keno

I'm looking for some help identifying a 3* condo in Wailea/Makena on Maui for 2/20-2/23. See amenities below. Today's price is $172/nt 3-star hotel in Wailea - Makena This hotel features the following amenities: Suite Near Beach 1-Bedroom Suite Fully-equipped Kitchen Airport Shuttle Free Parking Air Conditioning In-Room Laundry Pool(s) 24-hour Front Desk High-speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby Condo Thanks Keno

Started bidding at $55, PL countered at $70. Refused, bid again to $60, and then $64, and accepted. The Benson Hotel A Coast Hotel 4 Star Downtown Portland 309 Southwest Broadway Portland, Oregon 97205 503-228-2000 See Hotel Website View Map and Directions Check-In Date: Sat, Dec 5, 2009 / After 04:00 PM Check-Out Date: Sun, Dec 6, 2009 / 12:00 PM Amenities: Remote control TV w/ premium channels Telephone w/ voicemail Radio Alarm Clock Iron and ironing board Hairdryer Business services 24 hour front desk Full Service Restaurant Room service Bellman Concierge Fitness center access Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $64.00 Subtotal: $64.00 Taxes & Fees: $15.92 Total Charges*: $79.92

Hyatt Grand Champions Resort Resort Rancho Mirage-Indian Wells-Palm Desert 44 600 Indian Wells Lane Indian Wells, California 92210 760-341-1000 See Hotel Website View Map and Directions Check-In Date: Sat, Oct 17, 2009 / After 04:00 PM Check-Out Date: Tue, Oct 20, 2009 / 12:00 PM Amenities: Remote control TV w/ premium channels Radio Alarm Clock Telephone w/ voicemail Bellman 24 hour front desk Full Service Restaurant Extended hour room service Concierge Fitness center or spa Pool Resort Activities more Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $69.00 Subtotal: $207.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $36.45 Total Charges*: $243.45 Started bidding at $55 and went up in $2 increments over several days until finally accepted.

I've been watching this go up and down for the last couple of weeks. $79 seems to be the lowest price, so I booked it this morning. The Oxford Hotel 1600 17th St, Denver, CO, 80202 303) 628-5400 Check-in Sun, Jul 26, 2009 Check-out Tue, Jul 28, 2009 Boutique Hotel Fitness Center Restaurant(s) Business Center High-speed Internet Access Spa Services Hotel Hotel rate per night - Hotwire hot Rate: $79.00 Nights: 2 Rooms: 1 Subtotal: $158.00 Tax recovery charges and fees: $27.11 Total price: 185.11

Hotwire has a 4* in downtown from 7/26-7/28. The rate has varied from $73-83 depending on the day and time that I check. As I post this, it is currently listed at $79. Boutique Hotel Fitness Center Restaurant(s) Business Center High-speed Internet Access Spa Services Based on the Priceline forum, the Hyatt can be had for about $65/night. I'm wondering how likely this is to be the Hotel Monaco? Also looking for feedback. If this is the Monaco, has anyone stayed there? Sounds good from the reviews I've read. Wondering if it's worth the few extra bucks over the Hyatt? Thanks Ken

Bid several times. Started at $21 for a midsize and was counter-offered for $27. Bid $24 for a standard, rejected. Bid $25 for full-size and accepted. Hotwire's price for a standard was $37.95/day ($141.33 total) Pick-Up Location: Alamo Rent a Car ORANGE COUNTY ARPT In-Terminal, Walk to car 19051 Airport Way North Santa Ana,CA 92707 1-877-252-6600 Pick-Up Date: July 3, 2009 - 9:30 AM Drop-Off Date: July 5, 2009 - 5:30 PM Your Offer Price: $25.00 (per day) Total Rental Days: 3 days Subtotal: $75.00 Taxes and Fees: $25.09 Total Charges: $100.09 Lowest Published Price: $181.43 Total Savings:* $81.34 (You saved 45%)

I got a $5/night bonus cash award so I bid $51 + $5 = $56/night. Accepted on the first bid, using the PRICELINE link. I've stayed here before and it is an excellent hotel. Hyatt Regency Irvine 4 Star Costa Mesa - Irvine 17900 Jamboree Road Irvine, California 92614 949-975-1234 See Hotel Website View Map and Directions Check-In Date: Fri, Jul 3, 2009 / After 03:00 PM Check-Out Date: Sun, Jul 5, 2009 / 12:00 PM Amenities: Remote control TV w/ premium channels Telephone w/ voicemail Radio Alarm Clock Iron and ironing board Hairdryer Business services 24 hour front desk Full Service Restaurant Room service Bellman Concierge Fitness center access Offer Price Summary Bonus Cash Per Room, Per Night: more information $5.00 Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $51.00 Total Offer Price Per Room, Per Night with Bonus: $56.00 Total Charges to your Credit Card Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $51.00 Subtotal: $102.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $21.75 Total Charges*: $123.75

Mountain View Motel - Bishop, CA Midscale See ratings guide 730 West Line Street, Bishop, CA, 93514 (760) 873-4242 Check-in Sat, Feb 28, 2009 Check-out Sun, Mar 1, 2009 Amenities Complimentary Breakfast Pool(s) Hotwire hot Rate: $48.00 Nights: 1 Rooms: 1 Subtotal: $48.00 Tax recovery charges and fees: $11.88 Total price: $59.88 And I used the HOTWIRE link to get it!

