AngS1967

I just wanted to report back to say, even though this wasn't the hotel we had hoped for, it ended up being an excellent win for us. I can not say enough good about how incredibly helpful the staff were. The hotel had all the amenities we needed and was only a 10-20 walk to everywhere we needed to go (with exception for Carleton which we caught the bus right outside the hotel to). Thanks again!

I had seen the luck of the previous poster's successful bid on 2 occasions for an $80 bid getting the Courtyard Marriott in the Byward Market and was so hoping for the same. However, we were not as lucky. However, it is the 'luck of the draw' so to speak with Priceline, so instead our bid was accepted by the Radisson. My daughter and I will be visiting touring both U of O and Carleton, and exploring abit of Ottawa. We will make the best of it. The trip advisor reviews for this property are not overly encouraging. I will report back, upon our return. I did book through the site's PRICELINE link as it is a priority of mine to support the site. Thanks.

I am looking to book 2 nights in Ottawa Nov 24-26. I was hoping for the Embassy Suites and so far the best deal I have found to guarantee that is Expedia. However, as I am a Canadian and making my purchase in Canada, Expedia wants me to utilize their Expedia.ca site. I want the site here to get some credit, but when I click the Expedia link on the support page it takes me to Expedia.com. Is there a way to add an Expedia.ca link ASAP please. I am going to want to book this in the next day or two at the latest. In addition, in the next few weeks I will be booking a 10 day trip to Spain for 3 adults through Expedia.ca and again, want to be able to do so through a support link here to support the site. I was not sure the best place for this post and suspect this is not it, so please feel free to relocate it to the most appropriate 'thread'. Thanks so much, Angela :)

I appreciated the LastMinuteTravel.com suggestion, but really wanted to be able to support the site, so did not try the link. When I first posted this, the only hotel in Downtown Toronto West that was coming up was a $185 before taxes and fees, which was outside my budget. I have kept checking and today a new one showed up for $138 with the following amenities: no smoking, fitness, pool, restaurant, business centre and internet. A 4 star with 95% Hotwire recommendation and tripadvisor 4/5. I narrowed it down to the Sheraton or the Renaissance but based on more recent wins suspected it was the Sheraton and it was. We have stayed at this property before, both through a booking here and also through a work related conference and were very happy, so I was very pleased with the result. I did use the site's HOTWIRE link to book. Thanks, Angela :)

I need 1 night hotel in downtown Toronto within easy walk of Metro Convention Centre for Saturday, October 15th. I need 2 beds (2 adults, 1 child). It is the big University Fair (our reason for being there) that weekend, and am not finding much on Hotwire for Downtown West. Would like at least a 3 star and under $150 with all fees (preferably under $120). I wasn't sure if there might be something available through one of your other links? I'd appreciate any feedback or suggestions you may have, As always, thanks in advance, Angela :)

Using the site's PRICELINE link, I bid on a 1 night stay in Hamilton for March 16th (going on a tour of McMaster University with my daughter). I bid $70 for a 3 1/2 star and it was rejected, I added the 3 star and rebid $75 and it was accepted. I am pleased with the price, the hotel's website minimum price is $139 and the best price I could get on Hotwire for a 3 star was $115. Thanks as always :)

Hi Aaron, We need 2 beds as my daughter will most likely be taking a friend, so Priceline is out for us. I was thinking 4 nights and I don't really care which days. Last year we stayed at the hotel (I think the Embassy Suites) across from Dominick's with the free breakfast and it was perfect. Loved it and was really hoping to get it again. As for price was hoping to find something around $100 a night but that isn't look promising at this point, so $125 if possible. Really could be anytime in May and would like to stay in the Magnificent Mile area or the Gold Coast? Thanks again, Angela :)

My 17 year-old and I are heading back to Chicago once again this year (sure do love this city). Anyway, we decided not to do march break this year even though we have had fabulous luck the previous 2 years for weather. Instead we are thinking May. Aaron, I was wondering if you have any suggestions as to which of the later 3 weeks in May might be best for price and/or any special activities or festivals etc.? Once we have the time narrowed down we will start the hotel searches. Thanks so much! Angela :)

Again, a great hotel and a great price and one I would recommend and stay again myself. Thanks again, Angela :)

I booked a one night stay for December 29th, 2010 for 3 adults using the site's HOTWIRE link and got The Best Western Chocolate Lake Hotel which is a Halifax area hotel for $59/night. I stayed there for 2 nights Dec 21-22/10 at the beginning of my trip and was so impressed I booked for the end of my trip as well. The location was listed as Bedford - Chocolate Lake (2 1/2 stars) with 4.5/5 trip advisor reviews and 100% rating my Hotwire users and best value. The amenities were listed as: Beachfront, Smoke Free Rooms, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Laundry Facilities and High-speed Internet Access. Thanks again Better Bidding! Angela :)

