Priceline Hotel: HELP using PRICELINE bidding for San Juan-I'm confused

[4275princess]

I found on HOTWIRE-$161 4* showing amenities:casino,smoke free,pools & restaurants.

The other option was $104 3* amenties:smoke free & at least 1 pool

I have absolutely no clue what either hotel may be according to matching up with your HOTWIRE BIDDING LIST.

I really would like to stay in the CONDADO area. I'm willing to bid on a 3* to 4* for $100-$150 + tax & resort fee's.

I had considered packages from the cruise line for the CONRAD $292 & the Sheridan PR $271 TOTAL & includes transportation to the hotel and to the PAN AM PIER.

I'd like to save $50+ on this rate if I had a clue to how/what to bid....THX

[4275princess]

I really am learning a lot from this site. Thank YOU...

I'm interested in a San Juan Hotel in Condado or maybe near PAN AM PIER. I should then ONLY be interested in zone 8?

I want to keep my bid around $100-$150, would this be "reasonable" for a 3*-4*? Can you give me some idea what hotels might be included in this price range?

I'm interested in the CONRAD, LaConcha & would like to be in an area within walking distance to local "eateries"

I'd also consider the Sheraton PR near the pier.

(HOTWIRE really didn't have much that interested me. I thought PRICELINE would have more to offer. I only need 1 night 4/14/2012. ....Thanks

[thereuare]

I'm interested in a San Juan Hotel in Condado or maybe near PAN AM PIER.

Can you give me some idea what hotels might be included in this price range?

I'm interested in the CONRAD, LaConcha & would like to be in an area within walking distance to local "eateries"

I'd also consider the Sheraton PR near the pier.

When using the opaque providers there are some things you have control over, and other things you do not... this is the trade-off for the deeply discounted rates we often receive. Much of the above is not in your control.

When using PRICELINE you have to be able to accept a hotel anywhere within the shaded boundaries of the zone. The San Juan zone is the one closest to the pier(s), but the zone is also more than 6 miles wide, so you can't choose from which hotels in the zone you'd like to receive, stipulate that it be within walking distance of local eateries, etc.

If the above items are important to you then HOTWIRE would be a better choice since you can often take an educated guess as to the property being offered based upon the amenities shown before the purchase, along with any other clues that HOTWIRE may provide (but sitll no guarantees). The trade-off is that HOTWIRE usually cost a little more than HOTWIRE.

So for this stay, what is more important... having a guess as to the property being offered so that you have a greater chance of it meeting the criteria you mentioned above OR the lowest possible price and being able to accept any hotel in the zone at the star rating (or higher) that you select?

To get you started thinking in the terms above... HOTWIRE has what i'm guessing to be the Sheraton Puerto Rico hotel for $161/nite, which while above your stated budget above is one of the hotels you were hoping for... would this be a deal you'd want to consider given it's one of the hotels 'want' OR would you prefer a lower price and willing to accept whatever you get in the zone?

Let us know your thoughts/questions and we'll take it from there.

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