blindman

Stayed here for one night 3rd Jan 05. No mention of PL on check in, got a grotty room in Block 9 on the 3rd floor. The elevator up was tatty and smelt. The corridor carpets and walls were in need of a refurbishment. The room was huge with one large bed, but was in need of a decent coat of paint. Bathroom was Ok, but not the best I've seen. Resort fee of $10.0 is a rip off, it gets you two bottles of water a $5.00 voucher to use in the bar. Didn't notice the lack of air con, it was raining and cold outside! Only bonus was this "hotel" is next to the Interstate very easy to find and leave. Would not stay here again, even for one night.

Stayed one night on 26th Dec 04. Free shuttle from the airport picked us up in about 5 mins after the call. No mention of PL on check in. Hotel about 3 miles from the airport, didn't hear any aircraft noise during the night. Room was Ok, no minbar or coffee maker. Free coffee available in the lounge.Had a snack and beer in the Grill which was OK. Also has a posher restaurant. Large pool in middle of the complex. Wi-Fi was free in the lobby area, Internet in the room was charged. Shuttle dropped us off at the Dollar hire car depot as a favour. All staff were friendly. OK 3*fine for overnight airport stays.

Stayed here 27th-31st Dec. 04 after I was "upgraded" from my 2.5* PL bid. No mention of PL on check in, staff friendly. Asked if I wanted smoking or Non smoking.Got a motel style room at the rear of the pool, decor drab but OK. Coffee maker in room, no minibar but ice-machine around corner. Free 100Mbps internet used daily. Room quite large with one huge bed. TV had a few reasonable channels. Pool a bit small, but also a Spa. Gym had three treadmills, a bike and stepper, all in good order. Charge of $1.50 added daily to grant you free local calls. I queried this and was only charged for the one day I made one local call. So if you don't make any calls, query it! Location is about 5 miles East of downtown, a few minor shops within walking distance. Tried the Old Pueblo restaurant (one block north)one night which was quite good. I was trying to get the 2.5 residence Inn, so was not happy with this hotel. Would say it is just a 3*

Thanks for the tips. We're using it as a base for touring don't expect to use the facilities much. So I basically have to ask for a room near the pool?? Any good tips on restaurants in the area?? Ta

Not exactly what I wanted, but that's the chance you take on PL. I was bidding for a 2.5* hotel in Tucson (East) hoping to get the Residence Inn at around $35.00 This has free breakfast\parking\internet and early evening drinks! Started at $29.00 Tucson East Got a counter offer of an extra $7 which I refused Bid $30.00 added Tucson La Paloma as a free bid- No luck Bid $31.00 added Tucson North as a free bid- No luck Bid $32.00 added Tucson Central as a risky bid (it has 2.5 * but 'usually' at higher $$) Got the "You've been upgraded to a 3*" message. So I'm slightly peeved (mainly at myself- should possibly waited longer to bid again) but looks like a reasonable hotel. Hotel net non refundable rate is $84.60.

Ledra Marriot Stayed here for 3 nights 5-8th November 2004. Successful bid of $75.00 Hotel is superbly appointed though its location lets it down a little. No coffee maker in room , but free coffee tea in lounge in A.M. Some rooms have Parthenon view. Roof top terrace\pool definitely has (closes November to May). Local shops are behind the Hotel (turn left out of door) about a 5 minute walk and there is a Starbucks 2 blocks down Syngrou (away from city). Syngrou Road is very busy at most times of the day, (think Indy speedway and you won

I have just found out something VERY interesting. PL UK shows North Tucson to have Resort, 4, 3, 2, 1, *'s PL USA shows North Tucson with only resort, 2, 1 *'s There is also a difference with La Paloma. PL.com shows Resort only, whilst PL.Uk shows Resort and 4* Wierd or what?? I didn't think thesqueegeekid could be wrong as he is one of the experts in PL bidding :) Any comments?

Actually, there are two usable rebids (however both zones offer 1*, 2*, resort)... North Tucson, La Paloma I bid the resort zones up to $45, than.... 3* east $33 3* east/north $35 3* east/La Paloma $36 2.5* airport 2.5* $25 2.5* airport/east 2.5* $27 2.5* airport/La Paloma/east $30 3* central $30 3* airport/north $35 3* east/La Paloma/north $37 3* east/La Paloma/north/airport $38 Sorry I don't agree :) The North Zone has Resort, 4, 3, 2, 1. So this bid and this one could have got you a 3* in the North or am I'm missing something here??? I have noticed though that the Airport zone has only 2.5, 2 and 1*'s so this is the second free bid. Either way thanks for the reply and the bid history. I've done some research and the 2.5* Residence Inn looks a favourite as it has FREE Internet Breakfast Parking Social hour with beer and food! Have a nice honeymoon :)

