robteb

I believe the controversy is actually about the Sheraton Gateway, located beside Terminal 3 in the airport itself and is on the East side of the airport property. The location is clearly shown on the PRICELINE map as being in the Airport East zone, even though it has been won as an Airport West property. The Sheraton Airport Conference Centre on Dixon Road is definitely in the Airport East zone and I'm pretty sure has always been won as an Airport East property, so I don't think liquiddemons has a case to argue. :) That being said, it is a much nicer hotel overall, and a better location, than the Sheraton Gateway (unless you happen to be using it as an overnight stay for an early morning flight out of Terminal 3). It's also an easy drive downtown, being located right across from an on-ramp to southbound Hwy. 27, which turns into Hwy.427, down to the Gardiner Expressway. See you at the Stooges free show!!

There are many new hotels in this zone which have not been reported as wins yet, all located up near Hwy.7 and Hwy. 400, including a Hilton Garden, a Courtyard, the new Novotel and a new Residence Inn. All (except the Novotel which would involve a bit more travel) are fairly accessible to York U. by York Region Transit's "VIVA" Orange route, which runs 7 days a week. The Holiday Inn Express is actually fairly close to York, although it would involve 2 buses (Finch to Jane Street and then Jane north to the University. The Jane bus might even loop through York -- you would need to check that out). There is also a Travelodge and a Comfort Inn right next to the HI Express. HOTWIRE's North York-Vaughan area is huge, and also includes the Holiday Inn Yorkdale, which I don't believe has been reported before either, but would be great for your purposes. (Subway/bus combo. to York and very easy to get downtown as well if you want to do things after your tennis matches) Hope this helps. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions. Have fun at York (my Alma Mater!!) and Go Rafa!!

Thanks to our ever-efficient mods., this thread is now in it's rightful place!! :)

See my previous priceline win for the full story. Began with the BetterBidding PRICELINE link above as always!!

Sorry, hit the wrong button -- this obviously should be in the Priceline forum (oops :) )

Wow, this one's been a tough win, with the Mutek music festival on this week. I've been bidding for a few weeks now, trying to get four nights (06/03-06/07), while at the same time keeping my bids under $90 for fear of getting a 4* other than the Hyatt (which is located in the centre of all Mutek activity). Finally this past weekend, I started to break up my stay into 2 and 3 night pieces, but still no luck. Tonight however -- success!! I knew I was getting close when at the $75 bid level, I was offered a free re-bid for an $18 increase. I of course did not accept the offer, split the difference (plus a bit) and did a fresh bid for $86 (my 75 + 11). I then attempted to use PRICELINE'S "extend your stay" feature, to include my original preferred check-in date of June 3. Unfortunately, it was not accepted at the winning bid level of $86. I was however offered the extra night for $111, which I jumped on, as I could not be assured of success if I tried a completely new bid, and this way I knew I would not have to switch hotels either!! Started all this with BetterBidding's PRICELINE link above, as always!!

Just a warning for anyone planning to visit Toronto the week of June 21, 2010 (and especially the weekend June 26, 26 & 27). The security details for the G20 summit were announced today, and there are several hotels in the NO-CAR zone (basically south of King Street) which appear here frequently. These include the Royal York, the Intercontinental Toronto Centre, the Hyatt Regency, and the Renaissance. Several others, including the King Edward, the Westin Harbour Castle, the Sheraton and the Hilton, are on the border of the no-car security zone (which means traffic will be a NIGHTMARE). There is also a smaller High Security Zone close to the Convention Centre in which all persons will need a pass. Although vacancy rates will be very low, and there may be no HOTWIRE availablility anyway, anyone searching should be aware and check out the situation BEFORE committing. The Blue Jays moved their series to Philly that weekend, the CN Tower is closed, and even our mayor has warned people to stay away from the downtown unless absolutely necessary!!

The Toronto downtown areas all have decent 3* and 4* hotels. Unless you absolutely need to be very close to something (i.e. a concert/sports venue, the University, a hospital, a conference centre, etc.), or have a strong preference for a particular hotel, they all work equally well for tourists with Toronto's subways and streetcars. With HOTWIRE, you can go for the best deal. With PRICELINE, you can use the two zones for additional bidding if necessary. Good luck and enjoy your visit to our fair city!!

It seems this has happened before with this hotel. Check out this previous thread, which was resolved in chickpea1111's favour. Perhaps this is a bit more ammo. for you if you decide to fight further. Looking again at the PRICELINE area map, it certainly appears to me to have been drawn specifically to include the Sheraton Gateway in the Airport East area. Otherwise the boundary of the Airport East area could have stopped at Airport Road, as all hotels except the Sheraton are on the East side of the street (the west side being airport property). Good luck!!!

If you don't want this hotel, I would call Priceline customer service and complain. The location of the Sheraton Gateway is very clearly in the Toronto Airport East area on the Priceline map.

OOPS!! The date for the stay got reversed...should be 05/10/10-05/12/10.

