purplelotus

Bid on 9/6 for 3*, 3.5* and 4* hotels in San Jose area from 9/21-25 and was unsuccessful. Used links since this is an excellent site. I get a lot of tips from other members. Top bids by category and area are as follows: 4* $78 Cupertino, Santa Clara 3.5* $74 Cupertino, Sunnyvale 3* $52 Cupertino, Sunnyvale Got no counters. Had a $5 offer from Priceline that day so my cost would have been $5 less. Offerings on Hotwire for these days were unappealing and/or too expensive. I ended up booking the Country Inn & Suites for the first 3 nights at an average rate of $70/nt. (They wanted $130 for Monday night.) Am staying by airport at LaQuinta last night with free points. I think Monday was the sticking point here since weekend rates seemed cheaper, but I didn't want to split my stay using Hotwire or Priceline. It is a hassle, but I'm willing to do it since I know the hotels. I doubt I'll bid again, but if I do, I'll post my outcome.

Used the PRICELINE link. Bid in three areas, Dupont Circle, Convention Center, and White House. Started bidding at $66. Bid separately first and then used free rebid zones. When I bid $72, I got a counter to increase my bid from $20-$87. I tried a $2 increase to $74 and did not win so then I increased another $2 ($4 total) to $76 and won the Hilton. My actual cost was only $71 since I had a $5 Priceline email bonus offer. Total cost for stay is $584.57. Saw an advance purchase rate for this hotel of $99 on Hilton's website last week. Checked again after my win, and it was $114. Never stayed at this hotel but looks fine. Haven't read reviews yet. Not super close to the metro stop, but the bus goes right by it. Thought I might get something cheaper since this is when the conventions are on, but I'm satisfied with the price. Not one of my better deals however.

I did give them my Priority Club number when I checked in. As I said, the staff was nice and tried to accommodate me the best they could. However, this does not change the facts that the carpets are stained in the rooms and hallways, the furniture is old, and the place has a rundown aura about it.

Won this hotel on 7/18. Used the HOTWIRE link. Total cost $77.03 but plan to get $15 rebate through Club Entertainment Coupon. LQ website price was in low $80's plus tax. Amenities listed were pool, self-serve laundry, free parking, free breakfast, free internet, accessible bathroom and handicapped parking. Had 95% approval rating from HOTWIRE customers. When we checked in, we got a handicapped executive king room. I guess we got the handicapped room since HOTWIRE mentioned that as an amenity because we don't need a handicapped room. Executive kings are an upgrade -- larger with a sofa -- so we weren't given an undesirable room due to the Hotwire purchase. I didn't like the location (first floor, next to vending) and asked if we could change rooms. She looked around and asked if I needed a handicapped room -- I said no -- but couldn't find another room so we kept it. We went out to eat, and when I came back, I picked up the phone to make a call. Neither phone in the room worked. Someone came down and checked them and agreed that the phones didn't work. They then found us a regular king room on the third floor which just had a chair. However, the room reeked of cleaning fluid, and the third floor has smoking rooms so the hallway reeked of smoke. We took it and aired it out a bit. The phones worked. The hotel had been struck by lightning a few days earlier, and the elevator was out, but they had someone (we didn't use her) available to carry luggage upstairs. Perhaps that is why the phones were out in the first room. Otherwise, the second room was comfortable, eg, fridge, nice bed, etc although the lighting was poor(attractive though). Interestingly, PRICELINE sells this hotel as a 2*, and my guess is it was on their express deals for about $2 cheaper. I'd probably give it a 2.5*. Nice breakfast and very nice server at breakfast.

Hotel is solid 3* -- nice room with 2 double beds, large window, free wifi, fridge,excellent business center, free coffee in the morning in the lobby, free newspaers, etc. We did have a number of problems during our stay, however. The main one was that our hot water didn't work. Since we didn't discover this until the next morning when we wanted to shower, we had brought up heaps of stuff to the room and did not want to change rooms. Staff was very pleasant and apologetic but poor in follow through. I had to contact the front desk 5 times to get it fixed, and it was not fixed until 7pm.

