Questino regarding 3* Hotels in Santa Barbara

[nameless91]

Hey everyone,

just a short question regarding 3* hotels in Santa Barbara.

Im actually hoping to get the Hotel Oceana ... when looking at the PRICELINE hotels in that area, so far these have been listed:

Santa Barbara

3* Hotel Mar Monte

3* Hotel Oceana

2.5* Ramada Limited (previously 2*)

2* Sandpiper Lodge (preivously 2.5*)

Of course I know that PRICELINE might change their hotels any time ... however, when looking up my dates in October this year, theres another 3* hotel listed:

Best Western Plus Encina Lodge And Suites

Has anyone ever gotten that hotel or does anyone know if this has recently been added? I really wouldnt like ending up with getting that one ... it would be a lot better if its just those 2 hotels, because Hotel Mar Monte seems to be quite expensive for my dates, while the Hotel Oceana is a little cheaper. So, chances are I would really be getting that one. So, my question is: if PRICELINE shows that Best Western Plus Encina Lodge And Suites as a hotel with 3 stars in their overview list, could that mean it will also be included in that "Name Your Own Price" section?

Oh, one last question: Judging by your experiences, is it better to bid far in advance or later? I guess bidding later (i.e. some days before your stay) is the better option?

Thanks for your help! :)

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

New PRICELINE hotels are frequently reported to the board, and new hotels can appear at any time. While the Best Western has not yet been reported, it may still be a possibility.

In terms of whether or not to bid closer to your date/s of travel, I think it's best to start researching and making initial bids when your plans are confirmed. A couple of years ago, there were a bit more last-minute deals as hotels tried to fill rooms. However, last year and into this year, higher prices do appear to be the trend in many major markets. On a more micro basis, rates can vary significantly on a day-to-day basis due to events and other factors. Please read this link: Should I Bid Early or Closer to My Stay?

If you need assistance bidding, please let us know date/s of travel and desired budget per night.

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

[nameless91]

First of all, thanks for your answer!

Just let me ask, if a hotel - showing 3 stars - appears in the list, does that automatically mean this will ne included in the "Name Your Own Price" section?

[thereuare]

The 'retail' section of PRICELINE and the 'name your own price' section each use a different universe of hotels, so a hotel may participate in one side of the service and not the other (or vice-versa). For more on this see the related link about using the Retail Side of Priceline to determine what you will get thru the Bidding side in our PRICELINE FAQ.

If you'd like help bidding for an upcoming stay please post the details of your trip (star rating, zones, budget, etc)

As well, after your next reply, we'll move this thread to the Priceline California section of the board and we can continue this discussion there.

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

[scottlevin]

What is an example of a hotel that only does opaque and NOT retail?