Priceline Hotel: San Diego Gaslamp Hotel 8/11-8/15 4* pref

[zzzippi]

Hi,

I'm new to this site and the whole bidding process. I've read a couple posts, but haven't really found what I'm looking for.

My 2 girlfriends and I are heading to San Diego from Aug 11 - Aug 15th. We prefer to stay close to Gaslamp since we figure this is where we'll be spending most of our nights. What would you advise as the most efficient way to win the bid on a desirable hotel in that area? We would like a fitness center and outdoor pool area, if possible.

Thanks in advance for any advice :)

Angela

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

First, PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, which means you could receive a room with only one bed, and the hotel may be unable, or unwilling, to change your reservation to one with two beds. Is this a risk you're willing to accept?

The other 'issue' with PRICELINE based upon your needs above is that the PRICELINE zone not only includes the Gaslamp Quarter but also Harbor Island... you could receive a hotel such as the Sheraton Marina which isn't exactly consistent with the Gaslamp Quarter. As well, with PRICELINE there is no way to know the amenities (such as pool or fitness center) before your purchase.

HOTWIRE seems like a better option for this stay as they have a "Gaslamp Quarter" zone which is separate from Downtown-Harbor Island, so you'll be able to target the Gaslamp Quarter specifically (as defined by HOTWIRE's zone boundaries). As well, HOTWIRE allows you to search for up to quad occupancy and will also show you the amenities offered by hotel before your purchase.. you'll therefore know beforehand if the hotel has a Pool, and you can use the amenities to take a guess as to the hotel (therefore taking a guess if the pool is indoor or outdoor)

The trade-off is that HOTWIRE usually costs a little more than PRICELINE.

Let us now how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[zzzippi]

Thank you for helping!

I'll definitely take your advice. We want to make sure the hotel has a pool, 2 beds, and also is in gaslamp district. We also have taken one day off our trip so our new travel dates are 8/12-8/15. We'll arrive on Thursday instead of Weds.

Thanks again - you're making this so much less confusing :)

[Colfax]

What's your general budget, zzzippi?

HOTWIRE has some two-bed options near Gaslamp, but not cheap:

5* $229

4* $192

2.5* $139

If you want any of these hotels ID'ed please do you own HOTWIRE search (on 3 adults/0 children) and post the icons you see for the hotels you're interested in.

[zzzippi]

Whoa - ok, so I'm thinking I need to rethink this :)

I had seen others pay around $100/nite. Maybe I need to go with Priceline. Now there are 4 girls, so I'll definitely need 2 beds, but we don't mind if it's in the Harbor or Gaslamp - we'll take our chances since it's not really that much of a walk if we end up closer to the Harbor - plus, split between 4 the cab wouldn't be expensive, either.

Sorry to change it up, but I really appreciate all of your help :)

[yellowdog]

zzzippi

Maybe I need to go with Priceline. Now there are 4 girls, so I'll definitely need 2 beds

PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, which means you could receive a room with only one bed, and the hotel may be unable, or unwilling, to change your reservation to one with two beds. Is this a risk you're willing to accept?

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

Yellowdog.

[thereuare]

I had seen others pay around $100/nite.

Rates are date specific, so the wins that others have received may or may not be available for your own dates.

Maybe I need to go with Priceline. Now there are 4 girls, so I'll definitely need 2 beds...

You can't guarantee two beds with PRICELINE... all that is guaranteed is double occupancy, which could mean one bed. (if your budget is flexible perhaps 2 rooms via PRICELINE ??)

...but we don't mind if it's in the Harbor or Gaslamp - we'll take our chances since it's not really that much of a walk if we end up closer to the Harbor - plus, split between 4 the cab wouldn't be expensive, either.

A taxi is certainly cheaper when split 4 ways, but the Sheraton is close to the Airport, and i don't believe walkable to the Gaslamp Quarter... see the location on the map HERE

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

[zzzippi]

OK - So do you think I may be better off just going through Hotels.com or something. This seems a little more complicated than I originally anticipated. Thanks, thereuare, the Sheraton is definitely much further than we would like. I think we're probably willing to take our chances with the double-occupancy only guarantee. We just were trying to get a smokin deal, but maybe better off trying for that if we're a little more flexible with location? :)

[thereuare]

If you're willing to take the double/quad occupancy risk then you can search HOTWIRE for double occupancy and there are 4* hotels either in the Downtwn zone for $169/nite (the one i'm currently seeing i don't believe is the Sheraton Marina) or the Gaslamp Quarter zone for $189/nite.

I haven't checked, but my guess is that if you search Hotels.com (please use this link) you'll find that the rates above are actually pretty good and that "non-opaque" rates are even higher than this.

What is the best rate you're able to find at an acceptable hotel thru conventional booking channels?

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