Used the ReavealHotels tab on the BetterBidding site and got the property the tool thought it would be. Great new feature! Should add that the rate through other sites was at $269 per night.
Reservation information
Booking date: February 4, 2020
Check-in: Wed, Feb 12 - 03:00pm
Check-out: Sun, Feb 16 - 11:00am
Room: 1 room (1 queen bed) | 2 adults
Nights: 4 nights
Amenities: Free internet, Pet friendly, Boutique hotel, Near beach, Smoke-free rooms, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Golf nearby, Children's activities
Accessibility: Accessible for visually impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Roll-in shower
Price summary
$812.00 ($203.00 per night x 4 nights x 1 room)
Coupon applied $40.60 (thanks Betterbidding!)
Taxes & fees $205.71
Promo code -$40.60
Hotwire Total (USD) $977.11
Resort fee $56.00 (Due at hotel)
Trip total (USD) $1,033.11
Trip total per night (USD) $258.28 (includes resort fee)
Plebian,
I have personally not made a purchase on the mobile app for NYOP, but the fact the mobile site constrains your bids to a predetermined range says to me the NYOP mobile *might* be of use to establish floor values when comparing to other offers (PL, HW, etc.). Will try out the PRICELINE EXPRESS or the HOTWIRE links as posted on this web site. Hopefully, there is a links still available. I tried links from my old wins to access the tried and true NYOP site to no avail.
And will look more closely at our admin's advice in the apparent lack of true NYOP which now puts PL into the tub of all other travel vendors trying to make a distinction without a true difference:
Admin's advice: "If your stay is for 2+ nites and for 3 stars or more, our Priceline Coupon makes their Express deals competitive with NYOP, but for one nite stays (or those 2.5 stars or less) it will be a little more than what used to be available by bidding."
I appreciate the response! For the record, tried the mobile application for NYOP and unfortunately you can only NYOP within a preset range defined by the mobile aplication, THE NYOP is via a slider bar, so not truly NYOP. Oh how I miss the good old days!
I hate to say it but am totally jammed trying to locate any PL NYOP page. I am a long time member so familiar with PL moving the link and despite trying https://www.biddingforhotelrooms.com/ cannot access any NYOP web page.
The link redirects to https://www.priceline.com/hotels and in fact, the links under "Our Products" for "Hotel Express Deals", Name Your Own Price", and "Hotels" all redirect to the same URL: https://www.priceline.com/hotels.
Is PL NYOP for hotels extinct on the web?
Edit: The only thing I could find was that PL is saying NYOP is only available as a mobile app now. Not sure if this is accurate: https://www.priceline.com/help-page/submenu/81/411/how-do-i-use-the-name-your-own-price-service
This link used to work through the BB site: https://www.priceline.com/hotels/startOffer.do?
The deals now are nowhere as good as I could get using NYOP, I was previously able to get cars at $10 a day or less in some markets. What PL has essentially done is increased their revenue stream and cut out the people that understood how to use NYOP skillfully.
That is a huge win. Got the same hotel at $250/night from 2/14 thru 2/20. It was tough to find good rates anywhere. Possible reasons are Daytona 500 is that weekend and the Miami Boat Show (though there has to be a boat show in Miami every few weeks...)
Started at $200, first offer was countered with a "try again at $310". Declined that. Used the rebids in increments of $10 until accepted at $250. Used the PRICELINE links.
Used the BiddingHelper.com tool. Rate at Hyatt.com was $248.
FULL AMENITIES: Free Internet, Indoor pool(s), Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Accessible for visually impaired, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking, Roll-in shower
Just returned from this property and was very pleased. If you are familiar with Kimpton properties and their boutique properties, this Confidante aligns well. Standard rooms are about 350 square feet with aking or two double beds. Larger rooms are available with a king or two queens. Since we were traveling with a third person, I called the property and was able to obtain an upgrade for $70 per night. The upgrade allowed for a partial ocean view of the Atlantic (and downtown Miami if you are on the south side of the building) with a walk out balcony that was nice. Honor bar in room though expensive. Property has a restaurant (or two I think) and small nightclub, though tends to be on the high side dollar-wise. We ate breakfast at the restaurant only one day out of three.
