drhjr707

Started bidding at $75, but had to inch all the way up to $106. I would have gone with Princess Fairmont or JW Marriot, but wife wanted this property exclusively so had to pop for it. Frankly, I like the North Scottsdale/Carefree area MUCH better myself. All in all, decent win I guess for her.

I was trying to book Downtown Washington DC and started at $90, inching my way up to $130 per night by adding zones that did not have 4 stars in the DC area. After getting declined for all offers, it was apparent that we weren't going to get a hotel at our desired price range for this location. As such, I searched Hotels.com and found the rack rate of $149/night for the Renaissance Washington (adjacent to the DC Convention Center). Once I realized that they were offering this rack rate, I figured I could bid on the Convention Center - Capitol Hill zone knowing I would probably get this hotel, since other 4 star properties in this zone started in the mid $200s. However, I wasn't thinking properly and bid $110/night. It was immediately accepted and I thought to myself that I should have bid $80 and worked my way up from there. Unfortunately, I was out of options to bid before I had to wait the 24 hours to re-bid. So I only saved 26% (whereas I normally get at least 40% off of rack rates when I bid). But, the headache is over and our family is all booked. Incidentally, the Renaissance Washington rack rates on Hotels.com are now up to $442/night, so we're still pleased that we got a 4 star Priceline hotel in DC relatively close to where we wanted to be. Especially with this being the Marine Corps Marathon weekend, we're quite lucky to have got a 4 star at this price near downtown. Hope this helps anyone else looking to book in DC around this time.

So, I'm not against using Hotwire, albeit for a premium, if I could be likely to get what I want. As such, I'm concerned that Hotwire has added both The Madison and W Washington DC to the 4.5 star category. One of the Washington D.C. posts mentioned that they have W Washington DC as a 4.5 star property. However, I'm confused that Hotwire states that the property on offer has an 80% user recommendation, yet The Sofitel is alwasy at a 95% or higher user recommendation. Additionally, the Willard Intercontinental also has a much higher than 80% user recommendation. Conversely, there is no "pool" mentioned on the amenities. All of the aforementioned properties have a pool, except Sofitel (as far as I know anyway). Any thoughts here? Thanks so much...when I do book, I'll be sure to use your links. Cheers.

Hi Everyone, I've used Priceline before for a trip to DC and got the Sofitel (which I absolutely loved). Now I'm taking my wife and some friends, but my concern is getting a hotel relatively close to a Metro stop. That said, almost all of the 4 Star Downtown DC hotels will work except the St. Gregory. Does anyone have any experience with this hotel? In the price range, it has the lowest guest rating (7+). When you go to select the star level on Priceline it says that the guest rating is 7+. Does this mean that the St. Gregory will likely hit? If it wasn't an option, wouldn't it say 8+ or even 9+? We're looking at 10/25/2012 to 10/29/2012. Any ideas here would be most helpful. Thanks!

Started with 4* at Convention Center - Mid Center City knowing I would get either the Hyatt Bellevue or Loews (avg. price for 4* was $192). I started at $75/night and was declined. Added 3.5* to same zone and got the Marriot at $81/night. Was hoping for Hyatt or Loews, but will take the Marriot as it is where I need/want to be in Philly. Cheers,

Hotwire had an interesting glitch. I was looking to book one day in Philadelphia with a luxury car from 4/13/2012 at 7:00am to 4/14/2012 at 7:00am and the total with tax ended up being $78.35 ($52.95/day), but by adding one hour to the drop off time (from 7:00am to 8:00am on Saturday, which effectively made it a two day rental/25 hours) the total price dropped to $65.42 ($20.95/day). The company is Budget. All in all, I'm happy with $65.42 for a luxury car for a day in Philly (and around the vicinity)!

I put a bid in for $39/day for a luxury car via Priceline in Boston (BOS) for 11/11/2011 - 11/12/2011 (2 days). The bid was rejected and the next day I bid $41/day and it was accepted by National Car Rental. The base rate on National's site was $132.31/day, so I got a significant savings!

First bid for the Financial District at $140 was declined. Added Copley and bumped to $145 and got The Back Bay Hotel. Haven't heard of it, but it seems okay. Thanks.

Since the Cherry Blossoms should be in bloom, you will be hard pressed to find a "cheap" luxury hotel.

Washington DC (White House - Downtown) for March 3, 2011 thru March 5, 2011: Started bidding at $90 for WHDT, moved to $101 (was offered to increase to $126/night), then bid $106 and got the Sofitel Washington DC. Prime location and literally a couple minutes walk from a Metro stop! Couldn't be happier!

Finally popped for the Priceline 5* Got the Vienna Hilton Plaza for $127/night from May 18 to May 20. Good luck all...

Just to let you know, this hotel is AWESOME! It is the only hotel I'll stay at when I'm in Dublin. You won't be disappointed. It is ideally located and a 10 minute walk to Temple Bar and right across the street from St. Stephen's Green. Enjoy!

So, I've been bidding on Vienna 4 & 5 star properties via Priceline and have been rejected for the dates I need (5/18/10 to 5/20/10). I started at $90 and have been increasing my bids by $1 each day for the 4 stars and $115 (by $1/day) for the 5 stars. Each time - REJECTED! :) Although yesterday, I got the infamous, increase by $22 message (which would have made my 5* bid at $147). This is silly because, Hotwire has their 5*s at $133/day. I'd really like to land the Hilton Plaza, but I guess the Le Meridien, would be okay too. Oh well, maybe I should just wait til I get closer to my travel dates as the capacity situation may change drastically between now and then. Ironically, my other bids for Berlin, Budapest and Prague all hit on the first bids. For some reason, Vienna is EXTREMELY tough to land. Any thoughts why Vienna would be so difficult to land, especially in relation to other bidders winning per the message boards. TIA, D

Good luck with that request. I've been trying to figure out 4 & 5 Star Vienna for a month now. I've booked Budapest, Berlin, and Prague via HOTWIRE and PRICELINE without any problem, but Vienna is the one city causing me a lot of heartache. I don't think you'll find your answer on this board, as I've exhausted all the resources here myself. However, I'm thinking of just buying the current 4 star offering (dates: 5/18/2010 to 5/20/2010) for $82/night. It's in the location of Vienna in your message above (aka "City Center" at PRICELINE). If I do, I'll certainly let you know.

For the 4.5* 5/18 to 5/19 (I suspect this is the Hilton Plaza hotel) for $156/night: Fitness Center Restaurant(s) Business Center Laundry Facilities High Speed Internet Spa For the 5* 5/18 to 5/19 (I suspect this is Le Meridien hotel) for $149/night: Fitness Center Pool Restaurant(s) Business Center Laundry Facilities High Speed Internet

Hello, I am new to this board, but find it quite intriguing and helpful. I need to get the Hilton Plaza hotel in Vienna for one night, either May 18 or May 19 (I have points to get one free night via Hilton Rewards). I have read the posts regarding Vienna hotels on this board, but it seems there is a discrepancy. In looking at the current Hotwire rates for a 5* Vienna East - Landstrasse - Wieden Hotel it says that there are "460+ reviews on TripAdvisor" as of January 2010. The hotel that has that many reviews is the Le Meridien (at 469), NOT the Hilton Plaza (only 156 reviews). Anyone have any insight to this offer on Hotwire? Thanks much!