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I bid up to $80 repeatedly at 2.5 star and above in this area, but due to a big event in town, all prices were elevated in the area. Priceline showed express deal for this hotel at $99 per night, so I went to the Hotel's actual website and it showed EXACTLY the same price. I chose to take it DIRECTLY from the hotel since it would be cheaper with no Priceline fees added in. Plus I was able to get a $10 Military discount, which made it $89 plus tax, saved another ten going through the hotel site. This is the second time this has happened in a month in Springfield, and I am noticing it every where I go now that I am paying attention. Since the big companies have bought out Hotwire and Priceline, I have experienced several instances of buying through them, only to find that I would have gotten a better deal by going directly to the Hotel website. Seems to be a trend of Pline or Hwire being a few dollars cheaper than the hotel site, but when you add in the extra $10 fee on top of taxes, it's not even cheaper. And Pline and Hotwire really aren't very much cheaper to begin with any more,. If they are, the hotel turns out to be a turd usually, and you are giving up amenities or area for that discount which in the end doesn't end up a great deal after all. Also I have noticed "Star Rating Creep", in that other sites list a hotel at a lower star rating than Pline or Hwire. I had a dispute with Hwire recently in that I KNEW the hotel I won was not three star, because I had won it in the past at 2.5 stars, and I called them to dispute. They kept me on hold for thirty minutes, then the representative I believe may have been in China and did not speak English well, and was very inflexible and not helpful in any way on the issue. After another 30 minutes of arguing, she only offered me a "one time rebook" in a similar star hotel, but at $100 more in price. No way was she willing to let go of my money since they had me locked in. I finally gave up and she was happy with that. I know this is not a real "Win", but I think people should start paying attention this phenomenon, it seems like these companies have turned into profit maximization mode, and it warrants attention. I have been an active contributor to BB for a good while, and I am only trying to look out for others. Thank you.

Total price for this hotel came out to $111.00 PLUS 25.00 in taxes and "Fees". All hotel prices in the area were double and triple the usual due to the State Fair being in town. On the Hotel website they had the same room for 114.00 plus 10.00 in taxes, PLUS FREE Tickets to the State Fair. HOTWIRE was MORE EXPENSIVE than using the hotel's own website. This has happened to me a few times now. I have noticed that since Expedia bought all the other sites such as Hotwire, the prices have steadily climbed and not budged below a certain threshold. I would be hard pressed to use HOTWIRE again after this experience for reasons detailed below: The hotel itself is nothing fancy, it's on the North Side of Downtown Springfield, about two blocks from the Lincoln Museum. Parking lot overflowed at night and people had to park next door. Free breakfast is nothing fancy, but it's free. The hotel itself is plain, pretty much clean in appearance if you don't look too closely. Toilet had urine on sides and around bottom, headboard had handprints and smudges, there were things on floor that vacuum missed such as food crumbs. Overall this is probably more a two star hotel, but I also noticed PRICELINE and HOTWIRE ratings are bumped up a bit from other sites, they are definitely pushing it. I spent a half hour on the phone with Hotwire, they offered to give me a "one time" rebook for another hotel, but for a lot more money in the same star rating so no help there. I am pretty much done with this company, maybe Priceline, but I will check actual Hotels first every time. I am posting this in order that others may be aware that this hotel is now in the mix and that you can probably get a better deal DIRECTLY THROUGH THE HOTEL WEBSITE.

Tried 60 for a 3 star in South Springfield, this was one of three counter offers so took it for 62. Good reviews, seems to be newly renovated.

Amenities: Free parking, Free Internet, Pet friendly, Indoor pool(s), Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking, Roll-in shower.

Used link from this site to Price.line, bid $55 for 3.5 star, no luck, switched to Hot.wire and was shown a 3.5 for $50. This was the Four Points by Sheraton Fairview Heights. This hotel should not be listed as a 3.5 star, I would rate it 2.5.

Bid $51 per night for 3.5 star, failed, rebid same area using 3 star for $41, immediately won this hotel. Disappointed, this does not seem to be a 3 star hotel, and there are countless reviews out there stating the same. Bathroom was dirty upon check in, shower curtain rod was broken and bathroom door would not latch. Through the wall AC unit would not shut off, again numerous reviews detailing the same problem out there online. Sits next to freeway, traffic noise was a problem. King size bed was comfortable.. Priceline needs to re examine this hotel, I would not pay more than $41 for this hotel on the open market per night.

