Priceline Hotel: Barcelona 5/11-5/14

[BOSSed]

My wife an I will travel to Barcelona in May. WE are looking for a place for the first 3 nights, 5/11 through 5/14 in Barcelona. I have bid on priceline for 3* or higher for over a month in the La Rambla North, Eixample, area. My last bid was $165 per night, the list prices on priceline start at $185. I have never had this much trouble on a priceline bid before. I have great luck in Denver, Phoenix, Vail, Boston, etc. I'm wondering if there is a cultural difference in how priceline is used/accepted, especially since I am bidding within $20 and 10% of list prices.

I am starting to look at direct hotel websites since I can get a 4* directly through the hotel for around $200-$220 from what I am seeing. Open to suggestions and anyone else's previous experiences bidding in Barcelona.

[Romelle]

Have you checked out what Hotwire could do for you (link just above on the left side)? There is a list of hotels other members have received from Hotwire in the very first post of Hotwire - Other Countries.

Romelle

PS - on two prior trips to Barcelona I found rooms were completely out of my budget. I ended up booking hotels north along the coast in Santa Susanna and another coast city near there. I took the train into Barcelona for the day a few times, and just enjoyed the coastal area a couple of the other days. Pretty ride along the Mediterranean.

[BOSSed]

I'm tryingt to cut down on the daily commutes during this vacation as much as possible. Hotel location seems to be the best way. My wife is 5 months pregnant, found out after we booked the flights. I'll check hotwire.

I'm just amazed at the complete lack of accepting priceline offers. I'm ok with going direct to the hotels for $200+ a night, but don't understand the business model of turing down 10% less with prepayment.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I have bid on priceline for 3* or higher for over a month in the La Rambla North, Eixample, area. My last bid was $165 per night, the list prices on priceline start at $185.

Geographically speaking, this zone is very small (only about one mile in radius)... what is the $185/nite hotel you've found and is it located within this zone? Using MAPS and HOTELS.com i entered your dates, filtered by star rating (only showing 3* and higher hotels), and centered the map to coincide with this zone... the best rate i was able to find for a 3* or higher property started at $231/nite.

Is Las Ramblas North the only acceptable zone?

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