shijiade,
I've stayed here several times before using Savingsbarn.com to access Hotwire, Savingsbarn.com also has a PRICELINE link too! If you are a light sleeper, ask for a room that does not face the airport or the Grand Central Parkway if possible. This property is actually two buildings connected by a passageway, the "annex" building is in the round and the rooms are a little bigger than the main hotel. Your $60 rate is better than any rate that I have received on HW, but this is probably a light travel day. This hotel had a shuttle and although I have never used it, it was free. This property also had charged me $10 for parking for a prior stay, but I then signed up for a Wyndham by Request card and they did not charge me for parking on my last visit.
Just understand that there is nothing to do at this hotel within walking distance and you will need a cab or car service if you want to get out and about. By all means, get over to some of the excellent asian restaurants in Flushing, I really like the Korean Barbecue where they cook the food on a small gas grill in the middle of your table, you may need two in your party to get them to fire up the grill. But on a cold day in January, this will warm you up!!
I just received 1000 gold points as a result of a recent stay at a Raddisson in Saddle Brook, NJ; the room was booked through Hotwire. I have also received an email from Hilton stating that I would receive Hilton HHonors points "as a courtesy" for a recent stay at the Hasbrouck Heights Hilton booked through Hotwire. The note also went on to say that they are only giving points with stays booked on Hiltons web site or using the 800 number.
I have yet to win a bid for a hotel, sitting in their lobby while using their WiFi. However, a few months ago I stopped to use a hotel lobby WiFi and downloaded a coupon from a website, I then faxed this coupon to the Newark Airport Fairfield Inn. Upon check in, I asked the clerk if she had a fax for me, and she went behind the desk and retrieved my faxed coupon. She accepted it and got the room for $70, a savings of $45.
BTW, the Newark Sheraton Four Points is rated in PL as a 3* but it is more like a 2.5* or lower, and like all Airport Hotels, they get beat up pretty fast as most guests stay for one night; this property is no exception. I didn't use the Restaurant, Bar, pool, or fitness center. The Hotel charges $ 5.00 for parking and $ .99 for all local and toll free calls, one of my big pet peves. If you have an early morning flight out of EWR, this would be a good place to stay. Also, I checked out using the remote control on the TV, and it looks like Priceline paid this hotel $ 50.40 for the room which included taxes. My charges were $60.91, so PL made $10.51 on this deal, a 20% profit, not bad!!!
First bid of $42 for a 3* was rejected, increased bid to $47 was accepted. As always, I use SavingsBarn.com:
Congratulations, you got your price of $47 for a hotel room, and we've upgraded your hotel quality level to a 3-star hotel!
Four Points Sheraton Newark Airport
Elizabeth-Newark Airport Zone
901 Spring Street
Elizabeth, New Jersey 07201
908-527-1600
Check-In Date: Wed, Dec 1, 2004
Check-In Time: After 03:00 PM
Check-Out Date: Thu, Dec 2, 2004
Check-Out Time: 12:00 PM
Your Offer Price: $47.00
Number of Rooms: 1
Number of Nights: 1
Subtotal: $47.00
Taxes & Service Fees:
$13.91
Total Charges: $60.91
I made this same day reservation with at 5:30 local time, I found a Free WiFi spot at an area Hotel and made the reservation in the lobby. The internet-rate for this hotel is $85.00; with taxes $ 96.05. Don't know if I'm up for the drive into Hoboken tonight, but I can hear Arthur's Tavern and its signature 24 oz steak calling for me.......
Eshspres
at what airport will you be arriving? This will minimize travel time for your one night stay
Can you list the amenities for this hotel? This will help to identify it in the future, just go to the my account, then click my hotel hotel purchases and this win will appear. There is a good dining alternative about a block away called Lehman's Tavern, 400 Wanamaker Ave, Essington, PA 19029 Phone: (610) 521-1822.
Go for the Veal....
I know that this is a Priceline thread, but Hotwire has what appears to be the 4* Shorham Hotel in Midtown Central for $117, add taxes and fees brings it up to $140. Now, when two rooms are requested, the rate shoots up to $156 per room, add taxes and fees, the price is $185.