Used the PRICELINE link. Accepted on the first bid. Check-In Date: Sunday, March 15, 2009 Check-Out Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 Hotel Name: Sheraton Kauai Resort 2440 Hoonani Road Poipu Beach Koloa Kauai, Hawaii 96756 808-742-1661 Your Offer Price: $110.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $220.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $36.34 Total Charges*: $256.34 Also got the same hotel for one night, 3/15-3/16 for the same price. Expedia listed this hotel for $210/nt

Accepted on the first bid for $20 Rental Partner: Alamo Rent a Car Car Type: Mid-Size Car (Unlimited Mileage) Pick-Up Date: March 10, 2009 - 7:00 P.M. Drop-Off Date: March 17, 2009 - 6:00 P.M. Pick-Up Location: LIHUE ARPT 3276 Ho'olimalima Pllihue Airport Lihue, Kauai, HI 96766 Drop-Off Location: LIHUE ARPT 3276 Ho'olimalima Pllihue Airport Lihue, Kauai, HI 96766 Your Offer Price: $20.00 (per day) Total Rental Days: 7 days(6 days and 23 hours) Subtotal: $140.00 Taxes and Fees: $63.27 Total Charges: $203.27 This is about $40 less than HOTWIRE and $84 less than Expedia. Used the PRICELINE link as always.

Your Rental Car Reservation Hertz Corporation Full-Size Car (Unlimited Mileage) Pick-Up Location: Hertz Corporation Las Vegas McCarran International Airport 5300 Rent A Car Road Las Vegas,NV 89119-1256 1-800-654-3011 Drop-Off Location: Same as above Your Offer Price: $15.00 (per day) Total Rental Days: 2 days(1 days and 12 hours) Subtotal: $30.00 Taxes and Fees: $20.22 Total Charges: $50.22 Used PRICELINE link on BB

Also of note, the best price I was able to find for this hotel was through the hotel's website directly. Their price was $672.01 for the same stay! And one final note, I used the PRICELINE link on BB to place my bid, as always!

Tried again for SD Coastal several times and rejected up to $115. Rebid with Downtown and got the Omni for $108 Omni San Diego 4-star Downtown San Diego & Harbor Island 675 L Street San Diego, California 92101 619-231-6664 Check-In Date: Sat, Aug 30, 2008 / After 03:00 PM Check-Out Date: Tue, Sep 2, 2008 / 12:00 PM Amenities: Remote control TV w/ premium channels Telephone w/ voicemail Radio Alarm Clock Iron and ironing board Hairdryer Business services 24 hour front desk Restaurant Room service Bellman Concierge Fitness center access Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $108.00 Subtotal: $324.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $52.97 Total Charges*: $376.97

Used the PRICELINE link on BB. Started at $80 and went up to $110 in $5 increments. Prefer to stay in the SD coastal area, but downtown will work as a fallback if necessary. I've got tons of time, so I'll bid again in a couple of weeks unless you have other advice. Ken

Used the Priceline Car Rental link from BB. I tried several combinations over several attempts, but ultimately got an accepted bid on a mid-size for $20/day. Standard rejected up to $22 Midsize rejected at $18 Fullsize rejected at $25 Mid Size / Intermediate (Unlimited Mileage) Avis Rent a Car JOHN WAYNE APO CA 18601 Airport Way Santa Ana,CA 92707 1-800-230-4898 Drop-Off Location: Same as above Your Offer Price: $20.00 (per day) Total Rental Days: 3 days(2 days and 22 hours) Subtotal: $60.00 Taxes and Fees: $17.87 Total Charges: $77.87 Lowest Published Price: $173.97 Total Savings:* $96.10 (You saved 55%)

Accepted on the first bid at $56 Hyatt Regency Irvine 4-star Costa Mesa - Irvine 17900 Jamboree Road Irvine, California 92614 949-975-1234 Check-In Date: Fri, Jul 4, 2008 / After 03:00 PM Check-Out Date: Mon, Jul 7, 2008 / 12:00 PM Amenities: Remote control TV w/ premium channels Telephone w/ voicemail Radio Alarm Clock Iron and ironing board Hairdryer Business services 24 hour front desk Restaurant Room service Bellman Concierge Fitness center access Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $56.00 Subtotal: $168.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $29.46 Total Charges*: $197.46

