Priceline Hotel: Puerto Rico advice needed

[Smokeyone]

I have never been to Puerto Rico before so I would appreciate some advice on which areas to stay.

Hoping for a 4* hotel pre & post cruise next March. March 17 three nights & March 27 three nights -

would it be worth trying to get two different areas. Oh and my flight lands at lunchtime & departs

late afternoon so it could be useful thinking of hotel check out times to stay in an area away from

San Juan for the last three nights.

Thanks

[thereuare]

Please use separate threads for each leg of your stay... we'll use this thread for your pre-cruise stay 3/17-3/20, feel free to start a NEW TOPIC for your post-cruise stay.

On both the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE the 'main' zone is "San Juan" which covers a wide geographic area and many different neighborhoods, this is the zone where most users stay. Note that this area covers both beachfront and city locations, and with PRICELINE there is no way to differentiate between the two... if you're looking for one vs. the other HOTWIRE would be a better option as you can tell beforehand whether the hotel is located on the beach or not based upon the Beachfront/Beach Access icons.

What are your needs for this pre-cruise leg of your stay? Are you ready to purchase a non-refundable reservation at this time? What is your desired budget and star rating?

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

[Smokeyone]

Thanks again for the advice - what's my budget likely to be for a 4 star.....credit card is going to

take a whack...

[thereuare]

Rates are currently somewhat high... i think at the moment you might be looking at $160+ for a 4* or Resort rated prperty (although of course we'd suggest starting lower)

What is your maximum bid for this leg of your stay?

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

[Smokeyone]

Suppose I will have to live with these figures but it's at the top of the budget, good job the cruise was on offer.

[thereuare]

How early do you prefer to have your plans in place? Give your stay is nearly 5 months away, i wouldn't necessarily bid too high for this one at the moment, and hope that rates come down between now and your stay. Although i think it's likely too low, perhaps lowball using an upper bidding limit of $120-$140 or so, then increase your bid if still unsuccessful a month or so before your stay. If you choose to lowball until your stay gets closer i'd book a fullyl cancellable back-up reservation to protect yourself from rates moving higher instead of lower.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[Smokeyone]

Thanks again for the help. Even at the upper bidding limit the price is way below

what you could expect to pay for a good hotel.

[thereuare]

So what do you want to use as a your current bidding limit?

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

[Romelle]

I checked the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins (center of page just above) for your dates. Only one day found for PRICELINE, and none for HOTWIRE at this point in time. The PRICELINE one was a March 17 Resort at $111. Following through to the actual thread, the bidder asked to extend to March 16 and Priceline said that rate would be $165. Rates are of course VERY date specific, but still it is a clue as to what you might have to bid.

Romelle

[Smokeyone]

I reached $129 without success - could leave it a week or two and try again.

What would be the best idea...book a fully cancellable reservation and just

keep trying every other week or so ....

[thereuare]

Yes, book a cancellable back-up just to protect yourself from rates rising and try once a week or so at this point.

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

Keep us updated and let us know if we can be of further help along the way.

[Smokeyone]

Probably optoistic but have been trying 4 star.

What do other people usually bid for -

4 star or is it 3.5 star...

As a test $80 did not win a 3.5 star .....

Yes, book a cancellable back-up just to protect yourself from rates rising and try once a week or so at this point.

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

Keep us updated and let us know if we can be of further help along the way.