Priceline Hotel: 3.5* LA-San Fernando Valley (Valencia-Stevenson Ranch) Courtyard

[gregswife]

I have been bidding on this area hotel for several days now, I started low but am getting higher, I saw on the map a 3 1/2 star and 3 star so not sure which one it is. Here is what I have done so far:

3.5* $45 - rejected

3.5* $50 - rejected

3.5* $60 - rejected

3.5* $70 - rejected

3.0* $70 - rejected

When I go to bid it says that the median price for 3.5 stars in that area is $129 so $70 seems pretty high. It seems like there is only one hotel in the area for priceline and it is the Hyatt Regency which on Trip Advisor is showing $129 as the lowest and some recent wins (which aren't all that recent) are showing 3.5 and 3.0 * on the same hotel. Any thoughts?

Thank you in advance.....

Stephanie

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

Please provide the date/s of travel and we would be happy to offer our thoughts.

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

[gregswife]

sorry, I fogot the dates = 8/27 - 8/28/11

[Colfax]

Just to be sure, is this one-night stay checking out 8/28, or a two-night stay checking out 8/29?

[gregswife]

one night :-)

[Colfax]

When I go to bid it says that the median price for 3.5 stars in that area is $129 so $70 seems pretty high.

Priceline's messages about "median" price" are often inaccurate and shouldn't factor into your bidding strategies. The best source for accurate rates are the hotels' own websites. In this instance Priceline got it right because the Hyatt is $129 on 8/27.

HOTWIRE has a 3.5* in Valencia for $121 that looks like the Hyatt. Not much of a discount off $129. In fact, after Hotwire's transaction fee, booking direct from Hyatt would cost less.

Priceline usually beats Hotwire on price, so you may be able to win this if you bid higher...maybe in the $80-100 range. Admittedly that's not a great discount, but sometimes that's how it is. This is a Saturday night near Six Flags and maybe Hyatt is expecting a sellout. (Although the $129 rate doesn't suggest that.)

Hotwire also has a 3* for $109 that I think might be Hilton Garden Inn. Again, Priceline will probably beat that rate. Maybe $75-80 for 3*?

There haven't been any 2.5* reported to the board in Valencia zone yet, but there might be one there, if you want to go that route.

Let us know which direction you'd like to go.

Please use these HOTWIRE and PRICELINE links for your purchases.

[gregswife]

Thank you for that useful information I appreciate it.

Okay so this is what I ended up with:

$80 - *** Courtyard by Marriot in Santa Clarita...

I don't recall this hotel being one that has been used before. It looks like the average is $124 a night so I feel like I got a decent deal.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Hope you're pleased with the results and this property works well for your plans. This is listed in the Priceline Hotel List a the second listing, but just under 'Courtyard'.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board... please read your messages.

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

Enjoy your stay.