Mudslinger

Add this one to the list. It is rated as a 3* by most other sites, but after reading some of the reviews about the central air problems (consistant accross several sites) I can see why it may have been downgraded on priceline. I won a previous bid from 3/17-3/18 at the Crowne Plaza for $97, but when I tried to extend the stay I was rejected. I have since been trying to get a hotel downtown. I was reject at 4* for $121, $130 & $135, then again at 3* for $103, $111 & $117. I was getting deperate and tried the 2.5* level and won! The Blake Hotel Downtown Charlotte 555 South Mcdowell Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28204 704-372-4100 Check-In Date: Tue, Mar 18, 2008 / After 01:00 PM Check-Out Date: Wed, Mar 19, 2008 / 12:00 PM Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $79.00 Subtotal: $79.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $19.97 Total Charges*: $98.97 Since this is new to the list I will report back on my experience. Despite the reviews I have high hopes because I really dig the contenporary style hotels and it's not for everyone.

First bid $68 rejected, second bid $83 rejected. Crowne Plaza Charlotte Hotel Downtown Charlotte 201 South Mcdowell Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28204 704-372-7550 Check-In Date: Mon, Mar 17, 2008 / After 03:00 PM Check-Out Date: Tue, Mar 18, 2008 / 12:00 PM Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $97.00 Subtotal: $97.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $23.00 Total Charges*: $120.00 I also tried 4* downtown and was rejected on all of the following $72, $84, $94, $102, $108, & $117. There is a convention in town and it's one I'm attending so if you don't have to stay downtown it would probably be cheaper surrounding Charlotte. After I won the bid I tried to extend the stay and was rejected. No big deal as I can either try 3/18-3/19 in Charlotte or I may stay in Greensboro. Watch the board as that post will be next.

First bid was reject $68, second bid was rejected $74. Marriott Durham Civic Center 201 Foster St Durham, North Carolina 27701 919-768-6000 Check-In Date: Wed, Mar 19, 2008 / After 04:00 PM Check-Out Date: Thu, Mar 20, 2008 / 12:00 PM Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $95.00 Subtotal: $95.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $20.59 Total Charges*: $115.59 Only a slight saving here as the hotel listed for $99 on PRICELINE's regular page. A win is a win.

First bid for Standard was rejected at $36. Then I remembered to check 'my rewards' and submitted for a fullsize at $37 with $4 bonus cash and it was accepted. Bonus Cash Per Day: $4.00 (per day) Your Offer Price Per Day: $37.00 (per day) Total Offer Price with Bonus: $41.00 (per day) Total Rental Days: 3 days Subtotal: $111.00 Taxes and Fees: $42.16 Total Charges: $153.16 I checked around and the best price for RDU on Hotwire was $63.00 a day for a economy.

Well this bid history is expansive beginning 1/14 to 1/29 (sorry I did not keep track of the exact date for each bid): $85, $95, $102, $121, $111(the lowest price listed on the priceline regular sceen dropped from $232 to $178 so I dropped my bid accordingly), $131, $139 (This bid was 1/28 and I was counter offered to raise it by $22 to $161, I did not accept and bidded on 1/29 according to what I thought they would accept and they did.) Taxes $34.11 This is probably the most I've ever paid for a room on priceline, but compared to the lowest listed retail price I could find of $180 for the Marriott city centre and the lowest price for this particluar hotel of $230 it's still a good deal for a 4 star downtown. I also check the convention center of the cities I visit to see if there is an event during my stay, there is not one of significance I can find. Maybe Birmingham is just a hotbed of activity. Anyway hope this helps. My suggestion is stay in Manchester or Liverpool if you can because I was able to priceline rooms in those cities for $75-$92 a night.

First bid $79 on 1/23 rejected Taxes $24.09 Booked 1/25

Sorry forgot how much I paid. $85.

First bid accepted. Taxes $22.76. Booked 01/14/08. Marriots seem to be the hotel of choice for priceline in the UK.

Won on first bid. Taxes $20.88. Booked on 01/11/08.

Got on first attempt (should have gone lower) Taxes: $43.66 Booked: 12/20/07 Use Hotwire (and the Hotwire Hotel list from betterbidding) to determine bid. Hotwire was asking $104 for a 4* downtown.