lee1

Kitchener gears up for Oktoberfest each year - a very big event - one of the largest outside Europe. We have staying in the Comfort Inn (2*) in past years for about 45.00. My wife wanted a 3* this year so even though October is a while away I thought this time I would get started early rather than in September. Here is what I did starting last week: Bid 43.00 for 3* for Kitchener only - refused. Bid 45.00 for 3* adding Cambridge (which only goes up to 2.5) but was still able to bid 3* by adding it - refused again. I then tried one shot at 43.00 for 2.5* Kitchener only - refused. My wife then used her account at work.... Bid 47.00 for 3* Kitchener only - refused. Added Cambridge as above and bid 49.00 refused. Waited 72 hours. Bid 51.00 - refused. Added Cambridge bid 54.00. Received counter offer to add 15.00. Went to wife's account and bid 57.00 and it was accepted. I checked later and the lowest rate I could find was 109.00 CDN for standard internet purchase. Granted, Oktoberfest is a big affair and I did save $ but this was not one of my best deals since the next night we will be in Toronto at a 4* for the same price. But if I make my wife happy... BTW, my guess is that the 2.5 star in Kitchener is the Holiday Inn. Come to Oktoberfest and have a great time and some real beer - not the US watered down Budweiser.

We were seeking a 2 star for July 18 near Syracuse. Priceline -Syracuse has a North, University, East and Fairgrounds locations. We preferred North. We began by trying my wife's account at home. tried 2 star North at 34.00 (the system came back and said if we rebid immediately and added 9 we would have better luck, so I knew I was close but was unwilling to add 9. Tried 2 star University area -- no luck. Tried North, East and University 2 star at 35 - no luck. Went to work and then tried my account. Bid 38.00 2 star North. Success and got the Doubletree Club. Taxes and fees added 11.12 It looks like a nice location and more like a 2.5 star.

As requested, we will be staying October 9, 2004

We will be spending the second half of our Oktoberfest visit (in Kitchener) in Toronto. We usually go to a Red Green taping at the CBC building on Saturday night. I read about the La Meridian on King Street as a 4 star and hoped to get it. I was also aware of the Intercontinental Hotel another Priceline 4 star. I noticed prior bids of 60 as sucessful for both. So, since it is a while before October I started a little lower at 57.00. My first bid for a 4 star downtown was accepted. I did end up with the Intercontinental and it looks very nice. The lowest internet quote I saw for this property was 239.00 cdn (around 172.00 US).

With school starting again in the fall it is time to go clothes shopping in mid August, plus its my birthday on the day of arrival (Sunday) and the new Cabelas outdoor store is just up the road. I initally bid 40.00 on a 3*. It was not accepted. I went to a two star since I knew it was the Wellesley (- plus they have a breakfast buffet) and bid 34.00 - it was accepted. Additional fees and taxes added 10.17. The best online rates appeared to be 71.00.

I have just become a member of betterbidding. I may have overpaid by a few dollars based on the experiences of prior posters on this hotel. Unfortunately I do not recall if my sucessful bid was my first or follow up bid. However, our stay is for two nights for the second weekend of July 2004. The bid was for 44.00 per night - taxes and fees added another 12.51.

My wife and I were looking for a one day getaway for the upcoming 3rd week of July 2004. We saw through Priceline that there was a 4 star in Rochester. Then I discovered your helpful website and found the bidding post on this Hyatt. Based on the PRIOR BIDDING EXPERIENCE of Phaelon56 I decided to begin the bidding at 57.00 for the downtown region only. I was very suprised that my first bid was accepted. The additional fees and taxes brought the total to 71 and change (which seemed a little high). However, considering that the best previous bid for the Hyatt posted here was 10.00 more I won't complain too much. The Hyatt's best web offer is now 198.00.