Priceline Hotel: 2.5* Colorado Springs (Air Force Academy) Fairfield Inn

[sevensanders]

2.5* Fairfield Inn, Colorado Springs North (Air Force Academy) $35/night 7/25-7/29

I previously posted about my disgust in getting the Howard Johnson as a 2* ... called up a relative that lives in the Springs and asked about it and was confirmed of the less than pleasant conditions of this property (and she assured us that we did NOT want to stay here)...

Looked at regular priceline again and noticed that the Fairfield is now listed as 2.5* instead of 2... bit the bullet and rebid for a 2.5*, Colo Springs North (Air Force) after searching at ALL of the 2.5* properties they list on the regular site to make sure they met our needs, and was awarded the Fairfield Inn.

So.... if you're looking at all the past info to get the Fairfield for $35, you need to bump your request up to a 2.5* because the 2* is going to get you the Howard Johnson (with a whopping $3/day savings over their regular priceline rate!)

While we may be out $163 for booking another hotel... we're happy with the decision that we made.

Used your PRICELINE link again!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Sorry to see you had to purchase a 'replacement' for your previous win, but at least now you have the hotel you originally wanted and should be happy with the accommodations. I would give a shot at calling PRICELINE and let them know about your previous purchase which you intend to forgo, show them your replacement, and see if they will help you out at all (or consider lowering the Howard Johnson to 1*)

If there is a silver lining, between this purchase and your other purchase, you've spend $70 per nite... still cheaper than a hotel direct booking! :)

Thank you for sharing your win and using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay.

[sevensanders]

I did call PRICELINE and of course they are unwilling to accommodate me in any way other than to give me a mailing address to write a letter. They are also unwilling to lower the rating of this Howard Johnson to a 1* hotel, and repeatedly told me how I was saving 78% on the cost of this hotel room (to which I pointed out, no, I was saving a measly $3/night - but they just repeated that I was saving 78%) ... meanwhile I am happy that I have my backup reservation at the Fairfield, and that the $70/night it's actually costing us is less than we can actually book it.

It's a $163 lesson learned, and really, that is a drop in the bucket when you consider the cost of a 7 day vacation with a family of 7! It's just a couple of PB&J picnic meals with the family instead of sit down restaurants while we're enjoying the Rockies!

[travelguy2]

I just want to point out one thing for others who may be reading: while I am glad everything worked out for you in this case, the star ratings in Priceline's regular hotel listings are NOT in any way a guarantee that a hotel will be rated the same way in the opaque (bidding) product. If one relies on those star ratings and then ends up disappointed with the outcome, Priceline will not likely be much help about it.