AlanP

My budget turned out to be $520 per night :-) I actually bid on the 4.5* hotel all the way up to $535 and did not win. I then concluded I could probably successfully bid a room at one of the 4* options for $350-375 or so (including the express deal at $375 right now). Faced with a bidding option of $375 for the lowest end room at an uncertain property, or a $520 per night "AAA Rate" option at Starwood's Le Meridien Delfina for a full Ocean view room with a balcony (and including FREE valet parking), I splurged and bought the $520 sure thing. Thanks for all your help!

Being unable to catch a 4.5* up at $350, I will now consider the 4* options. The 4* Express deal was at $369. Will probably try for something in the low $300s. (Maybe I will try 4.5* one last time at a higher 300 level first.) I will probably just post once more at the conclusion of actually booking something rather than further distract everyone here with my drama along the way.

Just had a failed bid of $351 for Santa Monica 4.5* August 10-14. Probably won't bid any higher on this without understanding what the range of possibilities is.

I am noticing that Hotwire has 4.5* rated hotels in Santa Monica whereas Priceline does not. I'm pretty sure I know what you are going to say, but, is it safe to assume the 4.5* ratings in Hotwire (and star ratings generally) are equal for the same property between Hotwire and Priceline? Hotlines 4.5* properties are: Shore Hotel, Fairmont, Mirimar

Thanks for the help. Can you help me understand why your are guessing those two properties at the 4.5* candidates? I completely understand that it is not reliable, but I would like to gauge that basis for the guess. If I felt reasonably confident that those were the two "most likely" chances, I'd be inclined to bid more aggressively. Thanks. again. Alan P.S. - Finally figured out how to locate and close the old Hawaii thread. Sorry.

I wound up using frequent flyer miles for free nights this trip instead. Nothing won or learned this time unfortunately Thanks for the help..

I just bid $320 per night for the 4.5* Santa Monica hotel and Failed. I know I can get a 4* PRICELINE EXPRESS Deal for $369 now, so I would probably not "Bid" at or above $320 for a 4* hotel, given the lower information rate available in bidding. My view is that I'd like to have narrowed the list of possibilities for both the 4* group and the suddenly new 4.5* group down before seriously bidding on either.... How do you propose to do that, given my previous comments, which i've reiterated below: I THOUGHT THIS BOARD COULD HELP WITH THAT. I GUESS YOU ARE SAYING THAT 4.5* IS A COMPLETELY BLIND CRAP SHOOT NO MATTER WHAT (WHICH IS FINE IF THOSE ARE THE FACTS).

My view is that I'd like to have narrowed the list of possibilities for both the 4* group and the suddenly new 4.5* group down before seriously bidding on either, which is why I started with such a low bid and asked for help trying to identify and understand the new 4.5* group I described above. My maximum might be $350 for the 4.5* and $300 for the 4* group hypothetically, depending on the list of possibilities within each. The Express Deal that initiated this thread is now down to $369, interestingly....

I just bid $260 for the 4.5* and lost and then added the 4* and still lost at $260. I would make better decisions if I knew which were possible in the 4.5* category as mentioned above.

OK. I AMm going to try and bid for a lower price than the express deal. When I go to bid, I am given a distinction between 4.5* and 4* in Santa Monica for the Name Your Own price screen. However, when I view the Express Deal screen and/or the List View Screen there are only 4* and 5* categories, no 4.5*. How do I know which are falling into this strange 4.5* category for Naming My Own Price.....? I'm not sure if I'm ok with the 4* or prefer to go with the 4.5* category for my bid.

I just purchased the PRICELINE EXPRESS Deal for $128 per night on a 3* hotel for one night in Saratoga Springs NY (amenities = pool, parking internet, business center and fitness center). The property turned out to be the Hilton Garden Inn. Its a great deal. Currently advertising a $359 per night rate! (During racing season no less)

Checkout on the 14th. I feel like the hotel will Beach the Ocean Beach Club, which I'm not overly happy with. So I think I will re-evaluate other options and not bid.

Yes, I am seeing something different. Express Deal. 4 star, with pool. August 4-10. $406 per night.