As mentioned before, this hotel has two towers. If you bid on HotWire like I did, you will end up in the "City Tower". While the room is still nice, it is incredibly noisy. Is stayed on the 12th floor, and it sounded like the cars were lining up right outside my window. I complained and tried to move to another room, but they were full, or unwilling to move me. Also note that some room rates include breakfast. If you purchase on HW, your rate will not include breakfast. The breakfast buffet is 27eur which is quite steep, although it is a nice spread. There are many walk up restaurants within a few blocks, but nothing else immediately surrounding the hotel. The amenities and the room decor were equivalent to other 4* hotels I've stayed at in the US (Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton). The only additional items which probably give them the additional star are the fact that the room comes with a bath robe, slippers, and above average bathroom items. I would rate this a 4.5* at the highest, but definitely not a 5*. I stayed on business, but I don't think I would willingly stay at this hotel for personal travel as it is too expensive for what you get. Ken

Just a quick note on this hotel. I just got back from my stay. As I have seen on other boards before, this hotel has two towers. If you bid on HotWire like I did, you will end up in the "City Tower". While the room is still nice, it is incredibly noisy. Is stayed on the 12th floor, and it sounded like the cars were lining up right outside my window. I complained and tried to move to another room, but they were full, or unwilling to move me. Also note that some room rates include breakfast. If you purchase on HW, your rate will not include breakfast. The breakfast buffet is 27eur which is quite steep, although it is a nice spread. There are many walk up restaurants within a few blocks, but nothing else immediately surrounding the hotel. I would not willingly stay at this hotel again, but that is my 2c. Ken

Frankfurt Luxury Hotel This Hotel features the following amenities: Fitness Center Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply. Restaurant(s) Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary. Business Center Guests have access to business equipment and services; an additional charge may apply. Golf Nearby Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one golf course; an extra charge typically applies. Tennis Nearby Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one tennis court; an extra charge typically applies.

Prices are very high in Frankfurt for this time period. Booked on HOTWIRE for $336/night + taxes InterContinental FRANKFURT WILHELM-LEUSCHNER STRASSE 43 Frankfurt, 60329 Germany 011-49-69-26050 1 room; 2 nights Check-in: Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 3:00 PM Check-out: Thu, Jan 24, 2008 at 12:00 PM Hotel 1 room(s) @ $336.00 per night x 2 nights $672.00 Taxes and Fees: $166.05 Hotel Subtotal: $838.05 On Priceline's open booking system, the total would have been $1000.

Success at last. Rebid several times over the last few weeks and finally got the Marriott at $75/night. Started bidding at $60 and ended up at $75. I've stayed there several times and always enjoyed it. Marriott Irvine John Wayne Airport 4-star Costa Mesa - Irvine 18000 Von Karman Avenue Irvine, California 92612 949-553-0100 Check-In Date: Fri, Jan 11, 2008 / After 04:00 PM Check-Out Date: Sun, Jan 13, 2008 / 12:00 PM Amenities: Remote control TV w/ premium channels Telephone w/ voicemail Radio Alarm Clock Iron and ironing board Hairdryer Business services 24 hour front desk Restaurant Room service Bellman Concierge Fitness center access Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $75.00 Subtotal: $150.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $27.48 Total Charges*: $177.48

Bidding for Irvine/Costa Mesa 4* Bids failed at 48, 62, 65, 68, 72, 75, 78, 80 Will try again in a few days. HOTWIRE currently has a 4* customer favorite for $99/night so I can still fall back on that if necessary. Used the SavingsBarn link as always.

Started bidding at $68, then $70, $72, and finally accepted at $75/night. Priceline has changed their bidding process a little bit. It was definitely more confusing than usual. It appears they are trying to discourage the free-rebids, at least for those who are a little technically challenged. On my first failed bid, PL said I could re-bid if I added at least $17 to my bid, but did not offer the choice of changing my zones/star level, or any other categories as usual. I finally found it "hidden" in a link near the bottom of the screen. On my second failed bid, PL asked for different confirmation than my initials, which is the standard confirmation acceptance. Again, confusing, but when you read the screen it becomes apparent. Third bid was same as the old days and eventually I got it. Marriott Irvine John Wayne Airport 4-star Costa Mesa - Irvine 18000 Von Karman Avenue Irvine, California 92612 949-553-0100 See Hotel Website View Map and Directions Check-In Date: Fri, Jul 27, 2007 / After 04:00 PM Check-Out Date: Mon, Jul 30, 2007 / 12:00 PM Amenities: Remote control TV w/ premium channels Telephone w/ voicemail Radio Alarm Clock Iron and ironing board Hairdryer Business services 24 hour front desk Restaurant Room service Bellman Concierge Fitness center access Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $75.00 Subtotal: $225.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $36.43 Total Charges*: $261.43 I've stayed here a couple of times before and it is always great, except for the annoying parking charge. Used the SavingsBarn link as always.

Failed again at $80 and $84. At this point I'll probably give up and book directly with a hotel. Thanks for the advice. Keno

Hilton is offering $115/night on their website. Tried again at $72 and $78 and still failed. I'll give it one more go tomorrow.