After several tries, I finally scored with the Jersey City Hyatt with a same day reservation. I accessed Priceline through Savingsbarn.com and bid $45 for one night. I figured that this would be a slow week for business travellers and it was great to finally get this win.
Your Offer Price: $45.00
Number of Rooms: 1
Number of Nights: 1
Subtotal: $45.00
Taxes & Service Fees: $13.62
Total Charges: $58.62
Although I won't be going into Manhattan, the Path station is just steps from the Hyatt, anyone wanting to visit NYC on a budget really should consider this hotel. I was offered a king room but asked for a room with two doubles and the desk clerk complied. Valet Parking is $31 per night, there is a parking garage on Columbus but does not offer in-out privileges.
If you are looking for something to do in Philly, check out the Blue Cross River Rink, it is on the Delaware River, just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge at Spring Garden Street and Columbus Blvd. This outdoor skating rink is a blast and only a few blocks from the Hyatt. http://www.riverrink.com/
a2,
you might be writing one of these reviews if you stay at this hotel... :) There is a NJ Transit bus stop nearby, but I don't think the hotel has a shuttle to Times Square. But if they did, how would you get back? Checking Hotwire for these dates, 2 adults per room, it looks like you can get into the Candlewood Suites in Jersey City for $67 per night including taxes and fees. It looks like the Jersey City Hyatt is available at $113 per night including taxes and fees. This jumps up to $180 per night if you have 4 adults per room. These properties are all close to the PATH train, a $1.50 fare and 17 minute ride to Herald Square, just another 10-15 minute walk and you are in Times Square checking our MTV 's TRL.....
Parking tickets in Philly can be disputed, only by a hearing and that must be done in person. Here is a link to the Philly Parking authority. http://www.philapark.org/faq.aspx?faqtopicid=4#faq2
Unfortunately, there is no "ombudsman" at this agency to address situations like yours. A few years ago, I parked in a spot not too far from the Wyndham and received a ticket, and although the "no parking" sign was removed by either vandals or by getting knocked down, I still had to pay my fine after attending a hearing. This is a giant rip-off all around. I am still getting dunned by a collection agency for a parking ticket that I paid on time, they are trying to collect a $15 late fee!!
I think in NYC, tickets cost about $70 or so. If you should return to the "City of Brotherly Love" stay in the old city area, the Hyatt has been identified on this board and some recent wins have been in the sub $50 category. Also, the Sheraton mentioned by Margie is a great spot for not only business but better for leisure travellers since it is close to many restaurants and bars that are in and around the 2nd and Chestnut street area. The Holiday Inn is at 4th and Chestnut, but I do not know if they participate with PL or HW. Don't confuse this with the Holiday Inn Express on 13th and Walnut, which is even more desolate in the evening, but it is just around the corner from McGillans Ale Houlse, one of the oldest, continuously operated taverns in Philly......
The other thing that I did not like at the Wyndham is that they charge $1.00 for local and "800" toll free calls, which is one of my biggest pet peeves about the hotel industry.
Here is the link to the NY Waterway:
http://www.nywaterway.com/commuter.html
It looks like the Hyatt is closest to the Colgate Ferry Terminal, the one way fare is $5.50 to NYC. This is not open on weekends and the next closest terminal with weekend service is Exchange Place that is about one mile away from the Hyatt. The Path train looks like the better option, if you want a boat ride, take the Staten Island Ferry, its free and has a great view of the Statue of Liberty.
Hey, what about Scranton-Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania?? 1000' vertical drops at Montage, or "Vermont Skiing" at Elk Mountain (only an hour away), and plenty of icy trails of man-made snow!!! Hotwire has a 3* for $85.....this may be the Radisson in Downtown Scranton..... :)
we have an Aero Bed that inflates into a single-sized bed for one of our kids, it works great in a pinch and I have even used it when we rented a houseboat. We also use it for kids' sleep overs as well.
Ringman, I checked out the link and viewed the slide show and on slide 4 pulled the following quote:
"Hotels are first searched randomly with all subsequent searches ranked by hotels performance.
