Priceline Hotel: 4* or good 3.5* hotel in SFO (Financial district or Fisherman's Wharf from 22nd Aug until 26th Aug

[tonio]

Dear all,

thank you for that great forum. I would like to travel with my girl friend from 22nd Aug until 26th Aug to San Francisco. First preference would be Fisherman's Wharf and then Financial District. I read a bit and tried Priceline today myself. As only FiDi had 4* at Priceline, i started there and added consecutively Fisherman's Wharf and then Lombard/Marina. Started with 80 USD and increased until 95 USD. Now i'm blocked for 24 hours. Where shall i start tomorrow? I have time to play for a week but would like to spend not days of work.

I used the links provided for PL and HW but prices on Hotwire were above 200 USD per night for 4*

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I think current rates for a 3.5* or 4* hotel are beyond what you expect this trip to cost, as i think a 4* at the moment will likely cost ~$160-$180, and that is if you're willing to stay downtown in USE and/or USW.

If you let us know your maximum bid for a 4* hotel, and your maximum bid for a 3.5* property (if different than the 4*) we will be happy to suggest a strategy for you to follow, but realize that it will like take closer to the range suggested above than the $100 price point.

One suggestion, perhaps not exactly what you're looking for but perhaps something to consider from the value perspective, is a 3* hotel that HOTWIRE is showing in the USW zone for $111/nite (your price may differ by a few dollars) with the following amenities:

Restaurant

Hi-Speed Internet

Deaf Accessible

Free Internet

Travel Accessible

Room Accessible

Handicapped Parking

Besides the price, what is notable about this property is that it has a 95% recommendation from previous guests (very good), 4.0-5.0 on all the criteria asks previous guests to rate (also very good), and a 4.5/5.0 TA rating (which is excellent). My guess for this property is the Chancellor Hotel, and while it may not be the 4* you're seeking, whatever property it ultimately turns out to be (should it not be the Chancellor), it likely represents some good value and should be an enjoyable stay based upon the reviews/feedback.

Your thoughts?

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

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. (and please click each of these links again before replying)

Thanks.

[tonio]

Dear Admin!

Thank you very much for your detailed feedback. That is very much appreciated! My 4* upper limit for Fisherman's Wharf/FiDi is 180ish. I started with 80-100 USD because i saw some successful bids for June/July. I would prefer to stay in that region to avoid travelling too much. I would be willing to pay max. 120ish for a 3.5* hotel (but also the Lombard/Marina quarter would be fine, as my girl friend stayed in that region some years ago).

Which level would be good to start?

I already used PRICELINE and HOTWIRE and will use it today again. Thank you very much in advance!

Regards, Toni

[tonio]

Dear Admin,

i played with PRICELINE a bit and surprisingly, when i add 3.5* in FiDi then the average price suggestion decreases from 268 to 161 per night. There seems to be a cheaper hotel around or is the suggestion really no indication?

Thank you, Toni

[thereuare]

i played with PRICELINE a bit and surprisingly, when i add 3.5* in FiDi then the average price suggestion decreases from 268 to 161 per night. There seems to be a cheaper hotel around or is the suggestion really no indication?

Generally you should ignore the 'median price' and 'suggested price' shown by PRICELINE... it's often wrong and not meaningful in developing a bidding strategy.

My 4* upper limit for Fisherman's Wharf/FiDi is 180ish. I started with 80-100 USD because i saw some successful bids for June/July. I would prefer to stay in that region to avoid travelling too much. I would be willing to pay max. 120ish for a 3.5* hotel...

Do you want to first bid for a 4* up to your limit OR is the goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this stay? Let us know what you'd like to try first and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[tonio]

Generally you should ignore the 'median price' and 'suggested price' shown by PRICELINE... it's often wrong and not meaningful in developing a bidding strategy.

ok, thank you!

Do you want to first bid for a 4* up to your limit OR is the goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this stay? Let us know what you'd like to try first and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

I used the PRICELINE link and worked my way up to 185 for the 4*. 12 bids were not successful. I have seen that the Hyatt Regency in Fidi regular sells for 220, so i had this as a fallback option.

At what level do you think, i have a chance to get a successfull bid for the 3.5* at Fisherman's Wharf?

Thank you for your time and efforts. I really like the spirit!

[tonio]

I was a bit bored the last hours and "played" with Priceline in Fisherman's Wharf. I raised in five rounds the 3.5* hotels up to 150 but was unsuccessful. Before i restart, what do you think is the winning level? Today is my third day. Any chance for 4th July offers???

[thereuare]

If you expand your acceptable zones to include USE and USW i think you can get a 3.5*/4* hotel for ~$165-$185... in the Fisherman Wharf zone may be looking at closer to $200+.

Is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option... i think the weekend dates of your trip are likely much more affordable than the mid-week nites.

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

[tonio]

I gave up with HOTWIRE and PRICELINE as i got a good offer from an offline tour operator with spare rooms in SF. I booked the Fairmont for 240 USD per night including all costs.

[thereuare]

Glad you found something that works for your needs.

Enjoy your stay.