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Priceline Hotel: 3* Detroit (Dearborn) Courtyard By Marriott Dearborn


Shoob
By Shoob,
in

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Hello guys!

I've posted before in the Ohio section for rooms in Toledo. You all were such a great help! I've been invited to interview at Wayne State University, at their School of Medicine... I need help to figure out how to bid in this area because it is significantly different from Toledo!

I plan on checking out on the 3rd of April. So I either need a hotel for one night or two nights... not sure which would be best... Probably two, so that I can figure out how traffic is on weekday mornings... so I guess I'd need a stay from the 1st to the 3rd.

In the past, at Toledo, I went with 3 stars, and I thought those hotels were great and reasonably priced. Can you all please help with suggesting a strategy that could hopefully keep me close to the school and get me a nice hotel? Thanks!

-Shoob

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Please let us know which zones would be acceptable (are you driving?) and what would be your desired budget per night.

Lol... I should know the procedure by now! I actually do plan on driving (from Chicago... as I did for Toledo... I assume that Detroit will be a similar drive). Although I'm unsure what would be an appropriate budget for the area, I'd like to stick to about $60 on the top end, if possible. I'm hoping that can still get me a decently rated hotel.

Oh, and as far as zones are concerned... I'm not really certain how to go about picking the zones. I can't seem to find any free zones; however, I notice that the Dearborn Suburbs or Dearborn Northwest sections (that I must click on separately) have potential free bid zones. My interview is in Downtown, so I'd like to be close to there. Dearborn seems close enough as an option. A couple of the suburbs zones (Troy and Sterling), also seem to be close enough.

This is definitely tougher than picking in Toledo! Please help!!!

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Lol... I should know the procedure by now!

Please click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links, then reply to this thread and we'll continue the discussion for your trip above.

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

Thanks.

Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases

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Those are the links I always click... remember, I received your help in the past? Did I make you think I would do otherwise? Sorry if I did make you think that, though... it wasn't my intention!

Anyways, please help! I'm actually worried given how close the date is getting now. Oh... and Thereuare, do you know much about the Detroit area? I ask because I see your logo...

-Shoob

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WSU is in the Detroit's Downtown zone, but this zone is about 2.5-3 miles in radius... if you look at the map does this get you close enough and are you willing to accept a hotel anywhere within the shaded boundaries of the zone?

Alternately you could try HOTWIRE and guess as to the hotel being offered, thereby having a little more insight where in the zone you may likely end up.

What is your desired star rating and budget?

Let us know the above and we'll take it from there.

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

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Thanks, thereuare, for the prompt reply! Well... I don't know much of anything about Detroit. I just want to be in a pretty safe area, wherever it is that I end up. So the main factors are: safety, distance to interview, and cost of room.

Given those, if Downtown is relatively safe, I'd go ahead and stay there. The other place I'm willing to try (that is in the main Detroit area) is Dearborn, as it looks like it is not excessively far from the interview. The only other locations I can think of are the ones in the "Detroit Suburbs" area, that is outside of the main Detroit area, it seems. The only ones I think that I would be willing to try are: Troy and Bloomfield Hills (maybe even Sterling Heights).

I'd like to get a 3-star. I'd like to stick $60 max if possible... is this pushing it?

I would try Hotwire, but i'm completely unfamiliar with its system, and I think I'm more comfortable with PL.

Thanks again for all your help! Can't wait to hear back!

-Shoob

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I just want to be in a pretty safe area... So the main factors are: safety, distance to interview, and cost of room.

I don't know enough about Detroit (Ann Arbor on the otherhand is an entirely different story) to know which area are more/less safe than others, but i do know the reputation of the area and it is not that great.

Within the Detroit region 'Southfield' is considered a nice middle-upper class suburb and of course i think that Ann Arbor is one of the best college towns in the country, but with AA you're already getting a little further out proximity-wise.

