Hotwire Hotel: 3* Philadelphia (City Center West) Sheraton City Center

[Travelin Mom]

We need a hotel near University of Pennsylvania. Am I better off using the University area on Priceline or the downtown Philadelphia area?? Thanks for any advice!

[dahammer]

yes, use the University Zone is the most convenient for U of P. What are your dates of travel?

[Travelin Mom]

We'll be arriving the 15th, checking out the 18th. One room, 2 people, we don't need 4* (actually the highest looks to be 31/2*!) just whatever is most convenient to the University as we'll be there for an on campus event. Thanks!

[thereuare]

Are your dates March 15-18?

Also, with PRICELINE you won't be able to target a particular hotel/location in the zone, so what star level would you like to try for first? What is your maximum bid?

If location is more important than price you may want to consider HOTWIRE, which typically costs a little more than PRICELINE, but you can often take a guess as to the hotel/location based upon the amenities show before your purchase.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

[Travelin Mom]

Our dates are April 15-18. I would like to spend under $100/night if possible at a 3 1/2*, it's just my daughter and I so we don't need incredible amenities. I have noticed that there was a win on PRICELINE for a hotel at Penn that would be perfect, but as you say there is no way to know. I have not figured out the correct placement on a HOTWIRE zone yet. Thanks for the help.

[AaronJB]

As a "just-in-case" alternate, the Hampton Inn University is $109 on Orbitz, and coupon code FABSAVE10 takes 10% off = $98.10 (plus breakfast.)

Please use the site's Orbitz.com link if you do go this route.

[thereuare]

If you want to try bidding for a 3.5* in the University zone you have FOUR re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

(NOTE: 're-bid zone1' is not the same as priceline's Zone1, 're-bid zone2' is not the same as priceline's Zone2, etc, etc)

Select 3.5* University...

Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $65, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* University and re-bid zone3...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $80, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* University and re-bid zone4...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone3...

Bid $100

Any questions feel free to ask.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Travelin Mom]

Went in through the link on this site, started at $60 and used all four re-bids up to $82. Closed browser and started again but Priceline would not let me re-bid. Closed entire window, started over again and still would not let me re-bid. Am I doing something wrong, I have not had this happen before.

[Travelin Mom]

Trying to identify hotel that is Center City West, April 15-18, 2 people. I put in the map for Univ. of Pennsylvania and the hotel came up with:

.2- 1.7 miles from your destination, 3* $75/night

No smoking, fitness center, pool, restaraunt, business center and high speed internet.

Any ideas??

[AaronJB]

This property has not yet been ID'd/reported to the board, although it was guessed in another thread that this may be the Sheraton City Center.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[Travelin Mom]

So right you were!!

3* City Center West was the Sheraton City Center Hotel. At $75 it's not a bad buy, but I was really hoping it was the Sheraton University Center and when I put in the exact address of UPenn it gave me the 0.0 - 1.2 miles away from your destination and when I google mapped City Center it came out to 1.9 miles apart leading me to believe it might be the other hotel ...Wrong! Just an incorrect mileage I guess. Hopefully it will be a nice property since now we will be taking a taxi from there. Thanks for the help. Of course, used the HOTWIRE link from this page.

[AaronJB]

Sorry to hear that this wasn't what you were hoping for, but glad that the deal will work for your plans. The HOTWIRE distances are from the center of the zone.

Thank you confirming the new amenity set for this HOTWIRE property so that we can update the site's Hotwire Hotel List for the state.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using the site's HOTWIRE link.

Enjoy your stay

[thereuare]

...when I put in the exact address of UPenn it gave me the 0.0 - 1.2 miles away from your destination and when I google mapped City Center it came out to 1.9 miles apart leading me to believe it might be the other hotel ...Wrong! Just an incorrect mileage I guess.

The mileage shown by HOTWIRE is from the center of the zone to the landmark... not the mileage from the specific hotel offered.

Enjoy your stay.

[Travelin Mom]

That is GREAT information to have, I will remember it for next time. Thanks for all of your help from the board!