Priceline Hotel: Help!!

[janellekel]

We are visiting Washington DC 6/14-6/18 (2 adults). I am looking for a hotel only requirement is that it's near the Metro (2-3 blocks at most). I'm looking for a 4* and I'm open to price. I don't want to spend more than $125 in a dream world, but can increase the dollar amount if need be. Can anyone suggest some options? Or even areas? This is the first trip to DC since my husband and I were children...so we are somewhat clueless.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

The most frequently bid zones are White House-Downtown and Convention Center-Capitol Hill as these are closest to the tourist sites. However, Dupont Circle is also bid quite frequently as it has a 'neighborhood' feel with lots of bars and restaurant to server the local community, and is a short metro ride to the 'downtown' area. However...

I am looking for a hotel only requirement is that it's near the Metro (2-3 blocks at most).

With PRICELINE or HOTWIRE you can't choose where within the zone you'll end up, so unless a zone is so geographically small that metro stops are located within 2-3 blocks of every hotel in the zone, i'm not sure how you'll be able to guarantee such a close proximity. Many of the zones are only a mile or do in diameter, but there is a difference between a 10-15 minute walk and being 2-3 blocks away. If you really need to be within 2-3 blocks you might consider HOTWIRE which shows you the amenities offered by the hotel before your purchase, and you can often use this information to take an educated guess as to the hotel you may receive, and you could then research the hotel and determine if it's close enough to a metro stop for you (use MAPS and HOTELS.com, search the general area, then put the hotel name into the search box (on top of the star ratings on the left hand side if looking for location of a specific hotel). However, there are no guarantees that you (or we) will guess correctly so there would still be some risk involved that you could be more than 2-3 blocks away.

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

If PRICELINE or HOTWIRE are not right for you for this stay, i would still recommend using MAPS and HOTELS.com as you can zoom in on the map to see the metro locations and therefore pick and choose the hotels which are within a 2-3 block radius.

[janellekel]

OK, thanks for the clarification. Can you suggest a good option then? We will be traveling via the metro throughout the 4 days to do the normal sight seeing stuff. We'd like safe and comfortable but don't need all the extras. Any 4* suggetions? Also, what should I start bidding at?

[thereuare]

Can you suggest a good option then?

Do you mean that is 2-3 blocks from a metro station or you're willing to accept something that is 'reasonably close' to a metro stop?

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

[janellekel]

we are OK with something resonably close. I just don't want a huge trek after a long day of sightseeing.

[thereuare]

I think your budget may come up a little short for a 4* hotel, but to being, do you want to try for a 4* hotel anywhere within the three zones previously mentioned? (White House-Downtown, Convention Center-Capitol Hill, and Dupont Circle... see previous post above)

If you are turned down for a 4* hotel up to $125/nite, i do think there are some viable options if you're willing to SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID, and that could be a an alternative to lowering your star rating and/or increasing your bid price... but we'll cross that bridge when we get there if necessary.

Let us know regarding the zones and we'll advise accordingly.

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