Priceline Hotel: 3* Boston (Copley Square-Theatre District) Radisson

[insular.the]

Hi all,

I am new comer here. Thanks everyone here for creating such a nice archive for bidding reference first!

After reading all necessary posts before I bid this time, I found I was pretty blind bidding at Hotwire and Priceline all my life.

However I was not luckier after a detailed planning of my bid today for a 3.5* and above hotel in Boston.

Wonder if I can get some help from you after I post the experience out.

I did a research first and aimed at following 3.5* hotels within Copley Square ( my location was not negotiable lol ):

3.5* Sheraton $81;

3.5* Hilton no info;

3.5* Marriot $95, $130;

3.5* Park Plaza $105; $80;

I am comfortable with $80 either Sheraton or Park Plaza. And I found there are 5 sub areas in Boston that only has 3*,

namely, Fenway Park, North Cambridge - Arlington, Meford, Brighton - Brookline, South Boston.

That gives me 6 chance in total to change the price in bid.

I came up with a sequence of bids 50, 59, 66, 73, 77, 80 gradually adding the sub areas in sequence.

However no luck today for any of them.

I wonder is it just a matter of trying again or there is room to improve for my strategy.

I am considering breaking my 7/10-7/14 into two sections and also accept 3* hotels in Copley Square, like Radisson, Doubletree or Courtyard.

I found short stay usually get better rates while I was reading the previous won bids. Is that correct?

I am staying with another fellow student. It seems it would not be a problem to get a double bed room form above hotels for us.

Another strayed question is: I have to book another stay as well since I have to stay at Boston another two days, 7/8-7/10.

For that time, anywhere has a convenient transportation and safe will do.

I would like to have a decent private room hotel if the cost is 50 or so. Otherwise I am also considering hostels with shared rooms,

like the HI - Fenway or HI - Copley Square.

I have never been in such place before and maybe I shall try them out.

They are economical but it's kind of scary to share room to me.

Are they good and safe place to stay?

Your advice is greatly appreciated! :)

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

3.5* Sheraton $81;

3.5* Hilton no info;

3.5* Marriot $95, $130;

3.5* Park Plaza $105; $80;

I am comfortable with $80 either Sheraton or Park Plaza.

What are the TWO prices next to some of the htetls above? You mention you're fine with the Sheraton or Park Plaza... but what about the Hilton and/or Marriott??

It seems it would not be a problem to get a double bed room form above hotels for us.

I'm not sure if you're asking that you'll receive at least one double bed OR if you're asking if you'll get a room with two beds. All that is guaranteed by PRICELINE is a room which will accommodate double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel. Depending upon a variety of factors (mostly occupancy levels at the hotel) you may be assigned a room with only one bed, and the hotel may not be able, or willing, to accommodate your request for a room with two beds.

Also, Boston isn't really that big and most of the 'downtown' areas are served well by the T (subway)... would the Quincy Market-Faneuil Hall-Financial zone work for your needs as well? This would give more hotels the chance to accept your bid, hopefully resulting in a lower price (since more hotels are possible)

It doesn't appear at the moment that SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID is going to help you that much, but i will point out that HOTWIRE has a 3.5* hotel in the Boston Common-Theatre Districe for $96/nite with:

Smoke Free, Fitness, Restaurant, Busines, Internet and Tennis... along with a GREAT 4.5/5.0 Tripadvisor rating.

This property is a match for the Radisson and that would be my best guess for this one... would this work for your needs? Also, if you change your search to 2adults/1child the price remains the same (within a few dollars) and as you're not searching for triple occupancy, it ensures separately sleeping accommodations, if that is what you're seeking. Usually this means two beds, but it could be one bed and a pullout sofabed, a rollway brought into the room, etc.

Let us know your thoughts on the above and we'll take it from there.

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

PS- can you please add the room rate to your previous Hotwire Tucson thread... you can still view this information by going to HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top right of their home page.

[Romelle]

Regarding your question about hostels:

They usually have lockers so you can store your things in them while out and about and/or sleeping. Locks can be rented if you haven't brought one.

While the people staying there tend to be younger, all ages are welcome. Sometimes even family groups use them.

Some hostels have private rooms. The dorms are segregated by sex. Dorms can be anywhere from 4 beds on up, but usually aren't really large.

Do read the specifics of the hostels which you are considering. www.hiusa.org has quite a lot of information, and it wouldn't hurt to also do a search on the hostel name for reviews and such.

The people that use them are just ordinary people that like to travel, but don't have a budget for more expensive hotels.

You will find quite a lot of information about activities available in the area. You also likely will meet some nice people. Even people you will choose to visit on another trip.

While things are fairly basic, they are clean and functional.

A light breakfast is usually included - coffee and rolls and maybe juice. Some hostels serve an evening meal for a modest fee.

If you pay for membership in the hostel organization, there is some savings on the nightly rate.

As a 60+ grandmother, I've stayed in them in London, Venice, Genoa, and Florence. Got to enjoy Europe every bit as much as if I'd spent a whole lot more for a hotel.

Really not scary places. They are more common in Europe, but the ones here in the US work just fine. Write back if you have some specific questions.

Romelle

[insular.the]

Thanks thereauare and Romelle,

for your tips. BTW, I did check the Hotwire price that night. It was $102 and I guessed it is Radisson too.

The price beside the hotel name in my old post is the recent winning bid for that hotel according to my research here.

Anyway, I bid again this morning without splitting my stay and I won $70 with Radisson.

Before Priceline, I checked the Hotwire again and it is now $92 for Radisson.

So I am more confident I can win my bid with Priceline.

I started with 3* in Copley Square this time and my first bid was $70 and amazingly it won.

It is $331.24 all in and compared to Hotwire $92 per night and $428 all in, a saving of $100!

Nice job Priceline!

Yeah, I know I still have to negotiate with Radisson for a two double beds room.

But anyway, that is not ensured with Hotwire anyway.

From the reviews I read, it seems not difficult by contacting the hotels directly. Hope we don't need to squeeze into one bed :).

From my experience, I will suggest try to bid earlier and bid multiple times before lose hope.

The price on Hotwire serve as a good guide to adjust your bid price if you know you are actually bidding the same hotel on Priceline.

I am looking into bidding my 7/8-7/10 stay with a lower bid now. Wish myself a good luck.

If that didn't work, I will just try out the HI hostels. Thanks for the nice intro again, Romelle!

Please help edit my title and make it more informative for future reference. ( why I cannot do it myself now, @@? )

[AaronJB]

Congratulations on your success. :)

Glad to hear that you were able to score a terrific deal for this Boston property! Hopefully the Radisson will be willing to work with you for two beds.

Please post a new thread and we will be happy to help with the 7/8-10 stay.

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

Enjoy your stay.