How do you manage to rebid 4 times? I can only see one "free" rebid, which is La Paloma? Ta

Thanks for the reply. Of course you are right, BelAir-Brentwood is not a true free rebid. Researching my bid price I discovered that the rates for 3* in Brentwood/BelAir, Santa Monica Bev and West Hollywood were NEVER less than $45.00 so the risk of being upgraded would be minimsed IF my bid is less than say $40.00. A slightly risky thing to assume but I wasn't too bothered on exactly where I stayed (apart from the extra parking fee$ at the other 3*'s. I also had seen that this 2.5* property PL's lowest rate was $34.00 with $38.00 being the 'usual'. I have seen good reports on this property and it has Free parking + Free breakfast + Free shuttle to the airport + Free Happy Hour "Join us Monday through Thursday for our complimentary hospitality hour-- serving a light meal, beer/wine and soft drinks. " I'll report when I get back.

Thanks for the time and patience to my question "How long is a piece of string?" I have learnt a little as to how Hotwire works from this board and your reply. Thank you again.

Thanks for the reply. Is it?? I'm confused as to why Sheraton is not being offered as it has LOWER rates than ther Hilton. Agree? Any chance of an educated guess? Do they have Autumn sales or is their business in need of a boost?? Thanks again for your time.

I'm looking to bid on Hotwire (for the first time) for Tucson (as above) taking the advantage of their $10.00/night offer (expires 25th October) I've researched the possible hotels from both PL and HW and am ideally looking for the Sheraton (lots of facilites + FREE breakfast) Yes I know the hotels are not guaranteed but from the data on this excellent site I am fairly confident with the possible outcomes. Presently the hotels offered are probably the :- Hilton (Restaurant(s), Pool(s), Fitness Center, Business Centre) Radisson (Suite, Restaurant(s), Pool(s), Fitness Center, Golf Nearby, Business Center) for around the $42.00 rate which, with the $10.00 discount is lower than the 'lowest' PL rate ($33.00) I'm working on the assumption that if I check HW daily, the list of offered Hotels MIGHT include the Sheraton as it is second lowest in the price range. (The Sheraton is available on the Packages for these dates.) I'm also assuming that given the rates for the dates then a PL bid would probably result in the Radisson. Think that's a good strategy?? Cheapest rates for the dates. Radisson $76.00 Sheraton $99.00 Doubletree $119.00 Hilton $128.00 Lastly :) Do you think there could be a PL bonus money e-mail in the offing, as it's a while since the last one -because that could mess up my strategy !!

First bid of $34 rejected, but counter offered for an extra $11.00. Refused this, added Bel Air-Brentwood region and increased my bid by $4.00 to $38.00. Sucess. Hotel web-site rate is $159.00. Another PL Bargain!

Started bid at $27.00 PL returned with counter offer of $8.00. Refused this and used free bids(Fountain Hills,Phoenix West, Carefree) though only got it at $34.00. Hotel Web-site has Internet only, no refund rate of $78.00.

Having got the New years Eve night sorted, (see previous post) and so early, I thought I'd have a punt at the following two days. Researching previous posts and current hotel web-sites costs I started at $45 (wild optimism) and worked my way up to my ceiling of $65. This would be a Saturday check in so thought I may have problems + also being so early. My last available bid secured this hotel. The rate is $179 on their web-site. I probably could have got a rate of $55 had I left it later, but this is now my SF portion of the trip sorted.

March 17th 2004: After spending a while doing research into what hotels, areas and likely costs\problems for New years Eve I thought, what the heck I'll give it a go. I started at $67 and after a short time of searching was offered the 'chance to bid again if I increased my bid by $18.00' I refused this and bid $70 using a free rebid. Voila! The Hotel rate for this date is $250.

Bargain of the century I can't believe no-one has posted a review of this hotel! Location. Literally next door to the PATH train at Exchange place, FEET away. 15 mins to NYC 34th Street. Ferry also with 1mins walk. On its own pier jutting out into the Hudson the view of lower Manhatten will blow you away!! Reception is on the second floor (wierd!) but the escalator will take your luugage (or the porter will) Free shuttle to local places. Staff efficient and friendly. On the 9th floor there is a Ballroom. Get the elevator, walk through the ballroom to the balcony. Catch your jaw as it drops when seeing the view. More expensive option. Book a meal in the Vu restaurant, ask for a table with a view. Spend an evening ( and lot$$$$$) having superb food,service and view. Room has a Queen. Internet access all the usual stuff and is very well maintained. At $35 +taxes this is the steal\bargain of the century!

