TeaEarleGreyHot

As I understand it, on priceline you can't be 3 or 4-star without having a full service restaurant. So that is one clear difference.

BEAV, well said!

I don't think it's in any way rude.

It can pose difficulties for the wedding party if you do not book directly, at the party rate, depending on the circumstances. If the wedding (or convention, or retreat, etc.) is being held at the same hotel, your wedding (or convention, retreat, etc.) hosts negotiated a price with the hotel not only for the rooms, but for the facilities, bar service, assembly halls, decorating, catering, and so on. One way the hotel keeps the overall cost down to the organizers is to subsidize the whole affair with a "special" room rate that is somewhat higher than it needs to be. In many cases, if the event is poorly attended, or the guests/participants book rooms elsewhere, the organizers (the wedding family, in this case) are billed a surcharge, because they've guaranteed the hotel a minimum occupancy, and blocked rooms. This is not always the case, but it is sometimes the case--even if the room-block has expired because the event is nearing.

If your host specifically asked you to book your room at the wedding rate, then yes indeed, it could be seen as quite rude (and could be considered rather unethical) to partake in the festivities without helping to pay your share, via the room rate. Rather like bringing a bag lunch to a restaurant to dine with your friends, while requiring those friends to pay your minimum-service-fee.

If you can't afford to attend the wedding as invited, then you should just mail your gift and stay home.

At this point, perhaps you should inquire with the hosts as to whether they've met the occupancy requirements of their agreement with the hotel. If so, at least you can sleep a little more comfortably. But if not, then I don't think you should book via priceline or hotwire, but rather do as your host requested.

Here is the bid history

3* $55 MM/Loop 8/23-26- rejected

3* $60 MM/Loop and NMA 8/23-26- rejected

3* $61 MM/Loop and NMA and Skokie- accepted at Boutique Level-Omni Ambassador East

You bid 3* and were upgraded to Boutique? Am I the only one who finds this unusual?

I've completed more than 30 of their surveys, even seen my comments integrated into their hotel reviews, and received nothing... aside from a thank you at the end of each survey.

See Other post run.

Run, Other post, run!

Safari 1.3 (v312)

I see the map, and I see hotel location pointers, but when I click on one, nothing but an empty balloon opens. :)

I think there is one other four star in the area, Marriott Harbor Beach Resort

That Marriott is classified as Resort*, not 4*, by Priceline.

The Fort Lauderdale downtown 3* and 4* hotels are very near Port Everglades.

It would be wise to have SOME sort of ID on you, especially if you're out alone. If there is a medical emergency (it's so easy to choke on some water, or slip and hit your head) they will need to know who you are, and whom to contact. An ID bracelet, or laminated ID card in your swimsuit would be a good idea.

Do NOT take your only official ID, however, because if lost you will NEVER get on your airplane home. If you lose your room key, it's no big deal-the hotel will let you in, so long as you can produce a photo ID the moment you enter the room.

The La Quinta at Schaumburg is only about $58 per night.

You can get 3* in Schaumburg on Priceline for far less than $58. There are free rebid zones too.

When you place your bid there is a link to the right that brings up a new page with retail hotels on it.

Any examples where the star-ratings don't agree with accepted Priceline offers? It was always very misleading when Priceline would show hotel names along with star ratings in their previous non-opaque partner (was it lowestfares?) because the star-ratings often were not the same. I have made a brief scan and now it looks like the same star-ratings are being applied.