Priceline Hotel: 4* San Francisco (SFO Airport - Burlingame) Need Help

[Buttuh]

The weekend of 8-24 - 8-28 seems to be extremely expensive compared to every other weekend in August and early September. I see that there is a jazz festival this weekend but I'm not sure if that could be part of the reason. I know that this area is the least expensive in San Francisco and I paid less than $100 a night around the same time last year for the Hilton in Burlingame. Right now the lowest listed price for a 4* in this area is $223.

If it's any way possible for me to keep my price under $150 while staying at 4* that would be great. Is there any suggested strategy that would help me get the best bid? Also, could waiting until closer to the date help me secure a better price?

Sorry if I sound lost. Thanks for any help in advance.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

These are going to be very difficult dates for a 4* hotel in the city.

Are you choosing the SFO Airport-Burlingame zone because it's the least expensive OR is this your preferred zone (regardless of cost)? Are any other zones acceptable but you haevn't bid them because you assume they will be too high?

I'm not sure if it will help, but is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option?

Let us know the above and we'll take it from there.

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

[Buttuh]

It's actually my preferred zone because I will be going to Santa Cruz and Mountain View during that weekend as well as San Francisco and it's convenient that it's in between. Also the location was fine for me last time, especially since where I stayed was by the water. The fact that it's the least expensive doesn't hurt though. I would be willing to stay in most of the other zones in the city. The splitting bids means I would just have to switch rooms and the average would come out lower or entire hotels?? I would be willing to try it if it makes sense with my schedule.

I just put in 8-24 - 8-26 and the Hilton is listed at $152. For 8-26 - 8-28 the Hyatt Regency is the best deal at $203.

Also, I am curious about how much of a downgrade the quality of Doubletree by Hilton and other 3.5* hotels are in comparison. I really would prefer to stay in a 4* but I may be willing to go lower if the savings is a lot.

[Buttuh]

For 8-24 through 8-26

Select 4* SFO-Burlingame

Bid at $75, rejected and add re-bid zone...

Bid $85, rejected and added re-bid zone...

Bid $95, rejected and added re-bid zone...

Bid $105, rejected and added re-bid zone...

Bid $115, rejected and added re-bid zone...

Bid $120, rejected.

Stopped there because I want it to average out for the other two days which will be more expensive.

[thereuare]

It's actually my preferred zone because I will be going to Santa Cruz and Mountain View during that weekend as well as San Francisco and it's convenient that it's in between.

Would it fit into your schedule to inquire about staying in Mountain View and using that as your base to travel between San Francisco and Santa Cruz? Or staying here for 2 out of the 4 nites?

I would be willing to stay in most of the other zones in the city.

Keeping in mind that parking will also likely be a bit more expensive 'downtown' vs. out by the airport.

The splitting bids means I would just have to switch rooms and the average would come out lower or entire hotels?? I would be willing to try it if it makes sense with my schedule.

If you were lucky to win the same hotel you could likely stay in the same room... but there is a greater probability that you win a different hotel, and would therefore need to change hotels midstay.

Also, I am curious about how much of a downgrade the quality of Doubletree by Hilton and other 3.5* hotels are in comparison. I really would prefer to stay in a 4* but I may be willing to go lower if the savings is a lot.

It's difficult to say as ratings can be so subjective... just read reviews of the same property by two different people and it seems like they weren't at the same hotel. As well, the ratings themselves are subjective... you may find a specific 3.5* that you like more than a give 4* in the zone OR you may find a 3.5* hotel that you don't think even deserves a 3* rating. I usually try to just properties on value... a Ritz Carlton or similar brand may be a great experience, but at $1000/nite it's not a good value (and why i likely have never stayed in one :) )... a 3* hotel may not provide as good of an experience as a 4*, but if the 3* is $75 and the 4* is $200 i will likely find the 3* 'good enough' and a better value than the 4*.

Let us know your thoughts on the above and we'll take it from there.

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

[Buttuh]

Honestly I would rather not stay in Mountain View because I only plan on going to the Boardwalk at Santa Cruz for a couple hours the first day I'm out there. The Saturday and Sunday I'm going to be at Mountain View all day long for an event but I planned on going out in the city during the night pretty much every night. It feels like too much back and forth for me when it would be nicer to just stay some where in between.

I agree about value relative to the hotel.

The best values I established by looking at Priceline's listed prices was staying at The Hilton in Burlingame for $152 a night for the first 2 nights and then the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame for the following 2 nights for $203 a night, which would average $177 per night.

OR

Doubletree by Hilton (3.5*) for $114 a night all 4 nights.

Right now in terms of value just off that I might go with the Doubletree just because my girl is fine with it but if I could bid that first average down to around $150 a night I think I would choose the former. Any suggested strategies?

[thereuare]

The best values I established by looking at Priceline's listed prices was staying at The Hilton in Burlingame for $152 a night for the first 2 nights and then the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame for the following 2 nights for $203 a night, which would average $177 per night.

...but if I could bid that first average down to around $150 a night I think I would choose the former. Any suggested strategies?

Am i correct that thus far you have only bid up to $120 for the first 2 nites... and have not tried to bid (say up to $175??) for the last 2 nites? My thoughts are that if you're successful for the last 2 nites then you could always pick up the first two nites at retail rates, stilling bringing down your average cost a bit.

I also found these options for the last two nites (which may help you blend the $203 nite at the Hilton for the first two nites)

Crowne Plaza Airport for $151/nite

Embassy Suites Airport South for $180/nite

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. (even if you choose to go the 'PRICELINE retail route') or the links above if those options are of interest.

Let us know whatever you decide for this trip or how we can be of further help.