I wound up using frequent flier miles for free nights on that trip to Hawaii instead of buying or bidding on anything. Bidding to win stays at the Makena Beach and Golf resorts has been among the best deal I've ever found anywhere though, thanks to you guys. Highly recommend the property or fantastic value in Maui. The pool is a bit plain, but otherwise its a fantastic property with great landscaping in a beautiful and quiet-ish ritzy part of Maui. And nearest to Little Beach, which is our favorite! Anyway, the $406 Express Deal I am trying to ID here is described as a 4-star property with pool in the Santa Monica neighborhood. those are the only criteria producing the $406 Express option. I'd like to stay in a 4 or 5 star property in Santa Monica for under $400 (before taxes and fees). Is there any way to guess what the most likely properties are that I would be bidding on with that criteria....? Thanks.!

Any good guesses as to what hotel is being offered for the Express Deal of $406 per night for 5 four-star nights in Santa Monica starting Monday August 10? Is it reasonable to assume that this same hotel would be the one I would get if I successfully bid on a 4-star hotel in that area at that time? Thanks!

You should try the Makena Beach Resort in Wailea/Makena. I am typing from there as we speak, in a room that I won on Priceline for $176 per night. It's listed as 3.5* but is easily as good as any 4* ( and as good a few resorts). Great property, in a great location that is just a bit outdated with 1980's furnishings. I wish I could stay here for another month!!

Yes. Resorts are better than 4*. Consider them 5* if you like.

Over Several Days I made the following bids for a 3.5* hotel in Wailea/Makena. $105 $120 $136 $151 $161 TODAY: $171 At $171 I got an option to immediately re-bid for $40 per night more or $211 Instead I added Kehei to my options, upped my bid by only $5 to $176 and was able to get a reservation at the Makena Beach and Golf Reort which is exactly what I wanted. I've stayed here before and love the place, despite (or maybe because of) its slightly removed location.

Wow, after five tries of various types, I've bid 3.5* up to $161 in Wailea/Makena with no luck. Looks like the higher prices will drive me over to Kaanapali to close a deal tomorrow....

That is very good advice thank you. I feel like Makena will come through at a lower price than Marriott, but Mariott has been cheaper at times based on what is posted by others around here. I may stick with Priceline and take the location risk to get the lower price (and keep my fingers crossed hoping that I do wind up in Makena). Thank you very much for your thoughts! I will report back with the result whatever it is in coming days ......

Hi, I am trying to figure out the best search strategy to use to get a hotel for nine nights starting on 3/16/11 in Maui's Wailea/Makena area. I have been to Maui many times. I stayed at the Makena Beach & Golf Resort (MB&GR) two years ago on a deal through Priceline for $160 per night. Loved the place and the deal. I am going back next month and am now working to get a hotel res. I'd be perfectly happy getting the same place and a similar deal. I am very worried about unintentionally winding up in the "higher-rated" Wailea Marriott "Resort" & Spa (WMR&S) which, I agree with other reviewers on this site, is a better located but much less attractive and desirable property). The winning bid prices for these two places seem frighteningly close. I would like to somehow try to get the MB&GR property, or anything rated better in Wailea/Makena that does NOT include the WMR&S. Does anybody have any insights or suggestions for how best to approach this goal? I will be certain to post my results when I confirm them next week. Thanks. Great site!! Alan

You're best bet might be looking in the Kihei area at that price point. I'm not sure what the best quality is that you might be able to get in this price range in March, but Expedia has some mediocre quality places such as the Aston Maui Lu available for $117 per night....

The Laihana/Kaanapali side of Maui is more down-to-earth; walk into small shops from the sidewalks, far more less-expensive casual restaurants to choose from, more foot and car traffic, and generally a bit more gentrified. The Wailea/Makena side of the island is bit quieter and a bit more upscale overall; There are a few good shopping centers, but there is no "Bourbon Street" "Bubba Gumps" sidewalk environment atmosphere to speak of. The area is less gentrified, less noisy and a little more quiet and exotic overall. If you are looking for "social/community energy" and nightlife, this is not the better side of the island for you. It's got more of a modern/upscale/suburbs vibe. It's a healthy 45 minute drive between the two ends, so you should carefully think about what type of environment you are likely to appreciate more. You probably won't visit the opposite area more than once. I personally prefer the Wailea side much much more, but a greater percentage of the masses who have been to Maui have probably been to the other side which is a little more economical on average. You'll love it no matter which choice you make.