Priceline Hotel: Bid help Lake George NY

[yeshivaman]

I am planning a trip to Lake George, NY with my wife and 2 children (ages 2 & 4) Aug 15 & 16, and will be needing a hotel for the night of the 15th. Keeping in mind that since Child 1 was born, our opportunities for vacations have been severely limited, so Id like to make this stay as nice as possible. however, in this economy, money isn't exactly easy to come by, so I'd love some help at keeping my expenditures down to as low as they need to be. I appreciate all you guys do here, and will definitely use your links.( a $75 bid was rejected) Thank You!

I did use the PRICELINE link to make my not accepted bid...

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel, and you could receive a room with only one bed. While you can call the hotel you win and request a room with two beds, the hotel may not be able, or willing, to honor your request. If this is not a risk you're willing to take, HOTWIRE may still be an option as they allow you to search for up to quad occupancy and ensure sleeping accommodations for everyone you include in your search (although this usually means two beds, the second 'bed' could be a sofabed, rollaway, etc)

What star star rating did you select when your $75 bid was rejected?

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

[yeshivaman]

Thanks. I had selected the 3 star for the both of my bids, and had only included the Lake area in my search. I dont really mind taking the risk, as most nights, it seems as if the kids sleep in our beds regardless.... ;)

Thanks again.

[thereuare]

My guess is that you may more likely be looking at about $125-$145 or a 3.5* property... $70-$90 may be more likely put you in the range for a 2.5* hotel.

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[yeshivaman]

I can see myself doing $125 for a 3.5*, considering it is one night. The $145 range, which would end up being more like $170 after taxes and fees would only work if I would be more confident what type of room we would end up with. For something like the Queensbury Hotel I wouldn't want to pay that much...

[thereuare]

Sorry, i had a typo above, as there is no 3.5* bidding in the Lake George zone... 3* is the highest offered here. I meant $125-$145 for a 3* hotel.

This is a summer season destination so there isn't much reason for hotels to discount too heavily as many may have nearly full occupancy on their own, and would prefer to hold on to some rooms for walk-ins (to which they can charge top dollar)

So what would you like to try next... a 3* hotel at at $125 maximum bid?

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

[yeshivaman]

I would, but for all the hotels they have listed excluding the Queensbury. The Reviews get me very nervous...

[thereuare]

If you're not willing to accept any 3* hotel in the zone then you'll need to use HOTWIRE if you're 'safely' able to identify a hotel as not being the Queensbury Hotel. HOTWIRE will cost you a little more than PRICELINE, but you can have a little more control to target, or as in this case, avoid a hotel you prefer not to receive.

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

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

[yeshivaman]

Wouldn't it be possible by excluding the Queensbury's zone?

[thereuare]

There is no 'Queensbury' zone, but the Queensbury hotel appears to be in the Glen Falls zone, so you can avoid it by no ilncluding it in your bidding... I didn't look at that hotel on a map and had just assumed it was in the Lake George zone since you stated that you'd be happy with any hotels listed except the Queensbury.

However, also note that the hotels in the 'retail' section of PRICELINE (assuming that is what you're looking at) are not necessarily the universe of hotels that are available thru PRICELINE's 'bidding' service... each division of their service use a different universe of hotels and you could win a hotel 'like' the Queensbury that you didn't expect (if it is in one of the zones that you have chosen to bid)

So, moving forward, if you're looking to bid 3* for the Lake George area zone, what is your maximum bid for any 3* hotel located within this zone?

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

[yeshivaman]

$125- $150, I guess

[thereuare]

When bidding 3* in the Lake George area you have ONE re-bid zone. 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 3* Lake George...

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

Bid $100

If the above is rejected i would repeat every 24 hours with the following price combinations:

$110/$120

$125/$130

$135/$$140

$145/$150

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.

[yeshivaman]

So far my bids up to 120 have been declined. Any pointers in dealing with HOTWIRE?

[thereuare]

Is there anything of interest offered on HOTWIRE within your desired star rating and budget?

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

[yeshivaman]

There is only one Hotel listed on the hotwire site, but i have no idea how to id it!

[thereuare]

What is the star rating, price and amenities associated with the HOTWIRE hotel offered?

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

[yeshivaman]

3* $144 and Indoor pool(s) fitness center pool(s) business center high speed internet free parking and free breakfast

[thereuare]

I'm not currently seeing this property offered when searching HOTWIRE for your dates... are you still seeing the above on your own search?

Are you including 2adults/2children in your search? (i'm not seeing a 3* in this zone regardless of whether i include children in the search or not)

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

[yeshivaman]

<dead link removed>

[thereuare]

Result page links on HOTWIRE contain sessions and therefore won't work on any one other computer and/or won't work after 30 minutes, so we have no idea what it showing in the link you tried to post. Please let us know (by typing) if:

1) you're still seeing this property (3* in the Lake George NY zone for 8/15-8/17)

2) are you searching for 2adults/2children

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

Thanks.

[hernonmary]

I have stayed at the Queensbury in Glen Falls several times. It is lovely hotel. Rooms are big. The hotel is a little older but well maintained and charming. Nice indoor pool and also a bar/restaurant. Also in walking distance to may other restaurants. I would recommend it!

[Romelle]

There is only one Hotel listed on the hotwire site, but i have no idea how to id it!

You don't bid HOTWIRE - you just accept the listed rate if you like the deal. And then you learn the hotel.

But you can get an educated guess as to what the hotel might be if you post the details of the deal - rate/date(s)/amenities,

I hope you aren't missing that PRICELINE 5% discount code that shows in thereuare's signature? It will help a bit on a tight budget.

Romelle