blindman

DELETE please :)

I'm starting to put together an Hawaiian trip and would love some input from the experts. Info It's our first trip to Hawaii. We arrive at HNL on 31st October 16:00 We depart from OGG on 10th November. 17:00 (This airport departure is flexible at present) So we have 10 days. We'll both be in our early 50's and reasonably fit. My wife doesn't swim\snorkel. Initial thoughts are to stay at two islands, probably Ohau and Maui, though not necessarily 5 days each. Big Island looks tempting but we don't want to rush around too much and there is a caveat regarding flying. We seem to have the same interests as Aprilmays folks. charliemcarter Can I email you for the insider info? We would be likely to split time with beach and sight seeing. We're not party people so quiet evenings\surroundings are better than city locations. However I think Kauai is too rural and we're not into hiking- well only to the nearest pub :) At least one Volcano is a must see I think and we are not averse to driving around the islands taking in scenery. I have the Lonely Planet Hawaii book (from the library :o ) and am researching that as we speak. Good tip about the Dummies book. We'll be hoping to PL the hotels\resorts and LoneStar that's a good tip re Maui and no PL bargains. I have looked at theruares trip report and will look at Easy click and Hotwire for hotels. I'll hold the PL bidding until 'we' we get some firmer itinerary. I'm assuming it's the quiet season when we arrive ? I also saw your tip re the interislands flights, though taking more than one of these may be a restriction as my wife is a very timid flyer, it takes an effort to get her on a 747 :) So any (other) tips would be welcome. Thanks

Was it this post And this Hotel Comparision Web-site ?

Well I'm confused (doesn't take much ). Looking for two nights after the Marathon in a better style and location than my Travelodge booking, already have that for the Saturday checkin. Willing to bid up to $90 as this is the TL rate I have + it's early days. Realise this weekend will be high rates + hard to get, though rates nearer the date for the Monday would be lower. Researching rates and locations I looked at 3* for the NMA. Some good reviews and decent locations for sight seeing etc. Rates were from $219 (HI Mart) to $389 (Marriott) Having a free rebid with Skokie I decided to punt for a bid of $80 for the Sunday night only, to test the waters. Got a counter offer of $23 more and it's yours. Now here's where I got confused. I expected this to be the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza or maybe the Doubletree ($232) due to their lowest rate and thought well not too bad for the Sunday, I'll just go for that one date. I expected the target rate to be about 1/2 the counter offer at $90. I managed to get 3 more bids, $83,$86 with the final $90 being accepted at the Amalfi So I was half right :) but gobsmacked that the Amalfi came up as their lowest rate is $350 Even their lowest rate for a weekend in the slow season (Jan\feb) is still $150. Did some research about location, reviews etc and they all looked favourable so I bid again (using PL UK so NO Add a night feature :) ). This time I started at $85 (forever the optimist :D ) which was rejected, but with NO Counter Offer) I then used the free rebid of Skokie and upped to $90 and hey presto the Amalfi -again. So: I have now the two extra nights I need for that Marathon weekend which will include shopping (the wife's with me :) ) and sight seeing. I think I have a reasonable rate but due to double bidding (should use PL USA :o ) I could have saved more and also other 4* may come up nearer the time at a similar if not cheaper rate. I'm happy though, just need to put in about 700 miles of running to get fit

You may find that their PL inventory at that price has now gone and their next PL level is higher than that of the Novotel (yesterday anyway). Hope you get the same hotel, just be aware you may not :)

The 31st Jan is a Tuesday so these business type hotels would (IMHO) have a higher PL rate (if any at all). Mine (and others) stay is for the weekend. Good luck.

Not exactly what I was aiming for, but Hey Ho. :) I was hoping to get the Thistle Marble Arch at the famously low price of $53. First bid at $53 was countered with "Bid $15 more and it's yours" Bid twice again ($56,$60) adding Westminster and Regents Park- No luck. :o Final bid added Mayfair and got this Hotel. Reviews look OK and as I was undecided as to the train or car, I'll probably plump for the train as it's more convenient. Forgot to use the support link :) though put some money in via PayPal to make up for that. :)

Much the same for me :) Keep forgetting to use the links :) so have made a contribution via PayPal. Happy New Year.

Thanks for the reply. The Marathon has changed dates this year (why?) as yes, it was always Colombus day weekend. Suits me as the lower airfares from UK will be in force so cheaper flights by about $200 each! I'm hoping to get a PL\Hotwire room instead of the Travelodge as I'm aware it will be basic accomodation, (they're no palaces over here in UK :) )however location is the key for Saturday night as the race starts at 08:00 and I don't want to have to travel too far. I'll be trying to get a better lodging deal thro PL for at least the Monday\Tuesday night and possibly Sunday too. Post Marathon we'll be flying to Vegas for some R&R, then on to Denver where I'll hire a car and make my way to Mt Rushmore etc. Running will NOT be an option for those following weeks!

