Jump to content
Loading...

McMick

Members
  • Posts

    74
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by McMick

  1. Using the PRICELINE link on the BetterBidding web site: "Express Deal" Icons: Free internet, pool, restaurant, airport shuttle, business center, fitness, bed choice. This appears to be an upgrade, the Ramada is currently listed as a 2 star property--previously 2.5 stars--I guess it earned another one-half star again. Based upon the current listings, I thought I was going to get the Holiday Inn Express in Hialeah. But the Ramada will be fine, we just need a place to crash before heading out for a very early morning flight. Taxes and fees: $14.80 Grand total: $72.80.
  2. Using the PRICELINE link on the BetterBidding web site: Taxes and fees: $13.42, Total $50.42 Perhaps this is the first listing of this property? Address is 4200 Stelzer Rd.
  3. Cleveland Downtown upgrades: 1. The former 3.5 star Crowne Plaza, being remodeled into a 4 star Westin, is now scheduled to open Spring 2014. 2. The Embassy Suites is now closed, being converted (back) into apartments. The building was built as an apartment building in the late 1960s, and a portion of it was converted to a hotel in the late 1990s. There is such a huge demand for apartments in Downtown Cleveland now--running a 98% occupancy rate--that it makes economic sense for the owner to return the use of the 240 suites to rental apartments. Kindly update the Hotwire section too, please.
  4. Amenities: Boutique, High speed internet, Accessible Bath, Fitness, Accessible Path, Handicap Parking, Restaurant, In room accessibility Looks like this is the first report of the remodeled former (3 star) Mallory Hotel, now upgraded to the 4 star Hotel DeLuxe. Taxes/fees: $41.08. Grand Total: $243.08
  5. The Westin is NOT open yet--the renovation will not be complete until next year--but it appears on the Hotel list as if it were a (current) option. Perhaps you can clarify that?
  6. It appears that Hotwire has now combined the Downtown and University Circle zones...which really stinks, since they are nearly 4 miles apart. Now if you want to stay in Downtown Cleveland, there is a chance that you'll end up far away. Priceline still separates these two areas. What's the best way to contact Hotwire and tell them that combining these two zones is a lousy idea? And the Crowne Plaza in Downtown Cleveland has closed. It is being renovated into a 4* Westin (Cleveland's first!) There will probably be several new hotels in Downtown Cleveland in the next few years, with the Horseshoe Casino opening in May this year and the new Convention Center and Medical Mart scheduled to open next year.
  7. Using the link on the Better Bidding web site: Winning bid: $46.00 taxes and fees: $14.74 Total: $60.74
  8. Using the PRICELINE link on the BetterBidding web site: Started at 4 star, Downtown, $46...denied. Dropped down to 3.5 star, Downtown, $47...denied. Added other zones, gradually increased bids until the Doubletree accepted at $54. Taxes and fees: $16.42. Grand total: $70.42.
  9. Strong work! Your guess on the 2.5* hotel was correct: Hawthorn Inn. So we now have a new property to list. When I returned to Hotwire the following day, the price had increased to $124 / night, but the amenity icons were identical. Taxes and fees for 3 nights: $57.89, Grand total: $429.89. It's a bit more money than I would like to spend, but I know Napa rooms are tight in the fall harvest season, and it includes breakfast and free internet...so probably a pretty good deal after all. Thanks again for your right-on-the-mark "guess."
  10. Using the HOTWIRE link on the BetterBidding web site: dates: 10/26/11-10/29/11 3* $119: pool, business, laundry, internet, golf, tennis 2.5* $119: breakfast, fitness, pool, business, internet Neither exactly matches to what has been previously reported. Perhaps Best Western Vines is one of them? I would appreciate any input. Thank you!
