gruntlumber

Probably the worst deal in my history of using Priceline, but it's a football weekend and we need to stay somewhere. Booking direct is only slightly more expensive. Oh well. Tried the last couple of days from $100+ in various zones and finally hit. About the only thing worthwhile in this post is you can add this property to your list.

Amenities: Free Parking Indoor pool(s) Airport Shuttle Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center High-Speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby Accessible for the blind Accessible for the deaf Accessible path of travel In-room accessibility Accessible bathroom Handicapped parking Roll-in shower

Missed on $54, hit on $56. Offer Price: $56.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 2 Room Subtotal: $112.00 Taxes & Fees: $27.04 Total Charged to Card: $139.04

Thought this was mildly interesting and thought I'd pass it on: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/13-things-your-hotel-desk-clerk-wont-tell-you/?trkid=outbrain-all

Started at $65, missed on $71 but hit on $72. Yes...I used your PRICELINE link! When I first started checking into this a week ago, I noticed the "paw" icon on the 4* Downtown, indicating the pet-friendly Hotel Phillips. That's the one I wanted, but I waited a day and then it switched over to Restaurant, Fitness, and "7+". I knew it was the Sheraton but after waiting and waiting it never went back to Hotel Phillips so I pulled the trigger anyway. Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $72.00 Number of Rooms: 2 Number of Guests Per Room: 2 Number of Nights:1 Room Subtotal: $144.00 Taxes and Fees: $34.76 Total Room Cost:$178.76

First bid was $42, denied, but it gave me the option for a free re-bid at $51. I turned it down, added the Epply East zone and got it at $47. Room Cost (avg. per room, per night): $47.00 (USD) Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Guests Per Room: 2 Number of Nights: 2 Room Subtotal: $94.00 (USD) Taxes and Fees: $24.58 (USD) Total Room Cost: $118.58 (USD)

I booked this a couple days ago, but noticed today the same thing is listed for $97 instead of $100 (I overspent by $12!!). I cancelled a direct reservation with Hotel Contessa after I noticed this same property pop up on Hotwire. Looks like a great hotel. Also used an Entertainment Coupon for an extra $20 rebate. Amenities are: Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center High-Speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby Spa Services

Hey I like the new website format for posting wins. Way easier than before. Anyway, I first bid $59 and it gave me the option to raise bid to $79. No thanks, I'll use my virtually unlimited free rebids. I bid from $64 to $69 in $1 increments and hit it. I think this is a record low price for this property! Occupancy was really low and got a 8th-floor room with a Plaza view. Very nice.

Amenities were only hi-speed internet: Rate per night: $39.00 Nights: 1 Rooms: 1 Tax recovery charges & fees: $11.88 Subtotal: $50.88

I bid this thing up by $1 increments starting at $60, so I know it wouldn't have done for any less than $66. I was pleasantly surprised to get the Foshay. I had drinks at Prohibition bar on the top floor about a year ago and it was awesome. Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $66.00 Subtotal: $132.00 Taxes & Fees: $26.16 Total Charges*: $158.16 I'll add one more little point to this post. If you have more than 2 people staying in your party, you will not want to win The Foshay. In the past I usually call ahead and lock in a 2-bed room, but you will not be able to do so with this property. They actually have very few 2-bed rooms (almost everything is one King), and the ones they do have are much higher than their standard rate.

**EDIT**: OK, I really screwed this post up and can't seem to edit it. The top subject line above should be 2.5* Orlando (Airport). Dates are correct. Sorry! This might be a new one for the board: Country Inn & Suites Orlando Airport 5440 Forbes Pl, Orlando,FL,32812 Amenities: Airport Shuttle Complimentary Breakfast Fitness Center Pool(s) Business Center Laundry Facilities High-speed Internet Access

Amenities Complimentary Breakfast Pool(s) Business Center Not a thrilling place, but the outdoor pool is good with the kiddos. Hotel rate per night - Hotwire hot Rate: $39.00 Nights:1 Rooms:2 Subtotal:$78.00 Tax recovery charges and fees:$16.11 Total price:$94.11

I bid $29 and $30 before hitting on $31. I took an educated guess and isolated the south zone knowing that's where the lowest priced hotel would be, which turned out to be right (added Central and NW on rebids). Had my fingers crossed for the Sleep Inn but it wasn't meant to be. Extended Stay America Springfield - South 1333 East Kingsley Street Springfield, Missouri 65804 Here's something new I encountered: As usual with PRICELINE wins, I called the hotel to ensure I get 2 beds instead of one. I know there are no guarantees but I have never run into trouble so far. This hotel charges a $10 upgrade fee if you wish to have a room with 2 beds. Kind of a bummer, but I'm still money ahead compared to the Hotwire equivalent which would've given me the 2 beds. Happy to say I used your PRICELINE link.

