Priceline Hotel: Need help Tokyo (Shinjuku - Ikebukuro) 06/01/10 - 06/06/10

[cupcake]

First of all, thank you for all of the great work that you do here! I've been using your PRICELINE links to bid (unsuccessfully) thus far.

My bf and I are going to be in Tokyo starting June 1 for 5 nights (check out June 6). It is the first time in Japan for both of us, so we would like to stay in an area close to major transportation for sight-seeing. I gather that Shinjuku-Ikebukuro is the most convenient for this, but please correct me if I am wrong. We will be buying a JR pass.

We're students so we're trying to keep costs down (without going the hostel route); we've got back up accommodation at a Toyoko Inn in Ikebukuro for about $90USD per night inclusive of taxes. My reason for bidding on Priceline is to see whether or not we can get a better accommodation in the same (or equally convenient) area for around the same price. I was kind of hoping for the Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, mostly because I heard that it was a short walk to the JR station.

Since we've still got a bit of time, I've been bidding low (between $75 and $85) for 4* accommodations; so far no luck. I would be willing to bid 3* and up, but haven't thus far because I'm not sure how close all of the 3* hotels are to the stations. I would really prefer not to go above $90USD per night since we will be out of the room for most of the day and would just like a comfy, convenient place to retire at night.

Any advice on bidding strategy or new locations to try? Am I being unreasonable in my expectations?

This is my first post, so please let me know if I've left any important information out.

Thanks in advance,

~cupcake

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I'm not all that familiar with this area so can't comment too much on location, but i'd at least start with the Priceline Hotel List and research the hotels at this star level in this zone to see if, at least what has been reported, would work well for your plans.

I'd also bid up to your maximum bid... if you enter "Tokyo" in the QUICK SEARCH box at the top of the board you'll see that any recent wins in this zone at the 4* or above level have all been over $100, so your $90 maximum may be a bit or a stretch, and any win at this price wouldn't be "too much".

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

Keep us updated and let us know how it goes.