  11. Using the link on the BetterBidding web site: Started with 2.5 stars, $36, Miami Lakes-Hialeah zone...denied. Maintained 2.5 stars, added MIA zone, increased to $39...score! Taxes and fees: $24.12. Grand total: $141.12
  12. Using the PRICELINE link on the BetterBidding web site: Started with 4 *, Coral Gables zone, $61...denied. Added other zones without 4 star properties, maintained 4 star, increased bids by $5 increments...accepted at $76. We have stayed here in the past...a beautiful property with excellent customer service. Taxes and fees: $18.06, grand total: $94.06
  13. Using the PRICELINE link on the BetterBidding web site: Started with West Ft Lauderdale, 4 star, $61...denied. But got the pop up box requesting me to "just increase my bid to $76"...didn't take the bait. Added Coral Springs, maintained 4 star, bid $65...SCORE! On the Renaissance web site, the lowest priced room for these dates is $169.95 Taxes and fees: $32.31, Grand total: $227.31
  14. Using the PRICELINE link on the BetterBidding web site: Started with 4 star, Downtown, $71...denied. But I got a pop up box offer if I increased my bid to $91. I didn't take the bait; it's my experience if you continue with incremental bids you'll get the same property for less. So I maintained 4 star, and added zones without 4 star properties, and increased by bids in increments of $5. My bid was accepted at $81. I'll bet the $91 offer was also for the Loews Hotel. On the Loews web site, the lowest priced room for these dates is $179/night. This is a really cool building; it's the former PSFS Building (former Bank office tower)--the first "modern" skyscraper in Philadelphia. They did a fantastic job converting it to a hotel, preserving much of the historic character of the building. I've never stayed there, but visited a few years ago as part of an architecture tour sponsored by the New York Art Deco Society. Taxes and fees: $33.00. Grand total: $195.00.
  15. Using the PRICELINE link on the BetterBidding web site: Started with $64, Downtown-Harbor Island, 4 star...denied. Added other zones with 3 star properties or less, increased bids by $4 increments, until $88 bid was accepted. This room is going for $199 on the Westgate Hotel web site. Taxes and fees: $57.64 Grand total: $409.64
  16. Using the BetterBidding web site: Started at 3.5 stars, Airport Vicinity, $39...denied. Added other zones, increased by $3 increments with re-bids, and it was accepted at $45. Taxes and fees: $14.79, Grand total: $59.79
  17. We had a pleasant stay at this property. The choices are rather limited along Eastern Kentucky's US 23 corridor. It appears the hotel was built within the last 10 years, and it's in good condition. This is listed as a 2.5 star property, although the rooms and public areas could easily pass for 3 stars. The room was unexpectedly large, and pleasantly decorated with a pale yellow wallcovering and tan, geometric patterned carpet. The bed was comfortable. The bath had the (expected) plastic shower surround typical of these hotels, but the counter space was generous. Everything was clean and in good repair. The room rate includes a decent breakfast, served in a comfortable room on the first floor: eggs, sausage, bakery products, juice, coffee, yogurt. We found the staff to be well above the 2.5* hotel standard, with genuine Southern hospitality. We were warmly greeted upon arrival. The woman attending the buffet was also very conscientious seeing that everyone's needs were met.
  18. Using the HOTWIRE link on the BetterBidding web site: First Listing for this Pikeville KY property! Limited choices along Eastern Kentucky's US 23 corridor. Amenities: Breakfast, Laundry, Fitness, Internet, Pool, Golf Taxes and fees: $12.00. Grand total: $102.00
  19. First listing for a Prestonburg KY property! Limited choices and competition along Kentucky's eastern US 23 corridor. [used the HOTWIRE link on the BetterBidding web site] The only amenity listed: high speed internet. Taxes, fees: $11:36. Grand total: $65.36
  20. Using the PRICELINE link on the BetterBidding website: Bidding for a same day reservation, my first bid was accepted! (3.5 star, Downtown, $36.) Taxes and fees: 12.79. Grand total: $48.79.
