Priceline Hotel: 3* Boston (Downtown-Charlestown) Doubletree

[actno]

I am looking to bid for 2 rooms for a 4* in the Boston/Cambridge area.

How low should I start with? and where, for all practical purrposes, I could end up at (price and location)?

[thereuare]

Please clarify which zones you are willing to bid.

"Boston City"... was that just refering to Cambridge, or are you also looking at other zones within Boston (ie- Copley, Downtown, etc?).

Let us know the zone(s) (by Priceline name) you're willing to bid and we'll take a look and make a suggestion.

Do you have a maximum bid and/or star rating in mind?

[actno]

Knew I had left the better details for people to guess... sorry for that.

Ideally I'd like to be in the "Downtown Boston - Charlestown" area, if thats not possible then Cambridge - Brookline and Copley will be next on my options, in that order.

I absolutely would die of worry, if my bid were to be accepted for a Holiday Inn, hence my reluctance for a 3*, else I think I would be fine with a 3 * rating. Not that ALL Hol Inns are Horrible, but I've had some really sad experiences and most of'em have been with a Hol Inn (not just the HI express).

Thanks again, please feed me with some solution :).

[thereuare]

Do you have a maximum bid in mind?

What is more important, price or zone? (ie- would you pay more to be in the Downtown-Charlestown zone)

[actno]

Price is #1.

I looked at the recent winning bids and went to some of the hotels website, have been discouraged by the parking rates! Almost all charge in excess of $30 for a night to park!

I suppose, that would be an issue in central Boston. So, basically, as things are, I'd go for a 4* in the vicinity (a short drive to Boston, and park the car in Commons garage, charging $10 during weekends) and be happy.

The max for the trip, I had in my mind was $60 a night.

[actno]

Question: Why do you suggest closing the browser, for re-bidding?

[thereuare]

I don't understand, are you still looking to stay in the oringal zones you listed and will park your car on the outskirts of the city and commute in OR are you thinking about staying outside the city.

Let us know by telling us the zones (as named by priceline) so that it avoids any confusion.

Regarding the browser, we only recommend that in certain situations... it in a sense allows you to 'uncheck' a zone that was previously selected and therefore maximizes your bidding opportunities.

[thereuare]

Only in certain situations... it in a sense allows you to 'uncheck' a zone that was previously selected and therefore maximizes your bidding opportunities.

[actno]

Did someone on this forum comeup with a strategy to find alternatives to the HUGE parking rates?

If not, then I think will have to stay outside the city. What will my best options be?

a 15mile trip to Boston could be justified, for a lower price (hotel cost and no/little parking fees:)).

I hope I am clear now.

[actno]

Ok, will try it the next time, if it works, that'd be awesome!

[thereuare]

This this personal webpage where a local discusses Boston Parking. You may want to try to find other resources as well.

Once you determine the zones you are able to stay in we'll be in a better position to suggest a bidding strategy.

I don't think you are understanding the aspect about why to close/open a new browser, it has nothing to do with cookies or anything like that... it's simply that once you submit a zone to Priceline you can not UNcheck that zone for a subsequent bid (the box remains checked and greyed-out, so no way to UNselect it). Closing the current browser and opening a new one allows you to start over and only select the zones you want, but duplicate bid rules still apply.

[thenewbie]

First, you really don't want to drive into the city unless you need to. You could stay at a hotel in Downtown/Copley/Cambridge and leave your car outside the city at a T station parking lot. Parking is typically under $5 and the subway will cost you $1.50 - $3 to get into the city. Commuting into the city may be your best option, you get to stay in the city and you don't pay for parking at the hotel.

You could also consider the 2.5* level in the Medford - Somerville area. Both reported hotels offer free parking and you should be able to keep it under your limit. However, there are NO free re-bids for this level and you're outside of the city (consider transit time). From the hotel, you can drive to the Wellington T Station and park for $3.50. The LQ offers a shuttle to the T Station and the Amerisuites offers 'limited local transportation' (the station is approx. 2 miles from the Amerisuites). You may want to contact the hotel for more info, but for $3.50, you don't need to be on their schedule.

[actno]

Thanks.

Boston Commons parking seems very promising (if entered after 6AM Sat and left before 10AM Mon). Now with this information, I think I'd want to try in Dwntn Boston-Charlestown area (surrounding the commons).

How much should I bid for a 4* and god forbid :) a 3* incase..... (2night stay, Saturday and Sunday 30-31July)?

Suggestions more than welcome.

[thereuare]

I think a 4* is going to cost more than $60/nite.

What is your maximum bid at each star level?

[actno]

thought so, have been tracking what others have paid.. someone got a Hyatt Financial for $60.. that was dang!!!

However, for this trip I require 2 rooms, so dont want to spend toooo much, on the room only ...

I guess $60 for a 4* and $50 for a 3? How bad is that?

What chances I will have if I throw in Copley and Cambridge in the mix?

[thereuare]

I don't think you're being realistic in your bid amounts. We'll suggest a strategy for whatever amount you tell us, but you need to be specific so that we provide an appropriate strategy... do you want to include the Copley and/or Cambridge zones or not?

[actno]

Whats the realistic bid amount for 4* and a 3* in your mind?

for zones Boston Downtown- Copley- Cambridge?

[thereuare]

You'll need to provide me with rates for at least two hotels at each star level and within each zone for these dates direct from the hotel websites. Unfortunately i don't have the time tonite to look-up all the rates for you.

[blindman]

I take it you've seen my recent sucessful bid at the Hilton Dedham + my review?

Dedham review

The location is very good for the commuter train:- 40 mins to Boston though obviously only frequent trains during commuting hours. You walk about 300 yards to the station.

It has FREE parking.

It is next to the slip road for the I95 so easy access. So you could always drive to a nearby metro station and park for the day if you didn't fancy the Train.

My only problem with this hotel was that there was only one working Ice machine on all the 5 floors!

I did not check out the spa or gym, we were only staying one night.

If Price is your #1 this hotel has it all at $45.00

[actno]

Thanks guys, your inputs were very useful.

Last night, I decided to try my luck... and as luck would have it, I managed a bargain and I don't think not many will disagree.

I got a 3* Doubletree Boston Downtown for $50, right next to the Commons!

The bidding story goes like this...

Started off with $60 for a 4* in Downtown-Charlestown, added Cambridge and then Copley .. no luck, then added the two lesser zones for rebidding, increased my bid by 5$ each time.. so 70$ 4* none available at the time. Closed the browser, decreased my bid to $40 for a 3* Downtown Boston, declined.

Closed the browser, and added one lesser zone to Downtown and increased my bid to 45$, PL came back saying if I increase the bid by $14, I'd have a shot. I did what I was supposed to do, not accept it :).

added the last lesser zone (south boston) and bid $50.. and hoooray... there it was.. Bid accpeted .. for Doubletree.

Now the only thing for me is to check out before 10AM on mOnday else, all the savings will go with the parking meter, but that should be ok toooo.

Now the final question, anybody know of a better Parking garage near this DT, excpet the Commons parking garage?

and lastly, greatluck with your bids...

[thereuare]

That is a good deal for these dates.

Glad it worked out well for you... enjoy your stay.