Priceline Hotel: 4* DC (Convention Center-Capitol Hill) Grand Hyatt

[walker]

Hi, I am looking to book 2 rooms in DC for 3 nights starting on Friday April 8th. I am not very familiar with the area but it looks like most suggest the Dupont Circle area. I was hoping to get a 3.5* or 4* hotel somewhere between $50-80 per night. We are coming for the Cherry Blossom Festival so we would be open to other areas based on recommendations. Please offer some bidding advice. What is the recommended starting bid price for that time of the year? Are there any bidding strategies you would offer?

I really appreciate the help.

Thanks!

[TravelGuy]

Rates look high for your dates. I think $80 will very probably be too low for a 4* in Dupont/Woodley Park, although it might be enough for a 3*. If you'd prefer an in-town location, the other two most frequently bid zones for Washington DC, and zones that I would also recommend, are Downtown/White House and Convention Center/Capital Hill. I would suggest trying those zones up to your limit and see what happens. If nothing pans out, you might consider raising your limit, or there are usually less costly alternatives across the river in Virginia. Will you have a car or do you need to be near a Metro?

[walker]

We will be driving down from Philadelphia so I will have a car. I want to keep the transportation convenient so that is why I was considering staying in town near the tourist spots. I really don

[TravelGuy]

Well, might as well test the waters for a 4* since that would provide the most pleasant experience most likely. This is how I would do it:

Choose Dupont/Woodley Park at 4*

Bid $65, if rejected, add Alexandria/Mt. Vernon

Bid $70, if rejected, add Alexandria/Pentagon

Bid $75, if rejected, add Arlington

Bid $80, if rejected, close your browser and start a new bid.

Choose Downtown/White House and Convention Center/Capital Hill zones at 4*

Bid $65, if rejected, add Alexandria/Mt. Vernon

Bid $70, if rejected add Alexandria/Pentagon

Bid $75, if rejected add Arlington

Bid $80

If 4* doesn't pan out and you'd like to try 3*, I would suggest:

Close your browser, start a brand new bid & choose Dupont Circle/Woodley Park at 3*

Bid $65, if rejected add Springfield

Bid $70, if rejected, close your browser and start another bid

Choose Downtown/White House and Convention Center/Capital Hill at 3*

Bid $55, if rejected add Springfield

Bid $60

Please note there may be other takes on this, and your mileage may vary :)

[walker]

I followed your advice and this is what I came up with:

I went up to $87 per night for 4* at Dupont/Woodley and that was rejected.

Next I tried the 4* at Downtown/White House and Convention Center/Capital Hill. I got the Grand Hyatt Washington for $80 per night.

Congratulations, you got your price of $80 for a 4-star hotel room.

Grand Hyatt Washington

Convention Ctr - Capitol Hill Area

1000 H Street Nw

Washington, District Of Columbia 20001

202-582-1234

Check-In Date: Fri, Apr 8, 2005

Check-In Time: After 03:00 PM

Check-Out Date: Mon, Apr 11, 2005

Check-Out Time: 12:00 PM

Your Offer Price: $80.00

Number of Rooms: 2

Number of Nights: 3

Subtotal: $480.00

Taxes and

Service Fees: $79.96

Total Charges: $559.96

THANKS very much for your help. This is a great message board!!!

[TravelGuy]

Nice deal! $259/night on hyatt.com. Something tells me you're going to have a Grand time while attending the Cherry Blossom Festival. :)