Amenities: Airport Shuttle Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center High-speed Internet Access Hotel rate per night - Hotwire hot Rate: $44.00 Nights:1 Rooms:1 Subtotal:$44.00 Tax recovery charges and fees:$12.95 Total price:$56.95

Looks like Hotwire changed the zones around a little? They must've split up Lenexa-Overland Park. I've received this hotel before, it's always worked out fine. Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Overland Park West, KS 8787 Reeder Road, Shawnee Mission, KS, 66214 Check-in Wed, Sep 23, 2009 Check-out Thu, Sep 24, 2009 Amenities: Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Laundry Facilities High-speed Internet Access

Has anyone won with a $21 bid before?? Certainly the lowest I've ever done. Several Extended Stays in this area...this was the winner: 8015 Lenexa Drive Lenexa, Kansas 66215 Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $21.00 (2 rooms) Subtotal: $42.00 Taxes & Fees: $14.80 Total Charges*: $56.80

Hit on first bid of $28. Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $28.00 (2 nights) Subtotal: $56.00 Taxes & Fees: $17.27 Total Charges*: $73.27

This might be the best percentage off deal I've ever won on PRICELINE. Bid $39, $40, then hit on $41. Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $41.00 Subtotal: $41.00 Taxes & Fees: $14.43 Total Charges*: $55.43 I looked to book directly and the total with taxes and everything for the same room, same evening would've been $211!

Meant to post this awhile ago but just getting around to it. If I recall I bid a dollar or two below $44 but this was the magic number for the south zone. Springfield, MO South 233 East Camino Alto Springfield, Missouri 65810 417-886-2464 Check-In Date: Fri, May 22, 2009 / After 03:00 PM Check-Out Date: Sat, May 23, 2009 / 12:00 PM Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $44.00 Subtotal: $44.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $12.89 Total Charges*: $56.89

I bid $44, 45, 46, 47, and $48 to get it. Crowne Plaza Omaha Old Mill 655 N 108Th Ave Omaha, NE 68154 402-496-0850 Check-In: Wednesday, July 15, 2009-03:00 PM Check-Out: Thursday, July 16, 2009-12:00 PM Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Room Subtotal: $48.00 (USD) Taxes and Fees: $15.82 (USD) Total Room Cost: $63.82 (USD) The regular total price elsewhere would've been $103 with taxes, so a decent deal at about $40 off.

Although this is generally the rule, I must say on several occasions I called the hotel directly and told them the name of another person checking in. That other person had to present a credit card for incidentals, but no problems checking in. I suppose this depends on the actual hotel, but so far so good with my attempts.

I've gotten this one every time over the past few weeks I've been staying here (4th time). I've been denied at $33 before...usually need to bid $34 or $35. I've used Downtown and Wichita South as free rebids since a 2* never hits in those areas for this cheap. Details: Candlewood Suites Wichita - Airport 570 S Julia Wichita, KS 67209

Bid $49, 51, 53, got it at $55. With taxes $71.92 Hyatt Regency Crown Center Kc Downtown/Crown Center 2345 Mcgee Street Kansas City, Missouri 64108

Maybe this has been discussed, but I don't think so. Searching for a hotel in San Juan Puerto Rico on Feb 9-13, a 3.5-star choice popped up ("Customer Favorite"). After selecting the hotel and moving to the bottom of the "Details" page, I noticed a Trip Advisor rating. It says the Traveler Rating is 3.5 based on 440+ reviews. I looked on the Trip Advisor site and noticed there is only one hotel which has received over 440 reviews: the Caribe Hilton Hotel. The star rating is a 4 instead of 3.5, but the Traveler Rating is indeed 3.5. It seems like there cannot be another choice...this hotel must be the Caribe Hilton Hotel. Agreed? Maybe this example just happened to work out perfect, but hopefully this is a strategy that can be used more often.

Horrible deal. Amenities include: Shuttle, Fitness Center, High-speed Internet, Complimentary Breakfast, Laundry This hotel is listed as 2.5-star everywhere else. Might be entitled to Double the Difference Guarantee since HOTWIRE total price is higher than booking directly.