nick5

First off, this could be an excellent way to keep track of star ratings as mentioned in your original post. Also, I love the map feature as it shows properties in relationship to each other. But the BackUpBooking cancellation must be read very carefully. I did a test run in comparison backupbooking to an actual web site for same dates. But over all, I'm excited when ever there is something new to help us with planning our travel bookings. You're the greatest! March 2, 2009 Hyatt Place Livonia, MI BackupBooking.com pricing: $129.00 Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $14.45 We've chopped fees on this hotel. $143.45 Total Charges*: Cancellation Policy: We understand that your travel plans may change. That's why priceline doesn't charge you a change or cancel fee. For the room type you've selected, you can cancel your reservation for a full refund up until noon on Friday, February 27th (local hotel time). If you decide to cancel your reservation anytime between noon on Friday, February 27th and noon on Monday, March 2nd (local hotel time), the hotel requires payment for the first night's stay. You will be charged for the first night's stay including taxes and fees. Any remaining amount will be refunded to you. Refunds or cancellations are not available after noon local hotel time on your day of arrival (Monday, March 2nd). Hyatt Place's web site: 129.00 USD per Night per Room Additional Charges:6.000 Percent tax4.500 Percent occupancy tax 142.54 USD Total After Taxes Cancellation Policy: Cancel By 4 Pm Day of Arrival Hyatt Place has a cheaper room by only a few dollars but it's cancellation policy is horrid. Hyatt Place's web site: 123.00 USD per Night per Room Additional Charges:6.000 Percent tax4.500 Percent occupancy tax 135.91 USD Total After Taxes Cancellation Policy: 50united States Dollars Fee Outside 72hours/One Night Fee Within 72hours

If you do get the Omni, they have a shuttle that takes you downtown anywhere and picks you up. No cost other than tipping the driver. When we stayed there, we were dropped off at Joe Louise and they gave a card with number on it to call for after, and came within 10 minutes. They dropped another couple off at the casino. Cheryl

Thanks for the follow up hotel review. I'm happy it ended up being as nice as the web site looked. :)

This time of year Excalibur is not going to have that many kids. And it is a good location. Their web site has standard room going for 71.00 a night, 81.00 if you want 25.00 in dining credit. They also have recently updated rooms going for 91.00 a night if that is important. I did stay at the Excalibur before but it was close to 6 years ago. It was clean and we did not spend much time at that casino so it worked fine for us. There must be something going on that weekend, as rooms at the Mirage and Tresure Island are up there. Typically that is where we stay at very reasonable rates. Honest, the rates are high everywhere that weekend for Vegas, so it might be worth jumping on that 71.00 at Excalibur . For example, Mirage is at 199.00 a night, and Tresure Island 189.00. Even Harrah's which I would not stay at, was 145.00 a night. Cheryl

This time of year Excalibur is not going to have that many kids. And it is a good location. Their web site has standard room going for 71.00 a night, 81.00 if you want 25.00 in dining credit. They also have recently updated rooms going for 91.00 a night if that is important. I did stay at the Excalibur before but it was close to 6 years ago. It was clean and we did not spend much time at that casino so it worked fine for us. There must be something going on that weekend, as rooms at the Mirage and Tresure Island are up there. Typically that is where we stay at very reasonable rates. Honest, the rates are high everywhere that weekend for Vegas, so it might be worth jumping on that 71.00 at Excalibur . For example, Mirage is at 199.00 a night, and Tresure Island 189.00. Even Harrah's which I would not stay at, was 145.00 a night. Cheryl

Nice job bidding!!! We have stayed there before and they let us upgrade to Club level for an extra 20.00 a night. It was worth it to us, because the offered breakfast and evening reception, coffee, soda and such. I don't know if they still offer that option. Enjoy the time with your daughter! Seems like just a few years back they were in Kindergarten. <G> Cheryl

Congrads on your win! I would love to stay at this property sometime! Trouble is, that Hyatt Regency is the other 4* listed for this area. I'm sure the Regency is nice,,don't get me wrong, but Dearborn Inn has so much history. Enjoy your stay! Thank you for reporting your winning bid. Cheryl

What price are they asking? Dearborn Hyatt Regency and also the Dearborn Marroitt both Priceline 4* are going for winning bids between 65-70ish dollars. Just a thought. Cheryl

We stayed there before. Older property but a Grand Dame in her time. Right on the River. They will shuttle to anywhere downtown. We went to a show at the Joe Louis and they let us off right at the door and all we had to do was give them a call and they picked us back up. NO fighting traffic. The food in the downstairs pub was good. Yes, it is off the beaten path,, but they seem to be keeping it up. Our room was very clean. Wayne Newton was staying there the same night we were, so we had a chance to see him. They do charge you for parking,, no matter if you park yourself or not. We just left our car, and took the shuttle to the casino the next day also. Cheryl

First Bid, 48.00 rejected. Added Canton for rebid, 52.00 accepted. Tax and fee total 65.55. Web site had 139.00 and that is without room tax. Cheryl Yes, I used the PRICELINE link provided at the end of each of Thereuare's post. It is appreciated if everyone else would too. It helps support this wonderful board in a small way. Thereuare, we can't every really thank you enough for all the work and time you put into this board. Better Bidding is the Best!

