Priceline Hotel: London, UK -- Tips for bidding when travelling with kids

[Dude!]

Hi,

We are travelling with 2 young children and would be stopping over in London, UK for 2 days (18-20 July, 2010). I would like to know what would be the additional costs that the hotels charge over the PRICELINE quote. Is it advisable to bid through PRICELINE when the group has children? PRICELINE doesn't give the option for children in its booking menu as well.

Any experiences!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Most "standard" rooms in Europe are not designed to accommodate more than double occupancy and it would be risky to use PRICELINE when you need a room to accommodate four.

HOTWIRE does allow you to search for up to quad occupancy and that would be a better service to use for this stay, imo. If you go to HOTWIRE and search for 2adults/2children does anything appear within your desired star level, zone and budget?

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

[WillTravel]

The other option is to bid for 2 rooms on Priceline. From the ages of your children, it sounds like you`d probably need to split up the parents to do this, though.

[trenhoel]

I always check the winning-list with its zones first. You often find zones with US chain hotels only (Marriott, Hilton...), these hotels usually allow four persons in one room. Hence the risk gets lower, finally a smile at reception and some tipping/surcharge if necessary... We've always been lucky so far.

[Dude!]

Thanks guys!

HOTWIRE does show 2 hotels in my area of preference and one in my budget range, but thats only a 3.5 star. I am not comfortable with a 3.5 star european hotels as they seem to more of a budget hotels. If none of those work, I might have to book one at Heathrow and travel into the city those 2 days.

[yellowdog]

Dude!

I wouldn't rule out all 3.5* in London. In what area have you looked? There is some very nice Holiday Inn hotel rated 3.5*.

What are the amenities and zone of the 3.5* property?

Let us know how we can help you further.

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

Yellowdog.

[Dude!]

I went upto $100 per room for 2 rooms for 4* and above in Marble Arch, Soho, Westminister and could not get a 4* and above. I am thinking abt booking one room at Novotel London West directly for $175. Don't want to test my luck on PRICELINE with one room and any additional fees for children in parents room.

[thereuare]

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

Thanks.