Needed a room for a friend coming to town this week. Checked out the BetterBidding Calendar of Wins and noticed the Delta Chelsea was going for $60 these days. Started out at $50 just for fun, added Toronto East (at $55) and then Vaughan (both free rebid zones, being below the 3.5* level), and won on the third try!! Always happy with the Delta Chelsea -- reliable hotel and excellent location! Of course, started everything with the BetterBidding PRICELINE link above!!

Best location for TGH would be the Delta Chelsea, a short 5 minute walk. There is currently a Travel Zoo deal for $89, but this hotel can usually be had for less through the BetterBidding Hotwire and Priceline links, and can be easily identified by using the BetterBidding Hotwire Hotel List and the Priceline Hotel List!! Hope all goes well!

This hotel is not in the Downtown North zone. It is in the Markham zone, and is a good 30+ minute highway drive from Toronto's downtown. I am hoping you made a mistake in your posting, and you do not expect to be at the Courtyard on Yonge Street in the Downtown North zone. That said, the Markham Courtyard is a fairly nice, new hotel, and is conveniently located near several highways if you are driving (but next to no public transit if you're not).

Hi, yes the only possiblility of another 4* in this zone is a Novotel upgrade. It has undergone some renovations recently, but personally I don't think it would warrant 4* (3.5* maybe). However, as the caveat says on the Priceline Hotel List, you must always be prepared for a surprise!!

This is actually my home area. The only other outside possibility of a 4* would be a star level upgrade to the Novotel North York Centre. The Westin Prince is an oasis in a hotel desert, and definitely deserves all it's stars :) !!

I've been trying to get the Hyatt for a couple weeks now, but getting rejected every time. Didn't want to increase my bid too much, for fear of getting the Omni or Sheraton -- not that they're not great hotels, but the Hyatt is just a much better location for this visit. Last night I started my bids at $60 ($55 + $5 bonus cash) and stopped at $78 ($73 + $5 bonus cash), rejected on all four re-bids! Then tonight noticed this successful bid 4* Montreal Hyatt Regency, $90 ... 5/20/10-5/24/10, and decided to start at $90 right away ($85 + $5 bonus cash). Success on the first bid!! (thanks, Pigurd!!) VERY happy indeed. This saved me $160 over the special Elektra Music Festival rate of $125 which I already had booked. and $500 over the Hyatt.com advance purchase rate!!!! Started with the BetterBidding PRICELINE link above, as always!!

The Delta Privilege program is completely free. Just sign up on the Delta Privilege website and print your own card immediately. The elite levels (if you stay a lot) are also very good -- credit on your card which can be used for free rooms stays, meals, whatever. BTW, all levels, including basic, can request late check-out up to 6 PM!!

I just checked lastminutetravel.com, and they had six different choices for 2 rooms Wednesday night, from 2* through 4*, all under $160. They feature opaque "Undercover" choices, but most give enough info. in the descriptions (e.g. number of rooms, name of on-site restaurant, size of meeting facilities) that you can easily figure out the actual hotel name before booking, if you do a little bit of research. Good luck!!

The Delta Chelsea has 2 towers, one older and one much newer and nicer. If you sign up on-line for the free Delta Privilege program, there is a priority check-in desk (even for basic members), and they will generally upgrade you to the newer tower if available (again, even basic members, if you ask nice :))

If it helps any, the Yorkland Hotel is mistakenly listed twice in BetterBidding Hotwire list. The correct area is in fact the Don Valley Area, as it is located at the 404 & 401 Interchange, and so shouldn't be a possiblility in your search. The North York Novotel has recently undergone some nice renovations, so I would not expect it to have been downgraded (but you never know :) ) However, there are several new 3*-type hotels (e.g. Holiday Inn Express at 400 and Finch) popping up in the North York-Vaughan area, so you may well get an as-yet unlisted property. Good luck!

Been bidding for a week, trying to get the Park Central (because our friends are already booked in there). It WAS the only 3* on the BB list for Central Park South, but unfortunately the Holiday Inn popped up tonight as a new addition!! :) Not my first choice (obviously) and the advance purchase rate direct is $179 so this is not an amazing deal, but still saves almost $75 over the three nights, and the Hotel looks ok, so we'll make due!! :) Always use the BetterBidding PRICELINE link above!!

:) Official underground parking at the hotel is very expensive -- $26 self-park and $31 valet. :) There is a cheaper surface lot right beside the hotel (just to the west on the south side of Gerrard Street). Still not "cheap" (downtown Toronto is approaching NYC rates for parking) but better than the hotel parking rates.

Decided to break up the trip to Cleveland with a Saturday night in Buffalo. Bid $40 which was rejected, but was offered a free rebid for $54. Passed on that, split the difference and rebid $47 using a free rebid zone (South Buffalo-Hamburg), which was accepted. I was hoping for the Hyatt Regency, as the Adams Mark has very mixed reviews on Trip Advisor. But for the price, we'll make due and look forward to the excellent Hyatt Regency in Cleveland on Sunday night!! As always, used the BetterBidding link above!

I did try to extend my stay, but as expected, no rooms are available for the Saturday night :). In fact , there are no rooms available at full price on the hotel website either!! Go Browns!! :)