Priceline Hotel: Seeking 4-Star in Downtown Miami/Miami Beach

[BullzFan]

Hello,

I am traveling to MIA for my birthday in February. My gf and I plan to stay from 2/22 - 2/26. I want a 4 star hotel. I am leaning toward Downtown, although I have not completely ruled out Miami Beach. Based on past/recent winning bids I have seen, my max per night would be $150 (lower would be nice). I have been monitoring prices to see if they have been going up (they have not thus far). While I know results can vary, much of what I have read implies that many of the best deals are a result of waiting to just before the trip. Co-workers/family have echoed the same sentiment. However, the Food & Wine festival is during this time (2/24-2/26) in SoBe, so I am wary to wait too long for fear the prices may go up due to the event. In light of this, my questions are as follows:

1. When should I begin bidding?

2. Based on your experience, do prices usually go up during events in this area?

I plan to book an "emergency room" as a fail safe. I may have more questions, but this is just to start.

Thanks for your help.

BullzFan

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

There is no definitive answer as to when is the best time to bid... we have seen bids accepted months in advance which are later rejected when other users try closer to the arrival date; as well, we have seen bids fail one day and then get accepted the next. It's all a function of supply/demand and the hotel's expectations for future bookings/cancellations. See the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ for more on this subject.

I don't know how big of an event the Food & Wine festival is, but at the moment it appears that $150 might not be enough for a 4* hotel in either of the two zones you've mentioned. What is the best rate you're able to find thru conventional booking channels?

Let us know once your zones/plans are firm and you're ready to start bidding and we'll suggest a strategy to follow.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. (and please click each of these links before replying)

Thanks.

[BullzFan]

Thank you so much for your reply.

In terms of conventional booking, the lowest I have found in Miami Beach was $159. Downtown was around $175. Obviously, we bid with the hope of getting the lowest price possible. The $150 figure is my "hopeful" max if that makes any sense. Realistically, I don't want to pay more than $200.

Based on what I've read, the Food & Wine festival is one of the top events for those in the culinary arts. It's fine dining so those in attendance are probably in a higher-end demographic. In other words, I think it will be well-attended, but aside from locals, those traveling there to participate likely have budgets much greater than mine. I could be wrong though.

I will just continue to monitor prices. Unless I come across an offer I can't refuse, I will start bidding at the end of the month.

BullzFan

[AaronJB]

Are there any listings of interest showing when searching on HOTWIRE for these dates?

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

[thereuare]

Based on what I've read, the Food & Wine festival is one of the top events for those in the culinary arts. It's fine dining so those in attendance are probably in a higher-end demographic. In other words, I think it will be well-attended, but aside from locals, those traveling there to participate likely have budgets much greater than mine. I could be wrong though.

You'd be surprised. Although i don't know anything of this particular event, but it's not uncommon for large events to effect rates across the entire spectrum of hotels. (an example why would be a new restaurant that wants to attend the show but it still struggling to make ends meet... they may spend the money for travel and the show, but will try to save on hotel accommodations)

If your plans are firm i would begin bidding sooner rather than later, even if it is only lowballing at rates that you don't think have too much of a chance (but are still realistic).

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