Priceline Hotel: Bidding Help May31-Jun7, close to city center

[Bubbles01]

This site is great—I appreciate all the free advice and help that’s here without even registering. I’ve been using your PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links while doing my research. But I think I’m about as far as I can get on my own without asking a few questions.

We are a family of four, visiting DC for the first time from roughly 5/31-6/7. We are not renting a car so I want to stay as close as possible to the mall, meaning the White House Downtown or Capitol Hill Zones. I’d like to stay around $100/night, maybe $120, but location is the most important criteria. I understand PRICELINE is likely cheaper, but it only guarantees double occupancy; I’m wondering if you think our arrival time of 3 am will mean that we’ll have no chance of getting a 2 bed or bed-sofabed room with a PRICELINE reservation If the likelihood is really low, then I’ll pay more for the HOTWIRE guarantee.

There are some recent Priceline wins for that timeframe for the 3* Residence Inn-Vermont Ave at $75-$80 and that actually would be great. Should I just try for that?

Or what star rating do you think I can get with that budget & dates?

Thanks for any help you can give.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I understand PRICELINE is likely cheaper, but it only guarantees double occupancy; I

[Bubbles01]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Pretty much all the variables you listed are strikes against us getting 2 beds, and it's too long of a stay to put my no-longer-adorable teens on the floor.

So, that leaves me with Hotwire, right? I don't really see much strategy for using Hotwire; just wait for a decently priced hotel with the desired amenities & location to come up, and then take it. If it's opaque, I could ask on the board for help identifying it. And it might be wise to get a refundable reservation somewhere now, just as a back up plan.

I have to admit, it's a bit of a let down--I was all excited to do the whole re-bidding thing ;)

Do you agree that's probably the best path forward?

Thanks

[thereuare]

It really depends upon your risk tolerance... it's usually less risk in a family friendly place (such as Orlando, Anaheim, etc) which are used to, and set up for, dealing with larger families and therefore have a higher percentage of rooms with two beds in them... and it's tougher in larger cities which are known to have expensive real estate where the room are likely to be smaller and cater to solo business travelers (and therefore have a higher percentage of rooms with one bed).

The 'problem' is that some hotels are fine with more than double occupancy, others less so, and since you don't know the name of the hotel you will get with PRICELINE, it's impossible to know how it will play out.

HOTWIRE can certainly still offer some savings, but you're right, there is no bidding involved. If you see a hotel that you find within your desired star rating and budget, just ask for help and we'll try to assist.

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

[Bubbles01]

With more research, I guess my budget was too low. I've booked a refundable rate as a back up, but cringe at the thought of paying that $223/night price, so I'm going to continue watching Hotwire. I'm realizing the length of the stay is part of what's killing our budget, especially the weeknights. So I'm looking at splitting the stay--we are willing to change hotels for a $400+ savings :) Here's what I've found, I think I've identified them, but do you agree? I know you can't guarantee rates will rise or drop, but I'd appreciated your seasoned advice on whether these rates are a good find or not for the area & timeframe. They are quad occupancy.

5/31-6/4 3* $149 Capital Hill National Mall Amenities:Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Laundry Facilities (self-service), High-Speed Internet Access

I think this one is probably the Holiday Inn-Capitol

5/31-6/4 3.5* $156 White House Downtown Amenities: Fitness Center, Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-Speed Internet Access

I think this one is probably the Hamilton Crowne Plaza

6/4-6/6 3.5* $205 White House Downtown Amenities: Fitness Center, Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-Speed Internet Access

I think this one is probably the Hamilton Crowne Plaza, too

What do you think the odds are that the last two are the same hotel?

Thank you so much.

[thereuare]

I agree with your guesses above and i do believe that the last two entries are the same property.

Besides cherry blossom season there really isn't a 'season' in DC, it's a very event driven market... government meetings, a large rally/demonstration, conventions, etc. all have a very dramatic effect on rates. In this area it's not uncommon to see rates of $100 one nite and then $300+ the next.

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

Let us know what you decide or how we can be of further help.

[Romelle]

You were so precise about that 3 AM arrival, I assume you are arriving by air? Why not book an airport hotel for that first night? Crash, and then the next day make your way downtown after you wake those teens.

Maybe you meant a train arrival?

Romelle

[Bubbles01]

That's a great idea! Plus it'll probably be much cheaper. You're right about the flight.

Do you think the second day hotel in the downtown area would let us store our bags from 10 am until check-in? Because it would be a pain to be lugging them around DC, trying to sightsee while waiting for a check-in time. Or is it possible early check-in would be as early as 10ish (or however early we can awake after that late flight.)

Thank you so much.

[AaronJB]

Early check-in is not likely, especially if it's busy (although certainly worth asking.) However, many hotels in major cities should be able to hold/check bags.

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

[Bubbles01]

Thanks--with all your help I am feeling much better about our plans. I

[Romelle]

Another question

[Bubbles01]

Even more ideas on how to do this! Thanks for all the research!

It bugged me that your numbers didn't match mine, until I realized I was looking at quad occupancy and you looked at double. But what's really weird (to me) is that on the 6/4 stay, when you found no results for double occupancy, I can still get quad occupancy for $206 that night . I guess I figured the hotel would be fine selling a two bed room to either doubles or quads, and would show it as available, just pricey.

No response necessary, but I just thought it weird.