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Used the Better Bidding Link to access PRICELINE. Started bidding yesterday for a 4 star property in Union Square West/Nob Hill. Began with $115 and then $120. Both were rejected. Started today at $125, and this time I remembered to add zones that did not have 4 star hotels until my bid at $140 was accepted. At one point Priceline invited me to submit a bid of $159, but I didn't do that and held out until the bid was accepted at $140. Looks like a nice property, but will call to ask for an interior room so that I don't have cable car noise. Like the new Priceline Maps!

Reporting back following our one night stay at the Lord Baltimore Radisson. Consistent with reviews on Trip Advisor, this is a very dated hotel. The staff is very friendly and professional, but that doesn't make up for the fact that this hotel with a beautiful lobby needs to put a considerable sum of money into room renovations. Even though we were upgraded to a business class room, I really can't say that I felt entirely comfortable with the level of cleanliness. I would advise anyone looking for a room in the Downtown and Inner Harbor area of Baltimore to stick with four star hotels.

I called the hotel this morning and told them of our concerns, based on what I had read on Trip Advisor. They upgraded us to a business class room, so hopefully that will be ok. Stay tuned.....

Here's the amenities: This Hotel features the following amenities: Smoke Free Rooms Guest rooms at this hotel are always smoke-free. Fitness Center Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply. Restaurant(s) Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary. High-Speed Internet Access Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply. I'll try to remember to post after our stay.

With tax, the price on this hotel came to $73. The reviews on Trip Advisor are less than encouraging, listing problems such as dirty grout, awkward smell, roaches, and horrible pillows. I'll call the hotel to express my concerns, and hopefully we'll get a decent room. It's just for one night, so I'm sure we'll live to tell about. Perhaps I shouldn't try to go below 3 and 1/2 stars on Hotwire...... Used Better Bidding link to place bid.

Used Better Bidding HOTWIRE link to book this hotel with the amenities listed below. We have stayed here before and it's a decent hotel. By the time the taxes and insurance are added on it ends up being $100, but it's convenient to Johns Hopkins and will avoid the traffic going into the Inner Harbor, so I am basically pleased. 3-star Hotel in University Center This Hotel features the following amenities: Smoke Free Rooms Guest rooms at this hotel are always smoke-free. Fitness Center Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply. Pool(s) Property offers at least one pool area; hours and dates of operation may be seasonal. Restaurant(s) Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary. High-Speed Internet Access Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply. Tennis Nearby Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one tennis court; an extra charge typically applies.

I used the Better Bidding site to access Hotwire. This seems to be a good price - on sites like Expedia the rate is about $212, so I'm pleased. Here's the list of amenities: This Hotel features the following amenities: Smoke Free Rooms Guest rooms at this hotel are always smoke-free. Fitness Center Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply. Pool(s) Property offers at least one pool area; hours and dates of operation may be seasonal. Restaurant(s) Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary. High-Speed Internet Access Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply

Here's the amenities that Hotwire lists: This Hotel features the following amenities: Fitness Center Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply. Restaurant(s) Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary. Business Center Guests have access to business equipment and services; an additional charge may apply. High-Speed Internet Access Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply.

Placed reservation through Better Bidding HOTWIRE link. Price of $125 is a bit of a savings off of the $143 online rate at the Parc 55, but online bidding at PRICELINE was not going well. Reviews on Trip Advisor look good, so I am pleased with this result.

Wow... that's unbelievable that they would deny your claim. Pretty discouraging. I did decide to take the insurance, and hopefully I won't have to use it. With my youngest "baby" being 24, pregnancy problems aren't going to be an issue!

Sorry that I forgot to post details of this PRICELINE bid at the NH Barbizon. We will be staying there from November 4 to November 7 at $78/night.

It sounds like not all the rooms are of 5* caliber. I appreciate knowing that I may have to do some negotiating if I am first shown a room that is in poor condition. Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks, everyone. Yamu, can you suggest any nearby places to get a quick, reasonably priced breakfast? I don't want to pay 15 pounds for the hotel breakfast!

Yesterday I started bidding (through better bidding) for a 5* Amsterdam hotel in the Museum/City Center area. I was rejected at $70 and $74. Today I rebid at $78 and was accepted at Nh Barbizon Palace. Reviews indicate that this really doesn't present as a 5* property. Considering that Priceline asks $222 and the hotel website asks $233 per night, it will do just fine I think as a tourist base, despite comments that this hotel needs modernization and upgrades. Does anyone know: When one checks in under a Priceline reservation, is it clear to the staff what was paid for the room? I am wondering how much leverage one has if presented with a room that is egregiously unacceptable. Thanks....

I started bidding today at $150 (through the better bidding PRICELINE link), and my bid was accepted at $165 for the 5* Mayfair/Soho "London Hilton on Park Lane". This hotel is listed at $262 on Priceline, and for $320 on the Hilton website. TripAdvisor reviews are basically good, with an occasional note that a room needs refurbishing and the elevators are problematic. So - hopefully all will be fine. Thanks so much. Your assistance was much appreciated!

Thanks. I will try again in a few hours to rebid in the Mayfair/Soho zone when the 24 hour limit expires, utilizingthe suggested strategy. I am concerned a bit about 4* properties - we prefer to have our room have an in-room safe, and it isn't clear that all 4* hotels in Mayfair/Soho offer these. Also, I have seen mixed Trip Advisor Reviews on some of the 4* hotels. There apppear to be four 5* Hotwire properties available in Mayfair/Soho (price up to $176 from $172 yesterday). The amenities available are: -guests have access to exercise equipment -property offers at least one pool area -property offers at least one restaurant on the premises -access to business equipment and services -guestrooms are equipped with high-speed internet access -access to spa facility or spa services

I am very new at PRICELINE and HOTWIRE, so no, I don't know what the Hotwire hotel might be. Yes, $170 is my maximum bid, although I am also willing to consider the Westminster area, or possibly 4* hotels in Mayfair/Soho. Thanks for your help

I am hoping to get a 5* hotel in Mayfair/Soho London through Priceline. I started bidding at $125, and kept adding only 4* zones until no more were available. My final bid was $145, and it was rejected. Any suggestions? Should I start tomorrow at $148? This would be for a six night stay from 10/29 to 11/4. Is it possible that part of the problem might be that I am looking for six nights - I am not willing to split up the time between two hotels. Hotwire does have a 5* room at $172 Thanks for any insights.

I am beginning to work on bidding for a hotel in London. I know that Priceline and Hotwire are non-refundable, but it appears that you do have the option to purchase insurance that enables you get a refund in case of injury or illness or death. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions. It seems like a very reasonable option for those of us who consider travel insurance something to look into. Thanks so much