Amenities on the property include two pools (a family pool and adult pool - really no difference between the two), very attentive poolside service, chaise lounger chairs, rental cabanas (also on the beach), food and beverage service to the beach from hotel staff, a 24 hour gym, a spa with salon services, a nicely decorated pool area attractive seating with table tennis, a bar, a many shade umbrellas, and poolside towel service (if it rains, they come and change out your towels on the lounge chairs which was nice). Also free loaner bikes was a nice touch. Rental cabana on the peach was $65 for the day and well worth it (came with two outside lounge chairs and room enough to fit three in the cabana).
Spanning the rear of the property between the pool and beach is a boardwalk that doesn't belong to the property, but rather it would appear belongs to the county as the boardwalk strteched between many properties and is flanked by mangrove trees.
Some things to note: resort fee is $29/day and only parking is valet at $42/day. All restaurant, bar, and beach/pool food and beverage tabs automatically include a 20% tip. There is a gourmet domut shop called the Salty Donut near the pool area. Open 8 am to 2 am, it is a must try (this is not affiliated with the property).
Would I stay here again? Absolutely. The staff is friendly and attentive and the property is well maintained. My family enjoyed the property very much.
The property was re-branded in April 2016 as the Confidante - a Hyatt managed property. Formerly it was known as the "Thompson" so web searches may yield better results under that name until the web updates its records and information.
Thanks. Will post back in the room after the stay. Used the PRICELINE board links and the BiddingHelper.com tool in obtaining this win.
Add a new 4.5* to the list for the Miami Beach zone.
The Confidante - in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt 4.5 out of 5 star Hotel
Address: 4041 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach , FL , United States
Check-in: Thu Sep 8, 2016 - After 04:00 PM
Check-out: Sun Sep 11, 2016 - 12:00 PM
Offer price:$135.00/night
Hotel fee:$88.92
Number of rooms:1 room
Number of nights:3 nights
Room subtotal:$405.00
Taxes & fees:$75.27
Total charged today:$480.27
Total cost: $569.19
Savings:You saved 32%*
Amenities:
Free Internet (in Public Area)
Pet Friendly
Outdoor Pool
Spa
Non-Smoking
Gym
Handicap Accessible
Business Center
Was hoping for Fountainebleau Resort as it was the only 4.5* listed in the Miami zone but looks like a new addition. Started at $100 and added rebids until reaching $135. Price is without $29 report fee to be charged at checkout.
Edit: This property was apparently formerly known as "The Thompson".
Started bid at $12 and received counteroffer for $14. Bid using the BetterBidding.com PRICELINE link.
Daily offer price: $14.00
Number of days: 3
Taxes & Fees $35.24
Total charged: $77.24
Savings:You saved 53%*
Expedia price with Hertz for same date was $40:
Standard
Reserve Item 6, Standard from Hertz Rental Company at $166 total
$166 total
One night stay post New Year's eve as a getaway. Plenty of rebid zones in this area so started the bidding low at $30 escalating in $5 increments to an accepted bid of $75. Rack rate was $90, but got an upgrade to a suite from the front desk since the property was nearly empty the night after New Year's eve. Suites are very nice with mine on the fourth floor overlooking the pool. Large sitting area with loveseat and lounge chair, wet bar area (minifridge and sink), large bathroom with toilet separated by a door from dual wahs basins and large walk in shower with sitting area in shower. Very well appointed room and property and was very pleased with the property. As always, bid using BB's PRICELINE links.
|
|
|
One night weekend stay. Started at $45 with 4* zone. Added zones in $5 increments until securing the Kimpton's Madera property at $70. Used the board's PRICELINE links.
