af123 Posted February 16, 2011 Report Posted February 16, 2011 I am trying to book a 4* hotel in Amsterdam 6/30/11-7/4/11. I have been trying for several days and my $115 bid got rejected. I want the City Center-Museum Quarter area so only one re-bid zone. Any suggestions??
thereuare Posted February 17, 2011 Report Posted February 17, 2011 Welcome to BetterBidding!Rates are high for these dates.. what is the best deal you're able to find thru conventional booking channels and what is your maximum bid? I did see the Die Port van Cleve Hotel for $145/nite but the reviews are not that favorable.Please use the requested PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your future bidding, searches and purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
af123 Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Posted February 17, 2011 I found the Best Western Dam Square for $155/night. So I suppose that would be my maximum bid. Do you think it's too early to bid for June dates? Do you think it's a big risk to bid on a 3*? I'm worried I would get a dump if I did that.
thereuare Posted February 17, 2011 Report Posted February 17, 2011 I found the Best Western Dam Square for $155/night. So I suppose that would be my maximum bid.Please note from our support page that we're an affiliate of the Best Western please use the links there if you choose to book direct. Is this rate refundable? If so, i'd book it to protect yourself from rates rising while you continue to hope they go lower, as noted above, rates are high for these dates.Do you think it's too early to bid for June dates?It's never too early to start bidding... as long as you don't overbid. :) See the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.Do you think it's a big risk to bid on a 3*? I'm worried I would get a dump if I did that.If you're concerned about it then an opaque purchase at the 3* level is probably not for you. In Europe i tend to recommend sticking with the higher rated hotels, as the rating system over there is a bit more 'generous' then in the US... you can often deduct a half or whole star rating from a european hotel to get the US equivalent. While i would hope a 3* hotel a "dump", it might also not be what you're expecting. :)While it isn't too early to start bidding, it probably is too early to be lowering your star rating.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. (or our Best Western if you go that route)Do you want to bid as high as $155 at this time? Is the Best Western rate refundable? (if not, what is the fully refundable rate) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
af123 Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Posted February 17, 2011 I believe the rate at the Best Western is refundable. Thanks for the tip. :) I wasn't planning on spending as much as $155 for a hotel in Amsterdam but if I don't have another choice then that is ok. Something leads me to believe that there is an event the weekend I am trying to book. A lot of hotels have no availability(even through my corporate travel website), however, I haven't been able to find what it is. If that is the case then IMO I should try to get a hotel now as prices will only go up. The NH Amsterdam Centre has no availability on their website, and that is a hotel that many people have gotten on this forum. What are your thoughts about this?
thereuare Posted February 17, 2011 Report Posted February 17, 2011 A lot can happen between now and June... hotels can sell-out and get further booked, OR attendance at the conference (or whatever event may be taking place) may be lower then expected and hotels will have more empty rooms to fill then anticipated.That's why you book a refundable rate at the Best Western now as a back-up... should rates rise you're protected by this back-up reservation... if they drop you can probably get something cheaper/better by bidding on PRICELINE; having the back-up reservation gives you the flexibility to wait it out.Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board, as well as our support page Best Western link. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
BacSi Posted February 17, 2011 Report Posted February 17, 2011 The problem with bidding on a 3 star is that there is zilch data to go on. PL emails show un-named 3* being won----but not a clue as to what hotel(s) it might be.That said I got a great 3 star at a decent price (it was the Tulip Inn next to NH Amsterdam Centre) but that must be 7 years ago now. At a reasonable bid price if it were me----I'd give it a shot at the 3* level. I would be thinking I was not taking much of a risk---even without any past history to go on.Its not the fact that you are bidding early. Weekends in AMS this year as opposed to 2009 and 2010 is like night and day. Weekends are really busy now or at least-----very expensive.
BacSi Posted February 17, 2011 Report Posted February 17, 2011 "Best Western Dam Square for $155/night"A double room I would hope?The recent reviews on this hotel over at TripAdvisor are pretty good. I could not place the hotel----it was until recently a Tulip Inn.I just a while ago saw single beds in 1* big dorm rooms going for $50 and over $60 in July. Expensive is a relative term this summer in Amsterdam.$155 does not sound all that bad. I "think" that $155 may include breakfast? If it does that just might be a really good deal you got there. Even without its not terrible.EDITED: I re-read your posts. If there is an event that weekend---if it is not just a normal expensive weekend---if the NH Amsterdam Centre is sold out already----other hotels sold out----prices are not going to come down---that $155 at the BW is looking better and better---as is taking a flier on a 3* bid.Hotwire opaque has virtually nothing for your dates
af123 Posted February 18, 2011 Author Report Posted February 18, 2011 The $155 is for a double room and does in fact include breakfast. The location of the hotel is right around Dam square, which I think is pretty good. So I suppose the $155 isn't a bad deal. I will bid on 4* and 5* on PL up to $155 to see whether I can get anything. I will post the results here.
BacSi Posted February 18, 2011 Report Posted February 18, 2011 123, you most likely already know this. But the only 4 star that has shown up in months----other than the Renissance one time and that was at a very high pricepoint---has been the NH Amsterdam Centre (which you say is fully booked for your dates).Not one of the other NH or the Movenpick has been reported as a winner in far to long.And remember, if you are concerned about budget, that free breakfast for two has got to be worth at least $25-$35 a day.Enjoy the Best Western
af123 Posted February 19, 2011 Author Report Posted February 19, 2011 I continued bidding and was able to get the Park Plaza Victoria for $140/night. Overall I am happy with this as the recent reviews on TripAdvisor seem pretty good. This hotel was on PL retail site for $192/night. Although the rate doesn't include breakfast, I will take that as an opportunity for us to explore the cafes in Amsterdam :-). Thanks to everyone for their help and insights!
thereuare Posted February 19, 2011 Report Posted February 19, 2011 Congratulations on your success!Given the tight demand, glad to see you got a decent deal on this stay and are pleased with the outcome.Thank you for sharing your win and using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding.Have a great strip! Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
BacSi Posted February 20, 2011 Report Posted February 20, 2011 Well done.For such an expensive weekend you did quite well.This shows that during expensive weekends having to bid a lot higher than normal can bring unexpected results.I have not seen this hotel show up as a win----in like forever.
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