belgo

Wow! You're wise! I'm glad you had me check. Although if one reserves for three nights on the 26th, the last night is $159 (refundable), or $149 (nonref.) at the Hilton, if one reserves only the 28th, the same room costs $210 (nonref.). :) For the Hyatt, it's $242 (AAA, refundable). This may explain why I'm having trouble getting the three nights, and the other guy got the 26th for $65. I guess I would still come out ahead, and still be credited with one stay towards maintaining Gold status, but that last night would wipe out half of my savings. Oh, well. :)

I'll definitely hold out on buying the GoBoston card until you have the linkup ready early next week. It's less than a month now, and $75 didn't get me in again today. But I just saw someone won the Hilton for the 26th, so that's getting me more comfortable with splitting my bid. I don't suppose I have to wait another 24 hr to bid for the 26th for 2 nights? The other option I see is that there's a 3* in the Boston Common-Theater District for all three nights for $65 a night on Hotwire. Even with $20 or so cabfare, this would still save me much money over the $150 a night at the Hilton if I pay full price. The problem is that I'm traveling with a 240# guy, and I've noticed that sometimes the Boston Park Plaza comes up, and that they often put their Priceline and Hotwire customers in tiny rooms with only one full bed. This is obviously not an option for us two (I would be very happy with the Doubletree, though). It seems absurd that Priceline and Hotwire would consider it acceptable to put two people in one full bed, but that seems to be the game they play. On the 29th, I'm renting a car out of Logan, so I'd rather stay in the airport hotels (plus my flight arrives at 8 PM in Boston on the 26th). Assuming I can bid for 2 nights from the 26th, I think a reasonable plan would be to bid up to $65, praying that we don't get the Hyatt, and paying for the last night at the original rate?? :)

I don't know how quickly you can get a link, but I was planning to get one pretty soon, unless someone more familiar with the contents of the Boston Entertainment Book knows whether they have 2 for 1 coupons to the Museum of Fine Arts, Aquarium, Prudential observtion lounge, ducks tours, and so forth...

On the subject of supporting this board :) , I've noticed that the 2006 Entertainment books through the link on the support page are $13. I had been considering getting a GoBoston card, but depending on the contents of the book, would it be wiser to get the Entertainment Book instead? Do you have support links for buying the GoBoston card?

Thanks. Yeah, I already have a backup with the Hilton at the $159 rate. Interesting, the EasyClickTravel has a rate of some $130, if I can trust the reverse click website. How accurate is that reverse EasyClickTravel website? Not that I would give up my Hilton HHonors Gold perks for such a small change in rate... Working on the theory that 1 month has some importance, I'll try again on Sunday...

Still no takers at $80. For the three nights, the Hilton is going $159 X 3 refundable, or $149 X 3 nonrefundable. The Hyatt is going for $189 X 2 + $259 nonrefundable, plus $10 extra per night refundable. With that 3rd night at the Hyatt going that high, I don't want to break up my bid, as I don't want to have to change hotels (and I've certainly never paid $249 for any hotel anywhere). I guess I better hope the Hilton is justy playing coy. :) It'll soon be less than one month from my check-out date (I guess that may be the important date?)

Nothin' at $80 again. I'll be getting close to the 30 day mark next week... :)

Nothin' at $80. Will try next week. :)

Still no takers at $80. Maybe it really is a one month cut-off. :)

Actually, I checked Travelocity"]Travelocity, Expedia, and priceline's non-opaque site and they're offering the least expensive room at the Royalty Inn for $87 + tax each. The hotel is listed #1/5 of the hotels in Gorham. It looks like I saved about 45%! :)

I got the Royalty Inn for $45/night. Actually, this was the place I was going to book if I didn't get it through Priceline, so it worked out great. Their website lists the price for those dates as "$69 to $119" so I'm not sure exactly how much it would have cost, but I figured I saved a little chunk of change. It seems pretty nice with indoor and outdoor pools, exercise room, jacuzzi, refrigerators, and internet connections. $45 + $11.30 = $56.39 total. I used the SavingsBarn link, of course. I tried to book a room through their website and got a message "There are no rooms available for that date." Does Priceline pre-buy rooms far in advance, then? Another strange thing which I haven't seen is that it offered to extend my stay at the same rate if I wanted to. Is this becoming a standard offer when winning Priceline bids?

