vicki

Started at $50 and increased with free rebids to $55, $60, $65, and finally hit at $68. Hyatt Regency Austin 208 Barton Springs Blvd. Austin, TX 78704 Check-In Date: Saturday, June 18, 2005 Check-Out Date: Sunday, June 19, 2005 Subtotal: $68.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $18.00 Total Charges: $86.00 Used savingsbarn.com

Thursday, May 19-Saturday, May 21, 2005 Entertainment Card rate of $99.50. I was not at all impressed by this hotel, and I feel it is at the low end of the 3* category (Priceline's rating), and not at all deserving of its 3 1/2 * Hotwire rating. Good points - The location is very good, being on the edge of downtown at 5th Street and I-35. The beds were very comfortable, and the linens appeared new, with triple-sheeting, soft duvets, and multiple pillows. Our room faced the freeway, yet we heard absolutely no automobile noise at any time. Bad points - The hotel has a very "depressing" feel to it, inside and out. The rooms are small for Austin hotels, and the furniture is dated (very dark wood) and heavily chipped. The bathroom is tiny and there was mold around the mirror. There was no circulation fan, and the water temperature in the shower was inconsistent. There was high speed internet, but no indication anywhere of the cost. Maid service was spotty. Out carpet was not vacuumed, and our toiletries were not replaced, even though we had run out. Parking is via the valet only ($15.00 per night), with in-and-out priviledges. The pool was tiny and the hot tub needed to be cleaned, but it didn't matter, because the pool area was padlocked the entire time we were there. We were given free breakfast both mornings upon presenting our Priority Club card (did not partake of this).

I found an Entertainment Card rate for 99.50 (cancellable) at the Crowne Plaza. I reserved it through your link, and then puchased the Entertainment Book (through your link also). Unless I can get a 4* at the last minute for $80-85.00 max thru Priceline, I think I'll just stick with this. Thanks for all your help and I'll let you know what happens.

I started my bidding at $65.00 for a 4* in Downtown Austin. Increased to $75.00, $85.00, $90.00, $95.00, and $100.00, adding Austin North, Northwest Arboretum, Austin South, Round Rock and Lake Travis (all free rebids). Cancellable rates from hotel websites: Hyatt - $214.00 Omni - $188.00 Intercontinental - $215.00 5/19, $240.00 5/20 Hilton - $169.00 Best non-refundable web rate - $144.00 at the Hilton, $119.00 at the Crowne Plaza (3*). FYI- This is UT graduation weekend.

This is most likely the Hyatt. It's right on the shores of Town Lake.

Listed amenities include: Great value! complimentary breakfast pool fitness kitchenette hi-speed internet business tennis laundry I did not try Priceline first.

In looking on Priceline for a 4* in the Austin Northwest-Arboretum area, I noticed that there is nothing offered above 3*. Has the Austin Renaissance at the Arboretum been downgraded? If it has, surely it is to preserve opacity, as that hotel definately merits 4 stars.

I'd been trying for a 4* in the Arboretum area of Austin for two weeks with no success (bidding up to $90.00). I got an e-mail from Priceline today suggesting that I might want to consider bidding my exact request again. I assumed this meant that there was now Priceline availability in this area. I started at $40.00 and increased my bid by $5.00 until I hit at $60.00. Renaissance Austin 9721 Arboretum Blvd. Austin, TX 78759 Check-In Date: Sat., Oct. 23, 2004 Check-Out Date: Sun., Oct. 24, 2004 Your Offer Price: $60.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $15.70 Total Charges: $75.70

I initially tried to get the 4* Renaissance through Priceline, but was unsuccessful after exhausting all free rebids($45-$70). I went over to Hotwire, and got the Embassy Suites at the Arboretum for $56.00 Embassy Suites Austin-Arboretum 9505 Stonelake Blvd. Austin, TX 78759 Price: $56.00 Total after taxes and fees: $70.95 Amenities: Suite, restaurant, pool, fitness center, complimentary breakfast, kitchenette, laundry This hotel is beautiful and was easily identified by using Better Bidding. Thanks!

I started at $60.00 and received a counter-offer of $77.00. I declined the counter-offer, raised my bid to $65.00 and added the Evanston zone (free rebid). Your Offer Price: $65.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $130.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $26.57 Total Charges: $156.57

I started my bidding at $42.00 for an Austin Downtown 4* and was rejected. I added free rebid zones and raised my bids to $45.00, then $48.00. On the fourth free rebid, I got accepted at $51.00 at the Omni. Their lowest website rate is $116.00. Omni Austin Hotel Downtown 700 San Jacinto Blvd. at 8th St. Austin, Texas 78701 512-476-3700 Check-In Date: Saturday, August 23, 2003 Check-Out Date: Sunday, August 24, 2003 Your Offer Price: $51.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $51.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $13.87 Total Charges: $64.87

Started bidding last week at $52.00, rejected, added free rebid zone and raised bid to $55.00, rejected again, added second free rebid zone and raised bid to $58.00, rejected again. Waited until today and bid $45.00 and got accepted on first try. Embassy Suites Louisville East 9940 Corporate Campus Drive Louisville, Kentucky 40223 502-426-9191 Check-In Date: Friday, July 25, 2003 Check-In Time: 3:00 pm Check-Out Date: Saturday, July 26, 2003 Check-Out Time: noon Your Offer Price: $45.00 Number of Rooms: 2 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $90.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $19.30 Total Charges: $109.30

This was my first attempt at Priceline. Bid $30. for a 3* in the San Francisco Airport area. It was accepted almost immediately. Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport 1333 Bayshore Highway Burlingame, CA 94010 Offer: $30.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $9.62 Total Charges: $39.62 I'm very pleased. Thanks to everyone here for all the good advice.