Squall

As part of my annual birthday present to myself; I give myself a mini vacation away from insanity. So, on that note; I won a lovely 4 night stay at the Holiday Inn And Suites Anaheim for a rate of $36/night from 1/30/11 - 2/3/11 (Birthday is 2/01 and I will be in LA trying my luck again to go on The Price is Right) Happy thanksgiving everyone :)

I stayed there about a month ago as part of my spring break, and to hopefully see if I'll hear those magical words "Squall, Come on Down, you're the next contestant o the price is right" but all i heard was Losing Horns, Anyhow, like the above poster said, the lobby was simply beautiful and had a really good clean / professional feel to it. From the minute i got there, they had guys opening the door, and giving me a hand with my luggage at least to the checkout stand (I caught a cab from Union Station since it was hard to gauge on a map how far it was and the cost; and with a tip it still averaged about $7 which for me wasn't so bad) The room was beautiful, the view was sub par, but you figure for $50 a night, view doesn't mean anything. I was excited about having a mini fridge below the TV because i brought plenty of food and drinks to last my entire stay.......(my goal was trying to avoid buying much food out and about) I wish there was free WiFi. The TV did suck because it had a bit of the snow look on most of the channels. The bed was comfortable, the bathroom was clean. SO would i stay there again? Probably; but of course the priceline way :0. (I have pictures, but I'll try to post them soon)

Well just thought i'd share this information with you guys; i've just been busy with a few things that i forgot to sum up my trips; which I will do so in a minute under the review section. I just wanted to share with you guys that if you want to see me on THe Price is Right (although i didn't get picked after being in line since 2:30 AM for a 12:20 PM taping on 3/31/10; I'll be one row behind the green podium, and the person directly in front of me is going to be some girl with glasses, red hair, and a blue shirt. I was wearing a gray shirt with a light gray jacket. The episode airs this thursday the 29th, and i'll probably post a link directly to the CBS page for those who actually want ot watch The experience was awesome, made some friends, Drew Carey Rocks as a host, and as a person, and made up for the craptacular experience earlier this year when i went to see Let's Make a Deal. Anyhow, it was fun, the hockey game was a close one; Ducks lost 5-4 to Vancouver in a shootout. But i had a blast.

If i might make a suggestion; you could always try the fun of PRICELINE and name your own price....; I recently received the Marriott Anaheim Suites for $50/night. (3.5*).

It better be optional.......and the beauty of me is that i don't drive; so i don't need parking :) That parking fee is going to pretty much cover my two-three days of transportation)

Yesterday i booked a room at the marriott suites in Garden Grove; and to my surprise......and after reading reviews from various people; i learned that they too offer this resort fee. From how i read it, others make it seemed forced but, from their official website it says: "Guest Rooms: Wired* *Wired-for-Business For a daily rate of 12.95 USD, the following features are available in your guest room: 1. High-speed Internet access 2. Unlimited local phone calls 3. Unlimited long distance calls (within the country), not available in all markets Prices may vary in a few markets." So IF i do get charged a fee; does their wording in your guys honest opinions make it seem like it's "optional" or "forced" I mean just because they have a bottle of water available on your room; it doesn't mean you have to drink it...although if u drink it, you will be charged.

Marriott Anaheim suites for $50 (my dumb-self forgot to select the garden grove zone the first time and i did both add zone and upped bidding; as i know i could have gotten it for a couple bucks cheaper; but its all water under the bridge Once again, thank you for all of your help; and if i can; i want to post pictures and do a review. (Let's just hope the Ducks win that Friday vs. Vancouver)

You're right about the two zones that offer 3 stars. For some strange reason when i did my zone click check; i didnt see the 3* link highlighted (or who knows; my eyes could have been playing tricks on me) according to the email I recieved through priceline; my 24 hour clock begins in about 10 minutes. So i'll try everything as suggested.

