toronto traveller 2 Posted September 20, 2011 Report Posted September 20, 2011 Hi:I am planning to go to Boston on Columbus Day (Oct. 10th) (the Canadian Thanksgiving), and stay until Friday Oct. 14th. I noticed that the Central Boston Hotels are very expensive. (over $200) and parking is also very expensive. Hence I am thinking that if I use a Suburban hotel and commute in on public transit, I would save myself some cash. Do you have any advice for what area I should use for Priceline bidding? I would prefer a 3 star or above hopefully with a pool. I will have a car so I can drive to a transit parking lot. I am planning to get the Boston Citypass so I will be going to New England Aquarium, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, Skywalk Observatory and the Kennedy Presidential Library. I had a similar problem last year when I went to Chicago at the same time. Not very many available central hotels and they were very expensive. I am willing to go with Hotwire as well. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
thereuare Posted September 20, 2011 Report Posted September 20, 2011 Welcome to BetterBidding!What is your target budget per nite for this stay? Also, note that the Boston City Pass is currently on sale HERE.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Let us know your expected budget and we'll advise accordingly. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
toronto traveller 2 Posted September 20, 2011 Author Report Posted September 20, 2011 I am willing to pay about $150/ night
thereuare Posted September 20, 2011 Report Posted September 20, 2011 As i'm not that familiar with the outlying areas of Boston, you'll need to do a bit of research, but this is how i would proceed...First determine which are the 'main lines' which will get you close to most of the attractions/areas you want to see/do in Boston, as this will minimize the numbers of transfers you'll need to make each day to attend your activities. Then use the dropdown box at the bottom of this boston parking page to determine which stations have access to that subway line AND determine if parking is available at that station (and the cost). This will give you a list of the best stations for this trip, and from there you can compare to the PRICELINE zones to see which ones will get you closest to these stations. From there we can develop and suggest a bidding strategy to follow.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
toronto traveller 2 Posted September 21, 2011 Author Report Posted September 21, 2011 I have done my homework and the best area is the logan airport as there are shuttle to the T station in the hotels in that area. The list indicates that the 4* hotels are the Hilton and Hyatt Harborside. Parking is $36/day. Not all of the three star hotels appear to have a pool so I think the four star would be the way to go. This area is the best as the sights on the Boston Citypass are spread out and there doesn't seem to be any true advantage to being in a specific area. However I could probably bid the expensive areas to get more bids in a day. What areas would you suggest?Thanks
thereuare Posted September 21, 2011 Report Posted September 21, 2011 At both the 4* (and 3.5*) levels you have FIVE re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.Select 4* Airport...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $90, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Airport and re-bid zone4...Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $110, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Airport and re-bid zone5...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Airport and re-bid zone4 and re-bid zone5...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $150Any questions feel free to ask.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
toronto traveller 2 Posted September 29, 2011 Author Report Posted September 29, 2011 I did some research and Boston (Medford-Somerville) 3* is Holiday Inn and Boston South 3* is Courtyard as per the pinned list. These will work for me and there is no parking charges. I tried bidding on Saturday and got up to $97 using the method shown above. I did not get any bites even though this more than what is posted as actual results. Must be the time after Columbus Day and I want the room for 4 days. Should I try and get a different hotel 2 hotels 2 days each?Do you have any more advice?Thanks
thereuare Posted September 29, 2011 Report Posted September 29, 2011 What are the rates of the HOTWIRE properties you've identified which you think would work for your needs?Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
toronto traveller 2 Posted October 7, 2011 Author Report Posted October 7, 2011 Got the Boston Park Plaza for $250 on 3.5*. I am not thrilled. I could have gotten it at $246 at Hotels.com. It was also the only hotel in this range that did not have a pool. All I can say is Boston is very expensive.
thereuare Posted October 7, 2011 Report Posted October 7, 2011 Sorry to see you're not too pleased with the outcome. However, as it appear Hotels.com is $4 less than your PRICELINE rate, you can contact them for a refund of the difference. I wouldn't necessarily do this for the $4, but they will also give you an extra $25, which would reduce your rate for this property by 10%.The 'problem' with Boston is that for the size of the city, they don't have a proportionate number of hotel rooms... even the slightest increase in demand for a conference, event at one (or more) of the local colleges, sporting event, etc. and rates can skyrocket very quickly. On the other side of the equation, if you do happen to catch some dates where there is nothing happening, rates are very reasonable and can often be an excellent value for a city hotel.Thank you for sharing your win with the board.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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