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TBQ

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Everything posted by TBQ

  1. The culprit here (pertaining to the Venetian) is the following: COMPUTER ASSOCIATES ANNOUNCES CA WORLD 2005 CA�s Premier Event Focuses on Innovation, Collaboration and Technology ISLANDIA, N.Y., March 17, 2005 - Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE: CA) today announced that CA World 2005 will be held at the Venetian Las Vegas and Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, November 13-17, 2005.
  2. I'll start by saying that this is a very nice hotel, but it's really more of a 3* (if Priceline had a 3.5 star ranking, it would fit perfectly). No major problems - the room was clean, the plumbing and the electronics worked properly. But, as an example, there's no chair other than a very small desk chair - I think that a true 4* should have better seating (and lighting - the room was dark. Staff was nice, smoking preference was given with no problem. The shower had excellent water pressure (the hotel is about 8 years old) and they use Lux and Dove liquid soap and shampoo (no separate soap). Ridiculous wi-fi rates (
  3. I notce that as of right now 2:25 pm Eastern Time on 4/28, the Venetian site is listing $169 for those dates. It's possible that the Venetian uploaded higher Priceline rates (late last night) *BEFORE* they uploaded the revised rates to their own website. If they did the updating in the reverse sequence, they would run the risk of violating their guarantee (the "Suite-est Rate Guarantee") that their own site will always have the lowest (non-opaque) rates. Again, this is just a theory. The Hospitality Expo (20,000 delegates) is what is causing the high rates on the 7th Re: recommendation for the 7th - You might consider the Renaissance - It's new (opened 4 or 5 months ago), with stylish, modern decor and flat-panel TVs. and it's only one monorail stop from the Venetian. AFAIK it's the only 4* in Priceline's Convention Center zone, and can often be had for a bid of $75 to $80, even for a one-night Saturday bid. It's not on the Strip (next to the South Hall of the Convention Center), but it's only for one night, right?
  4. Sun Microsystems is having their Java developer conference at the Moscone Center on June 27-30. There was no indication as to how many delegates are coming in. Although almost all hotels are on the housing lists, they might release unreserved rooms from the blocks they are holding right now (the hotel form didn't list a booking deadline).
  5. Hello helsinkiflyer - Just to re-confirm, the Westin now resides in Priceline's Berlin East zone. I won a bid at the Westin (specifying only the East zone) about three weeks ago. My stay takes place next week.
  6. There is an 8000 delegate show (National Nutritional Foods Association) being held at the Sands Exhibition Center and headquartered at the V on the dates 7/14 - 7/17. Since most of the delegates are probably staying at the V, this might explain why rooms are tight at the V yet plentiful and inexpensive at the Bellagio.
  7. When it opens two weeks from today, Wynn Las Vegas will be adding 2700 luxury rooms directly across the street from the Venetian. Hopefully this will have the effect of making the promoional rates (and therefore the lowest PL rates) available during weekdays AND weekends when there are no conventions and when non-convention-driven demand is especially low <insert icon for crossing fingers> :)
  8. Thereuare - I understand how strong the "focused mindset" can be :) I just wanted to present the OP with an alternative to have in his "bag of tricks" when his wife and her friends come to see what *MAY* be the inevitable. It never hurts to be prepared, right? ` BTW somehow I deleted the name of my suggested hotel in my first post - it's the new Residence Inn on Industrial Road (sounds charming) :) True - I fully understand the desire to be able to just take an elevator and be right in the middle of the action, without having to drive and park the car (not to mention not having to choose a designated driver and all of that)! I looked at all June, July and August weekend dates on the Mandalay price chart and their Friday-Saturday never go below $219 and in fact most are in the range between $239 and $299 per night. Because there doesn't seem to be anything big on the Convention Calendar, it is probably just strong general bookings (and of course July 2-4 is a three-day federal holiday weekend. I even checked the boxing calendar at boxingscene.com and didn't see any boxing matches listed for the MB on those dates. Despite all that, I'm sure we will all keep our eyes and ears open and will post any MB news that we come across.
  9. I'd like to suggest a third option: With four people, rather than shoehorning into one room (with one bathroom) :) why not consider this alternative: for $149 per night, you can get a two-bedroom two-bath suite in a newly-opened Residence Inn that is within one mile of the Mandalay Bay. Free cont. breakfast, free highspeed internet, and the ability to park near your suite. Marriott Rewards points, too :) I realize you won't get to use the great swimming pool and beach at the MB, but do you really want to do the sardine "thing"? As they say, YMMV.....
  10. This is a follow-up to my previous win at the Westin Grand on May 3rd, whcih can be seen * HERE * There is a major medical convention in town (the 86th "Deutschen R
  11. Thanks to thenewbie (and welcome to BB, by the way) for doing the requisite homework. The weekend in question coincides with the ramp-up to the huge meeting of the National Association of Broadcasters. With the NAB sessions starting Monday morning, the 140,000 delegates are coming in on the weekend. Due to expense-account spending, the more expensive rooms are in especially high demand (too bad the Wynn opens one week after the NAB ends). Good luck in your quest .