Edit: I thought I had bid on a Downtown White House hotel, but selected Downtown only by mistake. Oh well!
Room subtotal: $70.00
Taxes & fees: $16.81
Total charged today: $86.81
Reference rates were averaging $135 / night for hotels in this zone for one night, Sunday 3/22/2015. Eleven re=bids available at 4* level. Started at $50, incrementing bids by $5. Added three zones (Airport, East, West). Bid was accepted at $65.
Deal type: Name Your Own Price
Offer price: $65.00 /night
Number of rooms: 1 room
Number of nights: 1 night
Room subtotal: $65.00
Taxes & fees: $17.35
Total charged today: $82.35
Total charged: $82.35
Paid in full
Savings: You saved 51%*
Used the site [url=http://www.betterbidding.com/clicks/click.php?afsrc=1&id=40]PRICELINE[/url] link for the win.
Your Offer Price: $8.00 (per day)
Total Rental Days: 9
SubTotal: $72.00
Taxes and Fees: $77.52
Total Rental Car Charges: $149.52
You saved 60%!*
Used the PRICELINE link for the bid.
Bid up to $185 on a 3.5* property on Priceline with no success (started at 152 and added Culver, Inglewood, Lawndale, USC zones). Abandoned this bid and went for a 3* property.
Rates for 3* listed on the board were in the $200-$210 range, so I started bidding at $121. Added USC, Lawndale and Inglewood sites escalating at bids of $135, $145, and $155. Rack rate at the hotel's web site is $220/night and can be as low as $189/night with AAA or "Internet Only Rate".
Was surprised this came up as this property wasn't previously reported on the Priceline list of properties in the Santa Monica zone, so it must be a new addition. Hopefully this will work out as I have never really been fond of BW properties.
Rack rates for the Doubletree were $94 at time of bid and $119 for the Marriott. Plenty of rebids allowed for some freedom to start low. Started at $40 and increased in $5 increments until bid was accepted at $65. I actually prefer the Doubketree on PGA Blvd as in recently underwent some renovations and the lobby areas are quite nice, but have stayed at the Marriott before as well. No complaints!
Last I was at the Marriott about two or three years back, steam and sauna rooms near pool area were closed. I you get a concierge upgrade, note they are closed Friday through Sunday.
Started at $55 and added rebids at $10 increments. Got the room for one night for $75. Hotel is nicely appointed and right next to subway and Reading Terminal Market. Self parking options In the range of about $15-20 are nearby, though I opted for valet at $35 since t gave you in and out privileges. Happy with the property as rack rate was $179.
Bidding for again for the five day stay in Palm Beach Gardens. As of this post, (April 23, 2011) Doubletree is at $80.10 and Marriott's was $149 from their hotel sites.
Started bidding again at $50 and used rebids to up my price to $65. All were not successful.
Bid History
Started at 3* with $50 on Singer Island
Added Palm Beach Gardens and 3.5* at $55
Added Jupiter at $60
Added Central Palm Beach at $65
Was unsuccessful across the board again. Will book the Doubletree as a safety at $80 and try again later. There is a little league baseball tournament going on in the area at my time of travel and Doubletree is one of the hotels for the event. I guess when I tried a month ago, the rooms were blocked out and now they have opened to the public.
Used the PRICELINE link from the boards for the bids.
FYI - If you book with Hilton MVP promotion, rate falls to $71.20 and is cancellable. The MVP rpogram is available for most Hilton properties.
hiltonhhonors.com/landingpages/mvp.aspx
Bidding for a five day stay in Palm Beach Gardens. Typically, either the Marriott or the Doubletree are available. As of this post, (March 25, 2011) Doubletree is totally sold out (very unusual and hotel is showing no major events at this time) and Marriott's was $149 from their hotel sites. Also noticed Embassy Suites and Hampton Inn (both Hilton properties though not necessarily on Priceline) were at $116 and $84 respectively. Thought this might as least reflect area market conditions.
