four leaf clover

Congrats! It's a great price during August for both hotels.

Lisbon is one of the cheapest cities in Europe for hotels and most include bed and breakfast in the price.

Jenee - just to say that the $200 bid on Priceline will have taxes and charges subsequently added (perhaps around $16), as opposed to the $200 inclusive at Hotel Central Park.

Your dates, unfortunately, coincide with the largest conference of the year in Amsterdam, so hotel prices will be very high.

I took Bus 197 from the airport direct to Leidseplein (second last stop). You will be getting off at the American Hotel. NH Amsterdam Centre is next hotel to the Marriot Hotel. Took the bus option again when leaving.

You've done pretty well! The dates coincide with the Sonar Festival, so higher demand for accommodation means higher prices. Enjoy Barcelona!

Delighted that your strategy worked out so well! It makes encouraging reading for other hopefuls.

It could be the Hotel Universal or the H10 Marina. Good luck!

Bluesparklet ---- you are unlucky with the dates you've chosen. Your visit coincides with the biggest conference of the year, taking place from 10th to 14th Sept. Amsterdam accommodation prices are always incredibly steep during this period.

Apparently, Priceline have no 5* hotels in City Center South, so perhaps the bidder you refer to got a free re-bid.

A great rate! I have just looked up the Movenpick Hotel website. Total cost

Always start with a low bid, then you won't end up paying high rates for your hotels.

Hope your dates are not too close to Sept. 10th. Hugely inflated hotel prices around that time every year!

To the best of my knowledge, Priceline offers accommodation on a room only basis, so breastfast would not be included in the price you have paid. However, there's no harm in asking when you check-in ......the hotel may have special offers available.

We had checked out of the Amsterdam Centre, before 6.30 a.m. and found the nearby Bus 197 really handy for the airport.

That's a great price for early September. Hope you like the hotel - I certainly did during my priceline stay there last October!

MadFlyer,

Your timely intervention worked liked magic! Grand Amrath is clearly a much loved hotel. Getting it at half price will only add to the satisfaction.

What was the counter offer you received? Sometimes than can be a clue!

I have not yet booked with Priceline, but have booked a flight for travel in May. I feel, that I would be crazy to place a bid with Priceline in current circumstances, without being clear on the implications for getting a refund, whether I book with or without Priceline insurance. Of course, I understand I do not have to go the Priceline route at all, but more information never hurts.

Can any member who has booked hotels with Priceline and now find they cannot travel, because of flight cancellations, due to volcanic ash, report on their experience with Priceline with regard to cancelling. I am referring, in particular, to members who did not opt for Priceline's cancellation insurance. Feedback greatly appreciated!

Michroch - You'll be the the envy of many bidders! It's an amazing rate for a weekend in June. Keep on spreading the Karma!

I looked up some 4* hotels and it seems that Friday 7th and Saturday 8th are more expensive than the other two nights. CitizenM Hotel, for example, prepaid rate (excluding city tax) is 109 euro on Friday; 119 euro on Sat. night and only 89 euro on Sunday and Monday nights. So it would, perhaps, make sense to break up your nights accordingly on PRICELINE, if you want to keep rates down. Of course, I can understand that this arrangement may not not suit you!

The International Society of Historical Sciences has its conference in Amsterdam from August 22 - 28. It is held just once every 5 years, so I think demand for hotels could be high during this period.

Unfortunately, two of your nights overlap for those dates. Some bidders might bid for 27th and 28th and then make a separate bid for 29th. I have also seen bidders do a mix of Priceline and Hotwire. Then there are people who will keep bidding only on Priceline for their whole stay, happy that they will still get a good rate. It's tough when a beginner is thrown in at the deep end, so I hope it works out well for you!

Hi,

The singer Mika is in Amsterdam on May 7th .....must have lots of adoring fans! I have also seen other specific dates force bidders to pay $100 - $105 for 4* hotels. Some break up their stay and bid separately for 1 - 2 nights. Fortunately, this does not have to be done very often.

Good luck with the bidding!

bnebased,

Thanks for your helpful, comprehensive reply. Much appreciated!