the_chad

PL was showing the median price for a 4* in the area as $202. Hotwire was showing what I perceived as this property for $102 per night (total w/ taxes $246). Sofitel was offering rooms for $187 (total w/ taxes 421.88). Started bidding at $80, utilizing permutation bidding, PL accepted at $88. Win! Two nights: $176.00 Taxes: 32.12 Total: 208.12 Bonus: free parking As always, used PL and HOTWIRE links. As an aside, I really wanted Palo Alto area and the Westin. But. PL wasn't having any of it. Started bidding multiple times at $80/95 and bidding all the up to $130. Nothing. There is an event at Stanford that weekend and why we will be in town, so while it explained the higher bids, it was too much. The Sofitel is a great property only 20min away. And again, the free parking.

Yes, there is Tennis listed. Sorry, I did look at see all, but still left that one off! Those are all of the amenities.

I used the above link for HOTWIRE to locate a hotel for the parameters listed in the topic info. Amenities: Free Internet, Fitness Center, Business Center, Laundry Facilities (self-service), Golf Nearby Trip Advisor: 3.5/5 $61/night Any clue? My goal is to try and get as close to the Grote Market as possible for around $70/night (pre-tax). I usually opt for PL and may do so depending on the ability to narrow Hotwire hotels. Thank you for your help!

I'm curious of the Stanhope listed amenities before booking as well... I'll be booking a hotel in Brussels very soon... Thanks!

I most certainly check the zones EACH and EVERYTIME before I bid. And yes, I am glad I did so! Very interesting, I don't think I've ever noticed that large of a fluctuation in hotel *'s. I'd be curious to see if briefly for the 31st and dates very near, that some 3/3.5* were temporarily upgraded to 4*... Then return to lower *'s afterward! ps- Thanks for the quick reply Romelle! :)

I typically use permutation bidding, but wanted to give the above a shot. What I don't get is how does Paris have 10 rebid zones? I only count four areas of 3* (Areas 3, 4 ,7, and 16)... Am I missing something? Also, in the above rubric, you are first bidding on the four areas of Champs, Eiffel, OQW, and OQE at once together, yes? Then adding rebid zones. Then starting over and bidding only for St. Germain. Is that correct? (I'll start a thread/post after success; I'm essentially just bidding for 12/31)

Used permutation bidding starting at $40 (3 rebid zones). On 5th bid ($53), PL countered with $67. Rejected. Bid two more times for the win. 2 nights w/ taxes = 148.68 Thanks again for existing. I used the PRICELINE link above to bid and for searches. (Ps- I can't wait to post bidding help for Paris and not a winning bid for DENTON, TX of all places... :D )

I used the PRICELINE link above to bid in this area knowing that the Marriot was the only 4* property. Using permutation bidding with 4 rebid zones, I won the property at $71/night. Total w/ taxes for 2 nights $172.58 Additional useful (debatable) info: Priceline listed the 4* property in San Mateo as $159 per night. 1st bid: 63 (rejected and countered w/ 79) rebid: 65 new bid: 68 (countered again w/ 79) rebid: 71 (win) A number of forums have included people scoffing at the ~$20 parking charge but I noticed there is nearby street parking and quasi residential area that should be sufficient to save some extra beer money. For the price, location, and potential avoidance of parking fees, this property seems to be a great deal for the area. Second to maybe the Sofitel in Redwood City area listed in San Jose. Thanks again for all that you all do here. I use Betterbidding fanatically and will always praise its usefulness to others.

Thank you for your help. After reading your post, I figured I would try my hand at San Mateo or Redwood City areas on Priceline (Marriot and Sofitel respectively). I won the Marriot for my dates and will post in the appropriate section shortly.

And all this time i thought clicking see all meant i would see the entire list of what was possible... Sorry. "All Amenities" Free Parking Airport Shuttle Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center High-Speed Internet Access Hope that helps narrow it down. Thanks!

Listed amenities: Free Parking, Airport Shuttle, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s) $79 Crowne Plaza is listed in 3.5*... and the other 3 listed (Holiday Inn Exp, Best Western Coyote Point, Holiday Inn San Mateo)... Unless I'm missing something, I got nothing! Thank you! Used HOTWIRE link above.

Follow up and interesting discovery: I think the Renaissance is a great hotel, especially for $75/night. Many travelers are so focused on Pike Place, etc. that they neglect Capitol Hill (just North of the hotel, easily in walking distance). The best discovery I made was renting a car for a day through Budget Rental (via Costco Travel). The 1 day w/ taxes and fees total was $24. It was 3 blocks away. The best part!? They offer free parking, including overnight, when you park AT the Budget Rental. I will happily walk 3 blacks each way to save $20-40 parking per day.

