dopplerbob Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Well, first off, I would like to thank everyone on this forum for helping me in choosing a hotel, and getting it cheaper through Priceline. I found out about this forum while reading a topic on Trip Advisor about Wash. DC hotels.So here is my experience on booking through Priceline.I originally booked a hotel at the Days Inn directly on their site for $140 a night (not through Priceline). It is only a 1 or 2 star hotel, but I had full cancellation options included if I chose. Upon reading on Trip Advisor, I found that it isn't the greatest place and that I should check out Priceline and this forum. So I started bidding on 3.5 and 4* hotels in the Downtown and Capitol District areas. I had no luck starting at $80 and working up in $5 increments. The problem is I am visiting during the Cherry Blossom Festival time. Probably one of the busiest times of the year. Well, after trying different things for a couple of hours, my bid was finally accepted to the above hotel for that price of $135 a night. I an going from Apr. 7 to the 10th. Right smack during the peak of the cherry blossom blooming. Looks like a nice place and I got it for the same price that I had for the Days Inn which is far away from the main sightseeing areas.I think I did ok? :) Bob Link to comment
AaronJB Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Congrats on your success and Welcome to Betterbidding. I'm seeing the cheapest rate at this property for 4/7-10/12 at $429 on Expedia (for a regular guest room), so I would certainly say that you did very well. :)Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.Enjoy your stay. Link to comment
dopplerbob Posted October 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Thank You Aaron. It's a long way off but looking forward to our trip. I had some credit on Southwest and had to use it up before May 10th. I looked on SW.com to see where they fly nonstop from Hartford. BWI was one choice. Put 2 and 2 together and remembered seeing the Cherry Blossom Festival every year so figured it would be a nice trip. Free airfare and not a bad rate for the hotel. Now I just have to figure out the best way to get from BWI to our hotel :) I found this service called SuperShuttle that looks pretty reasonable through Priceline.Bob Link to comment
thereuare Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 One issue with SuperShuttle similar companies is that they're shared ride services and therefore you often stop at multiple hotels enroute to your own... if you're one of the first to get dropped off it's not an issue, but if you're one of the last it can be a much longer ride then it should be.You can also try Viator for similar shuttle services as well as things to do when in the DC area.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Have a great trip. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
dopplerbob Posted October 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 Thank You for that info thereuare. I will give that Viator a look and check back.Bob Link to comment
cookofthehouse Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Bob,Thanks for the details. I am trying to visit DC the last weekend of March, the beginning of the cherry blossom festival, and am here scanning trying to get an idea for a hotel budget.Was it out of your realm to want to stay in Arlington or Crystal City? I've never been, and am wondering if the cheaper rates are worth a metro/bus ride in to the downtown area.Thanks, and have fun! Link to comment
dopplerbob Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Yes I thought of that but to tell you the truth, for the 4 days we will be there, I would rather save the travel time into the main event area and pay the extra for the closer room. $135 a night for that time is a great deal I thought for a hotel so close to the action. Have a great trip, Bob Link to comment
Doubleplay Posted November 11, 2011 Report Share Posted November 11, 2011 Bob,I live in DC area and work 2 blocks from the Renaissance. That's a great rate for that time or year. I will warn you that there is a HUGE construction project (big deep hole) across the street from the Renaissance, so be sure to ask them for a room NOT facing 9th Street. Cheap ways to get from BWI to Washington: Amtrak ($11) on Weekends. MARC train ($6) on weekdays. Free shuttle bus from airport to the BWI rail station. Also, the B30 Metrobus for $6 from BWI to Greenbelt metro station on the green line. Then, transfer to red line to Gallery Place. Your hotel is 2 blocks from the 9th street exit at Gallery Place. BTW, you might be a bit late for the Cherry Blossoms. It just depends on the weather every year. There's about a 7 day peak period and it's usually the end of Mar to beginning of April. Have a great trip. Link to comment
dopplerbob Posted November 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Thank you so much for that great info. That sounds great on the transportation issue. I was a little worried about that but not anymore. That's a bummer about the blossoms, but I already have my airfare. But I can always change it- Southwest allows changes for free. Maybe we'll get lucky. Thanks again for the info,Bob Link to comment
dopplerbob Posted November 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Oh yes and I read about the construction and noise issues on the Tripadvisor Washington, DC Forum in the hotel review section. I guess it has been going on for at least a year so it will probably still be there by April. We shall see.Bob Link to comment
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