cakobau

thereuare, Yes, the Westin was clearly deserving of a 4 star rating (I don't really know what 4.5 means...) and the 3.5 categorization was on the low side. This was a great stay. Regarding your other question, hotwire vs. priceline: I only really started using Priceline recently (not sure why I didn't really pursue it, I guess I just assumed that Priceline and Hotwire would be the same price, essentially, so why mess with the bidding), but lately I have been favoring Priceline; most of my purchases before March of this year were on Hotwire. Priceline won me over when I got the Hyatt in downtown Phoenix for $37, which I only DARED bid after stumbling across another site (your competitor, if you will, whose name I won't mention...) that listed winning bids. After that bid, and after reading others' posts, I came to realize that Hotwire is generally more expensive that Priceline, for substantially similar inventory. I haven't booked anything on Hotwire in months, but I will always consult them for a rate. If recent bids for a Priceline 4 star are 10 or more dollars less than the equivalent Hotwire hotel, then I'll start bidding on PCLN. (Example: the Embassy Suites hotel in Napa, CA, comes up regularly in the $60 range on Priceline. For August 17, Hotwire is showing a suite hotel, 3 stars, that sounds like the Embassy Suites (it's not on your list for Hotwire, though), for $165. Once I figure out my travel dates, I'll bid for that one, rather than use Hotwire. Of course, there are some cases where Hotwire has hotels that Priceline simply does not. Calistoga, CA, for example. Sorry for the long-winded answer. Appreciate the site.

My pleasure! Thanks for putting up this site. It's nice to see a site devoted to both Priceline and Hotwire. All the best, cakobau

My last "vintage" post of the day, but I noticed this hotel wasn't on the list. Booked way back on 8/19/2002. My very first Hotwire purchase actually... ahh, memories! 3.5 stars Boutique Hotel Restaurant(s) Fitness Center Business Center The Tremont Boston - A Wyndham Historic Hotel 275 Tremont Street Boston, MA 02116 (617) 426-1400 Check-in: Fri, Aug 30, 2002 Check-out: Sat, Aug 31, 2002 1 room(s) @ $74.00 per night x 1 night(s) $74.00 Taxes and fees: $14.95 Hotel Subtotal $88.95 Total Price $88.95

Another old posting. Purchased 5/2/2003 2.5 stars Laundry Facilities (self-service) Homestead St Louis Airport 11252 Lone Eagle Drvie Bridgeton, MO 63044 (314) 739-0600 Check-in: Mon, May 5, 2003 Check-out: Thu, May 8, 2003 1 room(s) @ $29.00 per night x 3 night(s) $87.00 Taxes and fees: $19.95 Hotel Subtotal $106.95 Total Price $106.95 Room had full kitchenette as well.

Bid 45, 50, 55, 60, and the winning 65. Bid placed 6/11/2004. Hyatt Regency Islandia Check-In Date: Friday, June 25, 2004 Check-Out Date: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 San Diego Coastal 1441 Quivira Road San Diego, California 92109 619-224-1234 Your Offer Price: $65.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 4 Subtotal: $260.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $38.69 Total Charges: $298.69

Another post from my Hotwire archives, FYI. Booked 5/2/2003 2 stars Kitchenette Laundry Facilities (self-service) Homestead KC Overland Park 5401 West 110th Street Shawnee Mission, KS 66211 (913) 661-7111 Check-in: Thu, May 8, 2003 Check-out: Sat, May 10, 2003 1 room(s) @ $32.00 per night x 2 night(s) $64.00 Taxes and fees: $14.95 Hotel Subtotal $78.95 Total Price $78.95

Note that this is from 2003. Purchased on 05/28/03 3.5 stars Resort Airport Shuttle Restaurant(s) Pool(s) Fitness Center Business Center Tennis Nearby Spa Services The Westin Bayshore Resort and Marina 1601 Bayshore Drive Vancouver, BC V6G 2V4 Canada (604) 682-3377 Check-in: Tue, Jun 3, 2003 Check-out: Wed, Jun 4, 2003 1 room(s) @ $50.00 per night x 1 night(s) $50.00 Taxes and fees: $14.95 Hotel Subtotal $64.95 Total Price $64.95

Another old purchase, made on 11/13/2003. 4 stars Restaurant(s) Pool(s) Fitness Center Business Center The Palmer House Hilton 17 East Monroe Street Chicago, IL 60603 (312) 726-7500 Check-in: Thu, Nov 27, 2003 Check-out: Sun, Nov 30, 2003 1 room(s) @ $77.00 per night x 3 night(s) $231.00 Taxes and fees: $39.95 Hotel Subtotal $270.95 Total Price $270.95

Another historical post. 4 stars Airport Shuttle Restaurant(s) Pool(s) Fitness Center Business Center The Westin Ohare 6100 North River Road Rosemont, IL 60018 (847) 698-6000 Check-in: Sun, Nov 30, 2003 Check-out: Mon, Dec 1, 2003 1 room(s) @ $67.00 per night x 1 night(s) $67.00 Taxes and fees: $16.95 Hotel Subtotal $83.95 Total Price $83.95

Another historical purchase. Date Purchased: Thu, 02/12/04, 11:15AM Doubletree Hotel Tucson at Reid Park 3 stars Amenities: Restaurant(s), Pool(s), Fitness Center, Business Center, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Spa Services 445 South Alvernon Way Tucson, AZ 85711 (520) 881-4200 Check-in: Sat, Mar 20, 2004 Check-out: Mon, Mar 22, 2004 1 room(s) @ $62.00 per night x 2 night(s) $124.00 Taxes and fees: $22.95 Hotel Subtotal $146.95 Total Price $146.95 VERY nice place, by the way. Big thumbs up. They have orange and grapefruit trees in their courtyard, which you are free to pick. Free high-speed internet access in the rooms, free wi-fi in the lounge, free parking.

Another historical bid. Hilton Sedona Resort Check-In Date: Thursday, March 18, 2004 Check-Out Date: Friday, March 19, 2004 Sedona 90 Ridge Trail Drive Sedona, Arizona 86351 928-284-4040 Your Offer Price: $70.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $70.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $14.58 Total Charges: $84.58 Originally bid 65, upped to 70 to win.

Posting my old winning bids. Bid for this 2/14/2004 for a 3/22/2004 stay. Hyatt Regency Phoenix At Civic Plaza Check-In Date: Monday, March 22, 2004 Check-Out Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2004 Downtown Phoenix 122 Second Street Phoenix, Arizona 85004 602-252-1234 Your Offer Price: $37.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $37.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $10.80 Total Charges: $47.80

First post on this board. Will post bids from past year or so subsequently. Bid this yesterday, 6/15/04. Bid history: 60, 65, 68, 70, and the winning 72. Marriott San Francisco Downtown Check-In Date: Friday, August 13, 2004 Check-Out Date: Monday, August 16, 2004 Union Square East - Embarcadero 55 Fourth Street San Francisco, California 94103 415-896-1600 Your Offer Price: $72.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 3 Subtotal: $216.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $37.32 Total Charges: $253.32 Hotel's own website shows $159.