Priceline Hotel: Resort Oahu (Waikiki Beach) Marriott Beach Resort

[JordanCA]

I just started bidding for a hotel in Waikiki for the dates 8/2/11-8/10/11.

I would prefer a Resort level hotel. From the Priceline list, I gather the potential "resort" level hotels in the Waikiki area are as follows:

Sheraton Waikiki

Westin Moana Surfrider

Outrigger Waikiki On The Beach

Marriott Waikiki Beach

Hyatt Regency

Outrigger Reef on the Beach

I would be fine with any of these, though my preferences are listed in descending order. (Note that I did not include the Hilton Hawaiian Village in this list, as it's further away from the things that matter to me.)

So far, I've bid on two consecutive days, 24 hours apart. All my bids were rejected. I used the PRICELINE link here on the site.

The first day, a Friday, I tested the waters beginning at $90 and moving up to $103. In terms of zones, I started with Waikiki Beach, then added additional zones that supposedly don't have resort hotels: the Airport zone, the Diamond Head zone, Executive Center, then Waikiki City Center. The suggested median price listed for "resort" properties on this day was $247.

The second day, a Saturday, I went from $95 to $115, using the same addition pattern as above. The median price listed was $328. (I'm assuming maybe the median price was higher because today is Saturday, and maybe more people are available to bid, and therefore prices are higher?)

My strategy going forward is to try once a day to see if I can score something in the range of $120. I have four months, so I'm in no hurry.

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions for things to consider? Thanks in advance for your assistance. I'll report back when I (hopefully) win.

[thereuare]

Not yet reported to the board thru PRICELINE, but any thoughts on the Waikiki Parc?

Are you familiar with and using your re-bid zones? If not, see Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and confirm your re-bid zones with the board (HINT: you have FOUR re-bid zones when bidding Resort in the Waikiki Beach zone) If you read the previous link 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.

[JordanCA]

Thanks for the suggestion on the Parc. Just looked at it online. I think it's probably a little too modern and boutiquey for me. Probably would prefer something on (or closer to) the beach and more Hawaiian.

I did use all four rebid zones. Airport, Executive Center, Diamond Head and City Center. Also used the PRICELINE link. Thanks!

[AC870]

I would suggest lowering the star rating to 4 stars, this will lower the median price significantly and you will have a better chance in the 90$ to 120$ range. The hotels that come up the most are the Marriott, Sheraton and the Hyatt Regency... In the last 2 years I've won the Hyatt 4 times and the Marriott once, although at the moment the Marriott seems to be the most popular.

[JordanCA]

Thanks for the suggestion. By lowering the star rating to 4 stars, wouldn't I possibly also expose myself to getting a property like the four star Waikiki Parc? That hotel seems nice, and I wouldn't mind staying there if I was traveling on my own, but I know my spouse would be disappointed if we didn't have the tropical pool and grounds you find at hotels like the Marriott or the Sheraton. We've stayed at the Marriott twice before, and she always talks about the lush landscaping in the lobby area. Also she loved the cabanas by the pool. By contrast, I find the Parc way more boutiquey and chic.

After reviewing several pages on the board this morning, it seems the sweet spot for landing a resort hotel is around $120, give or take $10. I haven't yet bid up to that price, having only gone as high as $115 yesterday. Just wanted to test things out, as I had seen some people land a resort for $100. But once I get up to $120, I'll be curious to see what happens.

Appreciate the input! :)

[PaddyD]

Hi

I have just won on priceline the marriott for different dates and i have been bidding for at least 7 weeks and had bid as high as $130 dollars on many different times and i had no offers or takers . I decided to wait till nearer the time and when i bid this week i was counter offered when i bid $105 so i knew i was there or there abouts .So i think i was looking too early

Many thanks for your helpful suggestions and i hope you get the resort you want at the price you want

[JordanCA]

Congrats on your win. Seven weeks, wow, you had some patience! Regarding timing, and possibly getting the best deal as you get closer, it's hard to say. That may end up being the case. Who knows when the hotels decide to give PL more inventory to unload. I did read something recently in a Honolulu business journal that said Japanese bookings are down due to the recent tragedy, however, some of the slack was picked up by stronger west coast demand this season. In any case, I'm just going to stay patient.

[thereuare]

If you are looking to get this done i would increase your bid to the $120-$130 range that you previously mentioned (of course start lower and work you way up to $130) as i think that will increase your chances vs. keeping your bids at $115.

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

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

[JordanCA]

Just secured a winning bid for a Resort hotel! Got the Waikiki Beach Marriott, 8/2/11-8/10/11, for $105 a night.

This was the seventh day in a row I had bid. My process was to start with the Waikiki Beach Area zone, then rebid using the free areas (Airport, Executive Center, Diamond Head, City Central.) The last three days in a row, I had started at $105 and bid up to $125 with no luck.

So today, when I sat down to bid again, I started at $105 and was immediately accepted. Very surprised. I had already started to write in my notes the word "rejected" when I looked up and saw I won. Can't help but feel like I left a little bit of money on the table, but right now Expedia shows this same hotel for $249, so all in all I'm very pleased with this win.

We've stayed at this hotel twice before and liked it each time, my wife especially. I think I would've been slightly happier with the Sheraton, just because of the pool, but the beach in front of the Marriott is our favorite.

Your Offer Price: $105.00

Number of Rooms: 1

Number of Nights: 8

Subtotal: $840.00

Taxes and Fees: $139.04

Total Charges*: $979.04

P.S. It wasn't apparent to me if I can edit the post title to reflect the win, or if only a moderator can do that. If someone tells me how, I'll handle it.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see prices came down and you scored a very nice deal for your trip! Based upon another user's win today i don't think you really left anything/much on the table (less than $4/nite) so i wouldn't sweat that aspect too much... just take pleasure in your great deal!

Thank you for sharing your results with the board.

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

Enjoy your stay.

[JordanCA]

Thanks very much to you and everyone else for their assistance! Yes, I suspect with the other user's win today that maybe some new inventory was released (or however it works) and we all benefited with nice low prices. I'm certainly VERY happy about it in any case!

Regarding the editing of the header, I think it may possibly be incorrect, in that the Marriott Waikiki Beach is categorized on Priceline as a "Resort" and not a 4*. Thanks!

[thereuare]

FIXED the star rating... thanks.