Priceline Hotel: 4* New Orleans (Convention Center - Warehouse - Arts District) Marriott New Orleans Convention Center

[chadomac]

Is there something about the weekend of May 11-15 that is driving up hotel costs in the French Quarter or Downtown? I've been there twice before and been able to find a 3 star or better hotel in that area for a $60 bid, and I've bid up to $69 this entire week to no avail.

I'm wondering if I'm booking too early (it's more than 2 months away) or if there's an event or convention I can't seem to find that is taking place at that time and driving up the price.

I'm considering adding the Convention Center area to keep the price down, but would prefer to be right near the Quarter. Last time we were there we bid $60 for Downtown/FQ and got the tall Sheraton there on Canal. Great price and great location, right across the street from all the French Quarter stuff. Can anyone give me some advice?

[AaronJB]

Rates in NOL can vary significantly both seasonally and from day-to-day; if there's something going on (convention, Mardi Gras, etc) rates can go sky-high.

Rates are on the high side for the FQ for these dates, but other areas don't look as bad - there's a 4* on HOTWIRE in FQ for $152, while there's a 4* in the downtown area for $86.

What would be your desired budget per night for this stay?

I don't think this is a matter of booking too early, but that there may be something packing up FQ hotels.

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

[chadomac]

I'd prefer not to bid more than $80 per night for the hotel, so I realize I probably will have to either add the Convention Center area or lower my standards to 2 1/2 star hotels within my original area wanted.

[thereuare]

Given that you've only bid up to $69 for the French Quarter and Downtown zones, and HOTWIRE has a 4* hotel in the Downtown zone, why not continue bidding up to your maixmum of $80 before considering other zones or lowering your star rating, as i do think you have a pretty good chance at succeeding if you're willing to bid up to your budget.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

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

[chadomac]

Thanks guys. I will try upping my bids for a few days before lowering my standards/expanding my area. I just wasn't sure if I was close or not... maybe I am. With 3 star hotels, I believe I have two re-bid zones if I understand that correctly - Garden District and NO East. Thanks again for your help.

[chadomac]

I decided I wanted to save more money and didn't mind the Convention Center area so much (it's just a few extra blocks from the Quarter), so I went in at $60 today and bidded Convention Center. Got upgraded to the Marriot Convention Center hotel - a 4 star hotel. Works for me, thanks for your help guys.

[chadomac]

I bid 3 stars, but was upgraded automatically to this 4 star hotel. Won on my first bid of $60 in the Convention Center area, so you may want to try $55-59 first and see if you can win it for a little less. Good luck, bidders.

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Definitely a very nice deal for this Marriott property. Hope you are looking forward to your stay.

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.