musicphan

I have stayed at this Doubletree before and LOVE it. The location is ideal and the room was big! When I saw the $104.00 rate, I didn't hesitate. I don't know that I'd classify it 4*, but it worth every dime at the rate I paid.

I was hesitant about this win based on comments others made but it turns out I have stayed at this hotel twice before when it was the Ramada. Yes, there is a homeless population but they leave you alone. I never felt unsafe or ill-at-ease any of the times I've stayed. For this trip, it was ideal because we could pick up the bus across the street which took us to the venue we were at 3 nights in a row for concerts - ideal! The property is very clean, well located, the BART is literally right out the front door. My only complaint is that there isn't a coffee maker in the room - but I assume that is because there is a Starbucks in the lobby.

Def. worth the price I paid.

I have stayed at this property before and you will be shocked at how large the rooms are, especially since you're in Manhattan. Unless you've stayed before, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Subway is a block down the street, the hotel is quiet and really well located.

I hope you have a great trip.

SO after my stay, here is the good and the bad.

GOOD: Literally 20 feet from the Powell St. BART station. Cable car picks up outside the front door (though we walked 2 blocks up and avoided waiting in the hour+ line), there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the surrounding blocks.

BAD: Hotel is NOISY as can be. My room on Thursday night room was in no way the quality I would expect from a 3* hotel. The room smelled like partially cleaned urine, there was mold in the bathroom, stains on the carpet, scuffs and marks on the walls. The TV wouldn't stay on and once I got it on, I had trouble getting it to stay off. It would turn itself back on after a few seconds. Similarly, the light on the ceiling fan would turn it self back on, too. The voices of the drunk girls/guys a few doors down carried up to my room b/c we were on the interior of the hotel and they were up until almost 3am. I finally called the front desk to ask them to shut the people up. When I went to the desk the next day to ask to change rooms, they were gracious and did so, including an "up grade" to a junior suite. Though the second room was a lot cleaner, it still smelled a bit off (not intolerable). The bathroom was clean as was the carpet. I had the same problem with both TVs and lights on the ceiling fans. And the same noise problem with the interior room when the guy below me 1) was loud at 1:30am and 2) smoked in a non-smoking hotel - he blew it out the window so it came up to my room. The fabric on the sofa and chairs in the living room area were dirty and simply old. The decor is very much in need of refreshing; it's just kind of grimy.

I am a seasoned traveler who has never had to ask for a room change before. I was able to make the best of my trip but I would NOT classify this hotel as a 3*. Given its condition over all, it felt like a bit of a youth hostel to be honest. I think it is generous to call this 2.5* - I think my 2nd room was a 2.5* room/suite, but the first room was awful.

Yes, it said both! I've cut and pasted the amenities for others to see:

Smoke Free Rooms

High-Speed Internet Access

Free Internet

Wheelchair accessible

Hotwire listed the amenities as Free Internet, Smoke Free, Wheelchair Accessible (or just accessible - can't recall).

Not a shabby deal for this location on a holiday weekend. Now all we have to hope for is that they'll be able to accommodate my request for 2 beds when I call.

As always, thanks to the BB boards for the resources! I haven't booked a trip in the last 2 years w/o using either the PRICELINE link or HOTWIRE links above.

I just booked a room on Hotwire with the same amenities you listed and it turned out to be The Powell Hotel. I paid $86.00/night.

Thanks Aaron, I am looking forward to spending a few days in Charlotte since I've never been.

And I'm very thrilled with the 4* Hilton at that price. I think the service Betterbidding provides is fantastic. Since I found the site, I tell everyone about my "wins" and point them toward this site for their own pre-travel research.

~Cathleen

Was bidding on 3* rooms when a win came up at $66.00 for a 4* I was stoked.

I used the quickquote PRICELINE link.

Started bidding for Friday night @ $50.00 - denied. Changed date to Sunday night as I need a room that night as well and bid $55.00 which was accepted. I used the PRICELINE Quickquote box at the top right.

