Priceline Hotel: 4* Denver (Downtown) Warwick Denver Hotel

[ClairdeLune]

I have been monitoring the prices of the four stars in Denver, CO downtown for the past few days. I have followed all the steps in bidding on Priceline, going up to 10 attempts by adding the areas that don't have 4 stars. Still no nibbles for under $90 thus far. I am sure I can go to $100 and get something BUT I keep seeing wins for a 4 star downtown under $90 and wondered if it is because these are for a night here, two nights there; but not 4 consecutive nights? When I first started I saw Hotwire advertise what looked like the Oxford for $100 but I was starting out and didn't know that was a great deal as I had a friend who had gotten a 4 star for $70. Now I would grab it, but it looks like it's because it's summer travel now? How long can I wait for dates June 21-25 and do they go lower as it gets closer?

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Please start by reading your messages.

More nites doesn't necessarily hurt you, but if it is a factor it's to the downside... more important is hotel occupancy levels (and prices) for the dates of your travel. Because you're looking for 4 midweek nites, i assume rates are a bit higher then other wins that you have seen (which may have been for a slower solo midweek nite OR included weekend nites, which are likely a slower time for downtown hotels in this area).

What is the best rate you're able to find at an acceptable 4* hotel thru conventional booking channels?

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

[ClairdeLune]

So far $108 on the four nights with HOTWIRE. Also another question: When I'm adding each area on Priceline, is it better to do it all at once with the 10 adds which then bring it up to $90-$100 or is it to my advantage to come back into the site every hour and add on an area? I've been doing it all at once and wondered if the rates/avails can change throughout the night and staggering my selection accordingly.

[thereuare]

What is the best rate you're able to find at an acceptable 4* hotel thru conventional booking channels?

So far $108 on the four nights with HOTWIRE.

HOTWIRE is also an 'opaque' booking service... what is the best rate you're able to find at a 4* hotel in this zone thru conventional booking channels... where you know the name before purchase.

Also another question: When I'm adding each area on Priceline, is it better to do it all at once with the 10 adds which then bring it up to $90-$100 or is it to my advantage to come back into the site every hour and add on an area? I've been doing it all at once and wondered if the rates/avails can change throughout the night and staggering my selection accordingly.

Rate changes have to take place at some point in the day, but they're continuously done based upon new reservations/cancellations that hotels receive. However, they can go both up and down... what if you decide to stagger your bids, and while $95 would be accepted now, the price goes up and it's not enough later :) Better to go thru all your re-bids at once, so that if you're rejected, you try again in 24 hours... staggering your wins also delays the time you're able to start again the following day.

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

[Romelle]

I checked Hotwire 4* Downtown Denver for each of the nights individually, and got $106, $114, $88 and $82. For all 4 nights at once it was $108. When doing the individual nights, it probably wasn't always the same night since the amenity list changed.

IF you are willing to chance having to move, you could split your bid into the first two and the last two nights, starting quite a bit lower on the last two nights. When successful with the last two nights, you MIGHT be offered a chance to extend your bid. Most likely not at the same lower rate, but you could decide whether you'd want to take the extension at a higher rate for the first two nights or bid again.

Romelle

PS - When comparing Hotwire to Priceline, do remember Hotwire can be more generous with those stars, so a Hotwire 4* is usually more like a Priceline 3 1/2*.

PPS - You might take a look at the Calendar of Wins up above for your dates.

[ClairdeLune]

Found it, very confusing for a novice. Good to know. In answer to your other question, I did check all the other sites for the rates and also called many of the hotels for their own rate, which is lower than what the online sites post by about $20 at times. But because the rates are high for the 4 star, it is better to do the bidding. For instance Hotel Monaco and Brown Palace are all cheaper directly than what Expedia / HOTWIRE post. But it is so up there that it doesn't matter.

[thereuare]

....rates are high for the 4 star, it is better to do the bidding.

Just how high are rates... $150, $200, $250?

[ClairdeLune]

I ended up getting the 4 star for $100 at the Warwick on Priceline. It was a good situation for me for what I needed to do there. I understand that at other times of the year one can bid $70 and get that same hotel.

[thereuare]

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

Please remember to follow-up your threads with whatever you end up doing for the stay, even if you choose to book direct, cancel your trip, etc. so that the information can help others in a timely manner.

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