I used PRICELINE link above and started bidding at $65. Rejected and was offered for $85. Declined; used rebid zones and incrementally worked up until $75 bid was accepted. 3 nights, with taxes = $270.60 (Renaissance cheapest rate was 557.41 w/ taxes) As always, thanks again for a great forum.

Brocation 2011 is looming (tomorrow). We are sticking with the Ace Hotel and are thrilled. Thanks again!

I will be in Seattle for Cross Country nationals and didn't need anything too nice; the Renaissance was the event's hotel (room rate $119/night w/o taxes). Figured i would try PL for S's and G's... For comparison: Hotwire was listing 4* for $93/night, total w/taxes for 2 nights = $229. [Hotwire sidenote... it listed the following as amenities: smoke free, fitness center, pool, restaurant, business center. Which, unless I am missing something, doesn't perfectly match...] It appears most people are getting 4* via PL at around $85-95 so i was prepared to play the permutations game and add rebid zones of Bothell, Lake Union, and Lynwood. First bid: $80, accepted. Westin. Success! Total 2 nights = $192.72 As usual, thanks for the site, help, and insight. I used the PRICELINE link above.

I waited a couple more weeks to see what, if anything, changed on the 4* listings for downtown. The amenities changed and the price went up a few dollars. I have since booked a room at the Ace Hotel and with their cancellation policy of 24hrs, I can continue to monitor HOTWIRE if we decide to take our chances. As it is, Ace is in a great location, very similar in price, and free wifi. 4 nights w/ tax totals $697 (1 room, 2 double beds). I will update if I cancel to take my chances with HOTWIRE (or PRICELINE).

All three of those would be great considering location and amenities. The boutique amenity seems to do a fair amount of narrowing of the field... Few questions: 1) How often do the prices change on HW (ie what is the likelihood that the price will be different tomorrow or another property be listed)? 2) Is there any other research I can do to help narrow it down? 3) How would this pricing for this mystery boutique property impact any PL bidding? Well, if it isn't completely obvious, I would not bid more than $114. I do take a little comfort in knowing that it is roughly one of a few properties, considering we want to be as centrally located as possible. I know when i mapped out each hotel listed in the downtown 4* category, there was one outlier to the south east that would not be ideal. Do you think bidding through PL would secure a similar property for less? If so, how much less? Thank you again.

I should've canceled the trip considering my marathon time! (just kidding. sorta.) I bribed friends staying at the Blackstone, right across from Grant Park. Which is an absolutely phenomenal hotel.

Sorry about the lack of follow ups to the 2 other threads; I incorrectly assumed that having not won a room through PL that no additional information was needed. I will be sure to follow up in the future regardless of outcome. Again, my apologies. I really appreciate the site as well as everyone's help and insight.

Again, sorry that I didn't follow up; I had no news to report or winning bid information. I wasn't able to secure a room below the $70 threshold and did not purchase a room through Priceline or Hotwire. I simply stayed at $85 room booked by a friend previously. Thanks for your help, I will be certain to post information in the future to each thread i start (regardless of whether i have bidding/winning information).

Sorry that I didn't follow up; I had no news to report or winning bid information. I wasn't able to secure a room anywhere near my budget and did not purchase a room through Priceline or Hotwire. Thank you for the information though! That was an impossible weekend to win any kind of deal :/

Please help me identify the hotel with the following parameters: Boutique Fitness Center Restaurant(s) Hi speed interwebs (Nothing in the list thread fit the parameters perfectly) Also, Based up the advertised rate on Hotwire of $114 per night (with taxes for all days $530), what can i expect bidding to be like using Priceline? Lastly, what should be my first bid? Thank you very much for your help!

10/10/10 is the Chicago marathon. If i was merely there for completing the race, i may not care where i stayed or the location in the city, but that's not the case. SO... I have flexible dates for staying downtown as i can stay with friends outside of the city or book a hotel just as easily. I'm quite flexble regarding * level and how many nights. The integral part is to be in the MP/Loop/Grant district on 10/9, the night before the marathon to allow the easiest access to the start line. Cursory research including a 2 night stay, 10/9 & 10/10 yields the following: Retail price showing for a 4* = $296 Retail price showing for a 3.5* = $268 Retail price showing for a 3* = $238 Is this a lost cause? I understand that a typical "wow, great deal" is unlikely, but what i can reasonably estimate to be a per night winning bid? What should i start my bid with? Many thanks for your help in advance!!!

thanks aaronJB, i will probably keep trying every few days. i have a backup with staying just outside of downtown for around $85 a night. really looking for that sub $70 room downtown. updates to follow...

QFT. RTD express is great. i have used it multi times. reliable, comfortable, and a great deal.