Priceline Hotel: 2.5* Baltimore (Downtown-Inner Harbor) Mount Vernon Hotel

[sgaz]

I am planning to visit Baltimore 10/12 - 10/14 and would appreciate any advice. I plan to plan to visit American Visionary Art Museum (near Inner Harbor). I would like to keep my hotel budget to around $75.

I have seen only a few reports to the board for Inner Harbor lately, with the 4* hotels around $95. I don't mind 3 star hotels, but the Radisson Lord Baltimore keeps coming up and the reviews of this hotel leave me a little concerned. I don't think I want to take the chance of getting it.

I have also considered just bidding for something near the airport. I think the rates may be a little cheaper. I do not plan to rent a car so I would use train/bus to get back and forth to Inner Harbor. Plus I am not so familiar with the area around the airport (hotels). I welcome your suggestions and (Yes) I will use the links for my purchase (and searches).

[thereuare]

You can try, but based upon current prices i'm doubtful that $75 will be enough for a 4* hotel in the Inner Harbor zone. You could also try bidding for a 3.5* and 'safely' avoid the Radisson which is currently rated 3* by PRICELINE.

I'm not that familiar with the transportation options in Baltimore, but one 'problem' with staying at an airport hotel is that unless there is a train, lightrail or bus stop near the hotel, you have to take the hotel shuttle to the airport and then mass transit from the airport to your destination. As the hotel shuttle and mass transit usually run on their own schedules (ie- not on demand) taking two modes of transportation and waiting time for each can often add a fair amount of time to an otherwise short trip. Not always an issue, but something to keep in mind if time is a factor and/or you need to make the journey more than once a day.

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

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

[dahammer]

there is a light rail station near the airport that will take you to the Camden Yards baseball stadium. Many, but not all, hotels offer a shuttle to the station so this may be risky when dealing with an opaque provider such as PRICELINE. You may want to see if you can stretch your budget a bit, or use HOTWIRE in an attempt to identify your hotel through amenities and check to see if the hotel has a shuttle to the Light Rail.

[sgaz]

Ok. I will start with bidding on the 3.5 stars at the Inner Harbor Zone. I will consider going up on the budget a bit. Since, I would spend more time (and money) getting back and forth between an airport hotel and the harbor (as you both pointed out). Also, I have been checking Hotwire and to be honest I don't see a huge difference between the cost of the airport hotels and the harbor hotels -- at least for my dates.

[thereuare]

At the 3.5* level in Baltimore you have SEVEN re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 3.5* Inner Harbor-Downtown...

Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $63, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $68, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $73, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $75

Any questions feel free to ask.

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

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[sgaz]

Still haven't bid...

I have been checking Hotwire. Would you please help i.d. either one of the following:

Baltimore (Downtown and Inner Harbor Area)

3* $68 Amenities: Smoke Free Rooms, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High Speed Internet Access

85% rating

or

2.5* $57 Amenities: Restaurant(s), Business Center 85% rating

(sorry I wasn't sure whether to include this question in this topic or whether to move it to the hotwire forum)

[thereuare]

The 3* matches previous reports for the Sheraton City Center while the 2.5* matches the Mount Vernon Hotel, so that would be my best guess for each.

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

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[sgaz]

Thanks for your help. It was the Mt. Vernon Hotel.

The rate with tax was $71.01 per night. Very pleased with the price and my stay. Great location!! Clean and very spacious room in an older (historic) hotel. Very very pleasant staff.

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Very nice deal, and glad to hear you enjoyed your stay.

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