pokepsw

This went down to the wire: 4/16-4/17/11 Started at 60 RB 65 70 72 75 78 80 90 Got it on last rebid.

To be honest, I didn't know that - thanks. I understand its just a zone, but what zone should I bid on for Sherman Oaks, CA? I've searched it and it only came up twice on this board. Thanks!

Always search w/ the PRICELINE link :) Replied to the Priceline Los Angeles thread - I paid rack rate to ensure location.

I wound up staying at the HI in Santa Monica and paid full price for it to ensure a good location.

Hi BB Forums, I'm trying to spend some time in these various locations between Dec 13-20, 2010 Sherman Oaks Burbank/Glendale Fullerton/Brea West Hollywood/Hollywood Are there any sure fire ways to get these locations? I know Hollywood isn't a problem and I see that Fullerton/Brea have their own section, as does Burbank/Glendale, but what are the best star levels for the money? Sherman Oaks I can't find at all. Thanks!

I tried this w/ Doubletree SM and Holiday Inn SM - both failed lol

I'm wondering if anyone has had any success with the following: I want to ensure that I get a certain hotel w/ Priceline, specifically Holiday Inn Santa Monica. The 3* bidding zones there give you 2 options according to the Priceline Hotel List; Holiday Inn SM and Courtyard MDR. The latter is not desirable, so I thought of this... Calling Reservations at Holiday Inn and asking them to offer me a rate above their recent bid acceptance points (but still well below rack rate). I figure, if they'd take it on Priceline (and I'm sure PCLN takes fees/commission), they'd still be likely to take it over the phone so they can fill the rooms and get more revenue than they would have normally. Specifically, I'll be asking for 2 rooms w/ double beds next to each other in less than 3 weeks from this past Sunday (8/22-8/29, 6 nights). What do you think?

Thanks for all your help!

July 29-August 2, 2010 Bid 110 on 3.5% Santa Monica, was offered $130, bid $121, accepted 3.5* Doubletree Guest Suites Santa Monica

UPDATE: Finally won 2 bids! July 26-29, 2010 Bid 47 on 3* LAX, was offered $57, took the offer Upgraded to 3.5* Radisson LAX July 29-August 2, 2010 Bid 110 on 3.5% Santa Monica, was offered $130, bid $121, accepted 3.5* Doubletree Guest Suites Santa Monica And I think I'm booking the Hyatt Mission Bay SD at normal rate for the first part of my trip. Thanks for all the help!

This is actually a really nice hotel for 3*, I was really happy with it. The only problem with this location is the parking lot, which is in the side rear of the building, only accessible (I think) from the front entrance. The pool is pretty nice here as well. I believe it was $13/day parking w/ in/out.

Yeah, I saw that it was Comic Con, but I'm on CO reward tickets so there was very limited availability. Switched it up and July 23-26th in SD bid 4 star Coastal 80-95 by $5 inc., all rejected.

Let me update you guys on the bidding: Jul 23rd 3+ Star San Diego (Downtown) Declined Bids of 55, 60, 65, 70 Jul 24-27 4+ Star Los Angleles (LAX) Declined Bids of 55, 65, 70 Jul 27-31 3.5+ Star Los Angeles (Santa Monica) Declined Bids of 100, 105, 110, 112, 115, 117 Twice offered Big Increases: Bid 105, offered $125; Bid 112, offered $137. Jul 31 - Aug 2 4+ Star San Diego (San Diego Coastal) No Bids Yet

Thanks for the info. I was trying later in July at $70-75 and was still getting rejected. Will try again!

Hi BB! I've had a great thread going for another trip to LA (Priceline Santa Monica - thanks for all the help, we're still deciding our options!!!) This new thread is for another trip to the LA area, this time simpler since theres only 2 of us. Monday July 26 - August 2, 2010 7 Nights Will have a car so need parking What I'm looking for: Most importantly, a great pool area with hot tub/whirlpool/etc Modern Hotel, Luxury is nice but not required. Maybe 3.5* or higher for bidding purposes. Relative Proximity to Santa Monica, Downtown, Manhattan Beach, Hollywood - maybe somewhere in the middle? LAX area? I'm really down for anything, as long as it has a nice pool area. On a separate, but related note, I'll be looking for 3 nights in the SD area with the same requirements for July 23-26th. Thanks again in advance! As always, will be using the PRICELINE link from BB or HOTWIRE if it comes down to that!

I've raised the budget to $200/nt and have still been bidding on the 4* up to $205 actually and have been denied each time. I'm not sure how to proceed at this point, but I want to be by the beach in LA, so whether that means SM, MDR, MB, HB, it doesn't matter. I've looked at the Manhattan Beach Hotels and they don't seem to be on the beach, more like 2+ miles away. Another thought was going for booking <2 weeks before and trying again for the $200/nt on the 4*. I'm hoping that we can get a room w/ 2 beds by luck.

Yes, still here :)

Yeah, thats a game changer. Glad you brought that up, that would have been a nice surprise. So now, I'm not sure how to proceed. I guess PRICELINE is now not even worthwhile.

Yes, I'm traveling with 4, thanks for that helpful info! Is there a way to set this option?

Colfax, Thereuare: I'm sorry if I'm being difficult, just want to try everything possible and this has become addicting lol. I'm now thinking about this strategy, what do you think? Since I've already booked the airfare, I was thinking about waiting 2 weeks before the trip and trying this process again, with the 4* Loews SM. I'm assuming that since we're 3 months out, they are less likely to accept an offer, but may be more likely to 2 weeks prior. For 10 nights, (6 LA, 4 SD), I have a budget of $2600. I'm pretty much definitely going to Hyatt Mission Bay in SD at cost which is approx $1000 so I'm left with $1600 for 6 nights, approx $265/nt after taxes and the riduc. parking charges (assuming $35/nt worst case). So I can probably do something creative here thats why I'm really trying to figure all this out. TBH, I'd much rather stay at a 4* (or better) in Hollywood/BH w/ a nice pool area than 1-2* SM, so I'd be down for 2-3 nts SM 4*, 3-4 nts BH/HW 4*, if my above strategy is stupid. Thanks again for all your help!!!

Thereuare: Thanks for the response. I tried this, but I dont see how I can get one of these places in Santa Monica without being subjected to MDR as well.

Thanks again Colfax. I certainly will not be cancelling the trip. I'm open to all parts of LA, but I think for the group I'm going with, Santa Monica would be the best. I don't think the 4* is going to go for anywhere near our budget and the fact that the Holiday Inn isn't included in the 3* means its not worth it here. I would consider a 2* if it has a respectable pool area. If not, I'd consider any other great deals throughout the city, but Santa Monica is where I'd like to exhaust all my options. Thanks!

Colfax - Thanks for the replies. I guess I'm out of luck then. The 4* isn't looking good, got rejected at up to $185 and thats before tax and before $34/night parking. Why do you think the Holiday Inn is off PRICELINE? Others have had success with it in the mid $100 range.

I'm leaning now towards the Holiday Inn Santa Monica. Its a 3* on PRICELINE. Again, the dates are 8/22 - 8/28. There are 2 3* hotels in the Santa Monica/MDR Area on PRICELINE: 3* Courtyard Marina Del Rey 3* Holiday Inn Santa Monica Is there anyway to increase my chances of the Holiday Inn? I couldn't find any 3* on HOTWIRE and the Hotwire Hotel List it says its a 3*. Thanks!

Thanks for the reply. I've seen in posts on this board that the Sheraton is a 3.5* and can be had for around $120 or less, so I don't want to spend $180+ for a 3.5*, only a 4*.