndhurst, got the Courtyard instead. Ok w/ me. Remembered to use the PRICELINE link (this time). :)

Stayed here for 3 nights (off-season) in late June 2009. The property was VERY nice, it is however, shared with TimeShare villa's for the Restaurant's and Amenities. Not a big deal, but be aware of the soft-sell technique of the TimeShare agents roaming the pool area offering free waters and advice. Have a story -- stick to it, they're very nice and will chat with you. Again, a soft sell, and not annoying at all, but I'd rather not experience it at all. The rooms were immaculate with Marble Floors and Granite CounterTops in the BR. The grounds and facilities were very well maintained. The pool was very nice, and no need to get out early and "reserve" your chair like many other resorts. At least in June, lots and lots of chairs for the number of people. Definitely worthy of the 4* The Breakfast is very pricey @ $22 pp for a mediocre buffet. Dinner at one of the three or so restaurants will run about $100 a couple. Drinks are about $10 a cocktail. Resort prices, but this is PR and there is cheaper fare available but nothing close (walking distance) to the hotel. Renting a car is highly advisable as this is a $70 cab ride from the airport. One annoying charge is the $15 a day for parking even though the property is largely in the middle of nowhere. Did not bother with the Casino, Priceline is as much gambling as I do. :) There is considerable construction nearby (including Trump apartments) so plenty of beep-beep-beep backup warnings and pile drivers within 1,000 yards of the property. The "golf" is not actually attached to the resort and also quite pricey at >$100 even at twilight rate. All things considered, VERY nice place !

I know this bidding technique is not for everyone, and I was in a special situation where we were extremely flexible. . . but here's my experience. Stay was June 22,23,24th 2009 After not finding a sufficient bargain on Hotwire, decided to try Priceline for a 4* in San Juan/Rio Grande - Humacao. My first bid was accepted @ $79 at Gran Melia. Ratz, I bid too low. Oh well, by all searches this looked like a nice property -- listed for $158 on Priceline, so, hey -- off we go, happy but cautious. Got to the resort, and WHAT A BARGAIN. The property is VERY NICE (albeit VERY ISOLATED). So anyway, I get on the computer the next day and try the "extend your stay" option and get the sorry no can do, but you can extend it for $158 a night. Oh well, we'll go to our alternate location. . . but wait let me try another "new" bid. I try again for the exact same rate $79, bid accepted, and I tried again to extend my stay with the same result. . . so not to be out-done, went back, bid again, and voile get another night (3 total now) at the $79 rate. Front-desk folks were very accomodating with 3 separate reservations. While the room rate was GREAT the on-resort charges were, well. . . resort like. $22 for breakfast, and $100 for dinner, $10 per cocktail. (All very expensive for PR). See review of Resort. Again, sorry 'bout the link.

Jun 23rd Checkin, June 24th Checkout. Tx

Staying somewhere near San Juan, absolute location isn't important as we're staying just for a single night. Two hotels came up in my price range for the 4* quality I was interested in. Didn't find anything on the features that indicated what these properties may be. (thereuare, thanks for the tip [along with about 500 others] with 2 adults and 1 child -- available list changed for the better :) ) So what I am presented with is 1) 4* in San Juan Area for $115. Amenities: Resort, Beachfront, Casino, Fitness, Pool Restaurant, Business Center and LAUNDRY 2) 4* in Rio Grande Humacao for $115. Amenities: Resort, Beachfront, Casino, SHUTTLE, Fitness, Pool Restaurant, Business Center The two in CAPS were the one's that kind of threw me off. Any help is appreciated.

Similar strategy to 3* Newark (Secaucus-North Bergen) Holiday Inn Harmon Meadow. Varied it slightly, since I was already @ Holiday Inn, wanted to stay there. First Bid was 2.5* & $51 in Secaucus-North Bergen area. No acceptors, was given a counter offer of $65 for a 3* decided to re-bid. Raised my bid to $55, added Rutherford area. Was Accepted at the Courtyard Marriott in Harmon Meadow. Date of bid, Feb 7 (1 night), for Night of Feb 8th. Remembered to use the PRICELINE link (this time). :)

Thought I'd get a bit aggressive given the economy and hi vacancy rates. First Bid was 2.5* & $51 in Rutherford area. No acceptors, was given a counter offer of $65 for a 3* (I assume the Courtyard, which is what I was hoping for). I was willing to look in the Secaucus area as well. Raised my bid to $55. Was Accepted at the Holiday Inn. Date of bid, same day as date of stay: Feb 6 & Feb 7 (2 nights), additional night offered, but @ $96. Nice hotel. Forgot to use the link (again). My Bad.

I can confirm that this hotel is a nice 3* property. Really good bargain for that price. Sorry forgot to use the PRICELINE link :)

Booked this 2.5* for a Friday and Saturday Night in Meadowlands-Rutherford for $60 a night. First try. Giants were supposed to be in NFC Champ game on this w.e., which may be reason availability hi / price lo.