darkly

True, it's not a rebid zone. There are none under 3* over there. Thanks for the directions info. Much appreciated.

Bid 2.5* $46 in EWR-Elizabeth failed Added Newark Zone as rebid at $52 successful (was upgraded to 3*) 3* Newark - Best Western Plus Robert Treat Hotel 02/21/2012-02/22/2012 Taxes and fees: 15.58 Total charge 67.58 All in all, a very good deal for this property. Now I just have to find out how to get to the Best Western from my meeting at the Country Inn and Suites.

Thanks so much for the detailed reply. Your suggestion is excellent, as my meeting is actually at the Country Inn and Suites. However, it is over my budget. I'm going to try for the EWR zone per your 2nd suggestion and see what happens. I'll let you know. Either way, thanks again for all the assistance.

Place I need to be is near Jersey Gdns Mall off the Turnpike. I believe NJTransit 111 goes there. On the 22nd I figured I'd head back through Manhattan later in the day, since my flight leaves out of LGA. On the 21st I'll only head to the hotel in the afternoon. Then again, this is all starting to look very complicated indeed.

Thanks kindly for all your assistance so far. I'm arriving early AM at LGA on Feb 21. I will be in Manhattan during the day, and need to be in Elizabeth during the late afternoon/evening. Then I leave out of LGA late on the 22nd. Suggestions? Thanks again.

A valid point. I do have to be in New Jersey that evening (around Elizabeth,NJ). I was also looking for the cheapest zones around NYC, which seemed to be near EWR and Secaucus, that would allow for easy access to NYC the next day. Would you suggest I look at a different zone instead?

Right, got it. Done twice.

I'm arriving at LGA, taking the M60 and then subway to Penn (or WTC, depending), then Path or NJ Transit. Returning out of LGA the next evening. Of course I could have stayed near LGA but had trepidation about getting across three boroughs at midnight.

Thanks for the reply. I am in Secaucus for one night only. No car. Ideally would prefer 2.5* and up, due to past bedbug traumas with the lower star levels. 3* seems unrealistic.

Hi there, I'll be in NYC and New Jersey (Secaucus area) on business for one night on the 21st of Feb. I'm looking to keep my rate at around $50 with Priceline. Doesn't seem to be that busy during that time. The EWR Airport area always seems cheapest, but I'm concerned of the lack of easy Path access. Of course I could manage with Meadowlands, Secaucus, Hoboken, or even Newark. Main concern is keeping the rate as low as possible. (New Brunswick?) Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Just to report back, the hotel was very clean and comfortable. Pool area could have been cleaner, especially given the brown ring around the hot tub. Free breakfast was more than adequate. Overall, a pleasant stay.

Hi. Dates are 9/20/11 to 9/21/11. I was looking for something near Ann Arbor but all bids in all areas refused up to $70 (of course, used the PRICELINE link). Tried again in Lansing at $50, and was given the option to up the bid by $13. Cancelled and tried again at $55 and won. Not sure about this property (reviews are mixed), but at least it's close to the Interstate and has a pool. I'll try and report back in a few days. Price $55.00 Taxes and Fees $14.73 Total: $69.73 Not the best deal, but probably saved $20 on rack rate.

Still no dice on these dates for downtown, and I've been bidding up to $110 in that zone for both 3.5* and 4* for over a month now. As of this morning it seems all the 3.5* and 4* hotels are now all fully booked for those dates. Even hotwire is showing $140 for downtown, so I seem to be out of luck on this one. I ended up keeping my reservation for the first two nights at full rate and then tried a last-ditch priceline bid on the final two nights trying several different zones, and I finally ended up with the following: 3* Courtyard by Marriott Marina Del Rey, Jan 7-9, 2011, $80/night. Not my favourite area of town, but definitely a decent price for this property, and rare free parking, of course. Bids (over the past month) were placed using the PRICELINE link, of course. Thanks again, as always, for your assistance.

