Priceline Hotel: Strategy for Hotel Preference

[Mogat]

There are four 4* hotels in Newport Beach with regular Priceline prices ranging from $117 for the Fairmont to $243 for the Island hotel. Are there any strategies that can be used to try and avoid a specific hotel in a star category, in this case the Fairmont, or having a better chance of having a winning bid at a hotel. For example, if I bid higher do I have a better chance at ending up at one of the more expensive hotels?

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

You can't bid on a specific hotel when using PRICELINE, you have to be able to accept any hotel in the zone at the star level (or higher) that you choose. See this thread for more information: Don't Bid Higher For a Specific Hotel

If you're trying to target, or avoid, a particular hotel in the area, HOTWIRE may be a better, although slightly more expensive, option. With HOTWIRE you can often take an educated guess as to what is being offered based upon the amenities associated with the property, but it's still a 'best guess' and no guarantees you will receive the hotel you're hoping for.

What are the date(s) of your stay and what is your maximum budget (per nite before fees and taxes) for this trip?

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

[Mogat]

Thanks for the information. We will be staying from 8/11 to 8/16.

Based on prior posts it appears winning bids are typically at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach and the bid range is $60-$90. We would like to keep the cost, before fees and taxes, under $100 per night although that is not an absolute requirement.

[thereuare]

And if you win a PRICELINE bid at under $100 are you ok with the Fairmont... or do you want to search HOTWIRE to see if anything there appears within your desired zone and/or budget (in hopes of avoiding the Fairmont)

Let us know and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[Mogat]

The Fairmont is okay, but we would prefer elsewhere. Looking at Hotwire for 8/11-8/16 I only see one 4* hotel listed and it is at a rate of $147. This is probably at the high end of what we would want to pay particularly since there may be parking fees as well. Do you have a guess as to what hotel Hotwire is listing as 4* at $147?

When we do make the reservation I will go to the site through your PRICELINE or HOTWIRE link.

[AaronJB]

Please provide the list of amenity icons that are showing with the HOTWIRE listing and confirm zone/star rating.

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

[Mogat]

The details are:

Newport Beach - Huntington Beach area hotel (0.5 - 7.0 mi from city center)

4*

This Hotel features the following amenities:

Airport Shuttle

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-Speed Internet Access

Golf Nearby

Tennis Nearby

[thereuare]

When we do make the reservation I will go to the site through your PRICELINE or HOTWIRE link.

Thanks, but please use for your searches too!

The HOTWIRE property above matches previous reports for the Hyatt Newport Beach so that would be my best guess for this one.

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

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.