Priceline Hotel: 4* New Orleans (French Quarter) Marriott

[BEZ]

Actual dates in NO are May 19-22. Found out after I bought the plane tickets that there are 3 conventions that weekend, with potentially over 40,000 attendees :)

First tried to make a direct reservation for the Thurs- Sun, and there were literally no cancelable rooms at any 3* or above in Downtown or FQ zones. Hotwire was showing downtown for $188/nt, and Priceline rejected everything up to $175. I realized it was the Saturday night screwing things up.

I'll keep checking back to see if we can get *anything* for the Saturday night in downtown/FQ once the convention blocks are released in late April/early May. With so many convention goers that weekend, I didn't want to get blocked out completely for the weekend, so thought I'd hedge bets by buying Thu/Fri now. We don't mind switching hotels mid stay. Meanwhile, we have a very cheap cancelable reservation at a Garden District hostel for the Saturday. Worst comes to worst we'll stay out drinking til dawn and just use it to store bags and pass out. :o

After getting the Marriott I also realized I probably could have gotten what I think is the Sheraton across the street for $75/nt on Hotwire, but if I had done that I would have been kicking myself for not trying for the French Quarter proper. :)

It's all good. I'm very happy with the location and rate, considering the 3 *s are showing $170 and above booking directly with the hotels for these dates.

Thanks to everyone who posts here, it was great info before I started bidding. (And yes, I used the priceline and HOTWIRE links from the board!)

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Excellent deal for a busy time period! Please let us know what you decide and if you need help for the Saturday night portion.

Thank you for sharing your win and using the site's PRICELINE link.

Enjoy your stay.

[BEZ]

So the original priceline reservation was for May19-21, since we couldn't find availability for Saturday night.

No availability on Hotwire, or on PL up to $140/nt right until we left Thurs morning. No laptop, so checked in at internet cafes until Friday night at midnight, nothing on Hotwire under $250!

Saturday morning, just before checking out, I decided to try once more at the business center in the lobby, and lo and behold, was able to get another two nights at the Marriott via Priceline for $100. We didn't have to check out then back in- just went to the front desk and they re-keyed some cards, and we were good to go til Monday morning.

A little stressful, but all's well that ends well! We loved the hotel and the location was perfect.

[thereuare]

GREAT! Glad to hear it worked out so well for you and that you enjoyed your time in New Orleans.