Priceline Hotel: Napa hotel strategy

[bee814]

HI,

I am looking for a Hotel in Napa close to Yountville for 2 nights July 25 and 26. I already saw a decent deal through another travel place that offers deals (can I say the name here?) It is the Vitners inn in Santa Rosa, 2 nights 359. includes a bottle of wine, 75 dollar dining credit and 2 wine passes to Ferrari-Carono. (I think that is a good deal?, I will probably buy that)

Now, I am looking for something closer to Yountville for the other 2 days of my stay. I would like at least a 3.5 star I would like to keep it under 200 per night if that is possible. SO how do I go about it, should I research in PL outside of the forum, then see what the prices are like before I bid. I have never done this before so any suggestions are appreciated. I will book through the forums, I just dont know the best strategy to begin.

Thanks for your help this site is great,

Bee

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

It's not clear from your post, are the nites you need in Yountville 7/25-7/27 or are those the nites you already have reserved elsewhere? Please confirm which nites you're seeking?

On PRICELINE, Yountville is located in the southern end of the Upper Napa Valley zone... are you willing to accept a hotel anywhere within the shaded boundaries of this zone? On HOTWIRE Yountville is it's own zone and you may be able to better target a hotel closer to your desired location (since the HOTWIRE zone is only ~2.5 miles in lenght vs. the 10 miles of the PRICELINE zone).

You can see both zones on a map, as well as see retail rates for comparison purposes, using our BiddingHelper.com tool at the top of the board ;)

Let us know how you'd like to proceed, as well as your desired star rating, and we'll take it from there.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

[bee814]

Ok sorry I was being vague again, looking for 7/23 and 7/24. Thanks for the good info on HOTWIRE versus PRICELINE zones. Again if I could keep it under 200 that would be great so. Ot sure of the star rating for this area to achieve that. Open to suggestions. Again I appreciate your help.

bee

[thereuare]

For your dates above no hotels are offered in the Yountville zone on HOTWIRE.

If you look at the Upper Napa Valley zone on PRICELINE, are you willing to accept a hotel anywhere within this zone? If so, the highest star rating in this zone is 2.5*... is this acceptable or would you prefer to stay further out and at a higher rated hotel?

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

[bee814]

Any idea what a 2.5 would be like in that area? If it's clean I suppose I would entertain it . I'll have to look around and see what some of the lower end hotels in that area are like. I would consider Napa then St. Helena too.

oh yeah, I was not really looking for a B&B so would that be part of the deal in this location?

[thereuare]

Harvest Inn Napa Valley and Napa Valley Lodge would be examples of two properties in this area rated 2.5*, there could of course be others.

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

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

[bee814]

yeah not too jazzed with those places. I think I would like to up the atar level and see what I can get in napa. say 3-4* dpnt want to go over 200 per night. Is that doable?

[thereuare]

Are you willing to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3.5* vs. a 3* OR is your goal the least expensive 3* or better for this stay?

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

[bee814]

Well I would like to keep it at 200 so if that is not possible then the least expensive 3.5

[bee814]

ok I thought I answered that question. I want to keep it around 200 a night so I am not sure what star rating that puts me in. So let;s say the least expensive 3*

[thereuare]

Let me rephrase by example...

If a 4* is available at $200, a 3.5* at $180, and a 3* at $160... all of these meet your criteria, but which would be your preference? Paying more for the higher rated hotel (yet still within your maximum budget) or the least expensive hotel within your minimum star rating threshold?

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

Thanks.

[bee814]

ok I see, If I can get a 4* for under 200 that is my preference. My second preference is a 3.5 star for no more than 170

[thereuare]

When bidding 4* in this region you have SEVEN re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 4* Napa...

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130

If the above is rejected wait 24 hours and re-try, once again using the PRICELINE link on the board:

Select 4* Napa...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $170

Any questions feel free to ask.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[DrewM]

I don't know if you've already booked, but I just booked on Hotwire the Best Western Premiere Ivy (3.5*) for $120/night for 3 weeknights next week, which I believe was your time frame as well.

Just an FYI...

[bee814]

really, Did you have a certain strategy? what was your low bid? I was looking at that place actually.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

It was a HOTWIRE purchase so there was no bidding involved.

Have you tried any of the bidding above already?

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

[bee814]

oh duh!. I did not realize you didnt have to bid on Hotwire. I wonder if I should do the same? I'll have to read up on how to use hotwire.

I am going to try bidding tomorrow. I have a backup that I can cancel up until 2 days before, so I have time.It just so happens my backup hotel is the one he got for 120.00 My price is 198.00 so I will try and bid for a lower rate. I did want to bid for a 4* but I really dont want Vino Bello or Meritage, everything I'm not in the mood for anytime share nonsense. SO I may shoot for a 3.5 and see what I get. I wouldnt mind staying at my backup hotel, I just would like it at a lower price.

[thereuare]

I'll have to read up on how to use hotwire.

See this I've Never Used Priceline or Hotwire thread as it explains the similarities, and differences, of each service.

I am going to try bidding tomorrow.

If your plans are firm what is the advantage of waiting until tomorrow? If you're not successful you add one more day to the possible times you can try again.

...I really dont want Vino Bello or Meritage...

By bidding on PRICELINE how do you intend to avoid either of these?

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