So it really depends upon what type of trade-offs you're willing to make for this trip... if you stay Downtown Detroit there is a chance you may be able to walk to the interview and i'm sure that there are places that you can go to at nite (Casino, Greektown, etc) but depending upon safety issues you may need to take a short taxi ride and not wonder too far from your destination... or if you're looking to see a new area and are willing to commute to the interview, you can stay further out. HOWEVER, assuming your interview is related to to becoming a student or for a job offer, i would stay in an area that you would want to live should be you offered the job/admittance, as the environment to/from your daily commute should play a factor in your decision, imo.

I would try Hotwire, but i'm completely unfamiliar with its system, and I think I'm more comfortable with PL.

I'm sure there wasn't a time that you were familiar/comfortable with PRICELINE, and you should be open to booking thru the best service for the particular trip. PRICELINE is usually the 'best' when seeking the lowest possible price, but there is also a time/place for HOTWIRE for when you need specific amenities, would like a comfort level of knowing some reviews before your purchase, or when you're looking to target/avoid a specific hotel or location within the zone.

Let us know what you decide regarding acceptable zone(s) and we'll take it from there.

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

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Shoob,

It is time you learned just a little about Hotwire. It should be part of your tool kit. For starters, you can link to it by just filling in your dates and "detroit, mi" in the upper left hand corner. If you don't add the state, you get to learn how many other states also have Detroits.

It is really quick and efficient for getting a general idea what you might be able to achieve on Priceline, and occasionally will have the better numbers.

I checked your dates for Detroit (MI). There is a downtown 3.5* offering for $64.50. Now, Hotwire sometimes is a little more generous with their stars, so you might think of it as probably a 3* on Priceline. Also, the map boundaries for named areas are different between Hotwire and Priceline.

Because Hotwire lists the amenities, and because bidders are kind enough to report results here, there is a track record as to just which hotel one might get given a specific set of amenities. If you find something that might work, you can post back here with the amenities/date(s)/star level/rate and one of the experts will give you their best educated guess as to what the hotel might be. You also can try to figure it out yourself by looking in the Hotwire list of hotels at the top of the Hotwire-Michigan area.

And good luck on your interview too!

Romelle

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Within the Detroit region 'Southfield' is considered a nice middle-upper class suburb and of course i think that Ann Arbor is one of the best college towns in the country, but with AA you're already getting a little further out proximity-wise.

So it really depends upon what type of trade-offs you're willing to make for this trip... if you stay Downtown Detroit there is a chance you may be able to walk to the interview and i'm sure that there are places that you can go to at nite (Casino, Greektown, etc) but depending upon safety issues you may need to take a short taxi ride and not wonder too far from your destination... or if you're looking to see a new area and are willing to commute to the interview, you can stay further out. HOWEVER, assuming your interview is related to to becoming a student or for a job offer, i would stay in an area that you would want to live should be you offered the job/admittance, as the environment to/from your daily commute should play a factor in your decision, imo.

First of all, your advice has been great. I really appreciate that you would do that for me. As for my interview, it's to be a med student... so I'm not too sure where I'd stay if I were to go there. I guess, 20 minute or so drive is not that bad (although, in Toledo, it took me all of 9 [!] minutes to get to the interview from the hotel... I know, it's not Detroit, lol). So, if you know that Southfield is a fairly nice place, I would definitely like to check it out. I live in the suburbs of Chicago, and not having to have a complete change of lifestyle would be nice. I hear that Dearborn is decent, too... any idea about that? If it is, for PL, I'd like to do Dearborn, then Southfield... finally then adding other areas like Troy, Bloomfield, etc. This is kinda daunting!

Safety matters mainly because I plan on taking my wife with me so we can get to know the place and see how we fit in... your advice to pick an area in which we might live, is great... I agree with you. I just need to learn what those areas are... lol.

I'm sure there wasn't a time that you were familiar/comfortable with PRICELINE, and you should be open to booking thru the best service for the particular trip. PRICELINE is usually the 'best' when seeking the lowest possible price, but there is also a time/place for HOTWIRE for when you need specific amenities, would like a comfort level of knowing some reviews before your purchase, or when you're looking to target/avoid a specific hotel or location within the zone.

