blowfish

I tried to extend the stay using transparent rates for one night and found the property completely booked up -- it looks like they're being aggressive with inventory management. The hotel was decent, but nothing to write home about. I'd be happy to win it again at this price.

For what it's worth: a one-night extension of this rate was denied, though I got a counter-offer at $159. I was delighted by the hotel: at $90, it's an exceptional value. The bedding was superb, the pool and fitness area were lovely, and the room was sizeable (by European standards). I'd go back in an instant.

Thanks to all for the help. Your help, combined with seeing someone win the Atlante Garden in June for $81, inspired me to keep trying, and slowly. And I had looked at transparent booking sites: as a backup, I had been holding a single quad room (rather than two priceline rooms) for 120EUR (~US$162). I got the Atlante Garden today for $95, having not gotten it for $92. At $80/82/84/87, I got counteroffers at $104. At both $90 and $92, I was offered a chance to rebid for +$22.

I'm trying to get two rooms in Rome for May 18-21. Started the bidding low... In central, at 4*, bidding $85, was offered a room at $166 (no counteroffer when I bid $80 yesterday). In central, 5*, bidding $119, offered a room for $259 (no counteroffer when I bid $115). In the Vatican City zone, 4*, bidding $80, offered a room for $104!!! Hotwire has a 4* in Vatican City for $119. (breakfast, restaurant, business center, net; apparently the same one as in the April 18th thread). Of the two 4* Vatican city area hotels reported here, the Quality Nova Domus has a transparent rate of just under 130 EUR/night. The Atlante Garden is offering a non-refundable rate of about 130 EUR/night, so just slightly higher. The Nova Domus has not been reported here lately, but its TripAdvisor reviews suggest that it's still being won on one of the opaque booking sites. I'd really prefer to be in the central zone, but with the price differential, if I knew I'd get the Atlante Garden for these prices, I'd go for it. I'm a little timid about getting the Nova Domus, though. Anyone out there with recent Rome experience who hasn't posted yet? Any wisdom to offer?

In Amsterdam, use trams, not cabs. If you're that disappointed, and noting that 15 EUR each way for cabs could work out to 30 EUR/day (or >US$40), you might consider using this hotel just for the free parking and instead bidding on another in the city. I've gotten 5* rooms for a subset of those same dates for $85, we're seeing reports of 4* in the low $60s. -- Sam

For May 12-15, I had priceline repeatedly counteroffer $163 for a 4*. Not being sure I wanted to be stuck at the Hilton (both for location and cost of amenities), I wasn't bidding 5* at all.

Roni, Would you check the hotel's ZONE, as shown on the confirmation page? The Sheraton is far enough out of the way that I'm surprised to hear it listed in Central.

Details of rebid offers (for the Wednesday night stay, 4/1/09): 3.5* for $45 in Newark/Fremont, was offered a chance to rebid for +$13. 3* and $40, was offered a chance to rebid for +$12.

I just noticed that this is a new hotel for this board's priceline list. A few more details: Breakfast (eggs cooked to order) is $12.95, served 'til 10am weekdays, 11am weekends. The steam table food looked unappealing, so we went to Hobee's instead. Free wireless and wired net, both provided by iBahn. Lots of power outlets, including ones beside the bed. Limited fitness center, coin laundry. Micro fridge in he room. Helpful people.

On day of travel, bid $45 for a 3.5* in Newark/Fremont, was offered a chance to rebid for about $12-17 more (if I can find the exact number again, I'll post it). Instead dropped to 3* and $40. Was again offered a chance to rebid if I raised by ~$12. Instead raised to only $46 for 3* and got the Hyatt Place, a former AmeriSuites. The highway exit right at the hotel (Warren) is closed right now. The hotel is very close to the Courtyard, Hampton Inn, Marriott, La Quinta, and Homestead Studio Suites. Free cold breakfast and wireless. Down duvet and nice pillows.