I didn't get a bite at $40, but I did get an offer to rebid for $52 (one night). I guess I'll try tomorrow at $45. They have 3* and 4* listed in Littleton NH, which isn't far away, but I'm going to try to see the moose (mooses?) early in the morning in Gorham. Littleton is just as close to the Mt. Washington cog railway, though... Interesting to call a town of 4400 Littleton. It reminds me of the little old man in the Mel Brooks movie "High Anxiety" who was called "Dr. Lillolman." :)

Looking back at prior wins, I've noticed that there are a lot of wins for $65 at the Hilton when bid within 30 days of the intended stay. I think I'll book a room now, then try again later.

No luck at $80. :) I guess I'll try later for $85 or $90? Or is it usually $80 or nothin' and I'm better off waiting longer?

Yes, $90 is my maximum bid. I'm a Hilton HHonors Gold VIP, so if I get my room through the hilton websites, I usually get upgraded to a suite and I get free breakfast. I don't really need one, but I wouldn't really bid too close to what the rooms are otherwise going for. If I can get it for $90 or less, the savings would be worthwhile.

The Hilton is going for a mere $149/night (cheaper than the Hampton Inn or Doubletree, go figure :) ). The Hyatt is going for $189 for the first two nights, $259 for the third (I'm checking out on the 29th). There is a 4* on Hotwire for $108. I don't know which one it is, since it is listed with a business center and as a customer favorite (your Hotwire list shows the Hilton as having a business ctr but not a customer favorite, and vice-a-versa for the Hyatt). I'm assuming I can get something for $90. I'd hope for the Hilton. The free rebid zones seem to be Br/Br, Medford, and S. Boston. Thanks!

Well, $120 ain't doing it, at least for now. That's definitely my top bid, considering I can get the Hilton for $170, and would probably get an upgraded room being a Hilton Gold VIP. I think I'll recheck later, but I'm not going above $120.

Well, I now have cancellable reservations at the Yavapai Lodge for $113 per night. The cost for the Holiday Inn Express, if I prepay, is $116 per night. However, the HIE has free high-speed internet (which would come in handy), an indoor pool, a hot tub, and breakfast included (plus I get Priority Club points). It appears that the HIE is only 5 miles from the rim facilities, and the Yavapai is a 1/4 mile walk from the rim (i.e. the rooms don't have rim views). Do you still feel that a stay at the Yavapai would make for a better experience? I'm really having a tough time making a decision... :)

Great deal! :) I used the link you provided, and booked the reservation at the rate you indicated. More evidence of what a great site this place is! :)

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, $115 isn't cutting it, at least for now. The Hilton's rate is currently $169 for our nights. I can only guess that they're selling more rooms our week. I'm going with a backup reservation there. Even the Hampton Inn is going for quite a bit (I believe is was around $144!).

Wow! :) What great advice! I used the link and got the room at the price you quoted. It's not too often one can get that Entertainment rate... I'm quite happy, and certainly don't see any reason to do any more bidding with the price I got (I'm Priority Club Gold, so I hope I don't get a room facing the RR tracks!). Thanks! :) I didn't specify--I meant that I got the rate for the HI Express....

I can't find a cancellable place I like for under $65 or so. Well, $44 didn't work for 2 1/2 * :) I've got to be getting close!

$80 didn't work either. I may try later if there's still availability, but that's my limit...

$75 also failed for 4* in Fremont Street. When I started bidding at $60, I received a counteroffer for $88, but I'd rather stick to the Doubletree. I guess I will try later on as my date gets closer.

$100 didn't do it either. :)