nick5

Oh, I would like to stay there sometime. They have just finished a mulit-million renovation accorrding to their web site. They list a Jr. Suite for 149.00 a night this coming weekend. (Jan 3, 2009) with 199.00 for other rooms. Since this is around the same pricing as Westins,, perhaps 70.00 would be a winning bid. I will give it a try sometime we go to Detroit to visit our adult children. :) They live in Canton, Westland and Waterford but we like to stay in different areas when visting. We live on the other side of the state that does not offer much in the way of entertainment. Too bad this was not a property listed when I was bidding for the weekend of Jan 10, 09 as I'm taking my mom to see Dancing with the Stars and other properties were booked up because of the Auto Show,, now many of the car makers have pulled out of the show and there are rooms. I'm rambling,, but what I mean to say is: Thank you for listing this a 'possible' new property and that there is now a 4* up for bidding in downtown Detroit. Cheryl

Well Aaron,,, I did end up bidding the other day on a priceline 3.5* DTW 43.00, it was rejected. I was going to come back the next day and just move to 45.00. But holiday's festives took over the spare time, so never did a rebid. Meanwhile, while home for the Holidays (we live on the other side of the state), our daughter offered up her appartment for the night and also will take and drop us off and pick us up from the airport. We have never gone this route because she only has the one bedroom, but she is going to stay with friends. I like Hoteling it, but don't want to turn down her offer as it was sweet of her. So as of now,, not booking anything. But once again, thanks for the ideas and suggestions. Happy Holidays! Cheryl

Good deal. I'll actually go with that if I don't get a bite on a bid. I tried 3.5* tonight DTW for 43.00. Rejected. I'll add a few bucks and see what happens. I found the price break between Fairfield Inn and bidding priceline and paying for our own parking at around the 57.00 mark. So, let's see what happens. The reason why hotels are so high in that area is the mid week date. Before when we flew out on the weekend, rooms are handed out cheap as all the business suits have left. BUT we booked round trip Detroit to Orlando at 139.00 a person, which includes taxes and fees. thanks for finding Fairfield Aaron. Cheryl

Thanks Aaron. Because you suggested it, I did check it out. (don't you love trip advisor, I do) Anyway I ended up calling directly to compare options. Parking is free only one night. It is funny they have a park and fly (up to 8 nights) for 179.00 plus tax and fees. Yet, when asking what the room rate was without PF, it was 169.00. Quik Park which is right next door is 9.00 a night, bring it to 247.00. Not that I can afford anything like that, but might as well stay at the Westin and walk right up to termial as Westin is located in the airport. So anyway the 78.00 hotwire, with fees bring it close to 85.00 and 8 nights of parking comes to 157.00. Thank you for helping! Still looking. Cheryl

Sorry for the delay.... ended up working on a trip to Disney in March. Ok,, I would not care if it was another 3.5 property not yet reported. I would be a bit bummed if they upgraded me to Westin 4* only because the parking is high high high. I loved staying there before with the park and fly option but this time it is running 299.00 plus tax and fees. We both know that is not going to happen. So,, that being said, 80.00 a night would be my max because at that point, I could bid other areas for less and then just drive in that AM. Staying close to the airport is nice, but now Priceline has too many other options in nearby areas for bidding. No point in bidding too high. Cheryl ps,,, If we were upgraded,, we would deal and figure out the parking off site.

Too soon? March 3, 09 I'm looking at the 3.5* as both the Embassy or the Marriott would work. I'm thinking 45.00? It is mid week. I also think we would have to pay the extra for parking at 9.00 a day. But the park and fly for Embassy is 169.00 plus tax and fees. We would need 8 nights. Suggestions? thank you, Cheryl and of course I would use the PRICELINE link provided here to bid with.

This is a newer Holiday Inn and they do have airport shuttle too if you need it. I think they build this property because unlike the rest of Michigan, Grand Rapids is booming. I think you will find it fits your needs as it is not one of the older Holiday Inns. (or should I spell that Holiday ENDS) :) As to Hyatt Place, that is our favorite priceline win. We like it even better than the Westins. Go figure! We have not stayed at the one in Utica, but we have stayed at the one in Auburn Hills and Livonia several times. Did you know they are building one in Grand Rapids??? It will be near the airport too. http://grandrapidswyoming.place.hyatt.com/...place/index.jsp Check back in with us with a report on Holiday Inn Select in GR. Cheryl

Radisson Kingsley Hotel Detroit-Bloomfield Hills 39475 Woodward Avenue Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304 (248) 644-1400 Rate per night: $59 Total (with fees and taxes) for entire stay: $142.94 (I bought opinional insurance for 8.00 due to mom's health) Listed Hotwire Amenities: (Rated: 4 Star by Hotwire) Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-Speed Internet, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby Cheryl