Used link from better bidding to Price.line. Bid $51 per night, got Doubletree immediately. Nice Hotel, free parking, clean, hot cookies. Indoor pool is nice, hot tub too, very nice bar in lobby. Had a raucous bachelorette party late into early morning in room next door, and traffic noise is ungodly during rush hour since this hotel sits right beside interstate at major intersection and has through the wall AC units. Other than that, it's a nice hotel.

Hotel was a bit hard to find, it's actually an exit off of Interstate 55 just south of the 55-72 interchange. Hotel was fine, pretty plain really, lobby was demolished due to renovations, it's an old building that has had renovations done, basically slapping paint and carpet over everything, but it's nice enough, room was clean, bed was medium comfortable. Seems like a $40 place if you have time to bid a few days however. It was just "OK" honestly, I would prefer the Fairfield Inn that I had previously though in South Springfield area..

Started at $50 for a three star only in south area, rejected, bid $50 for 2.5 and immediately won this one. Trip advisor reviews are majority positive, so hoping for the best, will follow up with a review.

Hotel is convenient to the interstate (72) and is in a commercial (retail) area among several similar hotels, with plenty of restaurants and shopping nearby and no residential areas. Hotel itself is clean, updated, rooms are a bit small but very nice and cozy with a refrigerator and flat screen tv. I had a King Bed, it was so comfortable that I overslept a few hours on Saturday. Definitely did not oversleep Sunday since the second Maid started banging carts around and beating on doors at 9 a.m. sharp. That is the entire reason she did not get a tip. I stayed here two nights, had the room right next to the elevator, did not hear a sound except for the maid. I would stay again.

Used Link from BB to Price.line. Bid $65 per night for 3.5 Star Springfield North, rejected, added Springfield South and dropped to $55 per night for 3 Star (Priceline showed a 3 star express deal for $61 per night), again rejected. Started over from the BB [url=http://www.betterbidding.com/clicks/click.php?afsrc=1&id=40]PRICELINE[/url] link, Bid $50 per night South and Won. Good reviews on this hotel, and I know the area first hand to be a decent part of town. Will follow up review after my stay.

The hotel is actually pretty nice! The room was clean, the hotel was clean, the people were nice, I really could not find much wrong. Beds are just OK, not super comfortable, but not bricks either. Flat Screen LED TV's in rooms, along with refrigerator and microwave. It's a wood frame building with two stories, doors and people in hallway are pretty noisy. Worst of all were the maids yelling to each other at 9 am sharp on Sunday. Parking is ample, indoor pool is decent, and I would stay here again. It is in an area away from any housing, with plenty of restaurants and stores nearby, the Mexican restaurant right by the place has more of a roadhouse feel and was not all that great for the price, but Buffalo Wild Wings is within half a mile. Miniature golf and batting cages right next door, although closed for winter I think. Convenient to the Interstate, about half mile off of I-57 and one block from Route 66, about six miles to Abe Lincoln Museum and Downtown Springfield. $50 is a good deal for this hotel, but if I had time I would try to get it for $37 to $45 even, they had a lot of cars each night, but I doubt their rooms were filled, it's a good sized place.

Used links from BetterBidding to Price.line. Started with 65.00 for 3.5 star Springfield South, no, both zones, no, tried $60 for 3 Stars both zones, nothing, dropped to 2.5 stars for south zone and $55, nothing, dropped to 50 and added North zone, accepted. I tried all these zones a day before too with no results except I did not try 2.5 or below in the North Zone as I was afraid of getting this Ramada. Reviews are mixed on Tripadvisor, so I will be sure to update this post with a REAL review, if you see my history you know I won't sugarcoat it. For now I will hope for the best.

Used the link, started bidding at 57.00 because the options are limited in Effingham to 2.5 and below, basically the entire town is a large truck stop, and I had less than 24 hours to get a room. . Won immediately for two nights. Lexington Inn and Suites, the hotel is nice, seems a little dated, dark hallways, no flat screen TV, etc. I did not eat the breakfast either day, but it looked fine, hot food. But the place is clean, as are the rooms, and aside from traffic noise such as Harleys and crappy racing style cars on the somewhat busy road i's on, it was quiet at night on a weekend with a very large music festival going on. Some noise through the walls and ceiling, but about same as most hotels. Nothing to complain about with this hotel, I would stay again, although try for a lower price, I think $ 45 is about right for priceline and this place. .

