Bepo

HI, thanks for your help and response. I think I'm just going to scratch it for now. Part of the fun of the trip to London is planning, and given a short (two or three day) lead time, I'm not looking forward to this trip. I'm going to put it off for now. Feel free to delete the whole thread if you'd prefer. I'll be back for suggestions when I have more time to plan and build up anticipation.

It depends on what time my flight would be. But I'm looking at either starting Wednesday night or Thursday night, until next Wednesday. I don't know if places would look to fill vacancies at last minute or figure they can ask for higher rates.

I have an opportunity to go to London in three days. But they only thing that would make this possible is if I can get a hotel for under $100. I've stayed previously at the Marriott in Maida Vale for less than $100, but that was bidding some months out. I'm open to any area, but wonder if bidding late like this for a hotel is a good idea or a bad one. I'd prefer 3stars and up, in around Regents Park, but London is not hard to get around so I'm open to areas I don't know.. Help and suggestions, please.

Thanks, still trying to work out the details. It will either be Monday to Friday or Tuesday to Sat. We stayed in the Embarcadaro area last year and loved it, so that would be first choice. Should I wait a few months before starting?

Hi I'm looking to make plans for SF in mid July. We went last year and had great rates on a weekend, at Le Merridian, but now need to book for week days. Do you think rates will be better or worse for week days? I know it's early, but this is related to a wedding. Thanks.

Just wanted to follow up on this. Next to the "JW" in DC for $50 a few years back this is the best deal we've ever had on Priceline. A fantastic hotel with incredible staff. My friend got the same place the weekend before for $2 less than I did, but given the view I had from our room on the 22nd floor have no complaints. Thanks for all your help regarding SF. Now, it's off to Florida.

Sounds good. Let me take a look. Thanks. FOLLOW-UP: That's what is was. It has good reviews. Through their site was at least $20 more. Thanks again for the tip. We got Le Merridian in SF booking through Priceline for a great price, then this. Rest of the trip is set.(so far) Thanks again. This is by far the best advice site for HW/PL.

Because that's a big area. Compare the 'downtown' area of Chicago which is considerably smaller, distancewise, and see how it's broken up. And Old Town SD is no where near Pt Loma.

Not having much luck so far. Have tried both Pismo Beach and San Luis Opisbo for June 4th on the way down the coast. Up to $80 for a 2 1/2 or 3 star. I have a few days until I leave so I'll keep plugging. Any suggestions alwasy helpful.

Finally! After an uphill battle I got the Le Meridien in SF. Haven't stayed at a Le Meridien but I know they used to have a very good reputation. Thanks for the help. Now, on to a rental car in Oakland Int.

I've been trying for a few days, low-balled at $108 in zones 2, 11, and 12 and worked up a bit. No luck so far, and then I saw today someone had got a Mariott in zone 9, Moscone-Soma for $112 the same days I needed. So, I tried that at the same price, and no luck. Went up to $118 in the same four zones, but nothing yet. I'll up it a few dollars more tomorrow.

Hi, thanks for the help. I guess I'm going to try Priceline in about two weeks, try for a 4* in the city are start aroundn $100. I'm probably low bidding, but that will give me time to bid up. I'm thinking as this is our first trip together to San Fran in 35 years, even if we aren't doing a lot of city stuff, it would be neat to stay IN the city. The only time I was there since then I stayed about 35 miles away and took a few day trips in. I'll post how things progress and wind up.

We were going to do a bit of sightseeing in the city, probably a bay cruise, go up to Muir Woods. I was at Fisherman's Wharf a few years ago and don't see any real reason why we'd go back there. Once we leave SF we are going to drive down the coast, entually ending in San Diego. I'm looking for at least a 3 1/2 star hotel in SF. We are set the rest of the trip. I've used Priceline here. I do need to get a car also.

Don't mean to be vague, but we are going to be in SF the above date for 2 nights. First time in 35 years for both of us together. While money is an object, I have a little wiggle room. Absolutly tops would be $150. We are flying into Oakland and renting a car. Not doing a lot in the City. So, which direction should we go for hotels? In city or out? If in the City, what areas necessarily?

I'm starting to put together a trip to WDW area in mid-July. I've been reading posts as watching both the PL/HW sites. I see nice hotels at very good prices until they throw in the extra fees. I'm waiting for exact dates when we leave before I start bidding/buying.

