Priceline Hotel: 5* Hotel assistance with starting bid amount

[divegas]

Hi, new to the forums but Im so glad ive found you. The forum is very helpful.

My friends and I are planning a trip to vegas 10/11-10/14. For some reason, everythings pretty expensive this weekend even though there are no major conventions, fights, etc...

Anyhow, after reading your instructions, I tried bidding last night for a 5* North starting at $110 up to $120 as I wasn't exactly sure which additional areas I could add so I only added south.

I just wanted to make sure that these are the zones that I can add:

Boulder, henderson, fremont, lake, Airport, Convention, NW las Vegas, Near East, Near West, Nellis, Summerlin. 11 total.

Also, is my starting bid in the general ballpark or what would you recommend I start at? We're trying to stay away from the Trump but I think the 5 star on Hotwire is the Trump.

Also, everyone seems to want to stay away from the Vdara and aria hotels so I'm just following suit but I guess location wise, they beat out trump.

Any advice would be appreciated. One person said that the closer I wait to my trip, its possible to snag a cheaper room on priceline. Not sure if this is true or how long I should hold out.

Thanks

[divegas]

Also, What would you recommend starting bid for 4* in case 5 * is too high? 4* for North strip shows Mirage or TI which are both acceptable. Last trip I tried 4* North strip, we ended up with the Westin. Im glad that its been taken out of the hotel list. I'd hate to chance South strip and end up with Tropicana.

Thanks again.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding... we're glad you found us too! :)

If you haven't yet, please start by reading your messages.

At the moment i'm guessing a 5* hotel will run you about $125-$145/nite (give or take)... is this within your budget? What is your maximum bid for a 5* hotel before considering a 4* property?

The Trump is currently in PRICELINE's Strip North Vicinity zone so you should be able to successfully avoid it by only bidding the Strip North zone (ie- not Vicinity). Do you want to include the Strip North zone in your bidding?

You have your 11 re-bid zones at the 5* level correct, but always double check just before bidding to make sure that nothing has changed since you last checked.

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

[divegas]

Thanks for the advice. I used your links.

I went up to $150 starting from $120 but no accepts. $150 was where I wanted to stop. So I guess I can choose to get the trump hotel or drop down to a 4*. What do you recommend for starting bid for 4* North?

Also does anyone know if Trump is better than Aria or Vdara? I saw the trump at $116 on hotwire and I believe Vdara was $156 priceline express.

Thanks again.

[thereuare]

Are you 'young and partiers' or looking for a more 'mellow' experience? Do you need/want to gamble and have the ability to come/go frequently?

Trump has no casino but is walkable to the Wynn, Treasure Island, and a few other points in the Strip North zone... but it's a fairly dead area, so don't expect nightlife at your fingertips. Walking to other points on the Strip (ie- Vdara, Paris, MGM Grand, etc) is do-able but more than a moderate walk so you would be better taking the Trump's scheduled shuttle and/or a taxi.

Unless you're older and/or looking for more of a relaxing time (vs. a 'party weekend in Vegas') the Vdara would be a better choice, imo.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed, but i'd also suggest the PRICELINE Express Deal for just $4 more than you've already bid (although keep in mind that resort fees will apply at all of the known 5* properties and most of the 4* properties)

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

[divegas]

We're definitely there to party. Having a casino in the hotel would be a huge bonus but not a deal breaker if the price is right.

Im thinking of trying the 4* North since its just the Mirage and TI. Or should I just try to get the Vdara? I have no experience with any of these places so I'm somewhat clueless. Or should I just continue each day to bid up to $150 on North Strip 5*?

[thereuare]

Vdara has no casino but but the Aria (which does have a casino) is right next door, is a much newer property and would provide more of a 'first class' experience than the Mirage/Treasure Island (not that there is anything wrong with either of these two hotels).

The Mirage and/or Treasure Island both have the convenience of a casino on-site, but are older properties than the Vdara and not as 'swank' (for lack of a better word).

So it really depends upon what you're looking for from this stay and which part of the strip you like better.

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

[Cora]

We're definitely there to party. Having a casino in the hotel would be a huge bonus but not a deal breaker if the price is right.

Im thinking of trying the 4* North since its just the Mirage and TI. Or should I just try to get the Vdara? I have no experience with any of these places so I'm somewhat clueless. Or should I just continue each day to bid up to $150 on North Strip 5*?

Funny, I am in almost the same situation as you are right now, trying to find a good deal on a 5* and staying away from Trump and the crappier properties, lol.

For what it's worth, I went through this process last year and we ended up getting rooms at Treasure Island. (I believe that TI and the Mirage are the two choices for 4* on the North Strip, but please keep in mine that I am NOT an expert at all.) Anyways, TI ended up being perfect for us, though I personally would probably have preferred the Mirage. TI has a great location, close to everything, big casino on the main floor, decent restaurants, Starbucks, and there is even a Walgreens across the street if you want some cheap water bottles, etc. The rooms were fine. For my girlfriends who wanted to go out partying and dancing the other clubs etc were very close.

Hope that helps a little in your search. Oh, and I got win the rooms on Priceline for $95 per night, if that gives you any ideas about your starting bid. Good luck!

[divegas]

Thanks for your input Cora. If only we were there the same weekend...

Anyway, Sorry for the lack of updates, but I've been bidding up to $160 for 5 star North Strip since this post with no luck. As of two days ago, I included 4* up to $100 without any luck as well.

I will continue to be persistent and see where this takes me. Worst case scenario is that I get to the day before and prices dont drop and I'll take my chances @ the Palms which is usually cheap. We have a group of 10 guys so it really doesnt matter where we stay although it would be nice to stay at a 5*. But not everyone has the same budget for this trip.