Here's the poop on this hotel. It is old and rundown as the reviews say. The carpet was stained, the furniture was old and nicked white French provincial, and the inner curtains were torn and falling apart. The room had not been vacuumed properly, but otherwise was clean. The internet kept going in and out. On the upside, the staff was nice and helpful, and we were given a room on the 8th floor with a stunning view of the Kanawha River. The windows in the room are floor to ceiling and wall to wall. The beds are comfortable -- we were given 2 doubles. There are signs up saying they are renovating. The lobby looks new and nice, but I didn't see any evidence elsewhere. Parking is $6/day although one could park on the street and feed meters (only 50 cents/hr from 8-6). I'd have a hard time giving this hotel a 2.5* rating given its current condition, and worse yet, AAA gives it 3 diamonds.

I did use the PRICELINE link. I mentioned it in my first post.

I did use the PRICELINE link -- mentioned it in my post. I am very conscientious about that because I do value this site greatly as a resource for my bids. I just noticed rating was changed to 2*. I reported it as a 2.5*.

Hotel has been recently renovated. Great beds. Decor very businessy, but rich-looking. Hotel installed a new phone system and TV system the week before we arrived. The phones didn't work in the first room they gave us. That was 2 queens -- claimed they didn't have a king when I checked in. Two queens don't have enough space in them. Also it had a lousy view. Since we had to change rooms, I asked for a king, and voila, they found one. This room reeked of cleaning fluid so I asked for another one. Got another king (had a great view) which seemed fine until the next evening when we tried to watch the TV. Didn't get all the channels. Anyway, the TV supposedly was fixed (it took 50 minutes), and then it didn't work at all the next day. This happened every day. I did want to watch Wimbledon since it was so unbearably hot outside. Anyway, I kept complaining and asked for something so we got free breakfast the last 4 days. They did offer to change our room after the third time the TV didn't work, but that is a major hassle so we kept hoping they would fix it properly. TV was not working when we left this morning. Gym at hotel is very nice. Lots of classes and equipment. Also hotel setting is pretty with short trails although again so hot, we could only walk early in the morning.

Won this on first bid so probably overpaid. Am traveling so harder to find time to rebid. Total cost $127.54, and before I forget, I did use the PRICELINE link. This hotel has terrible reviews (old and rundown) so I am not looking forward to stay. Such is life. Generally Priceline comes through, but this time they didn't have a rating on this hotel when I bid so I should have suspected something was fishy. So that would be my advice -- don't bid on hotels that don't have ratings. I won't any more. Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this because I haven't read it.

Used the HOTWIRE link. Total cost $70.55 but plan to use $20 rebate coupon from Club Entertainment. Amenities: free parking, restaurant, shuttle, fitness center, pool, business center, hi speed internet and in room accessibility. Smoke free NOT listed.

Maybe I clicked the wrong area, but this is just "Winston Salem", not "Winston Salem West". Please correct this. The hotel is located right in the center of town. Also, I did use the link but just forgot to mention it. Perhaps the format for posting could be changed, and you could add a line to say if one used the PRICELINE link. It's too easy too forget when writing up the post. I use this site frequently and get a lot of benefit from it.

Hotel was very nice. Close to Yorktown shopping center, Target and heaps of restaurants including a Sweet Tomatoes. Free internet in lobby and in business center. Also free printer, copier, fax machine. Nice fitness center and pool. Didn't mention Priceline when I checked in, but wouldn't give me king room. Said they were all rented out. Kings are preferable to 2 queens since king rooms have more space to move around and put stuff. Also ottoman for chair. The hotel gave a $5 restaurant credit or 500 Starwood points for every day one didn't get the room cleaned so we got enough points for a free weekend stay at the lowest level hotel. This was a bonanza since we bought it on Priceline!

Just won this hotel a few minutes ago on first bid of $55 which I thought was aggressive. Am VERY pleased. No free rebid zones and am traveling so I started a little higher than I normally would. Total cost $328.55. AAA rate is $179/nt. We're going to the International Juggling Association convention there which is being held in the convention center next door. Convention rate was $108/nt. Not sure that was still available. Priceline listed amenities as pool, free internet, restaurant, business center and fitness center with rating of 8+. Also showed 3* as best deal and median price in area of $143.

