Priceline Hotel: Four Star Option on Priceline

[UpstateNYerMeMa]

Planning a possible trip to Aruba in January, will bid on Priceline through betterbidding of course. Any hotel on Palm Beach or the Renaissance downtown would be fine but... I noticed they have added a fourstar I'm not familiar with. It's called Club Arias a bed and breakfast in Saventa. I would be afraid to bid on a 4 Star now, it's just too far out of town and a car would be needed. Reviews are fine for the property but personally I would not want to win a bid there. Really thought Renaissance would be nice instead of Palm Beach for our trip. Should I wait awhile to see if it's removed from the list?

[thereuare]

Welcome (officially) to BetterBidding!

If you've used PRICELINE or HOTWIRE in the last 3 years it would be appreciated if you began to share your wins with the board so that others can benefit from the information.

In terms of your situation above, i'm assuming you're seeing this new property thru the 'retail' version of PRICELINE? If so, the retail and name your own price services each use a different universe of hotels, so unless this property is reported to the board, there is no telling if this is a property offered thru the bidding side of their service. See the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ for more info on this subject.

If you're concerned about receiving this 4* property you limit your bidding to the Resort class category OR consider using HOTWIRE where you may be able to identify the property before your purchase based upon the amenities shown (or at least identify it as being a property you're trying to avoid)

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

Let us know if/how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

[bschrager]

Not sure if you noticed but Priceline has changed the Marriott to a 4* now which really stinks.

If you bid 4* your choices are now Marriott, The Renn which is in town, or Club Arias which I have not heard great things about.

At least when the Marriott was at resort level your choices were RIU, Raddisson, Hyatt, Marriott, and Westin.

I would be very careful bidding 4* for Aruba now on Priceline, stick with resorts and the worst you can get is the Westin which is pretty nice right on Palm Beach.

[UpstateNYerMeMa]

Thanks for information about the Marriott now being a 4 Star. What a disappointment. I can't believe Priceline does not consider it a Resort category any longer. Some sort of marketing strategy?

Looks as if I will not be bidding four star, too fearful of getting Club Arias. Luckily, I have plenty of time before bidding and the categories might change in the future.