You're correct in what you say... I'm just concerned that it will take too long to learn how it works... I'm concerned with the date coming up so quickly! Anyways, I trust you and the rest of the people here, and I have to consider your advice.
Let us know what you decide regarding acceptable zone(s) and we'll take it from there.
I noted the acceptable zones in a previous post as well as this post... hope it helps!

And good luck on your interview too!

Romelle... I'm definitely going to look into Hotwire and how it works now. Thanks for the help, and for the wishes! This process is so tough... but interviews are just another obstacle, and your (and others') moral support helps! Thanks again!
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When bidding 3* in the Detroit region you have ONE 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.

Select 3* Dearborn...

Bid $45, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $50, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Southfield...

Bid $45, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $50, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Dearborn and Southfield...

Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $60

Any 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

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I was just about to bid when I realized that I had a quick question... can I add the re-bid zones from the other areas (e.g. Detroit Suburbs)?

No, not within the same bid. When bidding "Detroit, MI" you can only add other zones shown on the top left list of Detroit, MI Priceline bidding zones.

If you want to bid the "Detroit Suburbs, MI" zones, you have to switch to that by clicking on the name on the right hand side. Then you can bid the zones shown there - Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Hills, etc.

Romelle

In the travel section of your local library or bookstore, you can find a lot of information about Detroit areas. Or click here.

For a decision the size of place to live, you need some more heavy-duty research.

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There's only 2 hotels in the immediate vicinity of Wayne State. Hotel St. Regis (avoid) and the Inn on Ferry Street (nice, but out of your budget).

Downtown Detroit and midtown (most areas) are safe, so don't worry. Wayne State also has its own police force that do a good job. The alternative is Dearborn, which is a quick ride to Wayne State. Parking will also be free in Dearborn as opposed to a downtown hotel.

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Hi guys,

Just an update... no luck at those rates. I'm really worried now! The date is nearing, and I don't want to be left without a place to stay. Any advice?

It seems like others have gotten rooms around these rates at greater star levels... luck of the draw?

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Rates do seem mildly higher for downtown Detroit for these dates for the most part, although I do see a 3.5* on HOTWIRE in Downtown Detroit for $64 w/Boutique, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Golf, Tennis, Business. This amenity set has been seen with the Roberts Riverwalk Hotel. If the Roberts, that is about 2.9M from Wayne State.

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

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I'm also seeing what i believe to be the Hilton Garden Inn for $74 which appears to be about the same distance from WSU, but another property to consider should the location work for your needs.

HOTWIRE also has what looks like the Hampton Inn in Southfield for $58/nite... this property has never been reported to the board thru PRICELINE, although many Hampton Inn properties are 2.5* rated by PRICELINE... this Hampton Inn is 3* rated by HOTWIRE.

If none of the above are acceptable, you can either choose to wait it out and hope for lower prices in the week ahead, raise your maximum bid, lower your star rating, or choose another nearby zone.

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

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

Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases

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If you are driving I would book at the Westin in Southfield, MI. It's 13 miles north of the Wayne State University off of 10 (The Lodge). It's an easy drive. You can usually bid $62 on PRICELINE and win a four star hotel which is very nice.

The Hampton HOTWIRE rate is also a solid value. Clean hotel and a nice brewery next door to wind down out at after a long day.

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Awesome advice... all of you! I'm going to rebid now. I'm just wondering, though... would it be wise to bid in that same price range but in the 4* category?

Also... We (my wife and I) don't drink, so pubs/bars/breweries don't matter much to us. Thanks for the idea, though.

Oh, and the 3rd is my interview, so I can't wait much longer to try again. So wish me luck!

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You certainly can try the 4* category first. All it costs is a little bit of your time. If it doesn't work, close out your browser and then start all over again at a lower star level. There are 3.5*s offered also.

Very generally, I think the odds increase for having to pay for parking as the star levels go up. And the odds for scoring free breakfast seem to increase as the star levels go down. Still, posher hotels are nice.

Yes, wishing you luck too!

Romelle

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  • 2 months later...

Sorry for not informing you all of my win. Got caught up in the trip and all the subsequent happenings of med school preparation.

Anyways, I ended up winning a $55 bid for the Courtyard by Marriott in Dearborn. It was a 3* at the time. Hope this helps someone else!

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