The good news about this hotel is it is undergoing a renovation. Unfortunately none of the rooms are finished (there is new carpeting in the lobby) so the existing rooms and hotel corridors are still in poor shape. They are probably doing minimal upkeep on the rooms so I would not recommend this hotel now. I don't think it qualifies as a 3* although I haven't received a survey from Priceline to tell then this. The carpet is stained in the hallways and rooms, and the furniture is chipped. We had no hangers in our armoire closet, and one of the rods was missing. The beds are new which is good. Also, I had a fridge and microwave in our room although some rooms do not. The staff was very accommodating even though I booked this on Priceline and they mentioned it when I checked it. I checked out 4 rooms, and all were about the same.

I also used Priceline's $5/day offer. First bid $58 ($63 with $5) and got counter to add $14-$77. So I added a free re-bid zone and bid only $3 more, $61, ($66 effectively,) and got the Hyatt. I used the PRICELINE link. I also think that Priceline's fee is higher when one gets these offers. Tax rate is 9% in Oak Brook so I calculate that their fee is about $27 ($4.50/night) , $10-$15 higher than my 2 previous wins in this area. Anyway, it's a reasonable deal. AAA rate on Hyatt's website was $125 which included breakfast. Have never stayed here before.

It was the Westin in Lombard. Sorry. I was in a hurry to do post in case someone else was bidding in area. I do think prices are up a fair bit in Chicago area since last year. Do you see this?

Won this hotel yesterday. Total cost $504.36. Started bidding at $60 and got counter of $80. Bid $65 and $70 and was unsuccessful. Won it at $73. AAA price on website was $179. Reviews are very good. Previously bid for 3* in Elmhurst for $65 and was unsuccessful. No counter either. Have been bidding over past few days for various periods in these areas. Right now I'm at the Holiday Inn Oak Brook (posted previously). Once my stay is complete, I will comment on my stay, but I do not think the hotel deserves a 3* rating. Didn't want to win this hotel again so avoided the 3* category. Used the PRICELINE link.

OK, I won something, but my worst fears were confirmed. I got the Holiday Inn Oak Brook which we've stayed at before and don't consider a 3* hotel. I did a lot of rebidding. I'm paying $56.86/nt ($54 + $2.86 Club Entertainment bonus) for 7 nights from 6/18-25. Total cost was $436.38, and I used the Better Bidding PRICELINE link. The only upside is the hotel has an excellent location -- a nearby Pace bus line that goes to the El to get downtown (much cheaper and closer than METRA)- and it's near the expressways/tollways and Oak Brook Mall. No good breakfast restaurants nearby that I know of, but we'll eat in the room. Not sure what I'll do for the rest of my stay -- still have the LaQuinta for the following week -- but I won't bid again for a 3* in Oak Brook at this level. If hotel hasn't changed, will give it a low rating on PRICELINE survey.

Thanks for the response. I'm sorry I didn't mention that most of my friends are in downtown, the western or southwestern suburbs. That is why I didn't bid in the northern or far northwestern suburbs other than for my 1-day commitment in Schaumburg on 6/19. I know the area very well, and I don't want to spend our time driving everywhere. METRA is great to go downtown from the northern suburbs, but a nightmare to go somewhere like Palos Heights or Hinsdale. And driving the expressways is crazy. I like healthy food too so if I don't get breakfast so we're willing to eat in the room (buy cereal and bread at Whole Foods or Trader Joes.) Maybe I will raise my bids slightly in Oak Brook and risk getting the Holiday Inn which I didn't particularly like -- I'd rather stay at the LaQuinta. Do you have any thoughts on downtown prices for my time period? HOTWIRE prices were $98 for 3* the other day. Should I bid again tomorrow at my price levels or am I being unrealistic and wasting my time?

I did use the links.