Just a brief update: Per your suggestion, the uphill battle continues. I've been bidding up to $110 every 3 days or so, using the PRICELINE link, in both the 4* and 3.5* zones, yet nothing has come up yet. I'll book a refundable just in case, but would love to avoid paying $900 for 4 nights. Still, it's possible I'm too early and the hotels aren't getting worried just yet. I was going to book the Omni or the Westin as a backup. Should I have a preference?

Thanks again. I bid up to $112 for 4*, using the PRICELINE link, and then, taking your advice, switched to 3.5* and bid up to $102. Ran out of bids today, back to it in 24 hrs.

Thank you. That would help, excepting the fact that the O Hotel tacks on a $12/day "resort fee" which is strange. A "resort fee" at a downtown boutique hotel? I can't support this behavior. But I do appreciate your suggestion.

Backup is at the JW Marriott for $170 plus fees and taxes (out of my range except for emergency). Conference is the MLA, from Jan 6 to 9. Thanks very much.

Hi. I've been attempting to secure 4 nights in downtown LA from Jan 5 to 9, 2011. (There's a conference going on at the convention center, so it won't be easy). I've tried bidding for 4* up to $108 for the past couple of weeks (using the PRICELINE link here of course) and have gotten nowhere. There are 3 rebid zones for 4* downtown, and 2 for 3.5*. Since parking is typically about $30 at these properties, I'm trying to do without a car for those days, so I'd prefer to look downtown only. Naturally, I've made a refundable booking for those dates, just in case. Am I bidding too early? Should I already be trying 3.5*s? The Westin is usually good for 4* PL in this area (since it's so huge) but it's not budging yet. Should I be trying to split my dates? I'd be willing to go up to about $105 plus fees. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Something tells me this deal is in 2011, not 2010 as the title currently states.

Started bid at $41 for Albany (Airport ALB) - was unsuccessful Increased bid to $45, added SUNY zone - was accepted Total with taxes/fees $58.72 Of course, the bid originated with the betterbidding PRICELINE link.

Last minute reservation, started bid at $39 in Redondo Zone - rejected Added free rebid Lawndale and upped bid to $45 - accepted Residence Inn Manhattan Beach 12/17/09 - 12/18/09 Taxes and fees $13.66 Total: $58.66 Used the PRICELINE link

Started bidding on Costa Mesa - Irvine at $35 Rebid at $37 - rejected Rebid at $40 - accepted for one night: Dec 18, 2009 Total with fees $52.41

Hotel came up as 3 star (not 3.5 as originally posted in hotel listings) Amenities: Boutique/Weight room/Restaurant/Business Center/Internet

Thanks for the note. HOTWIRE was initially unable to do anything until I saw the property in person. To their credit, however, they were very helpful after I visited the property and called them immediately. I would imagine representing this sort of property as a two-star harms their credibility. But yes, you're right, I should be more careful about bidding on two-stars in relatively unknown locations. As a general rule, however, the Pigeon Forge location had an overall better selection of nicer newer hotels. (I would say Gatlinburg is to Pigeon Forge what the Old Vegas strip is to the new one). And it's only 10 miles away.

Purchased a room for one night through Hotwire. Two star. Was originally showing the following amenities: Pool and proximity to Golf. (I've just checked and noticed it's now showing no amenities at all). When I first received confirmation from HOTWIRE, I checked the Tripadvisor reports to my dismay--- 29 reviews, almost every single one extremely negative. I showed up at this property to find it a complete shambles. The property literally looks like a bomb went off (then again a bomb could only improve this hotel). Construction materials strewn everywhere, burned out lights, garbage strewn around. The interior of the room had peeling wallpaper backed by seeping black mold, cigarette burns on the bedcovers, a well-used lumpy mattress barely covered by an ill-fitted sheet, a blackened bathtub, and a carpet that hadn't seen a vacuum cleaner in 20 years. I returned my keys and did not stay the night, opting to travel back to Pigeon Forge to find alternate accomodation. This Days Inn is a disgrace to the chain, as well as to Hotwire. It should be condemned and demolished. Be very careful to avoid bidding on this property.