geekygirl Posted October 2, 2010 Report Posted October 2, 2010 We would like to go to DC from 5/22 - 5/29 so we've got plenty of time. When is the best time to bid (eg when do hotels usually release their rooms?). Please assist with a strategy for 3 1/2 * Dupont Circle (first choice) Bethesda (second choice) or Georgetown/Foggy Bottom (3rd choice).If that doesn't work out for the price we want, what are the hotels we would probably get for 3*?
thereuare Posted October 2, 2010 Report Posted October 2, 2010 Welcome to BetterBidding!As far as when to bid, see the related 'bid early or close to check-in' link in our PRICELINE FAQ.All of the hotels reported to the board in this area would be found in the Priceline Washington DC Hotel List (the Bethesda properties would be found in the Priceline Maryland Hotels list.What is your expected budget for this stay? Are you familiar with this area as Bethesda and Georgetown are not the zones we see bid most frequently in this region.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
geekygirl Posted October 3, 2010 Author Report Posted October 3, 2010 Thanks for the info. We haven't been there in years - just got a bit of info from a friend of a friend - would certainly be interested in moresuggestions as to places to stay. 50's, kids grown, very active but more interested in the historical stuff than the nightlife. These were suggested to us as we like diverse ethnic restaurants and music.As far as budget, we are trying to keep it as low as possible. However I've gotten a couple of real losers as 2* so I want to make sure we get something nice or else (gasp) we will pay full price for a 2* that we pick.Thanks for your assistance.
thereuare Posted October 4, 2010 Report Posted October 4, 2010 If you're trying to do historical stuff in the city i would recommend staying in 'downtown proper'... White House-Downtown, Dupont Circle-Woodley Park, and Convention Center-Capitol Hill are the most frequently bid zones. While Georgetown-Foggy Bottom may work for the right price, i'm not sure of the reasons for staying outside of the city in Bethesda.Please confirm the zones you want to bid and let us know your maximum bid and we'll take it from there.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
geekygirl Posted October 4, 2010 Author Report Posted October 4, 2010 Bethesda/Arlington: Hoping to save a few bucks if we can't get anything in the city and want to be near the metro. I was kind of concerned about Capitol Hill - I thought that part of that area is in a dubious neighborhood, want to be able to go out at night. Clearly Dupont is first choice.We definitely want to go and I'm not going to bid less than 3*, maybe 3 1/2. If I can't get anything for the price then I'll do a 2* or B&B that I pick. I started bidding *very* low, just one step above "you have almost no choice of your bid being accepted". It's early and I figure it can't hurt to try.Rack rate (AAA discount) for a 2* in Arlington or Bethesda starts about $120 so that's the price to beat.
thereuare Posted October 4, 2010 Report Posted October 4, 2010 Bethesda/Arlington: Hoping to save a few bucks if we can't get anything in the city and want to be near the metro.With this zone being about 5 miles long and 2.5 miles wide, how do you intend to ensure a hotel near the metro... or are you ok with taking a car to the metro? (assuming there is a place to park)I was kind of concerned about Capitol Hill - I thought that part of that area is in a dubious neighborhood, want to be able to go out at night. Clearly Dupont is first choice.You should only bid zones that you feel comfortable with, so if you don't think the Capitol Hill zone is appropriate then i wouldn't include it in any bidding strategy... but it is one of the most frequently bid zones. (as is White House-Downtown... are you not comfortable with this zone as well?)Rack rate (AAA discount) for a 2* in Arlington or Bethesda starts about $120 so that's the price to beat.There seem to be multiple rate changes as different hotels during this date range, is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
geekygirl Posted October 4, 2010 Author Report Posted October 4, 2010 Thanks again for your help. We will indeed be driving out there so we will have access to a car, but would prefer not to use it in the city itself.After getting information from you and others, I think I'm going to do the following:Start at the minimum that priceline allows for Dupont Circle: $60 for 3 1/2 stars, and raise it by $5 each day til I get to $80.At that point add Georgetown and WhiteHouse/downtown 3 1/2 * starting at 60, and keep increasing the price of all three by $ per day til I get to 100 for Dupont, 80 for the others.At that point, add Arlington 4* starting at $45 and Bethesda 3 1/2 * starting at 40Move up $5/day on all until I get to 125 for Dupont and stop bidding on Dupont there.Then move up $5/day on everything else til I get to 120 on downtown or Georgetown.Then move up $5/day on Bethesda and Arlington til I reach 100Then think about a 3* bid in the city proper, carefully selected 2* in the city or splitting my bid.Does this sound like a plan?
geekygirl Posted October 4, 2010 Author Report Posted October 4, 2010 In answer to your other question, I double checked the Capitol Hill hotel list and the hotels don't really appeal to me.
thereuare Posted October 5, 2010 Report Posted October 5, 2010 Breaking this down in bits...After getting information from you and others, I think I'm going to do the following:Start at the minimum that priceline allows for Dupont Circle: $60 for 3 1/2 stars, and raise it by $5 each day til I get to $80.At that point add Georgetown and WhiteHouse/downtown 3 1/2 * starting at 60, and keep increasing the price of all three by $ per day til I get to 100 for Dupont, 80 for the others.I don't think you'll be successful for the above, but if you want to give this a try, you don't need to bid day-by-day if you use your re-bid zones.At the 3.5* level in DC you have THREE 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* Dupont Circle...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Georgetown and White House...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Dupont Circle and Georgetown and White House...Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $100If/when the above fails you can then wait it out and continue to try this for a few weeks/months OR move on to the next state of your gamplan for which we'll revise the strategy accordingly.If you're new to re-bidding it's strong recommended you confirm your re-bid zones with the board before bidding. If you read the Priceline Re-Bidding Explained thread and are confused just post back and we'll break it down further for you.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and let us know how it goes (or ask any questions you have) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
geekygirl Posted October 7, 2010 Author Report Posted October 7, 2010 Hotwire had a 4* in Alexandria for $109 which I was quite sure was the Morrison House. It's a little further out than I had hoped but knew I wouldn't do better than that on the price.I booked it and it is indeed the Morrison House. I'm thrilled and thank you for your help.
geekygirl Posted October 7, 2010 Author Report Posted October 7, 2010 Hotwire had a 4* in Alexandria for $109 which I was quite sure was the Morrison House. It's a little further out than I had hoped but knew I wouldn't do better than that on the price.I booked it and it is indeed the Morrison House. I'm thrilled and thank you for your help.
geekygirl Posted October 7, 2010 Author Report Posted October 7, 2010 Morrison House. I'm thrilled. Thanks for your help.
AaronJB Posted October 7, 2010 Report Posted October 7, 2010 Congrats on your success. :)Superb rate for this property and glad you are excited about the result.Can you confirm the amenities that were showing with this HOTWIRE listing? Thank you.Thank you for sharing your win and using the site's HOTWIRE link.Enjoy your stay.
geekygirl Posted October 7, 2010 Author Report Posted October 7, 2010 It was the same as you said, BoutiqueRestaurantBusinessWirelessIt was pretty clear on the HOTWIRE site which one it was, and I knew I wouldn't do any better if I waited.
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