Stayed here for 4 nights 11th Nov to 16th(Sun to Thurs) It's an 'extended stay' hotel which means it has kitchen and laundry facilities but no concierge etc. Location is good, being across the road for the ferry to WTC (battery park) or 34th St with connecting bus. The local Hoboken tram stop is yards away too. PATH stations are at Exchange place (100 yds away) or at Jersey city (5-10 mins walk) The latter being more convenient for quicker access to NYC and more frequent trains. The hotel has a Shuttle bus which has regular hours for drop offs but will also take\bring you from anywhere local if you ring, for free. Very good service. On site is a 'shop' which has staples such as bread, milk etc, though was very empty when we were there. The local Mall is about 5 mins walk away. Local shopping 'arcade' is a 1 minute walk away and has a bar (happy hour 4-8pm) with GREAT view of Manhattan On site there are laundry and gym faclilites, both of which are free. In the room there is Internet access, M/w, Fridge, D/w and most other comforts of home. You can aslo hire out videos to watch in the room for free. Bath has good shower and is spacious. Bed is a Queen but was very close to the wall on one side so I could easily bang my head when geting out! Linens are changed only once weekly, but you can ask for clean\fresh towels any time during your stay. Car parking is in a secure compound in front of the Hotel and is free (I think-didn't have a car) Hotel is very new (probably late 2001) so everything is in good condition. Overall. If you can't get the Hyatt at $32\$35 then this place at $40 is nearly as good.

Couldn't get the Jersey City Hyatt for these dates so started at a low bid of $30 for ONE night and increased by $3 adding extra nights when unsuccessful Viz 1 Night $30 No success 2 Nights $33 No luck 3 nights $36 No luck 4 nights $40 Got it.

OK,so I'd had a few of the 'European' beers B4 I'd arrived (years B4....)but still managed to get throught the US ones. Did not like the Magic #9!! Weather was a bit cr*p so didn't make the Stephens College view. Ironically we moved to NY on the Thursday 20th and the weather picked up so I caught the PATH back to the Hyatt and sneaked up onto the roof and took photos of the sunset.Brilliant! Thanks for your help.

Have just got back to UK from my trip. Many thanks Thereuare for the info re bars\restaurants etc. we tried them all and they were brill! Managed to get through all the beers in Miles Square (not in one night though :) ) We stayed at the Candlewood Suites after our Hyatt stay as I couldn't get a PL rate. I'll post a review later of both places, Hyatt is amazing and Cw is a good place. Got $35 & $40 per night respectively. Hyatt is fantastic and Cw is very good value and easy access to NY (and Hoboken) plus 'just like home' with kitchen + laundry. Found a good\cheap place to eat in Washington and NYC, I'll post if I can find a thread. Suggest you advise ALL people to use Jersey city as a stay for NY as it's LOTS cheaper and easy to get to NY. Plus, your recommendations for drinks\eats are spot on!

I'm in the Hyatt now. Superb place and the view from the restaurant last night was BRILL. Have to move to the Candlewood sutes later today . any update on good places to eat/drink?? I'm using the hotel TV internet and it's sooooooooooooo slow

I'm travelling with my wife and it's the end of a three week holiday in the US Staying in NJ is as you say an inexpensive and convenient alternative to staying in NYC. Spending 6 nights in NYC would break the bank (and my heart!). I'm looking forward to the view of Manhattan from the Hyatt. I still have my last night's stay (20th Nov) at the Marriott Marquis on Broadway and am pondering whether it's worth the risk to try for the 19th. We are staying here so we can go to a show and it's more convenient to get to JFK the following day. I reckon the Chemical show has filled the hotel. There may be PL rates around the 17th Nov if\when guests cancel. My main aim was to stay in one location for our 6 night stay, but that is not how things are panning out. Now I want to stay in NJ from Saturday 'till Thursday morning without changing hotels. Looks like that may not work either. :) As the Hyatt is so cheap I may consider not staying the Saturday if I can get a 5 night stay at either the DT or Cw Change your name by deed poll B4 Saturday the 15th and the room could be yours -gratis! :) I'm not panicking yet as I'm quite prepared to bid right up to the wire. I'm sure we'll get a room somewhere at a PL rate. The Italian sounds like a good bet, we like most cuisines Thai, American steaks, but not a big fan of Mexican. The Bars sound like a must do, especailly at Happy hour!

Lowest for the Double tree seems to be $65.00 despite the fact that their hotel rates are usually lower than the Hyatt by about $30. What plan! :) Seriously I've been looking at the Doubltree and Candlewood suites, location\reviews\prices and they seem OK. My aim is to stay in the area, I just don't want to move hotel as this wastes time. You mentioned in an earlier post you could give some recommendations for local eateries. Could you list a few? Nothing fancy. I'll post back if\when I get any more results