I'm not sure how you want to edit the subject as I ended up doing HOTWIRE. It was my first time ever using them. 59.00 a night Radisson Kingsley Hotel Detroit Bloomfield Hills. I'll post over in Hotwire forum win. And I did use your HOTWIRE link. I"m so happy (and suprised) since the auto show has made rooms limited and jacked the prices in all the surrounding areas of downtown Detroit, I was getting concerned as our tickets are none refundable to Dancing with the Stars. Thanks for the help, Cheryl

I bought tickets to take my Mom to Dancing with the Stars. Last year, I was able to follow it up with a winning priceline bid 3* Omni River Place which was just a few blocks away. (on an unexpected note, the dancers were staying there that same night and my mom was able to see Wayne Newton, which made her trip, she is in her 70's) Ok back to my problem. Seems it is the first day of the Auto Show, press gets in the Jan 11, 12, 13 then the public opening. I have had 3* rejected at the 55.00 (bid this before knowing about show). BUT since typically 55.00 would have grabbed Courtyard, I went to the web site to see their current prices for this date. 399.00 a night. I don't think priceline is going to have anything downtown the night I need it. <G> So,, does anyone have bidding suggestions for what near by area? I can drive traffic but it will be a later show,, so dont' want to be driving too far with mom. Ideas? I have stayed in Auburn Hills area, Livonia area, but is there something near that is ok for two women driving late night? Thank you, Cheryl

I thought I did use the links provided. I accessed the PRICELINE one from the Michigan Priceline Hotel list. Or is there something I"m missing?

Days Inn Cadillac 6001 East M 115 Cadillac, Michigan 49601 2* Second bid,, first bid of 40.00 rejected, which I figured was too low. But then next night I bid the 54.00 that I saw someone else had as a winning bid before. (I wanted to lock in a room as leaving in just a few days). Regular we rate is only 69.00 a night but with priceline, we came in with a total of 66.34 by time they added the fees. Cheryl

Sorry I did not make it clearer. All bids were rejects. We never did win a bid for that area for that night. It was a last minute idea and I started bidding on Friday evening for the next night stay. I bid on Sat also as PRICELINE says you can bid up to 6:00 PM but your chances are narrower for getting a property. I believe just the fact it was close to a casino ran the prices up and limited the rooms. To stay at the Four Winds (which they were sold out) but would have been 249.00 a night. eww,, too rich for me. Cheryl

Four Winds Casino last minute trip. All the following bids were places for a stay on 07/12/08 a Saturday night. Bidding took place on 7/11 and 7/12 as this was a last minute idea. Rejected bids for New Buffalo and surrounding area. (within a estimated 20 minute drive) New Buffalo, MI 2* 90.00 Michigan City, In, 2.5* 45.00 South Bend, In, 3.* 55.00 South Bend, In 2.5* 58.00 Mishawaka IN duplicate see below Benton Harbor MI 2.5* 65.00 Benton Harbor MI 2* 65.00 Saint Joseph, MI 2* 65.00 Stevensville, MI 2* 75.00 Niles, MI 2* 75.00 Re-bid for Mishawaka was rejected because it says I already bid this area.. (They considered Mishawaka in South Bend saying it was a duplicate bid but when loading Mishawaka, they do not list South Bend IN so I thought it would be a rebid area). Same thing happened with Granger IN There are a few things I would do different (besides not waiting until last minute). I would have raised my first bids for South Bend to the 65.00 level. I under estimated the area. It must go for more on Sat nights because it is within the distance of casinos. One thing I would not do is bid 2* level for South Bend IN as there is a Priceline room that is 2 stars that has bad reviews on Trip advisor. (people said they won this property from Priceline and it was a poor 1 star) Perhaps Priceline as removed it but I did not want to take a chance. Since they lump Mishawaka and South Bend together, I would not bid a 2 star in the future for Mishawaka either. Hope these rejected bids help someone else. Cheryl ps, Thereuare, if you want to post this in Indiana area as some of the bids occured for that area, you can. I just was not sure what subject heading to use.

Not staying. :) Traverse City 105.00 3* rejected 102.00 2.5* rejected 90.00 2* rejected Then Acme 90.00 2* rejected We were just looking for a night away near casino but don't want to go over 100.00. I figured my bids in Traverse were too low for high season on a Sat night but was worth trying. I might switch over to try bidding down in New Buffalo, MI. Four Winds down there and they do list them as a priceline bidding area. Someone needs to go first. :) Change subject or even delete post. Thanks, Cheryl New Buffalo MI, 2* 90.00 rejected. I think we will just go for a day trip!