I know Halifax extremely well and although not in the downtown bar area, it is in the key shopping area of both the Halifax Shopping Centre and the Sears Westend Mall (within walking distance) and not far from a third mall (Bayers Road Shopping Centre). I am really very surprised to hear that food places wouldn't deliver there as there are a number of food places on Quinpool Road that is only a 5 min drive. I also am very surprised to hear you had trouble flagging down a cab, has never been my experience there. The traffic lights are set to flashing red and flashing yellow after 1 or 2 am so you don't have to sit and wait for them to change when there is not any traffic. They are to be treated as 4 way stops etc. Halifax is an amazing city I hope you get to go back and have a better experience next time. :)

This was a very nice hotel, I was extremely happy with it and feel it's more than a 2 1/2 star, it's definitely at least a 3 star and to be honest I have stayed in 3 1/2 stars not as nice. The amenities are all very new. The hotel is extremely clean and the most friendly of hotel staff. They definitely realize that HOTWIRE and PRICELINE customers are their 'bread and butter' there. While I was there someone came in to book a room and the price was more than they could afford so a staff member suggested they use the free computer in the lobby and try and book it off HOTWIRE or PRICELINE! We liked it so much for the price that on our way back we booked it again for another night (using this site's HOTWIRE link) (I will start a new thread for that hotwire hotel win). Thanks again, better bidding. A highly recommended hotel. :)

I just booked using the site's HOTWIRE link The Best Western Chocolate Lake Hotel which is a Halifax area hotel for $49/night. Awesome price for the holidays! The location was listed as Bedford - Chocolate Lake (2 1/2 stars) with 4.5/5 trip advisor reviews and 100% rating my Hotwire users and best value. The amenities were listed as: Beachfront, Smoke Free Rooms, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Laundry Facilities and High-speed Internet Access. I also need to do a car rental and was wondering if anyone has any advice re: any deals for car rentals? As always, thanks Better Bidding! Angela :)

I specifically wanted this hotel as my daughter is having surgery and it is fairly close to the hospital where her surgery is. In addition, we have stayed here before and really liked the hotel. It is Central London 3 1/2 stars. I bid $60 first bid and it offered me the opportunity to increase my bid by $15 without changing zones or anything, so I did and the bid was excepted. Maybe I could have played around with it and saved $5+, but since this was the hotel I wanted and it wasn't showing up on Hotwire and the lowest hotel website price was $125, I am satisfied. As always, thank to better bidding and I of course used the site's PRICELINE link. Ang :)

Sorry it has taken me so long to come back and report on the hotel... I would highly recommend the hotel. The service was excellent, the amenities were more than you would expect for a 3.5 star. The wonderful full breakfast buffet and made to order was awesome and really cut down on our meal expenses and the evening managers reception was a very nice touch as well. Overall, I will definitely be looking to stay here again my next trip to Chicago. Chicago again this year was wonderfully clean and so friendly and helpful and we again lucked out and had absolutely amazing weather. Aaron your bus information was 'bang on' and with our bus passes and your info we very easily navigated ourselves to where we wanted to be. Thanks, better bidding, thanks Aaron and thanks Chicago for a wonderful March break! Angela :)

Awesome, you are awesome Aaron! Thanks so much. Thanks for the info re: FlatTop Grill near Millenium, I like that idea better. I will report in on the hotel and all when we return. Cheers, Angela :)

Hi Aaron, Sorry for the delay in responding to your wonderfully informative reply. I definitely will be following many of your suggestions. Unfortunately we won't be able to do any extensive walking as my daughters friend has scoliosis and extensive walking flares up pain. We will purchase the 3 day transit pass as you suggested last year. We just will need to figure out from our hotel which buses we need to take us where we want to go. Would you have any ideas on that, Aaron. From the hotel, which bus would be want, to take us to: 1. State Street and which bus from State Street back to the hotel 2. Millenium Park and which bus back from the park to our hotel 3. Spice House/ Flat Top Grill and which bus back from their to our hotel 4. Belmont and which bus back from Belmont to our hotel As for Navy Pier, I am not expecting to spend much time there. I really would like to see the stained glass museum you mentioned and the girls want to see Alice in Wonderland at the IMAX. They wanted to go last year to the Pier and it got scratched off the list for far more wonderful places such as the Linken Park Zoo (your suggestion). Thank you for the suggestion re: checking out the visitor centre at Millenium Park for possible discount coupons. The thrift stores Belmont sound interesting and if time permits we will definitely check those out. As always, Aaron, thanks so much for any info you have and for all your suggestions. I really think tourism Chicago should be paying you :) Angela :)