  21. [A delayed posting, but it appears to be a property not previously documented] Using the PRICELINE link on the BetterBidding web site: I started with Dublin, 3 star, $28...rejected. I then maintained 3 star, but added some other zones, increasing my bid in $2 increments, but still rejected up to $38. I then added 2.5 star properties, lowered my bid to $32...accepted. Taxes and fees: $18.36. Grand total: $82.36.
  22. This property is adjacent to I-71, but a somewhat meandering route to actually get to the property once you've exited the freeway...so be sure to check a map prior to arrival. It's situated in a light industrial / office park so there are no restaurants or shops within walking distance. However, historic Downtown Worthington is a short drive away, with some nice locally owned places to eat and browse. The common areas in the hotel appeared quite extensive, so if you're planning a big event they probably have the space to accommodate it. There was an interesting indoor/outdoor swimming pool, an above average fitness room, and a business center with 2 computers for free internet access. We thought the common areas of the hotel were nicer than the room itself. Although clean--and with a comfortable bed--it was a pretty average room with rather plain and dated decor. Certainly not as nice as the other Crowne Plaza hotels we've visited. We usually think of a Crown Plaza as an "upscale" Holiday Inn. But our room looked more like Holiday Inn than Crown Plaza. Or put another way, a 3 star room in what is supposed to be a 3.5 star property. Our limited interaction with the hotel staff was also unremarkable. So if you obtain a good rate, this is a perfectly acceptable place to stay. But if you're spending considerable dough, there are probably better options in Columbus.
  23. Using the PRICELINE link on the BetterBidding web site: Started with NMA-River North zone, 4 star, $95...denied. Added Millenium Park/Loop zone, maintained 4 star, $100...denied. Added 3.5 star properties, maintained the above 2 zones, bid $100...denied. Added other zones that don't include 3.5 or 4 star properties, and increased bid by $5 increments until the bid was accepted at $110. Amazingly, this room is going for $269/night on the Marriott web site! Taxes and fees: $43.20, Grand total: 263.20.
  24. We stayed here August 2010. We had stayed here about 5-6 years ago when it was still a Holiday Inn. It was fine then, but they really did a nice job redecorating the property as a Doubletree. The contemporary decor is urbane--even edgy--and our room decor looked more like a "W" hotel than a Doubletree: dark wood furniture, a leather-like wall covering, black and platinum horizontally striped drapes, and a wavy line burgundy and black carpet...really quite striking. A nice change of pace from the usual beige color scheme of most chain hotels. The room was clean and in good repair, although a bit on the small side. The bathroom was nice and the bed was very comfortable. The hotel is on the NE edge of Downtown, near Lake Erie, and about a 10 minute walk to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The area around the hotel is mostly office and civic buildings, so it was pretty quiet at night and on the weekend. However, a pleasant 15 minute walk west led to the Warehouse District, with lots of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. A 15 minute walk south was Cleveland's excellent theater district, Playhouse Square. And a 15 minute walk SW was the newly emerging East 4th Street, another restaurant/entertainment district that was amazingly busy even on a weekday night. Cleveland has a lot of historic architecture, which made our walks interesting. And although we didn't stay out too late, we felt safe walking around Downtown. My wife was impressed that Downtown Cleveland was really quite clean. The front desk staff was friendly and helpful. We also had positive interactions with the housekeeping staff. Overall, a pleasant experience and we would be happy to stay here again.
  25. Using the PRICELINE link on the BetterBidding web site: Started with 4 star hotels, NMA/River North, bid $70...denied. Added Millenium Park/Loop, maintained 4 stars, $75...denied. I increased by $5 increments, adding zones without 4 star properties, and at $90...SCORE! This room is going for $169/night on the Hilton.com web site. Taxes and fees: $36.48, grand total: $216.48
QUICKQUOTE [X]
PRICELINE & HOTWIRE on one screen!
NOTE: Priceline searches for
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ONLY
Room %roomN%:
Age of child:
FINDFAST[X]
×
×
  • Create New...