It will be a really nice area for you and your family. Thank you for posting your results and it was fun to be able to help you. There are 3 different exits in that area that have a many options for eating and entertainment. My daugher use to live in Northville, which has an old fashion downtown feel with many local shops. IF the weather is good, it is a fun place to visit. Ask at the hotel how to get to downtown Northville. The kids would like this place and the food is really good too. It think it would be about 8 miles or so. Rebecca's Family Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor 134 N. Center Street Northville, MI Rebecca's is a family-friendly restaurant and ice cream parlor that has been voted #1 Family Restaurant in Northville 3 years in a row. Opened in 1931, Rebecca's was once known as the very popular Cloverdale Dairy. This location has been serving the Northville Community for over 70 years. It's a place where old traditions are continued and new ones begin. We serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner; homemade soups, daily specials, sweet potato fries, new low-carb multi grain pancakes, omelets, spinach pie, wraps, melts,large salad selection, taco's, hand-battered fish-n-chips, homemade rice pudding, carrot cake, smoothies, Sanders hot Fudge cream puffs, and much more. We have something for everyone at Rececca's. Come on in and check out our running trains, antiques and memorbelia.

Please follow up with where you ended up staying. Thank you, Cheryl

Not to confuse you more, but have you considered using Orbitz or something like that. Where you will know exactly which place you are getting? I found one in Dearborn that sounds like it fits your needs for 77.00 a night. It's a Best Western Greenfield Inn. Read the October review. You are only 11 miles away, which is less than an half hour of driving. Sounds like the area has much to offer that you were looking for. Best Western Greenfield

If you are looking at star ratings the Hotels give themselves, those do not match the star ratings that PRICELINE and HOTWIRE give the properties. Even Hotwire and Priceline have different rating systems. One will give a 2.5* the other a 3*. So if that is what you are trying to match up, don't. <G> We are not here to confuse you but help. Just know, Hotwire or Priceline, you can always get a wildcard and while we might help narrow things down, you have to know, once you book at these cut rates, it is a go. No changes allowed. If you get a surprise and are not happy, you can whine a little bit , then you have to use your big girl voice and put a smile back on. <G> Cheryl

Nothing wrong with Novi area. It is good too. I have stayed there on a few priceline wins but it was hard to predict possible wins. Now,, as to Hyatt yes, we like it because it includes breakfast. But there is no way to know which of the 3 properties you might win if you do priceline. So, if you decided to do priceline, Livonia area, I listed the 3 - 3* which are Hyatt, Courtyard or Radisson that more than likely would be the 3* wins. I would start out at 40.00, then up it by 2.00 each 24 hour period. I"m thinking you will get a hit at 42.00 - 46.00 range, unless there is something big going on in the area. Don't bid over 56 dollars because there are other areas, for a 3* that you could get. The 3.5* Marriott is the only one we know of so far in that area, so it is a good chance for a win if you do 3.5*, Livonia. Start at 45.00 for that property. Please use the links provided in Thereuare's postings. If your not sure on bidding, ask Thereuare. Don't use rebid zones unless you really know what you are doing. Good luck, and praying your Hospital stay has a happy outcome. Cheryl PS, if you are interested in Novi area, I can look it over better. It has nice mall area and stores too.

I'll give you some ideas a bit later in the day as off to work shortly. But with Priceline (I'm not sure about Hotwire) but they only guarantee occupancy 2. There are a few places, like Chicago, that will have rooms that only will hold 2. It has never been a problem anywhere I have stayed in Detroit suburbs. Dearborn area is a good choice location wise to downtown and it has a Mall near by. Also this area is close to Greenville Village which has an IMAX. Some driving areas are pretty downtrodden but drive down a few more blocks and there are homes that start in half million dollar range. Just depend on where you are heading. I'd have to look more to see what might be narrowed down with a priceline bid. And Thereuare could give you an idea what Hotwire offers. So let us know if you think this is an area you would like to stay in. So that being said, take a look at http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-infor...rriott-livonia/ as that is the only 3.5* winning bid coming up in the Livonia area (so far) and it is connected to a Mall. I have not been in the Mall so can not comment on that. But this hotel is on 6 Mile Road which is less traffic, but is close to 7 and 8 mile which has everything.. including movie place. I'm thinking this property could be had for around 50-60 on bidding. Thereuare is better at bidding advice. If you decided to go 3*, it is not narrowed down as much as there are 3 properties I have won at that level. All are acceptable to me. Courtyard, is a bit older but very clean, right next door to Marriott. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/detl...etroit-livonia/ The other 3* that is also right across the street is Radisson http://www.radisson.com/livoniami which I don't recall when I have stayed there,, but it gets good reviews. These typically receive winning bids in the 40-50 dollar range. The last 3* that might come up is Hyatt Place (a personal favorite but I have not been able to get a winning bid since they moved it up from a 2.5* to a 3*) http://detroitlivonia.place.hyatt.com/hyat...place/index.jsp It's parking area is connected to the Movie complex and there are tons of nearby restaurants and stores. Really really nice area to be in, but traffic can be high at times. But if you decided Liviona area,, do not confuse it with Novi bidding area. Once again, Thereuare is good at helping with bidding. Get back with Better Bidding as this is absolutely the best place to get help and learn info about Priceline and Hotwire. IF you do decide to bid, please use one of the links provided in Thereuare's post as it helps support the board here. Thereuare does an outstanding job keeping this board current, organized, and running smooth. Cheryl opps off to work,, who wanted to be on time anyway? good thing I'm the boss!! LOL