Thanks for all your help. I'll continue to use your PRICELINE links until something gets finalized.

[JonathanK]

I actually have been looking myself. I'm going 10/14-10/16. Been looking at 4* since the price is a bit better, but haven't found anything great. I know Priceline has a PRICELINE EXPRESS Deal 4* in the south zone for $69. So I've tried up to $50 with no go. Not sure what is going on then but Vegas always seems to have been cheaper for me in the past than that week shows. I actually only tonight realized I had wanted the North strip all along. So I'm working on that currently. Will report back if I get anything. I am currently using the links as well!

[Smitty00]

Hope you don't mind if I chime in? I am also going to Vegas with a group of buddies (2 in the party turning 40) and looking for the same types of amenities that you are. I will be there around the same time. (Oct. 12-15) I noticed a 4* Strip North for $117 in the Express deals & a 4* Vicinity South for $117.

I have tried for about 2 weeks biding 4* in Vicinity South & North Strip (starting bid $88 up to $95) to no avail. I have used Priceline quite frequently over the past 4-5 years and feel like I am getting close to "landing" my deal, as I have received an offer to increase my nightly bid by $29 a night the last 2 days I have attempted. in my past experience this generally means I am within $3-8 of the wining bid.

Anyway, sorry to barge in on your thread! Just wanted to pass on some info that might be helpful. Good Luck in your bidding!

P.S. I don't know if this is why everything seems more expensive on the weekend of the 12-15th? but after some research, I found out that Madonna is going to be at the MGM.

[divegas]

Thanks for the Input!

I can't imagine Madonna selling out all of Vegas. We're having trouble even booking Non Stop tickets at this point since the prices jumped $150 over the last 10 days and flights are being sold out. I think it's just going to be a super busy weekend.

I've been following the north 4* as well and Im guessing its Treasure Island since thats what everyone else seems to be landing. The South 4* appears to be Tropicana and I dont even want to risk landing that hotel.

Im tempted to stay away from priceline and just book with Hotwire since its such a busy weekend, Im afraid that they'll only have King beds left and as much as I love my friends, I prefer not to shack in the same bed. At least Hotwire will guarantee separate beds but I'm curious what price you'll land TI at. Right now on hotwire it's at $144.

HOpe you get something great...

[skippy1979]

Be careful of adding Summerlin to this specific search...Sometimes the resorts in Summerlin (JW Marriott and Red Rock) can be considered a 4 or even 5 star equivalent hotel and you might win one of them. They are nice hotels, just pretty far from the strip and not as not as much of a party scene as the others on the strip

[thereuare]

Be careful of adding Summerlin to this specific search...Sometimes the resorts in Summerlin (JW Marriott and Red Rock) can be considered a 4 or even 5 star equivalent hotel and you might win one of them.

It's true that at the moment you should NOT include Summerlin in your bidding if you are bidding on 4* hotels unless you are willing to accept this zone... at the 5* level it's fine to include Summerlin (at this time) as a re-bid zone.

Summerlin has 'Resorts' which should be considered 4.5* rated. Therefore including this zone when bidding 4* can result in an upgrade to a 'Resort' (4.5*) hotel in this zone... but when only bidding 5* you won't be upgraded since no hotels (at this time) meet the minimum 5 star criteria you selected.

Hope this clears up any questions anyone had.

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

[divegas]

I just saw this added to Hotwire and need assistance figuring out which hotel this is: South Strip Hotel 4* 10/11-14

Casino

Fitness Center

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-Speed Internet Access

Golf Nearby

Accessible for the blind

Accessible for the deaf

Free Parking

Accessible path of travel

In-room accessibility

Accessible bathroom

Handicapped parking

Roll-in shower

Price is at $82. 85% recommended.

Thanks

[thereuare]

Is the above the full list of amenities associated with this property... as the 4* hotel in this zone i'm currently seeing when searching for your dates has more/different amenities than what you've posted above.

How many rooms/adults are you including in your search?

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

[divegas]

I checked again today and its gone..

I do a search for 3 rooms 5 adults.

Another one popped up that I havent seen before:

4* South Strip $98

90% Approval ( SO i think this rules out tropicana)

Casino

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-Speed Internet Access

Golf Nearby

Tennis Nearby

Spa Services

Accessible for the blind

Accessible for the deaf

Free Parking

Accessible path of travel

In-room accessibility

Accessible bathroom

Handicapped parking

Roll-in shower

Is this MGM? or Mandalay? Paris perhaps?

[divegas]

Sorry for the inconvenience. You can disregard. The boys only want to stay at a 5*.

Update, Bid up to $160 today and still rejected. Priceline had a PRICELINE EXPRESS sale for $179 but when i clicked it, it jumped to $219.

Im assuming it was either Venetian or Palazzo. Palazzo's cheaper on Priceline site so im guessing it was that hotel.

Hotwire also added a 5* for $192 North Strip.

Ammenities are:

Resort

Suite

Casino

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-Speed Internet Access

Golf Nearby

Tennis Nearby

Spa Services

Accessible for the deaf

Free Parking

Accessible path of travel

In-room accessibility

Accessible bathroom

Handicapped parking

Roll-in shower

Prices are starting to drop now that Im 1 week in. hopefully they'll turn my way.

[thereuare]

Please click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links, then reply to this thread and we'll have a look at your post above.

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

Thanks.

[divegas]

i've been using your links daily since my first post

[thereuare]

I'm not current seeing the 5* Strip North property when searching for 3rooms/5adults... are you still seeing this same one (with Casino) on your own HOTWIRE search?

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.