  12. Succeeded on the second bid, after an initial bid of $61 was rejected three days previously. The best rate on westin.com was EUR 112,-- I think there is some conception that one "MUST" stay in the Kurfurstemdam area - it's nice, but by no means the only acceptable zone. And while Potsdamer Platz has its charms, Mitte is just a little bit better :) The Westin Grand Friedrichstr. 158-164 Berlin, Germany 49 30 20270 Check-In Date: Tue, May 3, 2005 Check-Out Date: Wed, May 4, 2005 Your Offer Price: $65.00 Number of Rooms/Nights: 1 / 1 Subtotal: $65.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $18.11 Total Charges: $83.11 At today's exchange rate, EUR 112,-- equals USD 144.40 (When comparing rates, please rememebr that the European rates typically include the VAT)
  13. The specific challenge here is that the American Orthodontics Association is having their annual convention precisely during your proposed dates. The Marriott is the HQ hotel and many USE/USW hotels are also on the housing list:
  14. A check of the Las Vegas Convention Calendar (which thereuare has linked for us in the Nevada section ** HERE ** ) reveals that a 20,000 delegate convention hosted at the Sands Exhibition Center (attached to the Venetian) closes on the 7th - many of those delegates will probably hang out on Saturday and head home on Sunday (which is probably why HOTWIRE has Sunday night Venetian suites for only $120 right now). In addition to the Strip-located alternative that thereuare has provided, another option is to try to win a Saturday room at the newly-opened Renaissance. You mighht be able to get it for the $75 to $90 range for Saturday (ride the monorail to and from the Strip) and then move to the Venetian on Sunday (it's the very next monorail stop down from the Ren).
  15. There is a 19,000 delegate "International Security Conference" on the 5th and 6th at the Sands Exhibition Center, which is part of the overall Venetian complex. I'm guessing that the Venetian is the headquarters hotel for this show.
  16. In addition to the normal weekend and NCAA tourney crowds, there are a couple of mid-sized conventions: International Sign Association 3/30 to 4/2 18,000 delegates Pizzaeria Operators Association 3/30 to 4/1 10,000 delegates ASI Show 3/30 to 4/1 12,000 delegates and a lot of smaller meetings All of these factors taken together mean that (potentially) rooms will be tight.
  17. Thanks for the great review/report. I know the hotel well - I used to have a client in the adjacent office building (that building used to house the corporate HQ of Quaker Oats, and it was always fun to see the face of the Quaker Oats man embossed on the metal elevator doors). On a future trip, if you want funk, check the Loews site for special rates at the House of Blues Hotel, directly across Dearborn Street from the Westin, in the Marina City complex. I assure you the rooms have TONS of sizzle and personality :) The HOB is on the PL lists, so you might even luck into a winning bid.
  18. Over the last dozen years I've made about 20 trips to Italy, with maybe 75% of those involving a rental car (in most cases I was driving in from Germany/Austria or France as part of extended trips). I like the freedom and flexibility that a car gives you, but yes, there are times and places when you'll want to park the vehicle and walk or use public transport (such as when transit is available). Driving into and out of the "cento" is not a big deal - hoerver, driving in the tight confines of the old town section of some cities (the so-called 'cento storico') can be innerving to a first timer. The (non) availability of on site parking is simply a matter of the hotel's site. Many hotels located in 18th or 19th century buildings simply don't have room for etensive garages or lots. However, because a significant amount of their domestic clientele does arrive by car, most have arrangements with nearby garages. In my experience, the hotels that provide no-charge parking are those that are NOT in the cento. For example, when visiting Bologna with a car, I stayed at the Sheraton Bologna (near the airport) where parking is plentiful and free. To go into town, I'd either drive in and park at a garage or on the street, or I also had the option of taking the Sheraton shutttle to the airport and from there taking the
  19. There is a daily $15 resort fee per room at the HRLLV. The fee includes: # Valet and self parking # Use of fitness facility # Use of spa locker room and sauna # Scheduled recreation and pool activities # Incoming faxes # Complimentary toll-free calls # Use of in-room safe # Transportation within resort # Secure golf bag storage The breakfast buffet is quite good (plenty of good smoked salmon) :) and the restaurant has outdoor seating if the weather is cooperating. If interested, there's a 09:00 tour of the grounds where one of the landscapers explains the various flora etc.
  20. Right across the street from the RD is the 2.5* Courtyard by Marriott, which is often won on PL for $36 + tax/fee. The CY is much newer than the RD, and all rooms have free highspeed (wired) internet access. Also, don't forget about the (in) famous In-and-Out Burger, a mere <10 minute walk from both hotels.
  21. If your desired dates coincide with these: March 27, 28 April 10, 11, 12 April 24,25,26 You can get these special rates. Book online or by phone, ask for "Spring is in full bloom" promotional rate Disclaimer - I have no connection with the Bellagio except as a past guest.
  22. There is a 12,000 delegate trade show at the Sands Expo Center (next to the Venetian) that runs from 3/30 to 4/01. The Venetian is the HQ hotel.
  23. There are two conventions ("Hair and Nail Conference" and "Esthetics Cosmetics and Spa Conference") with a total of 41,000 delegates over these dates. While 41K is not super-huge by Vegas standards, the fact that the dates overlap a weekend is probably contributing to somewhat limited room supply.
  24. My initial bid of USD 75 was rejected, but I got it with a re-bid at USD 80: Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel 3400 Paradise Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 702-733-6533 Check-In Date: Sat, Feb 12, 2005 Check-Out Date: Mon, Feb 14, 2005 Your Offer Price: $80.00 Number of Rooms/Nights: 1 / 2 Subtotal: $160.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $25.05 Total Charges: $185.05 This newly opened non-gaming hotel (Nov. 2004) is immediately adjacent to the new South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. If you get a room on the Paradise Road side, you will overlook the dramatic new Wynn Las Vegas hotel and its golf gourse. Better still, the new Monorail stops about a block away :) The hotel is great, with 30" LCD flat-panel televisions, modern decor in soothing colors, free wired highspeed internet access, and a glass-wall stall shower separate from the bathtub (at least in my room). The in-room safes also have power outlets so that you can charge the laptop while youre out and about. IIRC, the Renassance.com best price was a weekend rate of USD 159.00 plus tax. This is the first 4* in this zone - it should be available whenever there isn't a big show in the LVCC.
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