Katie: Would you be interested in the Livonia area? You could take I-96 into downtown. If this area would work for you, I have some bidding history that might help you. Get back with me,, I typically use priceline because I can narrow down the choices and prices in the Livonia area because we stay over there often. (my daughter lives in the area) Cheryl

Nice bidding!!! Thanks for sharing your process. I stay in Detroit suburbs often and like to try new places. I'll use your lead and try for Embassy next stay. (they use to serve warm cookies at check in and had a managers reception in the evenings,, not sure if that is still the practice or not, but was a nice touch) Cheryl

I did see a downtown HOTWIRE with pool 3 star for 45.00 a night. It also listed breakfast, fitness, business, laundry and internet. I'm surprised at this is Auto show week. Cheryl

Odd question for you. Since the Radisson Kingsley is located in Bloomfields, shouldn't that appear in the subject incase someone is looking to stay in that area? I'll be honest, I don't recall how the Hotwire listed this property area. Cheryl

Thereuare, I would have missed why I recieved the Hotdollars if you had not asked. I found in my spam folder a letter from Hotwire. They did downgrade to a 3.5* and that was the reason for the credit of 25.00 each night. Very nice of them as I would have never known. Cheryl -------------cut and paste---------------- We are contacting you about your upcoming stay at Radisson Kingsley Hotel Detroit-Bloomfield Hills, Hotwire Itinerary Number **********. We periodically review our representation of our hotel partners' star rating. After doing so for this hotel, we have decided to adjust the star rating to 3.5 stars. While we are confident in the quality of all our hotel partners, the new rating more accurately reflects the service level, accommodations and facilities of this property. As such, have credited to your account $25 HotDollars for each night of your stay. Your HotDollars can be used to book any flight, Hotwire hot Rate car rental, hotel reservation or package on the Hotwire Web site. Each one is equivalent to one U.S. dollar in value and is available for one year from the date of issuance.

Yes, I have gotten that message a few times. Typically it means I'm close to a winning bid. If I have time, I either rebid at about the half way price with using rebid zones (only do that If you understand rebidding 100% or you could end up with a winning bid in an area you don't want to stay in) or I wait the 24 hours and then up my bid. IF I know I want that area and those dates and don't want to mess around with getting the lowest bid, I take the offer as it will be a winning bid. Cheryl

Thanks Aaron! It was a nice trip. The property was older but very clean. The bedding has been upgraded and actually even tho' the beds were older, they were better quality than I expected. I'll be going back to Detroit area this coming weekend and stay at Bloomfield's Radisson with a HOTWIRE win. Now if the Michigan weather will behave! Cheryl

I was sent this today from Hotwire! What a surprise!! I booked a hotwire room a few weeks back for this coming weekend for two nights Jan 11 & 12, 2009. (Detroit MI Bloomfield) . The bucks are good till Jan 7, 2010. Cheryl ---------------- It is our pleasure to provide you with a $50.00 credit to your Hotwire Account in the form of Hotwire HotDollars. One HotDollar is equivalent to one US dollar, and can be used for any future booking on the Hotwire site. You will be given the option of using this credit on the billing page for your next booking. Full details of your HotDollar assignment are shown below: ---------------------------

I would rather have had Radission or Hyatt as their beds are better. But hey, 42.00 a night works. Going to go see my daughter. Next time I think I'll start with a lower bid just to see if prices have dropped. Cheryl Courtyard by Marriott Livonia 17200 N Laurel Park Dr Livonia, Michigan 48152 Check-In Date: Sat, Jan 3, 2009 Check-Out Date: Sun, Jan 4, 2009 Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night:Subtotal:$42.00 Taxes & Service Fees:$12.27 Total$54.27