Priceline Hotel: Searching for 2 rooms 9/28 - 10/3

[hanzoh]

Hello,

I've been an avid reader of your forums for over a month now and read a lot of posts in this sub-forum, which have been quite helpful.

I need 2 rooms in San Francisco for 5 nights from 9/28 to 10/3 in a 4* hotel (or 3.5* if 4* isn't possible). The areas I'd like to stay in are FW, USE or FD. I read a lot about the USW vs. USE discussion and I came to the conclusion that I don't want to stay in USW to avoid the masses of homeless people.

When I checked Priceline 2 days ago (via your support links of course), FW only had 3.5* hotels, so I tried to bid with the following strategy: First, I bid $70 on USE and then increased the bid by $4 with the 5 rebid areas (CC, Marina, SFO North, South SF and FW) up to $90. Then I started again and added FD for $90 and rebid 5 times up to $110, all with no luck.

Today, I bid on 3.5* in FW with the rebid zones CC, Marina, SFO North and South SF and bids from $70 to $110, again with no luck.

My questions are:

- Will the prices go down or do I have to increase my limit (I'd like to stay under $1300 total which is reached with $110/room/night)?

- Is FW always devoid of 4* hotels on Priceline?

- Is it too early to bid?

Thanks in advance!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Glad to hear the board has been helpful in your research thus far :)

Then I started again and added FD for $90 and rebid 5 times up to $110, all with no luck.

When you bid again from $90 to $110 was this at the 3.5* or 4* level?

Will the prices go down or do I have to increase my limit (I'd like to stay under $1300 total which is reached with $110/room/night)?

Nobody can say if prices will go down... or up... from current levels. It's all based upon supply vs. demand (ie- how many rooms they expect to have booked at this point in time vs. how many reservations they have in hand... and prices adjust accordingly)

Is FW always devoid of 4* hotels on Priceline?

There has not been 4* bidding in this zone for quite some time (not sure if 4* bidding was ever offered in this zone) but this is subject to change at any time. This is why it is imperative that you check your re-bid zones just before beginning any bidding cycle. If you're not familiar with re-bidding (although it appears you are but will include it for anyone else following along :) ) see this thread: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained which explains how to determine your re-bid zones. If you read the previous thread and are unsure just post back and we'll break it down further for you.

Is it too early to bid?

Hopefully answered above in the "bid early or close to check-in" in our PRICELINE FAQ, but i will add that you're doing the right thing by choosing a limit and trying. If you continue to get turned down, is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option you're willing to consider?

I'll add that just over your current limit is what i believe to be the Hotel Adagio for $129/nite... it's in the USW zone, but the reviews i've read all mention 'great location' so i'm asusming that it's not near the tenderloin (which is the part of USW which is usually mentioned as the part to avoid if the zone is an issue... but somebody more local i am can cofirm if this eventually ends up being an option for you)

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your bidding :o

[Gallus50]

Adagio is a block or two away from what I would consider the Tenderloin - just far enough away that you can avoid it if you like. Some people don't think Geary is pretty, and it's not, but it's ok. Adagio is a beautiful building with gorgeous architecture. If it gets good reviews, I'd consider it.

[hanzoh]

When you bid again from $90 to $110 was this at the 3.5* or 4* level?

I left it at 4* during all 12 bids.

Thanks for your tips, maybe I will include USW, too. When you said "what I believe is the Adagio", do you assume that it is the 3.5* for $129 on HOTWIRE?

[thereuare]

Gallus50,,

Thanks for the local info on the Adagio.

hanzoh,

What i believe is the Adagio is the 3.5* HOTWIRE offering with Boutique, Fitness, Smoke Free, Hi-Speed Internet, Business icons and when click "continue" shows a Tripadvisor rating of 4.0/5.0

Keep in mind that if you decide to add USW to your bidding you may receive a hotel other than the Adagio, which be in or closer to the Tenderloin (which is why HOTWIRE has a little less risk if you're trying to target/avoid a certain section of the zone)

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

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

[hanzoh]

Hm, I guess I will leave USW out of my bidding routine, I don't want to take the risk of landing in a tenderloin area.

I just did another run, starting with $100 on 3.5* FW, moving up to $120 with all rebid areas, all with no luck.

[thereuare]

Did you bid only FW or did you include USE in the 3.5* bidding?

[hanzoh]

Did you bid only FW or did you include USE in the 3.5* bidding?

Only FW.

I will try bidding on USE and FD today with 4* again.

[thereuare]

Note that there are currently no 4* hotels offered in the FW zone. If you need help with a bidding strategy let us know your preferences (zones, star rating, maximum bid) for your next round of bidding and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[Colfax]

I just did another run, starting with $100 on 3.5* FW, moving up to $120 with all rebid areas, all with no luck.

Is 3* in Fisherman's Wharf an option? Tuscan Inn and Holiday Inn both get pretty good reviews and have 4/5 TripAdvisor ratings.

[hanzoh]

Hey guys,

I just did a new bidding round with the following strategy:

9/28 - 10/3 for all bids.

I chose 3.5* for all bids.

I started with FW for $108 and raised the bid by $3 with the 4 rebidding zones.

Then I restarted with FW and FD, again with 3.5* although Priceline then includes 4* as well (as FD has these available). I began with $123 and went up to $135 with all rebidding zones.

Finally, I chose FW, FD and USE starting with $138 up to $150.

All bids were denied.

I'm beginning to lose faith in PRICELINE. :)

[thereuare]

Rates are not that high for these dates so it may just be a case of it being early...

HOTWIRE has a non-opaque Hilton Union Square for $156/nite (NOTE: make sure you book the refundable one) or you could book the Sheraton Wharf for $186/nite thru Expedia (confirm cancellation policy as i didn't read thru it all)

I would book one of the above, or something else which interests you and is reasonably priced, and continue to try PRICELINE once a week.

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

Good luck and keep us updated as to your progress or let us know if we can be of further help.

[hanzoh]

Hey guys,

I found a good offer on adac.de (the German version of the AAA) and booked the 4* InterContinental Mark Hopkins in Nob Hill for

[yellowdog]

hanzoh

Thanks for the follow-up and closing this thread.

Good to see that you found something that will work for you.

Welcome back!

Yellowdog.