Priceline Hotel: 3* San Diego (Downtown-Harbor Island) Holiday Inn on the Bay

[bdsisme]

Hi all,

I'm looking to stay one night (7/30/10) near the SeaWorld area. Obviously, the closer to the waterfront or downtown area is better, and the more stars the better. However, as a graduate student, money is tight, and I'd like to stay under a $90 budget (and even less if the trade-off is beneficial - if you told me I could have 3* for $90 or 2* for $40, I'd take the 2*). Does anyone have a Priceline bidding strategy in mind for me?

Thanks!

bdsisme

[bdsisme]

Oops, I realized that this is posted in the Hotwire Forum, instead of the Priceline forum. Can one of the mods please transfer it?

[thereuare]

Which zones, by PRICELINE name, are you willing to accept?

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

[bdsisme]

I'm willing to accept Coastal, Downtown/Harbor Island, and Mission Valley.

[thereuare]

Please give this 24 hours to see if one of the users local to this area replies as they will know where the bigger price drops between star levels and zones come into play... if nobody replies after 24 hours then bump this thread (just add a reply of 'bump' which will put this thread back in the queue to be reviewed.

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

[Colfax]

I'm looking to stay one night (7/30/10) near the SeaWorld area.

I'm willing to accept Coastal, Downtown/Harbor Island, and Mission Valley.

Is Point Loma-Shelter Island-Old Town zone also acceptable? That's very near Sea World (closer than Downtown zone would be) and it has a concentration of inexpensvie 2* hotels.

I think you might get a 2* in $25-35 range in either Mission Valley or PL-SI-OT. Downtown and Coastal typically cost more. It would be something very basic like a Days Inn, Travelodge, or HoJos.

Let us know about acceptable zones and someone will offer a strategy.

[bdsisme]

Thanks for the response Colfax. I'd like to stick with the zones of Coastal, Downtown/Harbor Island, and Mission Valley -- I know there are a lot of stuff to do around there (restaurants, entertainment, proximity to the Bay, etc).

[Colfax]

If you win something I expect it will be in Mission Valley zone but let's see. There are no rebid zones for 2*.

Select Mission Valley and bid $22 for 2*

Add Coastal and bid $23

If rejected close browser, reaccess PRICELINE and start a new bid.

Select Mission Valley and DT/HI and bid $24

Add Coastal and bid $25

If rejected wait 24 hours and repeat, starting at $26 instead of $22 and bidding up to $30.

Please start each bid series with this PRICELINE link. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[bdsisme]

Thanks for the advice, Colfax. Unfortunately, your advice will go unused (by me) but will be helpful for future purchases. I got antsy earlier today and started bidding after scouting out previous deals. I'm very happy with my booking -- Holiday Inn on the Bay (Downtown/Harbor Island) for $75 -- and will detail my bidding purchase:

$70 4* Coastal - reject

$65 4* Coastal + Downtown/Harbor Island - reject

$73 4* Coastal + Downtown/HI + Mission Valley - reject

$60 3.5* Coastal +Downtown/HI + Mission Valley - reject

$67 3.5* Coastal +Downtown/HI + Mission Valley + Coronado - reject

$71 3.5* Coastal +Downtown/HI + Mission Valley + Coronado + Pt Loma - reject

$55 3* Coastal +Downtown/HI + Mission Valley + Coronado + Pt Loma - reject

--close browser--

$70 3* Coastal + Downtown/HI - reject

$75 3* Coastal + Downtown/HI + Mission Valley - accept

I'm happy with the Holiday Inn on the Bay -- normally $149 online/PRICELINE, and I'm pretty sure it's the opaque HOTWIRE hotel listed for $95 (at the time that I bid). Now just to figure out how to park to get around the $22 parking fee.

[Colfax]

Well some other cheapskate can use the 2* strategy.

I don't think you're going to find any free street parking in that area. The cruise ship terminal is across the street and parking demand is high. There are cheaper long term lots nearby, pay by the day, usually with no in and out priveleges.

Enjoy.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you're happy with the results and the deal you received... hope this property works well for your plans.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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

Enjoy your stay.