I started bidding at $50 and used rebids to up my price to $70. All were not successful. (Interesting Airport zone and West Palm Beach used to be rebids at 3.5* last year now they have increases in quality level rendering them unusable).
Bid History
Started at 3* with $50 on Singer Island
Added 3.5* and raised bid to $55
Added Palm Beach Gardens at $60
Added Jupiter at $65
Added Central Palm Beach at $70
Was unsuccessful across the board. Will try later and post back.
Used the PRICELINE link from the boards for the bids.
Success finally at $55! Same dates, same parameters. Hotel rates per Doubletree's website $89 (the same). as of 4/28.
Initial bid for PB Gardens at $40 for 3.5* was rejected.
Added Jupiter at $45.
Added Singer Island at $50.
Added Central Palm Beach at $55, accepted.
I will now cancel the $79.20 special Sunday stayover rate (still a good value), but I saved $123 with this bid.
Used the links to the Doubletree on the travel links page plus the PRICELINE link for my bids.
Bid details:
Doubletree Hotel Palm Beach Gardens 3
Tried again for this trip with no success, same dates (5/26 - 5/31), in Palm Beach Gardens zone at 3.5*. Hotel rates per Doubletree's website $89 (the same). Marriott rose from $109 to $129 for 5/26-5/27 but then lowers to $89 for remaining three days (this lower weekend price is new since the first bid). Looks like the weekend rooms may be easier to get while the Wednesday/Thursday rooms may be tougher. Just a thought....I am pondering splitting this into two bids at the risk of changing properties. One bid for 5/26-5/27 and another for 5/28-5/31.
Initial bid for PB Gardens at $40 for 3.5* was rejected.
Added Jupiter at $45.
Added Singer Island at $50.
Added Central Palm Beach at $55.
Added Airport at $60.
Added West Palm Beach at $65. All rejected.
I still have the $79.20 rate secured, but I am within $15 of this special condition rate (with my bid of $65) since I am staying over the weekend. The one bright spot is the Marriott's weekend rates discounted to $89 on the weekend, so perhaps that's a sign things will ease up a bit.
Used the links to the Doubletree / Marriott on the travel links page plus the PRICELINE link for my bids.
Gaylord Palms in Orlando has nice pools, but like thereuare said, December can be nippy.
From the Gaylord Palms website (regarding pools):
# South Beach pool reserved for our adult guests (18 and older)
# Clearwater Cove water activities playground featuring a zero-entry pool, octopus water slide, sand play area, waterfall and tons of water play fun for kids
4.5* Miami (Mid-Beach) The Confidante Miami Beach
in Hotwire Hotels - Florida
Posted
Used the Bidding Helper and BB links to book the property. Happy with this property have been here before.
Room
$576.00 ($192.00 per night x 3 nights x 1 room)
Coupon applied $30.00
Taxes & fees $144.84
Promo code -$30.00
Hotwire Total (USD) $690.84
Resort fee $120.00 (Due at hotel)
Trip total (USD) $810.84
Trip total per night (USD) $270.28 (includes resort fee)
Amenities
Free internet, Pet friendly, Boutique hotel, Beachfront hotel, Oceanfront hotel, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Golf nearby, Spa services, Air conditioning
Enhanced Cleaning - Yes
Guest Safety - Yes,
Brand Sanitize Guide - Yes
Disinfectant Used - Yes
Social Distancing - Yes
Hand Sanitizer Provided - Yes
Staff Protective Clothes - Yes
Contactless CheckIn - Yes
Contactless CheckOut - Yes
Turnaround Gap - Yes
Shield in Main Areas - Yes
Wrapped Food - Yes
Common Surface Disinfect - Yes
Linens High Temp - Yes
Temp Checks Staff - Yes
Temp Checks Guests - Yes
Guest Protective Clothes - No
Accessibility
Accessible for visually impaired
Accessible for hearing impaired
In-room accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
Accessible bathroom
Accessible parking
Roll-in shower