Priceline Hotel: Need help for Tampa airport

[Burry]

Hi,

I am staying with my daughter in Tampa while she attends a camp at the end of July. I see that Homestead Suites used to be in the Tampa Airport North zone (listed as 2 stars), but when I went online to check it out it seems to be in another zone -- which is fine, I'm just a little confused if this is a new hotel. It seems nice and I don't know what number of stars to use to try to get it. I do appreciate any suggestions for Tampa -- I was thinking of either trying to go high end -- I forget the name maybe the Hyatt Grand Cypress which is a 4 star and still convenient for us or a simpler hotel which provides free parking and breakfast. Ideas are welcome.

Also ideas for the Orlando area where we will be accessing SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica. I am not sure of the best zone(s).

Thanks so much!!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

What is the address of the Homestead Suites you're referring to?

Once you decide upon the star rating you'd like to try for, let us know the actual date(s) of your stay and desired budget, we'll then be able to have a look at and suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[Burry]

Thanks for the help. This is such a great site. I actually have found two Homestead Suites -- one at 5401 Beaumont Center Blvd, Tampa is called Airport North and gets bad reviews. The other is on Avion Park Drive and is called Tampa Airport - Westshore.

We are staying in Tampa starting July 27, 28, 29 and maybe 30. After my daughter's camp we are going to Orlando for a few days, too. The area that is closest where we need to be is Airport North, but other zones near there would be okay, too -- just not 6, 7, 8 or 1 (according to my notes -- not looking at the map now).

I am a little torn on strategy. There is one really nice hotel in the Westshore area (I think it's Hyatt Grand Cypress), but it is nice, too, to get a breakfast, free parking and Homestead gives a snack/meal at night which is why it had appeal. I would love to get something for $50/night. Anything less is a welcome bonus, though.

Thanks again for your help. You are really terrific to help.

[thereuare]

We are staying in Tampa starting July 27, 28, 29 and maybe 30.

When will your plans/dates be firm?

With PRICELINE you really can't target a specific property in the zone(s) you select... you need to be willing to accept any hotel in the zone(s) you choose. This is why bidding for lower rated hotels can be risky, while there may be some you'd be fine with any happy to accept, there may be others which are not, and with PRICELINE you can't choose which type you will get.

If you are trying to target (or avoid) a particular property HOTWIRE may be a better, yet slightly more expensive, option as you can often take an educated guess as to the property you're may be receive based upon the amenities shown. As well, you can gain some insight as to the quality of the hotel based upon the HOTWIRE recommended percentages and the TA reviews (when shown)

Let us know regarding the dates and your thoughts as to how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

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

[Burry]

I guess my post was a bit unclear. At this moment, today, I don't know the exact dates of Tampa and then Orlando, but when I am ready to bid I will know the exact dates. To forumulate a strategy now I didn't think it was necessary.

[Burry]

Just a little followup after some research -- I think the Country Inn and Suites Airport North on Benjamin Road (Zone 4, 2.5 starts) would suit us well and has good reviews. It is close to the camp my daughter will attend. Perhaps that will help you provide some feedback on a bidding strategy. I also like the Doubletree Guest Suites in Zone 5 which is 3.5 stars. I will check how far that is from the camp.

[AaronJB]

There is no way to ensure/increase the odds of a particular property; is there a zone/star rating where you would be willing to accept any of the possibilities (or possibly being upgraded to the next star rating higher?)

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

[Burry]

I ended up going directly with Country Inn and Suites of Tampa (Airport North) for $51.75/night if you reserve for three nights. We needed to be near this location, although I believe I could have gotten the same rate for a higher star hotel in other areas of Tampa.

[thereuare]

Thank you for closing this thread with your decision.

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

Enjoy your stay.