Priceline Hotel: Aruba 6/26 to 7/3 ID hotel + strategy

[whiskeymike]

Hi all, I'd like to ask for help to ID a hotel in Aruba (on HOTWIRE), and also if anyone has tips or strategy for bidding on PRICELINE in light of what I have learned.

We're headed to Aruba from 6/26 to 7/3. We're torn between staying at the Renaissance in Oranjestad and going to Palm Beach, so my thought is to spend 1/2 the time at the Renaissance and 1/2 at one of the Palm Beach resorts.

After reading these boards and checking HOTWIRE, I'm pretty sure that the Renaissance is going for $108/nt during that time period (I'm fairly confident it's the Renaissance because the icon says "walk to beach" instead of "on beach," and because this search only comes up if I search for 2 adults with no children.

Additionally, one of the resorts that I'm pretty sure must be on Palm Beach comes in at $139/nt (in this case the amenities includes Beachfront, and it comes up when I search for 2 adults plus 1 child. Not that we have a child.) I *think* it's probably the Westin... but maybe I'm wrong.

Amenities include:

Resort

Beachfront

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

Laundry Facilities

High-speed Internet Access

Golf Nearby

Tennis Nearby

Spa Services

Like I say, I'm thinking of splitting the trip. Would it be worth my while to bid in the $90 range on PRICELINE for a few days, and see what I get (I'm guessing it would be the Renaissance). Then my thought is that if I want to make sure I don't get the Renaissance again for the remaining days, I'd go through HOTWIRE for the additional reservation. Looking at TripAdvisor and the like, I bet that we'll have a great time at either of these hotels.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Please read your messages and click this HOTWIRE link... then reply to this thread and we'll comment on your post above.

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

[whiskeymike]

OK, happy to do so. I didn't realize there was a benefit to searching via the HOTWIRE and PRICELINE links, but I'll do so.

I'm looking forward to hearing your advice.

Mike

[yellowdog]

whiskeymike

Can you please post your dates for when you searched for this hotel. I guess 6/26 to 7/3 is your complete stay?

Yellowdog.

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

[thereuare]

What is the rationale for thinking you'll get the Renaissance on your PRICELINE bid for the first leg of your stay?

For which dates does the HOTWIRE property above appear?

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

[whiskeymike]

Hi all,

Answering two questions:

1. The dates are for 6/26 to 7/3.

2. I'm new to this, so maybe my assumption is unfounded. However it seems there are not that many hotels in Aruba, and I sort of presumed that if a hotel has a deal via Hotwire to offer a room at $108 a night for a certain date when others are coming in at $139, then it's probably going to be the lowest-priced of it's category on Priceline as well. Do you think that's not necessarily true?

Just to reiterate and spread the word, I'm using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links. Thanks!

[whiskeymike]

One other general point... I'm kind of surprised that I haven't seen any change in the prices quoted via Hotwire in the couple of weeks since I've been looking. I thought as time went by I'd see some change... nothing at all yet. It's always $139 with 1 kid, or $108 for just two adults, and definitely coming up with two different hotels (based on different amenities).

[thereuare]

It's not necessarily the case that when you bid on PRICELINE you'll receive the hotel that is being offered on HOTWIRE; nor is it the case that you'll receive the hotel with the lowest retail rate in the zone. (not that you suggested this, but another common thought)

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your searches and purchases.

[aejunk12]

sounds like a good strategy. PRICELINE starting at 90 -100 seem to be the range.

btw, i agree it's probably Renaissance at HOTWIRE.