RHS59

Taxes add $12.06 a day. Parking is $17 a day, $28 for valet parking.

First bid of $130 for 3 1/2* hotel was rejected. Re-bid, lowering stars to 3, and it was accepted. (Price shown for this hotel on other sites: $329 a night) Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina, 49 America Cup Ave., Newport RI 02840 Check in Sun, May 27, 2012 (Memorial Day weekend) Check out Tues, May 29, 2012 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Bid accepted: $130 x 2 nights = $260 Taxes & Fees: $45.38 Total: $305.38

Not thrilled--had fingers crossed for Crowne Plaza--but baseball Spring training makes it difficult to score a tremendous deal.

Priceline bid $90 for 4* in Scottsdale, rejected bid $95 and added N. Scottsdale, rejected bid $80 and added 3 1/2*, accepted for Xona Resort Suites Taxes $19.25 for total $99.25, plus I expect a $15 resort fee. Not happy about resort fee, but Priceline's posted price for this hotel is $199, so it's a bargain nonetheless.

Priceline win: Millennium UN Plaza for $145 May 22-26. Not thrilled to be so far east. I expected my bid to be rejected and was surprised when it was accepted.

After an unsuccessful $70 bid, Priceline said I could bid again immediately if I would raise my bid by $22. I'm sure more patience would have been rewarded with a lower price, but I upped the bid and won the Omni. I joined their Select Guest loyalty program for free WiFi in the room, free morning beverage and newspaper delivery, free shoeshine, free bottled water on arrival, and airline miles.

After two years of unsuccessful low-ball bidding, I got the Roosevelt. I was very happy with my room--perhaps it was recently refurbished. Of course the location can't be beat. October is a busy month in NYC and I was OK with $169, although now I think I might have won with $159.