This is the Fairfield Inn in Collinsville, 4 Gateway Drive. The building has been completely renovated and is basically brand new inside. Rooms are nice, beds are comfy. Walls are a bit thin, wood frame building, slamming doors are quite loud in hallways. Average indoor pool, no hot tub. Free breakfast is Average, but very good with hot foods. Located in a nice area surrounded by restaurants and other hotels and just off the interstate, convenient location. Mini Golf- Large Arcade right next door literally, and outdoor water park a half block away. Good place to stay!

UPDATE: They did end up charging me the $10 for parking, charge posted separately 4 days later.

Was hoping to get a hotel in Fairview Heights but this hotel is in a good area and convenient to downtown St Louis, Cubs/Cards game there so that area was difficult. All bidding was St Louis before with no results, so dropped from 3 to 2.5 Stars and immediately won this.

There is a 10 dollar charge for parking at this hotel. But they gave me a second pass for free (two cars) when I asked, and did not end up charging me for parking at all. I tried to find something wrong with this hotel, couldn't. Overlooked interstate and airport, only heard one jet the entire time, it was military so that explains it. Rooms are very nice and large, beds are comfy, everything is clean and updated. Elevators are balky, but not a big deal.

Used link to Priceline. Started with Westport zone at 55 for 3.5 star, no luck, added Airport West 60 for 3.5, no luck, added Chesterfield 60 for 3.5, no luck, added Airport 60 for 3.5 and scored. Never stayed here so not sure, will report back after stay.

This Hotel is pretty far out in the far west suburbs of St Louis, so expect to drive a good way to get to it. It is just "Okay", I would call it marginal 2.5 however, nothing special The pool is about the size of four 7 person hot tubs put together. Rooms were clean and beds comfortable, bathrooms very very small and sink is IN the room, not around the corner by the bathroom, shower heads are very low so you have to duck down for that. This hotel is WOOD Framed, reviews on tripadvisor noted noise through the walls, I agree wholeheartedly, and add over your head as well, sound transmits loudly, we were awakened by it both mornings. I would stay here again, but only if I couldn't get a better, more convenient area.

Won two rooms for $52 each per night. Started through the Priceline LINK from BB.com. Began with St Charles/St Peters at $52 for 3.5 stars, added Westport, added Chesterfield, all with no results. Added 3 Star level, then repeated zones, again no luck. Added 2.5 stars and won this hotel. Reviews are good for the Hotel so am optimistic, although an extra $45.00 for taxes and "fees" seems excessive.

Sorry, AMENITIES: Small Kitchen with dining room table, small living room with 20 year old or better furniture (not comfortable), Old Tube TV, VCR (?), seperate bedroom (very small), and very small bathroom (dingy). Decent little pool and hot tub, ample free parking, convenient to walk to I-drive but definitely a hotel/commercial neighborhood amongst many hotels. Arcade game room, free breakfast which gets pretty crowded close to free bus to park time, I guess everyone waits until last minute. Food runs out but is replaced relatively quickly, hot sausage and eggs and toast and juice and milk, basic but good. Service is actually very good at this hotel, the staff appears surly at times but are actually very nice and helpful. This is a decent hotel, but mis-characterized as a "CONDO", you actually get a small hotel room "suite" which is not much larger than a typical straight hotel room. Again it's over priced but 3 stars is accurate.

Made a mistake posting first time, stayed here March 7th and 8th. Won this for $81.00 per night for two nights, $93.00 per night with taxes. It's on Canada Drive, one block from International Drive. Location is decent, hotel is not really very nice at all. Small and extremely dated rooms. Although clean, I would not pay more than $60 a night normal price, and I have won nicer hotels than this in major cities for $40. This is listed under "I-DRIVE NORTH CONDO" on Hotwire.

I was just looking at that this morning, I would like to know if anyone does book it, very interesting!

Bid started at $45 for 4*, refused, tried same for 3.5, refused. Waited 24 hrs and rebid $48 for 4*, accepted. Thank you.