hohogap

I checked last year's wins and couldn't figure out a match on the Hotwire win calendar. This Hotel features the following amenities: Spa Services Resort Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) High-Speed Internet Access Kitchenette

Been trying Expedia after "liking" them on FB, but can't locate the discount coupon for 4 nights hotel stay (in Istanbul in January). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I've used PL for many London bids (I agree that without PL, I couldn't afford such trips either!). The exchange rate is already factored into the price, i.e. if you bid US$160/night, that's exactly what you pay irrespective of the actual underlying exchange rate. I know I always like to compare the US$ rate to the rack rate online (in pounds), but I've never been able to see exactly what the precise exchange rate was that was the basis for the PL bid. And the VAT will appear on your "final cost" summary before you actually agree to pay the amount on your bid. For example, if you bid US$160, the "Please review your request" window will pop up which then includes and reflects your taxes and PL fee. In the example of US $160/night bid, the actual amount you would pay would be about US$200/night, which you will see BEFORE actually clicking and placing your bid. Hope that helps!

I've been successful on numerous LMT bids both in the USA and overseas in Europe. So far, my experience has been very positive as I've never had any issue with the reservation, the hotel always had any comments or requests associated with the reservation (and tried in most instances to accommodate our request).

Fantastic, thanks for the advice and I'll look at the HOTWIRE postings per your suggestion and post updates if I am successful!

I am planning a trip to Istanbul for the above dates and see lots of great hotel prices on Last Minute Travel and other sites. I like using PL, however, and they only show 3* and 4* hotels for their name your own price in just one area of the city. When trying to book through this BB site on PL, a 4* hotel pops up with a "retail price" in excess of US$350.00, which far exceeds even 5* hotels on other sites. I tried $69/night and was rejected. I've researched the posts on this site related to Istanbul and it doesn't appear that anyone has successfully bid a "name your own price" on PL. Any thoughts on a bidding strategy? The 5* hotel on LMT goes for US$131/night (Legacy Ottoman Hotel, ID #1211859). Thanks!

Still many more clean offers without the opaque listings, but the site still works great!

Just wanted to add a bit of information to make sure that you have identification (passport would be particularly good) when you check-in on a Priceline winning bid. I've been successful scores of time on Priceline, and in almost ALL cases the front desk clerk will ask for a government ID to ensure that the name the reservation was booked under on Priceline is the same person checking in. Hope that helps.

Having lived in Chicago for 10 years (and recently having stayed in the NMA area at hotels), you are most likely "blocks away" from the subway, versus hauling ass wherever you are in MNA.

Good luck!

Bid through the BB PRICELINE link at $55/night and was successful. Nice property with aiport shuttle. Always submitting all bids and wins through the BB PRICELINE link! Bid: $55 Taxes & Fees: $15.81 TOTAL: $70.81

I've done multiple rooms many times and there are strict Priceline implications related to the name assigned on each room. So long as someone with the name you put for each room is present at check-in, I've never had a problem. I did run into a problen in Santa Rosa CA when I had 2 rooms, my dad didn't end up going and he wasn't there to check in and we didn't have his ID. We called him from the hotel and the desk clerk eventually let us into the second room, but I'd be sure that whomever is listed on each room is there at check-in. You don't have to all be there at the same time, just have an ID associated with the name you identified for each room. Hope my experience helps answer your question!

Bid on PL through BB link and after a couple of days of trying to get the best rate in New Orleans, won 2 rooms through PL at $65/night in August for the JW Marriott on Canal. Total price $462.18 for TWO rooms. Started bidding a few days ago at $55/night and was counter-offered $70. Used re-bid zones until I capped out. When I bid $61/night for the first time today, the counter-offer was $76! Went up in $1 increments using the free rebid zones until accepted at $65/night. Very good rate for this muggy time of year and the best rack rate online was $139.00/night.

I'm just starting to try New Orleans for August 11-14, 2011 (as if it's any cooler than in July), so will bid your rate and hope to get the same (or close)!

I've also had that happen to me, so good luck with you next try!

I've been using this system for several months now with great results. Today when I was looking at booking for Venice, Italy this summer, the LMT site show over 50% of their hotels with a disclosed identity and LMT price attached! Anyone know why they made the change and if it will delete some of the best deal propeerties?

I appreciate the prompt reply and will let you know the results as soon as I book through the BB HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links!

Hotwire has a great price for an alleged 4* hotel for Paris for 4 nights from July 2-6, 2011. $137/night, in the North of Champs Elys

Just checked for your specific dates and the Villa Royale actually has a lower price for the July 9th through 13th dates of US$493.01 total cost. For the price, can't be beat if you want to be in this area that I would classify the North L'Opera. It's actually closer and nearer to Montparnesse in my opinion.

I just booked the Villa Royale at 2, rue Duperre, L'Opera, Paris 75009 on lastminutetravel.com for only an average of $139.80 for the nights of July 2nd-6th, total cost of $559.21. Rated 4*, but stayed there 3 years ago and would rate it closer to a 3*. Nice property for the price, however, and we really like the location. Online price was 540.80 in EUROS.

I have been trying for a month to get some 3*+ "reasonably priced" Anchorage rooms for June in the low $100's without luck. Saw this thread again and started using it to determine best rates available on LMT. Was looking in the June 10th-14th range and on LMT up pops a 4* hotel for $112. Of course, I couldn't believe it, and assumed it was really a 3* masquerading under the 4* label. Nope, it was the Hilton Anchorage! I checked the Turico web site and the Hilton web site itself and the lowest price was either $299+ or unavailable for the dates requested. I booked on LMT for 2 nights from June 12th-14th and received the Hilton. The 12th shows as unavailable on both turico and Hilton web sites, so what a great deal!

Bid through BB on PC for 1 night on our return trip to PARIS at CDG and received a winning bid of $90 for the Pullman Paris Accord CDG. Total Price was $90.00 + taxes and fees of $14.19 = $104.19 total. Had a prior bid that I thought had been the Hilton, but at this price, good deal. Best online amount was 138 GBP (about US$200). HOHO

Have been using the Turico web site in connection with LMT to find the hidden hotel and have a question. I found an excellent 4* hotel in Paris near the Opera, which is right where we want to stay. The Turico price was the same as the LMT "hidden hotel" price, with the exception that if we don't go on our trip in July, Turico's booking allowed for only a 1 night penalty (we are staying 4 nights) whereas the LMT site is a full pre-pay. When I tried to book through Turico, it requires an agency booking number. Is that site solely for travel agencies? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks for the update and reminder. I had previously bookmarked this site, but forgot to link it to Last Minute Travel! Didn't work with Hotwire and I had lost the connection. Thanks again.

I had a win at the hotel last year, and it's a very nice place to stay and in a great location. Hope you enjoy your trip!