Hi Aaron, I just booked for March 16-19/10 (using the site's HOTWIRE link of course) for the 3 1/2 star for $83 and it was indeed the Embassy Suites Lakefront. I am very pleased with that as it is myself and my teenage daughter and her friend, so having the extra space with 2 teenagers will be welcomed and the complimentary breakfast and evening reception will definitely help the pocketbook. Last year we stayed at the Intercontinental and loved it too. We shopped at Dominiks a few times (for the best carrot cake in the world - did you ever get to try it?), so we know the location well. I still have all the info you provided us last year on where to eat etc, as I printed it off. Some favourites that we will visit again will of course be the Cheesecake Factory, Giordanos, and Flat top Grill. With 2 - 16 year olds, the focus of our trip will be shopping and we loved State Street and the Water Tower Mall last year. I will also have to visit the Spice House again as I am almost out of a few of my favourites I bought last year. The girls want to do the Pier, 'the bean' and the Art Institute as they are things we did not get to do last year (due to time) and I want to see a show. I am hoping that something of interest is playing at the Drury Lane, as its nice to stay in the familiar areas at night. Please feel free to provide any additional thoughts or suggestion, Aaron. Your advice made last years trip perfect. Thanks again to Better Bidding for this great forum! Angela :)

We have started some preliminary planning for March break and Chicago seems to be leading the race in votes. We went last year and fell in love with the city and had a fabulous time thanks to all the info Aaron provided on where to eat and shop etc. (Thanks again Aaron!) We are again looking at March break but have flexibility within the week. Right now we are thinking 3 or 4 nights and either the MagMile or GoldCoast areas. A couple of ones that interested me when I looked tonight were (any thoughts on what they may be?): Gold Coast (dates Mar 16-19th) 2 adults/ 2 children 4 star: fitness, pool, rest, bus centre, internet & spa hot rate, low price guarantee & best value $84/night MagMile (dates Mar 15-19th) 2 adults/ 2 children 3.5 star: suite, breakfast, fitness, pool, rest, bus centre & internet hot rate $83/night Or any other ideas or suggestions you may have, Aaron (or anyone else). Would like to stay under $90/night before fees/taxes or max of $100 night with fees/taxes, if possible. Thanks in advance for all the help. I will of course use the sites Hotwire or support links (depending upon what I end up booking). Angela :)

Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it. The Priceline option presented was very tempting (thank you), but we needed to be guaranteed 2 beds, so that wouldn't work for us. I ended up booking the Comfort Suites directly and I DID use the support page link here from this site to do so. The Comfort Suites suited our needs well this time in that it has the complimentary breakfast, also is a 100% smoke-free hotel and has a nice pool for the kids and a hot tub for us with a good quick access off the highway and shopping. Pricewise obviously not as good as HOTWIRE or PRICELINE, but still reasonable considering we got 2 queen beds and a small living area with my CAA for $71.99. As always, thanks for the help. This site is the best! Cheers, Angela :)

I am looking at booking a room for 2 adults and 2 children for the above dates. The choices that come up are a 2 1/2 star with the following amenities: Comp breakfast, fitness, pool, business centre, internet & golf nearby. It is not showing the TA reviews. It is also listed as best value and Best price Guarantee. From the best I can tell I am thinking it may be the Best Western Palace Inn minus the laundry icon. What are your thoughts? The other choice is a 3 1/2 star that doesn't include breakfast and with the kids we were hoping for a breakfast included if possible. Appreciate any feedback. Will book tomorrow using the sites link of course! Thanks, Angela :)

Based upon our needs of wanting a semi-private suite room and having missed out on the Cantile, I searched and searched and ended up having to book from a hotels own website. We booked a Marriott Suite. I was sad to see that the site doesn't have a support link for them, as I wanted to support the site. Sorry :)

Thanks, Yellowdog. It's a case of a "you snooze, you lose", lesson for me. Whilst I was hoping to catch a promo code, I lost the hotel. It is no longer available, so back to the drawing board. We are now going to spend the Sunday night at friend's in Gatineau, so now I am just searching for 2 nights (check-in 3rd, check-out the 5th). So far not finding much of interest in the downtown area, may need to stay in Laval or somewhere similar. I will be sure to let the board know my decision. Guess it is the long weekend of sorts and things have booked up. I also am open to any ideas or suggestions anyone may have. Thanks, Angela :)

Thanks for the feedback, Yellowdog. I have looked through the site's support page travel partners as suggested and ended up reading other reviews on La Cantlie and am less concerned now. Howeevr, after viewing the other site's reviews we really want to book a King Suite with the sofa bed as the king is in a room that can be closd off from the rest with french doors (and curtains, over the doors), so would definitely be more private and hopefully quieter with 2 15yo's. The best price for that that I have been able to find is with Travelocity. I likely will book it tomorrow, but I know you folks are often aware of promo codes, so thought I would check and see if anyone has one for Travelocity that could be used for a 3 night stay in Montreal. Please advise. Thanks, Angela :)

Aaron, thanks for all your help as always. It looks like Chicago is going to have to wait until the fall now. We are planning to do 4 days in Montreal now next w/e (around the time when we were originally planning to go to Chicago). I have posted a Montreal thread looking for hotel suggestions. I will definitely be looking for a Chicago hotel again. Cheers, Angela :) p.s. Did you try the carrot cake yet?