Priceline Hotel: planning Vegas trip

[rokkstar]

Me and some friends are planning on stopping in Vegas as we go through on our way to California. The dates are 8/22-8/25. There are 4 of us confirmed going on this roadtrip but possibly 5 or 6. I'll come back in a day or two and confirm the details. I just wanted to ask a couple questions first.

If there will only be 4 of us, is it dangerous to book using P/L? We are just college students so it wouldn't be the end of the world bunking on roll-aways/counches. They only guarantee for 2 but if we are looking at a 5* hotel on the strip (either North or South, but looks like South is significantly cheaper) would it not be relatively easily to ask for two doubles or a complimentary roll away?

Secondly, is there a way to book suites? If we end up with 5 or 6 would a suite be cheaper then 2 rooms? I looked around and didn't see any way of specifying a higher occupancy room like a suite.

Thanks for all the wonderful resources here. I've had fun reading through all the old threads and learning about the rebidding strategy. Still not sure what the difference between made to wait 24 hrs versus 72 hrs. But I think we should be fine with 11 rebids available for this trip.

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy/1 bed - you can request two beds via the hotel, but the hotel could be unwilling or unable. Or, the hotel could require an upgrade fee for a room with two beds - this has happened on a number of occasions in Vegas to users. There is definitely a chance the hotel could say no to providing additional bedding beyond one bed in Vegas. If you have 5 or 6 people then one room definitely becomes problematic. Please let us know when you confirm the amount of people in the party.

If you search on HOTWIRE for four people, you can search for a hotel with a "S" (Suite) icon. Searching on HOTWIRE for the number of people in the party will ensure some form of bedding (2 beds or 1 + sofa or other combo) for the party, but there is no guarantee on specific type of bedding. Additionally, searching on HOTWIRE for four will be more expensive, but you can try to make an educated guess as to which hotel is showing, based upon information showing. If a specific bid (5* North Strip, for example) is not accepted, then you have to wait 24 hours before making that specific bid again.

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

[thereuare]

Still not sure what the difference between made to wait 24 hrs versus 72 hrs.

You used to have to wait 72 hours before making the same exact bid again... a few years ago the lock-out period was reduced to 24 hours.

Please click these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links before replying.

Thanks.

[rokkstar]

Ok so there will be 5 people. Is it better to go 2 rooms or 1 suite? I guess if we got one room with two double beds and a sofa that could work too. What is my best best for getting the lowest price that will accommodate us?

[AaronJB]

What would be your desired budget per room/per night?

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

[rokkstar]

We don't really have a set budget. We're just a bunch of college kids on a roadtrip. I guess the less we spend on hotel, the more we can spend on the strip. I wouldn't want to pay over 100/night for a 5*. So i guess that means we'll have ot search south strip. We definitely want to be on the strip. Other then that if we could pay around 30/person/night for a 5* on south strip that'd be ideal.

[thereuare]

You can probably get a 5* hotel on the South Strip zone on PRICELINE for under $100/nite... but it will only guarantee double occupancy.

On HOTWIRE you can book 1room/2adults/2children for $89/nite... this ensures quad occupancy, which could be 1 bed and a pullout sofabed, leaving you one shy for sleeping accommodations. I searched 2adults/2children since in this instance the children don't increase the cost of the room (whereas search 4adults gives a higher price) and still ensures quad occupancy. However, as noted, this leaves you one person short... not sure if this is an option for you (and your friends... you better check with them too!) and you're willing to squeeze and take the risk of being 5adults in a room booked for 2adults/2children.

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed.

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

[rokkstar]

wow 89/night is a pretty good price. would it be any cheaper on PRICELINE? are u able to tell which hotel it is that i'd get. if we choose to go with this, the hotel wouldnt have any problem or care that we crammed an extra person in? thanks!

[AaronJB]

When I search for 2 adults/2 children for these dates, I'm seeing a 5* South Strip for $89 w/smoke-free, fitness, pool, restaurant and spa. This would be a possible match for the Vdara.

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

[thereuare]

if we choose to go with this, the hotel wouldnt have any problem or care that we crammed an extra person in?

However, as noted, this leaves you one person short... not sure if this is an option for you (and your friends... you better check with them too!) and you're willing to squeeze and take the risk of being 5adults in a room booked for 2adults/2children.

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

[rokkstar]

I see right now that Strip North has a 5* for 98 on hotwire. I have seen lots of posts in the priceline part where bids of over 140 have even been rejected for this area. Why would hotwire be so much cheaper?

[Romelle]

Las Vegas rates are VERY date specific. I'm guessing the posts you've seen are for different dates? If you check some of the hotel web sites, you can see how the rates vary. Several of the hotels are accessible through the Las Vegas Checker above. Some others have links under the Support/Travel tab (also just above).

Alternatively, you could use HOTWIRE for the same dates as one of those $140 rejections and see what the Hotwire rates look like. Typically Hotwire is a little more expensive than PRICELINE, but there is an occasional exception.

Romelle

[thereuare]

It's also possible that the hotel you're seeing is the Trump, which is not in PRICELINE's Strip North zone, but rather in their Strip North Condo zone. The Trump is usually cheaper then the other 5* hotels in the immediate area, therefore $140 bids can fail in the Strip North zone, while it could be enough in the Strip North Condo zone. If you consider this property, note that the Trump is located slightly off-strip and not directly on it.

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

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

[rokkstar]

Would you say the 89 for Vdara is a better bang for buck, or 98 for Trump?

[Romelle]

Would you say the 89 for Vdara is a better bang for buck, or 98 for Trump?

You might want to look at the two hotel web sites and see which features are most appealing to you and your friends. It is more down to a matter of personal tastes and preferences now. People may have posted reviews here under the Hotel Review tab (Just checked, there are reviews for Trump but not for Vdara. However, lots of people throw some comments in to their bidding posts.) Sometimes those can give you some insight. And there is always www.tripadvisor.com for reviews.

Are you prepared for the add-on resort fee for your bill?

Did you consider getting a couple 4* rooms instead of the one 5* room? Might be more convenient and only cost a little more.

Romelle

[thereuare]

Would you say the 89 for Vdara is a better bang for buck, or 98 for Trump?

As Romelle commented this will come down to personal choice... but my choice would be Vdara as i like to explore and the location makes it easier to visit other hotels, casinos, restaurants, etc.

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