Still need a place for Friday night, so I'll keep trying (Saturday is already covered).

Thanks!

Just a bit of follow up to my posting. The hotel was perfectly located, staff was friendly and they offer FREE WiFi in all rooms. That is a huge perk. Though the hotel was lovely, I'm not sure I'd classify is as 4* for the simple fact that it is older, just slightly (and I do mean slightly) run down. ie, grout in the bathroom was dirty, the room needed some paint and general freshening up. They also charged me $2.00 for a small tube of tooth paste - other hotels just give them to you. All that said, I would 100% stay here again - and feel that the value was good at $70 per night. Location was perfect for what I was doing.

Yikes - dates of travel are 1/26 - 1/29. Sorry for the typo!

Using the PRICELINE link, my first bid was $65/night. Got an immediate re-bid offer at $80/night so I knew I was close. Second bid was accepted at $70/night.

HI...I went to Seattle a year or so ago alone for a long weekend and targeted the area around Pike Market. I bid on a 4* (I think...maybe 3.5*) and got the Westin. I was happy as could be as I love Westin's beds. The location was GREAT - within walking distance to a LOT of great things. I never felt unsafe and walked around at night myself. That general area is great and you'll be fine checking things out on foot. If you're a walker, you can walk to the Space Needle to work off all the tasty vacation food.

Things to consider doing: Seattle Underground Tour - interesting! Dinner at the Pink Door - a cabaret restaurant in Post Alley off of Pike Market - EXCELLENT food; in my top 5 best meals. Get a strawberry & nutella crepe @ Crepe de France in Pike Market. Take the ferry to Bainbridge Island.

ENJOY - it's a great city!

All good tips....those go on the list of potential places. OK, the margarita suggestion is on the definite list! Thanks for all the advice.

Ya know Thereuare, I think I'm starting to like you! Booze and meat are always delightful...I'm an unrepentant carnivore. I'll be well fed and with a good buzz...

I know a little about Manhattan as I'm not rookie, but suggestions are always good. You seem to be in-the-know...

Thanks for the margarita tip, Thereuare. I will make it a point to stop in and try one. Living in the San Diego area, I've had my share of good (and some times expensive) margaritas and always like finding good drinks anywhere I go.

Using your PRICELINE link I booked the Hilton Manhattan East for $150/night for August 23-28

Thanks for all the advice!

August 23- 28

Help ID a Midtown Central Hotel. 3.5* Fitness, Restaurant,Business Center and High-Speed Internet.

Recommended in 65 % of Hotwire customer reviews.

$178/night

The rate change is likely the problem now that you point it out. I'm going to split up the bidding - yes, I understand it is likely I'll be in 2 hotels - I'm ok with that. My niece and I are travel Vikings!!! Adventure is the name of the game.

Stay tuned - I'm optimistic I'll have some kind of success.

~Cathy

aka Musicphan

Good morning,

At this point I'm going wait it out and try re-bidding with a slight increase. As I get closer, I'll consider splitting. I always wonder if the length of stay doesn't have an impact on my ability to win. I've noticed that my 3 day stays produce good results, but I have struggled the 2x I needed a room for more than 5 days.

If I go the splitting route, I'll bid for Tues, Wed. & Ths. night then call the hotel and see if I can actually extend for Fri & Sat. before trying to bid those nights, too.

Well I'm a 3.5* failure, too.

Started with CPS @ $110 and went up from there adding $5 each time TS, MTE, MTW plus all the rebid zones. Last bid was $150

So far, all 4* bids rejected. So next I'm bidding 3.5* via Priceline and will post my (winning) results.

As always, thanks for all the advice.

I thought I was posting this in the Priceline section as that is what I used for bidding. Did I blunder?

As for ESB, I will have my (almost) 12 year old niece with me and can't actually remember how far that is from TS, Theater District, Central Park. I'm able to handle walking 7-10 miles a day, but not certain she could? If I'm mistaken and ESP isn't all that far from the general area, I'll add it in.