Priceline Hotel: 4* London (Westminster) Victoria Park Plaza

[bhchan]

I have been trying to bid on a 5* hotel in the Mayfair-Soho area for a 4-night stay between June 29, 2010 and July 3, 2010.

On my first day, I started out with a bid of $120 and then used my free re-bids in $10 increments to bid all the way up to $160. None of the offers were accepted. After waiting 24 hours, I started out with a bid of $140 and received a counter-offer of $309. I then used my free re-bids in $10 increments all the way up to $175 (the last increment being $5). Again, I failed to obtain a winning bid.

After viewing the recent winning bids for 5* hotels in that area, it seems everyone was successful by bidding in the range of $120 - $165. Also, I noticed that in the Calendar of Wins, someone obtained a winning bid for a 5* hotel (Grovesnor House) in Mayfair-Soho for $165/night from July 1-2, 2010.

I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on how I should proceed. After seeing the counter-offer for $309, it makes me think that I'm not anywhere close to obtaining a winning bid. However, based on the winning bids everyone else has been able to obtain, it seems like I am already overpaying.

Should I continue to bid at the same amounts and hope that, as the date draws closer, the hotels will lower their demands? Should I split my reservation into two reservations of two nights each?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Rates (both direct with the hotel and thru the opaque providers) are in a constant state of flux based upon occupancy levels (ie- supply and demand) at the hotels in the zone. The previous priceline win at $165 for the nite of 7/1 was purchased about 4 months ago, and it possible that rates have changed substantially since then.

I'm not sure if SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID is going to help, but you can certainly try it, if you don't mind changing hotels during your stay. Also, is this the only zone you're willing to accept and/or if you only want to bid this zone, does it have to be at a 5* hotel? Would a 4* hotel in this zone or a 5* hotel in another nearby zone work for your needs?

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

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

[bhchan]

Thanks for your response.

I think I would be interested in staying in a 4* hotel in Westminster considering the recent winning bids that people have received. I did, however, notice that there is a 5* option for Westminster, but also noticed that no one seems to have obtained a winning bid for such a hotel. Do you happen to know which hotel(s) I could end up in if I obtained a winning bid for a 5* hotel in Westminster?

[thereuare]

The London Marriott County Hall would be at least one possibility.

Let us know how you would like to proceed (5* in this zone, 4* in this zone, 4* in Mayfair-Soho, etc) and we'll advise accordingly. If you decide that Westminster is the next move for you, is Mayfair-Soho also acceptable still? (so we can use both in a strategy to increase the number of bidding opportunities)

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

[bhchan]

I think my preferences would be most suited to a 5* hotel in Mayfair-Soho or a 4* or 5* hotel in Westminster. I will likely be looking to spend anywhere between $100-$150/night, depending on the hotel. Thanks for your help!

[thereuare]

Do you want to try for a 5* hotel in either the Mayfair-Soho or the Westminster zone, up to $150, then if rejected try for a 4* in only the Westminster zone, up to $150?

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

[bhchan]

First attempt at $95 failed. Second attempt at $100 failed. Third attempt at $105 was successful.

Thanks to all of those that posted their winning bids. It was a great help!

[yellowdog]

bhchan

Thank you for sharing your result with the board!

Enjoy your stay.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE and PRICELINE links to start future purchases.

Yellowdog.