Priceline Hotel: 3* Portland (South Portland-Scarborough) Wyndham

[smartcookie]

Hi,

I'm trying to win a 3* in Portland, ME (Portland West area) for the weekend of 8/20-8/22. Tried bidding $50 and $55 today and both failed. Will try again tomorrow.

Regular rates are $145 for the Holiday Inn Airport, $200 for Eastland Park, $159 for Clarion, $195 Embassy Suites.

[thereuare]

I think rates are a bit higher than usual for these dates which usually means it will likely take a higher then usual bid to be successful. At $55 your bid is currently only about 1/3 of a traditionally booked room... is this your maximum bid at this time?

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your bidding, searches and purchases.

[smartcookie]

I haven't decided what my highest bid for this area is yet. I think I'd like to go up to $75-80. If I can't win at that, maybe I'll try the Portland South area to get a hotel closer to the airport, which seem a bit less expensive..

What would you recommend my highest bid be for Portland West?

[thereuare]

Given the rates above i would gradually be increasing towards the $90 area which would still give a $50+ savings over a conventional booking... but it also depends upon how much you want/need this particular zone vs. say the airport which sounds like an option as well and might be cheaper.

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/or how we can be of further help.

[smartcookie]

Thanks! I tried $60 and $65 today. Still no-go. Will try again tomorrow and report back.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for keeping us updated and for using the site's PRICELINE link. Good luck with your next round of bidding and please let us know if you have any questions.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[smartcookie]

Tried $70 and $75 today. Still nothing.

[smartcookie]

Tried $80 and $85 today. Still nothing. Hoping to win in the $90 range tomorrow!

[smartcookie]

Tried $90 and $95 today. Still nothing.

[smartcookie]

$100 and $105 didn't work either.

[thereuare]

At what point do you start looking at the Airport and/or other nearby zone(s)?

Thanks for using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding.

[smartcookie]

Tried $110 for Portland West yesterday and nothing again. Added South Portland-Scarborough area and changed bid for $75. Still nothing.

Trying a few more combinations today...Our max is $150 per night for the Portland West area, including taxes.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for keeping us updated and for using the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links. Good luck with your next round of bidding, and please do let us know if you have any questions.

[smartcookie]

I just tried $115 for a 3* in Portland-West and was given a counter-offer for $135. So looks like I'm getting close. I declined and rebid $120, but didn't win.

Would appreciate input on what bid under $135 should do the trick :)

[thereuare]

Can't really say what the 'right' number is... sometimes it takes just $1 more and sometimes it takes all the way to the counter-offer. I'd just keep increasing in $5 increments for the next few days.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding.

Good luck.

[smartcookie]

Nothing at $125 and $130. Also, nothing at $85 after adding the South Portland-Scarborough zone.

[smartcookie]

Ok. My friend tried today as well. She went up to $140 in the Portland-West area for a 3* and got nothing. So she added the South Portland-Scarborough zone and got the Wyndham for $95. We're happy with this and glad we got something considering it's already for this Friday!

Also, their current rate is $229, so $95 is a pretty good deal! We'll just have to take a cab for the 8-mile drive to Old Port at night, but will still save money overall.

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Glad you were able to lock in a good deal that works for your plans on what appear to be pretty busy dates.

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

Enjoy your stay.

[smartcookie]

My review:

We were looking for a hotel in Downtown Portland, but prices were very high due to a golf event in town. So we ended up winning the Wyndham on Priceline for $95 and were very happy with our stay.

The service at this hotel is exceptional. It's exactly how it should be everywhere. All employees are very helpful and serve you with a smile. We needed toothpaste and they brought some to our room. The business center printer ran out of paper and they supplied some immediately when we asked.

Parking is free. Wi-Fi is free. There are two computers and a printer for free in the business center. The beds were very comfortable. We got a room with 2 beds as we requested even though we had a Priceline reservation. The TVs are not flat screens yet though.

The only downside is that the hotel is not located in Downtown Portland. It's a $20 cab ride away (8 miles). But they do give you $2 off coupons at the front desk.

I would definitely recommend this hotel if you want clean comfortable accomodations where you don't get nickled and dimed on everything.