We're coming to Chicago for at least 2 weeks starting 6/18. Will have car (but also have friends to leave it with if stay downtown) and am willing to stay in numerous suburbs. I have been bidding on Priceline for the past several days trying to get a hotel with no success. I first bid for 10 nights, 6/18-28. Bid $57 for 4* in Oak Brook, $56 for 3.5* in Oak Brook, and $45 for 3* in Oak Brook and Willowbrook. Bid $40 for 2.5* in Elmhurst and Willowbrook. Then I broke the trip up and bid for 6/18-25. I bid up to $62 for a 4* in Oak Brook, $60 for a 3.5*. Bid up to $50 for 3* in Oak Brook, Willowbrook,and Elmhurst. Also bid $44 for a 2.5* in Elmhurst. I have a reservation for 2 weeks at the LaQuinta in Oak Brook for $69. I've stayed there before, and it has a free breakfast and I get points which I do use so those are worth something so $69 is really below $60. I grew up in Chicago so I am very familiar with all areas and transportation options. I'd consider O'Hare or Midway area, but I notice a lot of those hotels charge for parking which could make a good deal bad -- and I need our car if we stay there. I've checked Hotwire and can't see much that appeals to me. I don't like some of the 2* and 2.5* hotels in Oak Brook so haven't bid there even though LaQuinta is a 2* I think. For example, Extended Stays are terrible, and Homestead Suites isn't good either unless they've changed but reviews don't indicate that. Want to stay at 3* minimum in Oak Brook. Any ideas as to what would win a bid in these areas. Am I close? Also bid for Schaumburg, Elmhurst, and Arlington Heights for 2 nights of 6/18-20 (have commitments out there). Bid up to $53 for 3*. No success. I also bid downtown for 6/20-25. Bid up to $89 for 4* (got counter for $101 -- that's too much), $79 for 3.5*, and $74 for 3*. Bid 4* and 3.5* in both North Michigan and Millenium Park, but 3* only in North Michigan. Again don't like some of 3* hotels in Millenium area. I'm willing to pay more downtown than suburbs. Not much data on site for suburbs and longer periods. Do not want to be moving hotels several times, but don't want to commit longer than 10 days in case I get a place I don't like. Seems like prices are considerably higher than last year. I come to Chicago frequently. Two years ago I got 3* (Holiday Inn) in Oakbrook for $40 around same time of year. I appreciate any advice you may have. Thanks.

I'm an ex-Chicagoan and return frequently. Our interests are art,architecture, and theatre so the Art Institute is a must. Grant Wood's "American Gothic", Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks" and Gustave Caillebotte's "Paris, Rainy Day" are among the classics there. As for architecture, the Chicago Architecture Foundation offers fabulous tours. They have heaps of walking tours, a boat tour, and some bus tours. We've been on many of them. Their office is almost across the street from the Art Institute. There's a half-price ticket service for plays -- not sure where it is located downtown, but I also think one can buy tickets online. Chicago is noted for both its theatre and architecture. As for restaurants, I prefer Lou Malnati's over Uno's or Due's too. If you like Asian, Star of Siam is very close to your hotel (Illinois and State) and very reasonable. They have a sister restaurant, Dao, on East Ohio I think, again not far from the Marriott. You can hop on the Red Line to Chinatown for a cheap lunch or dinner also. We've had numerous breakfasts at the Pittsfield building restaurant. I think it has lost some of its charm recently, and it's not as cheap.

I still think this is posted incorrectly. I purposely made 2 separate entries, one for New York and one for New Jersey because that is how I thought they should be. Then someone combined them and put them both in New York. Now the combined entry been switched to New Jersey. Can someone explain why they should be one post and not two separate ones as I originally posted them? I doubt I will bid again on Priceline since I am happy with the Hilton at $137/nt. I figure two breakfasts are worth $20/nt, and the Hilton points are worth probably another $20/nt. Free internet is worth something too, and I have a king bed. I doubt I'd match that on Priceline. I didn't when I tried bidding on 5/2.

Why did you move this post from the New Jersey forum? People looking for hotels in that area might not look at New York. I often don't. That is why I wrote 2 separate posts. I do like the website and use it frequently.