Rejected at $40 for Cupertino-Campbell. Added Sunnyvale - Santa Clara (not a free re-bid) and raised to $45. Got the Courtyard on Wolfe Rd., just off of 280 and right next door to the Hilton Garden Inn. Seems a little dated, but it's an ordinary Courtyard.

On about 3/15, bid $60 for a one-night stay (3/22/09). Was given an offer to rebid for +$17. Instead added zones, trying $62, $65, and then hitting on $70. Later extended the stay for one night at the same rate. I think the hotel was paid $69. The Parc55 is a very reasonable property, and it nickel-and-dimes less than the nearby Hilton: $13 wired OR wireless net (v. $16), free fitness center (v. $15). Down duvets, good pillows. Very close to the Powell St. BART.

A new hotel for the list: the Grand Hotel Amrath. Rejected at $85 (and lower); accepted at $90. Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: US$90.00 Subtotal: US$450.00 Taxes & Service Fees: US$65.37 Total Charges: US$515.37 It's nominally a 7 minute walk from Amsterdam's central station. Free wireless net and free minibar(!). It's not as cheap as some reports we've seen recently (e.g. the Kransnapolsky for $73), but from the TripAdvisor reviews, this promises to be one of the nicest hotels in the city. Transparent rates for the same days run $178-209 (plus taxes, in some cases). I need a hotel for a few days before this, when transparent rates in the city are much lower. I'm debating trying to extend this rate or bidding separately and running the risk of having to move.

Having first tried PRICELINE and failed with bids of up to $82 (four star only, Union Square West + free rebid zones), I went with HOTWIRE. Earlier in the day, HOTWIRE had offered $84 for a two night stay at (apparently) the same property, but it had risen to $89 when I booked. Three nights @ $89. $267 + 46.37 = $313.37 Amenities: Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center High-speed Internet Access Transparent rates were $189 for 3/24 and 3/25 with a non-refundable rate of $119 available for Thursday, 3/26. Internet access is $16/day. Fitness center is $15/day. Hotel parking is outrageous, but the Downtown Center Garage across the street has more reasonable rates as well as a $15 overnight special (in after 5:30pm and out by 9:30am STRICTLY).

Started with 3.5* for $35, was warned that I had limited chances for success. Bid anyway. No good. Added Leesburg (free rebid), offered $40. Got the Hyatt. Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $40.00 Subtotal: $40.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $11.50 Total Charges*: $51.50

First bid $40, was offered a chance to rebid at $52. Instead added South Side (one of two free rebid zones) and bid $45. Got the Wyndham at the corner of McKee Place & Forbes Ave. On check-in, were told no king rooms were available; room had notable cleaning issues; and heating unit was LOUD. Be warned that the on-site parking $17/night (valet only). Parking on-street is free 'til 8am (at meters) or 10am (residential permit parking, 1.5-2 blocks away), or you can use a garage a block away for $9/day.

Tried Gaithersburg/Rockville 3.5* for $35, $40, and $45 (adding Camp Springs and Laurel free rebid zones). Then moved to Bethesda/South Rockville 3.5* for $40; was offered a chance to win at $52. Instead rebid 3* for $45 and got the Legacy Hotel on Rockville Pike across from the Twinbrook Metro. Very happy. Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $45.00 Subtotal: $45.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $13.63 Total Charges*: $58.63

Correction: this win was for March (this past week), not February.

On Feb 25th: 3.5* 65 declined 3* 65 declined +DC SUB (free rebid zone) 3*, $75 declined +MV $85 won Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $85.00 Subtotal: $340.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $58.79 Total Charges*: $398.79

3* Columbia $35 (lost) add Ellicott City (not a free rebid) $40 (lost) later: 3* Columbia $45 (accepted) Courtyard Columbia 3 Star Columbia - Jessup 8910 Stamford Blvd Columbia, Maryland 21045-5806 410-290-0002 Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $45.00 Subtotal: $90.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $18.53 Total Charges*: $108.53