Checking the Marriott web-site for your one night stay, there are "No rooms available". If you pick two nights either side of the 11th (10-12 or 11-13) then the rate is over $500 and $600 respectively. The Le Meridien in the East PL zone has rates of over $400 for that night, but at least it's available. A recent successful bid of $100 was made here when the best hotel rates were just below $200. So you may not get a PL rate at all unless they release inventory at the very last minute. Have you a cancellable back up or other plans for accomodation? Looks like this will go down to the wire. Good Luck and Happy Christmas :)

I don't think so :) Only has 4*

There is no PLACE called MESSE in Frankfurt, that's the name of the Festival Hall. Link to MESSE This is in the WEST zone and one hotel that comes up is the Marriott Marriott Read the first few lines of the hotel description. I've only visited once so I coud be wrong :) Link to Interactive map

Thanks for the reply. Since my post I have been researching more and have to agree with you, my (optomistic) low ball, rates are very unlikely to come up. Even if I get a PL rate less than the Traveldoge I will probably end up along way from the start\finish. For those dates the location is a priority not necessarily the * rating. I've looked at Hotwire and again have to agree about the likely outcome. I'll keep an eye out for bargains, but will probably not get any until the really last minute. Thanks again

Any idea if there is any advantage to using priceline Hk or SG when bidding for Sydney Australia? Ta

You have a PM zzdocxx

I'm following this thread with interest as mentioned by AaronJb the Chicago Marathon is on Sunday 22nd October 2006 and God willing I'll be running :) I've booked a cancellable backup at the Travel Lodge $95 + taxes for the 2 nights, Saturday to Monday. I've done my research for the area and have come up with the following ideas, feel free to comment. I'm quite happy to use the 'El' or other public transport, though NOT walking after the race would be a bonus! Main preference is being close to the Start\ Finish (Grant Park-Columbus\Monroe-Columbus\Congress) for the Sat\Sunday, but I'm sure my wife needs to be close to shops :) I need to pick up the race stuff on the Saturday at Mccormick Place. We may then stay in Chicago for a further two nights (sightseeing etc) before flying out to either Vegas or Mount Rushmore probably via Midway with Southwest. So location near public transport,reasonable comfort and in a safe area is my main concern. We fly into and out of Ohare Saturday 21st - Saturday 4th Nov I'm looking for a FOUR night stay but realise I may have to split the bid to get the Sat\Sun and then the Mon\Tues. Bidding strategy Want 4* in the Millennium Park, Loop & Grant Park Area Free rebids:- Midway Airport Area Skokie - Niles - Evanston This far out I'd bid ;- Start $55 to max$70 raising the max to $90 in the last few days. 2.5* can give a good Residence Inn, or Hilton Garden Inn if a little far north I am aware of the Upgrade to the 3* hotels! No Free rebids but can choose area 1 then Add area 2 1 Millennium Park 2 Bid NMA Again this far out I'd bid Start $46.00 Maximum is $60 Possibly could choose Midway Airport Takes about 25 mins to get to downtown by the El Some good 2.5* and 3* though can be far from airport. Start at $37 and max is $55 . 4* Ohare would be a last resort.It's about a 45 minute ride to downtown I need to lookout for shuttle availability at Hotels. Any thoughts and local info I should know? Thanks.

Thought about some English B&B's depends what you want but usually the price includes breakfast (good old fry up :) ) courtesy transport and you get to meet some 'Brits' (whether you want to or not :) )

Hotel Comparison trawls the hotel brokers to find whos the cheapest, might help. Great Inns has character Inns, not sure of the price though :) Hope you have a good time.

You do realise you cannot bid for a specific hotel? The Doubletree Club Suites Jersey City is the other 3* that comes up instead of the Hyatt would that suit you? Checking their best rate for your stay gives Room Description: 1KNG/1BDRM STE/NON SMOKING Rate Type: NET DIRECT RATES Rate per Night (USD) 111.20 and looking elsewhere :) shows that some people have got the Doubltree for your dates for $60, whilst another has the Hyatt for $74. Could be a close call :) You do now have a free rebid (Elizabeth area has No 3*) but I'll leave the expert Thereuare to give you a strategy. Have you a cancelable backup??

Thereuare will be along shortly to give you a strategy, I'm sure. What are the rates for that date at the hotels most likely to appear on PL? 4* means that you'll have 3 free rebids. Just a note, if you have a car then parking will be an extra $9-11 per day.

Try Late Rooms for a non Priceline bid. I've aslo sent you a PM

Travelodge are doing the

policyguy wrote:- So am I. :)

I won Hyannis Harbor earlier this year. Don't know it that suits. Hotel web-site Trip Advisor reviews

Read my Review for transport etc. This was for a visit in Nov 2004