Priceline Hotel: 3* Philadelphia (Mt Laurel) Aloft

[lvanhoe]

Hi there,

me and my girlfriend will be staying in philadelphia from 9/17 to 9/19. We were wondering what prices and area's we should try out while bidding on priceline, as we are from the Netherlands and don't really have a clue what would work.

We have a rental car so i guess we don't really need to be in the most expensive area's. Our budget is up 100$ including tax/night but would love to stay a little cheaper as the other cities we visit will be more expensive. I think we want to go for 3* minimum. What would be our best shot at getting max value? I would love for you to suggest a bidding-plan with rebid zones as i've seen in other topics :) What would be our best shot at getting max value?

Thanks upfront, will use the forum-links of course.

Ivo & Linda

[dahammer]

Greetings!

to get maximum value, you will need to select a PRICELINE zone and bid up to your maximum budget excluding taxes and fees using rebid zones. I would recommend the Downtown Philadelphia zone, but with a car, you will have to pay for parking which can add $25 or more to your daily expenses. At the 3* level, there is only one rebid zone available, rather than tell you the name of the zone, can you figure it out yourself? (see Priceline Re-Bidding Explained) This exercise will help you with your other bids.

If you want to save $$, the Airport zone is less expensive, but you will have to drive about 15 minutes or so, and some of these hotels may have a parking fee as well. The benefit of staying downtown is that you can come back to the room to freshen up or nap. HOTWIRE has a 3* hotel in the "Old City-Penns Landing" zone, this is likely the Holiday Inn for $119 plus tax. Its in a great location for walking around the historic areas of Philadelphia.

Good Luck!

[pres001]

Most Philadelphia visitors find a car useless and parking charges are very high in the Center City. If you are visiting historic sites and museums you don't need a car. I won on priceline the 3* Courtyard Marriott for $55. Parking charge is $45 per night, so I won't have a car.

If you drive to Philadelphia maybe you could turn in your rental car and pick up another rental when you leave town.

If you do need a car try bidding in the City Line area for a 3*. That area is close to Center City with either free or low parking charges at hotels.

Remember if you have a car and drive into the historic area you will pay a lot to park for a few hours.

Philadelphia has good buses and trains. You can get a day pass for $ 11.

[lvanhoe]

Using the PRICELINE links on the forum i have just got the Aloft Mount Laurel in Mont Laurel, NJ @ 65$. I have no idea if this is a good price or not but since it's my first time using priceline i consider myself fairly happy. Normal price is 80$ before tax. I got this hotel after just adding the zone so i think it can still be won a little cheaper.

[lvanhoe]

Using the PRICELINE links on the forum i have just got the Aloft Mount Laurel in Mont Laurel, NJ @ 65$. I have no idea if this is a good price or not but since it's my first time using priceline i consider myself fairly happy. Normal price is 80$ before tax. I got this hotel after just adding the zone so i think it can still be won a little cheaper.

It's a 3* hotel btw and they offer comp parking.

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Nice result for your first PRICELINE bid; you'll get to try this newer boutique chain from Starwood hotels.

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

Enjoy your stay.

[dahammer]

You may want to consider travelling into Philadelphia on the PATCO High Speed Line using the Woodcrest Station. It is a short drive from the Mount Laurel area and the round trip fare is $5.40 per person.

[lvanhoe]

You may want to consider travelling into Philadelphia on the PATCO High Speed Line using the Woodcrest Station. It is a short drive from the Mount Laurel area and the round trip fare is $5.40 per person.

Thanks a lot, we will certainly keep this in mind, i have bookmarked the link. It also seems to have parking so that's even better :)