Honestly; i was triyng to see if i could snag the same rates i placed for similar resorts during my previous two stays. Preferably if i can get a 3.5 star for $55-60 or a 3 star from $40-55 it would be awesome. I'll probably place a bid when i get in from school this evening. (This is a person strategy note; you guys can use it to help if needed) Zones 1(anaheim hills) and 11 (Seal beach) do not offer 3.5* Zones 8 (Laguna Beach) and 9 (Laguna Hills - mission Viejo) don't even offer 3*

I know my way around the city pretty well; So i am comfortable staying in either. Figuring most of the hotels in the Disneyland area are connected by an ART shuttle, or within reasonable distance of one; its all gravy to me.

As some of u know, i recently went through a battle with priceline over a two day trip to Los ANgeles mainly so i can see the price is right. Now I want to add to my vacation and spend two days in Anaheim. Using my two previous successes from this year and last; i tried to bid the following: 3.5* Orange-Garden Grove $41 (last year i scored the Hyatt) = Miss Add 3* and Disneyland-anaheim $35 (scored the Holiday Inn two months ago) = Miss Unless anyone has an idea, I think i'll just try the same thing tomorrow; but increase my bid to $45 and if that misses, decrease star rating, if that misses; add zone and possibly raise bid to $50. or just say screw it and try to aim for an Extended stay (which i stayed at one two years ago; and it wasnt that bad) Thanks again for all your help; and yes i use the PRICELINE link available on this site.

I just recently snagged the Kyoto Grand Hotel (3* for $55/night which became about $122ish with fees); but I i know its in the ball park according to the hotels website; but if you want to look it up for more information; be my guest. I highly recommend using Google Earth / maps to figure out locations of things.

Thank you guys for the help; and lets just say that if I win......you guys win :)

$50 3*/downtown= rejected $55..added beverly hills / west hollywood = won Kyoto Grand Hotel located about 1.4 miles from Union Station. $122 with taxes and fees.

will bid when i wake up in the morning maximum limit $60 minimum star rating: 3 and it looks like i'll be confining my bid to the downtown area.

Edit: After reading a few things; i'm okay with staying in downtown LA. I'll probably place my bid sometime soon. Once again; thank you all for your help.

I'm looking at the list of stuff available in downtown........and bus routes. Once again; thanks for your help. I might just research more and try to see if i can get what i want.

JFYI: about 12 AM PST (10 hours prior to this post) i made an atttempt for $50 4* Burbank/glendale zone, and it was a miss. My logic being that even from there; i can just take th etrain directly to Burbank/Glendale...and public bus it the rest of the way.

Yeah, maybe i should just wait and see....because when i scored $45 at the Hyatt last year in Garden Grove, it was a week away. Although i got $35 at the Holiday Inn in Anaheim was about three weeks away. I'm one of those type of people who like to plan early incase crap hits the fan. But, maybe i should just wait a week and see what happens. (Plan C involved just staying in the preferred Zone.....and put a bid for $65 or70 at a 4 star; if that gets rejected, drop it to 3.5; if that gets rejected, drop to 3) and then raise the bid a little bit (to say $75) and add a garbage zone (Lawdale) (I'm glad you like the clip; it to see seemed to explain it better than words (also the fact that my trip is Price related) I love this site.......otherwise i'd be paying "normal" price :)

$55 = Miss $58 = Miss $60 = I did everything as suggested and did use the PRICELINE link. So maybe i should just go with Plan C and say put my next bid price at 65-70; start at the top.....and decrease a star zone for each miss; and if i get to 3 stars with BH/WH and miss; add Lawndale and creep the bid $5

I'm going to try again probably about 6 PM PST since i have a class that gets out at 5:30. So at this rate; if i can't get anything for under 60; i think friday i'll just go for luxary....or just try HOTWIRE

Thats what i was thinking........or just say screw it; pick a nice number like $80......start at the top; and with each "fail" decrease star rating, i'm sure i'll find something within the 3 star range to say the very lease.

$48 3 stars on up = miss (uses Beverly Hills/WEst HOllywood) $50 added Hollywood Zone = Miss

Honestly; its the fun of "can i snag a X star room at Y dollars that to me is the fun part about PRICELINE

Open for practically anything; since to me, the main issue would be transportation costs. (Although its hard to plan transportation because i dont know where i'm staying; but....whatever happens happens, ya know)