Ok, limited time to bid for hot area of Traverse City Listed has 3* 2.5* 2* and 1* Rebids for *3 and *2 1/2 would be Williamsburg (Acme) *2 *1 Website for known 2.5* Courtyard is 161.00 AAA Fairfield Inn is sold out. Holiday Inn Express Acme 179.00 What would you think about starting bid? I would stay at any rating but 1* Thank you, cheryl

PRICELINE is not the way to go if you need a guarantee. It also has a learning curve. We are fortunate to have a board like this one as a way to gain knowledge on how to go about using priceline. I'm sorry it did not turn out as you would have liked, but the property you are staying at has been given good reviews (with the exception that they are not strict on their no smoking policy). Since you have a car, then all is not lost. Use valet services for a few bucks and just enjoy your time away from home. I would recommend going to the Comedy Stop at the Tropicana. Hard telling how much longer they will be there. Cheryl PS,, would you mind letting us know what your winning bid was? Someone in the future might be looking for a property in the area of your winning bid. It will help them 'learn' what 'might' come up with a possible pricing.

We stayed at this Marriot June 2008 and found the rooms in excellent condition. They must have remodeled them recently. Bed and linens were top quaility with coffee maker in room. (two things I really appreciate) The staff was extremely friendly and no mention of priceline at check in. Costa Coffee shop on site was good and prices were in line with Starbucks. We were told of a near by pub that was within walking distance even though there were restaurants in the hotel. Also, there was a nearby MacDonalds that we walked over too for some ice-cream. We called to arrange for an early morning taxi (5:30 AM) and when we went downstairs it was waiting. It was a flat rate of 14.40 pounds to terminal 4. I would like to post some pictures I took of the room, but not sure how to upload them on the "hotel photo" tab. Do I have to register there separate from Better Bidding? Cheryl EDIT by THEREUARE: yes, Real Hotel Photos.com requires separate registration... for now, it's a big project on the list of things to do, but we expect some positive changes coming in the <not so near> future over there :)

I want to add to this post that there are TWO Courtyards listed for this bidding area. After looking things over, we are at the Pontiac/Bloomfield location on Centerpoint rather than the Auburn Hills/Pontiac location on Opdyke. And, did I goof up,,, I used the Savingsbarn link but there is a link listed in Thereuare's sig line. IF i missed this, I'm so very sorry. Cheryl

Courtyard by Marriotte Pontiac 3555 Centerpoint Parkway Ponitiac, MI Starting bid 38.00, rejected, they counter offered 11.00, I said no. I waited 24 hours and bid 42.00, winning bid was for Courtyard, we have not stayed at this property before. I was a bit bummed as I have stayed at the Novi Courtyard and while it was OK, there are other winning bids at the 2.5 star that I would have liked better. BUT HEY, it is PRICELINE and we love them. Right? Right, so no complaints from me! Cheryl 42.00 12.23 ----- 54.23

Hyatte Place Livonia 19300 Haggerty Road Livonia MI Starting bid was 38.00, rejected, counter offer of 11.00, I reject that. Then added Plymouth as a free re-bid, 40.00, rejected, they counter offered 12.00 to accept, I said no. I waited 24 hours and bid $42.00 and was pleased to win this property as we have stayed here before and really like the people along with the rooms. Cheryl 42.00 12.34 ------- 54.34

I would think you could get one of them bidding 3* starting at 42.00. If rejected, then 24 hours later start the re-bidding increase by $3.00. If you really want to stay on the cheap and see what the lowest rating is (and you have time.) Start with 2* at 23.00 a night. then every 24 hours bump it up a couple bucks. If it was me, once I hit a reject at 30.00, I'd start going for the 2.5 start. Then again, being a girl, I perfer 4* but will do 3* if it means I get to travel. <G> Cheryl I'm sure Thereuare or someone else has better bidding advice, but the above would have a good chance of nabbing one of the two properties you listed.

The Omni is not near much of anything. It is an older property but well maintained. They do offer a shuttle to any nearby location. No cost, just the price of a tip. I would suggest you call them directly and then ask about shuttle services for your needs. IF shuttle times work for you, then start bidding the lower bid range as you could get any property Priceline has downtown in the 3* range. Might as well pay less. Cheryl

Winning bid: 4* London (LHR) Marriott Hotel Heathrow $68.00...06/01/2008-06/02/2008 Bidding History: 2/21/08 bid 4* London Heathrow 55.00 rejected, counter offer of 72.00. I rejected. 2/23/08 bid 4* London Heathrow 60.00 rejected, counter offer to increase bid by 17.00. I rejected. 4* added Luton 65.00 rejected, same counter offer. 2/24/08 4* London Heathrow 68.00 accepted. with taxes and service fees 87.55 London Marriott Heathrow Bath Road Hayes, United Kingdom

-------------------------------- Thanks Blindman, this will be my first trip to the UK. I have been reading your post with suggestions and links. They have been helpful to me. Cheryl