We always book the highest rate the hotel has available that qualifies for the offer"
Given your example, does this mean that PL booked your colleague into the Hilton at $60 because that price matched the Hilton's minimum price criteria that Hilton loaded into the "SecuRates in WorldSpan" system? It sounds that PL does not maximize the hotel revenue, it is just matching "buy offers" (customers) with "offers to sell " (hotels) much like on the NY Stock exchange does with Market Makers who match buyers of stocks and sellers of stocks in a bidding. Just like they did under the tree on Wall Street hundreds of years ago....
The risk of overpaying is that the Hilton may be sold out for $60 rooms and then you would be put into a hotel not of your choice....Do I get this right??
The place for Baltimore crabs is called "Obrickeys" or something like that. Butcher-paper topped tables and a dozen crabs with a pitcher of beer, some fries and slaw, a meal for a king. Eating hard shell crabs is not too tough, you can get the hang of it after one or two crabs, but the reward is great! :)
Daniel, I just checked Hotwire via Savingsbarn.com, arrive November 19, check out November 21, it appears that the 2.5* Candlewood Suites in Jersey City, a short block away from the Doubletree, has a rate of $93 per night including taxes and fees. I have stayed here twice and was pleased both times. The room has a small refrigerator and microwave, and a three burner electric stove, just in case you need to whip up a souffle :) They did not charge for parking as of my last stay in March '04. I would always pick this over the Doubletree. It looks like the Hyatt is also available at a mere $265 per night with tax and fees. :) There is a 2* property shown on Hotwire has not yet been identified, but I think it could be the Comfort Inn and Suites on Tonnele Ave, a neighborhood not for the faint of heart! (I may just have to "take one for the team" on my next trip to the area and book a room just to identify this property) In Secaucus, it looks like the Embassy Suites is shown for $190 per night including taxes and fees. This is a true, two room suite suitable for 4 adults. The Amerisuites is also shown and the walk out price is $110 per night. While still close to Manhattan, public transportation from Secaucus into the city is limited to the Bus. You can drive into the city, but as the holiday season approaches, I would avoid it at all costs, trust me, I drove in two years ago on a December weekend and my wife still does not want to return. You can also drive to Weehawken and take the water taxi into Manhattan, but I'm not a big fan of 40 degree water and 15mph+ winds!! From Hoboken, you can take the Path train into the city and be at Macy's in less than 20 minutes. You also get a great view of the city as well from Jersey City-Hoboken. Philly's nice, but you are about 2 hours away from what could be a memorable weekend in the greatest city in the world.....
This property is rated 2* and features the following amenities: Free Airport Shuttle, Complimentary Continental Breakfast, Fitness Center, Free High-Speed Internet Access (don't forget you must bring your own Ethernet cable). I figured that I saved only $25 using Hotwire compared to the BW website.
Room $66.00
Taxes and fees: $16.95
Total Price $82.95
I drove to the hotel, and found a spot in the small lot, this fills up quickly and if you don't find a spot, you will have to park on the street. Check in was fast, I was given a non smoking room on the top floor, with one queen bed, a desk, clock radio, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, coffee maker, TV. The property features a small exercise facility. The room was clean but tiny, but big enough for one. Several guests were staying here for the night then taking the free shuttle to the Airport to catch an outbound flight. Continental breakfast was good with the usual bagles, cereal, danish. Coffee was good and made a cup at a time. I made several local phone calls and was not charged, and in fact, was only asked for ID at the front desk, no imprint of my credit card. There are no on site dining options, but there are several delivery services that can bring Chinese, Pizza, etc to the hotel. If you have a car, you can venture out to several restaurants on Crossbay Blvd. about 10 minutes away. The hotel has rooms with Kings and two Doubles, these rooms are more expensive on the Best Western website, but I did not ask for an upgrade. I'm not sure how the hotel would handle such a request if you needed a room with two beds. I felt safe in the Hotel but I would avoid walking around in this neighborhood in the evening, hit the treadmill inside if you must! If you are looking for basic accomodations near the airport and don't want to break the bank, this is the place.
