sgaz

Great advice. Thanks. We ended up with 3.5 (MSG) Hotel Affinia $125 ... 6/24/-6/25 The location was perfect for what we needed. We (1 adult, 1 teen and 1 child) were able to walk to the Res Inn pulling a couple of carry ons and backpacks with no trouble at all. The hotel itself was very nice. It is an older hotel, but kept very clean and the beds and linens were divine. They even allow you to select from their menu of specialty pillows. (My daughter selected one she could plug her ipod into.) The staff was very helpful and courteous--from the desk staff to the concierge. I never experienced any hint of a negative Priceline vibe that some people write about. I asked for 2 beds at the time that I confirmed the room and was pleased (and lucky enough) that they had a very spacious room with 2 beds (with kitchen) ready when we arrived. Thanks again. (P.S. I used the PRICELINE link from this site).

Please help i.d. 3* Mid-Wilshire-Westlake-USC area hotel. Amenities: Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High Speed Internet. Hotwire lists it for $59 for 9/11 -9/12. It was recommended 40% according to Hotwire. :) We thought this might be the Radisson, but according to Radisson's website the hotel is sold out for that date. (USC vs UVA football game).

Yes. I am willing to try that. We will not have very much luggage at all (just our backpacks and maybe 1 rolling carry on). A 3* would be fine and I would definitely like to take the starting bid down. I saw one post for the same dates at $125 for a 3* (The Manhattan). I know there are never any guarantees, but I'm willing to start my bidding there and work up. I welcome any of your suggestions and I will use the link to PRICELINE on this site.

I have a room booked as part of a group at the Residence Inn Times Square (zip code 10018) starting on 6/25. I will be arriving a day earlier than my family reunion, but Res Inn will not offer the group rate for me for the extra day. So, I plan to bid for another hotel for 6/24. Can you please advise as to the closest zone to use when I am bidding. It would be very helpful to be not that far away from Res Inn, so that I don't have very far to move my suitcase, which I will try to stow with either hotel. From what I can see it looks like the best zone may be (Times Square-Theater District). Not sure. This is my first trip to NYC. Hoping to spend 170 or less. Looking for probably 3 or 3.5 star (or up) I appreciate any advice.

That sounds pretty cool. I am a little concerned about the lines, though.

Thanks for the site info. I will check it out.

I will be in NYC this June... my first visit there. I will be staying in the Manhattan/Times Square area. I have heard that there are discounted "day of" Broadway or off Broadway tickets available at ticket booths in the city. Does anyone have any information or experience with this? I would appreciate any info you have.

We do have a Plan B and I have a guess as to what hotel it might be. It sounds a lot like the "Waikiki Marina Resort at the Ilikai". We stayed there before. It is used (or owned in part?) by a timeshare company. The hotel's website lists a promotional rate at $89 as well. We may end up going with them directly since we were previously quite satisfied-- and since their promo rate is as good as anything else we have seen for studios with a kitchen. We have a couple of rooms reserved, but still have our eyes open for Hotwire last minute deals.

Looking to book in Waikiki. Dates selected are 30 May - 5 June. Hotwire lists a 3.5* "Waikiki Marina" condo at 89.00 per night. Amenities are: Condo, Near beach, Studio, Fully equipped kitchen, smoke free rooms, Daily housekeeping, Fitness center, Pool(s). It lists an 85% customer review rating.

The dates were 3/21 - 3/22

I used the HOTWIRE link from this site. The list of amenities: Suite - Airport Shuttle - Smoke Free Rooms - Fitness Center - Pool(s) - Restaurant(s) - Business Center - High Speed Internet Access $64.00 before taxes.... $79.86 after taxes (gotta pay the Man). Also, I have an Entertainment Book Coupon that I am mailing in to get the $20 rebate. Suite!! (I mean Sweet!!!) :) (I will post a review of the hotel.) Love the site... the information is very helpful.

I would be happy with a 3* in that area. The closest thing that I have seen that might be counted as a 3* in the area is an Embassy Suites. However, it is listed in the PRICELINE AZ hotel list as 2.5*. It could be that one, but since I have not seen it come up lately, I won't count on it. I am somewhat familiar with the area and really would be happy at any of the hotels there. Although, the downside of being upgraded to a higher star rating would be having to pay Resort fees. I am still in the early planning stages, but I will use the link if I decide on this trip. I will also follow up to let you know the outcome. Thanks for being so helpful.

Priceline shows a 3* in the area, though I have not seen any winning bids in that area at 3*. Of course, it could certainly be a new listing, or I could just be missing them. Any advice on what to possibly expect from 3* in that area would be most appreciated. Most of the winning bids seem to be resort. My dates of travel are 14 Feb through 15 Feb.

Helpful information... I will keep this in mind.

Is "Breakfast" an amenity more likely to be offered by a 2.5* hotel than a 3* (or up) hotel? When I travel with kids even a continental breakfast is helpful on the budget. I have not ever requested less than 3* on Hotwire or Priceline. I don't recall ever getting one that includes breakfast. I've just planned to count some of what I save on the room toward the cost of purchasing breakfast at the hotel or elsewhere. However, when I have stayed at 2/2.5* hotels they usually have included some form of breakfast. Just wondering if I should consider gambling on a 2.5* hotel for my next bidding strategy. I know. I know. No guarantees. :)

I'm inclined to agree with you on that. Just returned from our trip. The Hilton is nice. Clean, modern. What you would expect from Hilton. The hotel shuttle is helpful since the hotel really is not that close to the airport. However, the shuttle service is super slow. Be warned. Also, after getting a great rate it is possible to be nickel'd and dimed into poverty dealing with this hotel. (e.g. fees for use of the in room fridge). In fairness, I think this is the way things are at many hotels. They would have tried to nickel and dime me even if I paid rack rate for the room. (It's just the way it is.) Overall... a decent stay, but I will not be disappointed if I get to try the Holiday Inn next time.

Thanks. Yes. I learned that on my first time bidding while trying to get the same hotel as my friend. (It still worked out... I got a great 3* hotel that fit my needs for a great price. Who can complain.) This time around though it turned out to be the Hilton. I started a new topic (hope that was correct) so that the format of the post would be useful to others. Thanks again.

Just booked thru PRICELINE (Yes. I used the link) Hilton Los Angeles North/Glendale (this hotel is 8 miles from BUR airport with complimentary shuttle) 1st bid was accepted $45 plus tax $12.70 total = $57.70 Hotel website rate is $189 before taxes. Very pleased with the site (Priceline of course and Betterbidding for the very useful info)

Cool... I took your advice and called. They do have rooms available for 10/11. So, I will keep my fingers crossed and go ahead and book. Of course, I will post my results. The way the hotel operator described the area it sounded like a pretty good place and area to stay in. Enjoy the rest of your stay.

I would appreciate any suggestions (just my second time using Priceline). I am looking for a 3* Burbank Airport Hotel, 1 room 10/11 - 10/12. I am prepared to open bid in the $40 range. Any suggestions would be helpful. I don't really know the area, but it looks like I need to select "Universal City-Glendale" as the area to be closest to the airport. I will use the PRICELINE link on this site. Thanks so much.

I am shopping for the same resort for 9/19 - 9/20. The rates are much higher. Of course, those are weekend dates and I am a little far out for them to the prices to really drop (I think). I live about three miles away from the place so I am familiar with the property. How was your stay? Did they charge a resort fee or parking fees?