Thanks for the quick responses and info. I've done both HW and PL, but never at places that would have fees. Where on the HOTWIRE link would it so approximate fees? Thanks. B.

A few questions about resort and parking fees? It seems a nice $50 win can become a $85 one very easily. If I wanted to spend $85 I have other options. SO, 1. How do we know when a place has either of these on Hotwire or Priceline? 2. What can we do if we bid or buy on one of the above and they then add these? 3. OR, are they included in the cost, particularly on Priceline. (my guess is no) 4. So, how do we bid without getting stuck with these? Thanks.

Thanks. I may take a pass on that. Bit nervous. Big difference between HI Express and Hyatt.

Looking at a 3 Star in Smyrna outside Atlanta on 7/23 with Breakfast, pool, weight room, business center. laundry and internet. At $48. Any ideas?

It's probably not a mile to Abbey Studios. There is a good pub not far away on Abbey Road, The Salt, which is pretty neat. Also right across the street from the hotel is a very nice Italian restaurant, and another one about a block down which is very good for breakfast. There is also a Starbucks about a block away, plus a Sainsbury and a few other places very close. to pick up stuff to keep in the refridge in the room. Underground is about 2 blocks away. Hotel is very nice. Enjoy.

Wrote a hotel review on the review board. Generally, what I said was that while it is nice enough, it certainly isn't worthy of 4 stars.

Knickerbocker. 11-12 December Priceline at $77. This is going to be mixed, as this hotel is rated as a 4*. It is a nice hotel, but it is no 4*. We arrived, (were dropped off) and wheeled a big bag and carried a garment bag down the street to the door. Only acknowledgment at the front door was one of the doormen holding the door for my wife with the wheeled bag. Went to check in, past a few employees and no ask if they could help. At check in we were third in line with one station opened, though 2 more did open quickly. I finally put the garment bag down on the desk, and no one including the desk person asked if I would like some help. After room assignment, headed by ourselves up to the room. Room was small, smaller than any I've seen in the US. That in itself isn't a problem, but no mention at desk if we would care to upgrade for a price. As we weren't going to spend that much time in the room it wasn't that big a deal to us. As mentioned, the room itself was nice, relatively quiet, facing onto Walton street. The king bed is actually very comfortable. The bathroom is another story. As someone mentioned, very modern. I've been in a few hotels of late with the shower like this, no bath tub, simply a walk in. But, trying to reach in and set the water temperature before stepping in to the shower is impossible. I've been real shy about standing under water before it comes on as I came real close to some serious burns in a shower in London a few years back. This morning both of us just skipped the shower and figured we'd get washed up when we got home. As far as amenities, such as soaps, lotions, etc, I've seen more and better at much cheaper hotels. There was a generic shampoo and generic lotion. And one bar of soap for the room. And, the bathroom has an opaque glass door which is weird on many levels. When one gets up during the night to use the bathroom, the light from that room lights the whole bed area. Lastly, when we came back to our room at 4pm yesterday, there were 2 dirty wine glasses sitting on the floor outside the room across the hall from us. They were still there this morning at 11:30am when we checked out. Apparently the wine glass picker upper was off and no one was responsible for picing them up. Again, this isn't a bad hotel. The lobby was nice, the bar seemed okay, the room was nice enough, and I don't think I was cheated or anything, but......certainly based on service and amenities, this certainly isn't a 4* hotel. I wouldn't book it on my own, and doubt I'd recommend it to anyone.

Linda, thanks. Good to hear. I used to work N. Mich ave, and did work for Playboy when the corporate offices were in the building. Used to go to the Cape Cod room at the Drake for lunch, but never stayed at either of the hotels there. We also did the Dicken's feast at the Drake, but that got to be too much food. We have reservations for the Signature room at the Hancock for dinner the 2nd night, and the Peninsula for Tea the day we get in. Your review makes it sound like it's going to be a perfect visit. Thanks again.

Thanks. I'll let you know how it goes. Still, not unhappy about the price. Any savings is okay. I wouldn't have found the Knickerbocker site otherwise. Wouldln't have even thought about it.

I figured I'd give Priceline a shot as I waited too long and the $84 NMA was gone. Knickerbocker is okay, right across from the Drake, and right off Mich Ave. Haven't been in in a while, but remember when Playboy had the original club there. Playboy offices also. Any, I thought $77 was okay, and it is, BUT, they had a sale for around $87 going on. Anyhow, did use the PRICELINE link here.