Thereuare, sorry for this late post, here is a link to a SEPTA map of public transportation in the Center City area. It looks like three bus routes stop about a block away from the Hyatt Regency at Penns Landing. Unfortunately, it looks like going westbound (towards the convention center) the busses travel on Walnut street, which puts you about two blocks south of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The Market-Frankford EL is part subway, part elevated train that has a stop at 2nd and Chestnut, this appears to be about a 3 or 4 block walk. I think this is the best public transportation option. This train will stop at 11th and Market streets and you can enter the convention center on Market street through a building once called the Headhouse. I think that this was the end of the Reading Railroad on the second floor and the Reading Terminal Market is on the street level. I also called the hotel and the desk clerk said that the cab fare is only about $2.00 more than Bus fare, which would make it a $4.00 cab ride. This sounds too low. It has been my experience when attending a trade show or convention it is cheaper to book rooms directly and avoid the conference reservation system. Also, you may have problems if you need to cancel part or all of your reservation at the last minute if you book through the Conference. Philly is a great town with many dining options, I recommend Vetri, a small restaurant for fine dining. For lunch, you are just a few blocks away from Philly's Chinatown, check out Vietnam Restaurant on 11th street, just around the corner from the CC.
I forgot to mention this, but there is a Peter Luger restaurant in Great Neck near Glen Cove, my suggestion is to stay with the family and use the $$ saved towards a memorable meal at one of the top steak houses in the US. Cash or Peter Luger credit card only! :)
I've stayed at a Fairfield Inn located in Syosset a few times, this is pretty close to Glen Cove, the rate is about $120 plus tax this includes the Fairfield continental breakfast. There is also a Howard Johnson's in Jerricho that offers a rate of around $90.00 plus tax using a coupon that can be found at roomsaver.com or in one of those coupon booklets that can be found in rest areas along the highway. This place was a bit rough 4 years ago, and I don't think it got any better since then. However, they had exceptional bagels at the continental breakfast!! I even checked the LaGuardia airport area using Hotwire and they had no rooms for your dates. In Roslyn, there is a property called the Roslyn Claremont Hotel, this is rated as a 3* by Expedia, but the rooms are about $175 a night.
Eakins Oval is in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and this is right on the edge of Center city East district according to the Hotwire map. The closest hotel would be the Embassy Suites or the 4 Seasons, but these properties will be expensive. The Wyndham is just a bit further away, it looks like there have been some recent wins using Priceline and the staff seems pretty accomodating. There is another property called the Hotel Windsor that is close. Your predicament reminds me of that Seinfeld episode where the runner is late for the race due to oversleeping :) so I can imagine that you want to stay near to the starting point of the marathon.
The properties that are but a short walk to the Pennsylvania Convention Center are: Marriott (connected to the CC) Marriott Courtyard, Marriott Residence Inn, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Lowes Hotel. I would avoid the Comfort Inn. The Embassy Suites is a converted apartment building and the rooms are huge (I luv the Manager's Reception and cooked to order breakfast) :) And is right next to the Four Seasons, where all of the movers and shakers stay when in town and about a 15 minute walk to the CC, about the same for the Wyndham Franklin Plaza. The Park Hyatt, Doubletree, Union League are all together and about a 10 minute walk. I think the Historic District that includes the Sheraton Society Hill is a good place as the nightlife and restaurant scene is better in this area than the other properties but will be a longer walk after a day of conferences :) Another thing to consider, will the organization have transportation to and from the conference hotels throughout the day? If so, you may hop a ride while making your own hotel arrangements. Also, by reserving this far ahead, what happens if your plans should change?
By the way, the PA CC is across the street from the Reading terminal market, a must see while in town and a great place for lunch, my personal favorite is the Roast Pork sandwich from Dinic's (they ran out of rolls when I was at a Trade Show a few years back) get it with Broccoli Rabe and sharp Provalone, its almost as good as Tony Lukes on Oregon Ave. Also, you can get a Philly Cheesesteak at Rick's, one of the best in town.
please describe the Hotel, how many Stars (*) and what neighborhood. This will help to identify the property.
Bidding Strategy for S. Beach
in Priceline Hotels - Florida
Posted
I have noticed several auctions for the Courtyard Miami Oceanfront hotel on the Skyauction website, go to the "travel links to help support BetterBidding". The most recent win was $83 and after adding the $32 for taxes and fees, the rate becomes $115.00.