ntcanada

Ok but if a hotel is listed as 3.5* on the retail part of the site must it always have the same star rating for the name your own price option? I'd like to make a bid on PRICELINE but have very little idea of what possibilities a 4* selection would include since there are none in the PRICELINE retail list or on the hotel list here for Whistler... It would be nice to get a good deal on PRICELINE but if the Westin (available on the retail portion there) isn't likely to be included in the name your own price inventory it may be wise to book it outright since the rates are quite low right now, and I don't know what other 4* offerings a winning bid that is lower than PRICELINE'S retail price for the Westin might yield. Any suggestions?

Looking at Whistler 4* 03/31/10 - 04/05/10 on PRICELINE Is it possible that a hotel listed as "Resort" on the retail part of the site is a 4* hotel for opaque bookings? There are no 4* hotels on the retail page (I know sometimes buy it now and auction hotels are not the same) and no option to select Resort for opaque bookings. Also, in bid entry box median price for 4* hotel matches the price of a 3.5* hotel on the retail page. Adding to the confusion that brand is listed as an example of 4* as well as 3.5* hotels on name your own price page. PRICELINE hotel list here also doesn't list anything as 4*. Thanks for the help.

Thanks for the replies. I will know to inquire before I make a booking next time. Re: other travel sites' star ratings, would Priceline count? They only rate the Hilton 3.5*, and that was the rating I was going by.

Won on HOTWIRE. Old booking but might be of use for reference.

Old booking but might still be useful for research. $135 for feb. 18/09 - feb. 21/09 Won on PRICELINE. Booking was for a "Delta Room" but they upgraded us at check-in to a one br. suite for the Delta Privilege member price. Can't remember exactly how much but was reasonable and still a very good deal off the advertised rate for a suite.

Should have posted first... I was looking for a 4* hotel in Whistler for 2 people mar 31-apr 5. I had been bidding on PRICELINE but checked HOTWIRE today and saw 4* for 209, which was lower than my last PRICELINE bid so I thought it was worth checking out. After reading posts on hotel ID I was certain it was the Westin based on 4* and resort. Amenities listed were resort, slopeside, fitness, pool, restaurant, business, laundry, internet, golf, tennis, spa. I ended up getting the Hilton which according to just about every other travel site and the HOTWIRE list here is 3.5*. Do I have any recourse here other than maybe trying to cancel the charge with the credit card company on the basis that it's not what I thought I was purchasing? I know that kind of risk is inherent with HOTWIRE / PRICELINE but it was an informed bid, just misled by star rating. Thanks for any help/suggestions. Edit: Furthermore, on Hotwire's own star rating guide under "star rating descriptions" Hilton is listed under 3.5* hotel suppliers -- very misleading...