Priceline Hotel: Bologna, Italy 2-5 April 2013 assistance please

[ElPal]

Hi,

Using your links I have tried (and also had my sister and brother-in law use their accounts) bidding for Bologna Central for these dates so far without success.

Dates are 2-5 April 2013 and we are looking for Bologna Central and North, ideally a 4*.

Firstly, I bid for 2-5 April, Bologna Central and North, $60 - rejected

Then, 24 hours later, I bid for the same dates, $65 - rejected.

Later that day, my sister used her account and bid for the same 3 dates, same area and $85 - rejected.

A few hours later, my brother-in-law used his account and tried for $100 - rejected.

I then decided to try bidding for just 3-5 April (dropping 2 April) and keeping all else the same at $100 - rejected

I then tried for 2-5 April and added in 3* at $110 - rejected.

My brother-in-law then also tried 3-5 April (same area) and added in 3* at $120 and was also rejected.

I understand that Bologna is busy at that period - we are going for a fair which is on from 3-5 April. However, on the various hotel booking websites, which I researched using your SUPPORT PAGE links, I see that the main problem seems to be 2 April (which is the Tuesday after Easter).

In the meantime, I have secured a 3* hotel in the Fiera district which is ok but not what we were after for 272USD for the 3 nights (includes breakfast and has free cancellation).

Does anyone know from experience whether we will have a chance to score a room on PRICELINE closer to the time? Also, any idea whether it is likely to be the fair or Easter or both which are causing the problem?

I had been hoping ideally to score one of the 4* hotels on PRICELINE by Name your own price (using your links of course) for $125USD maximum per night but am not sure if it will be possible.

[thereuare]

Yes, with nearly 8 months before this stay it's certainly possible that rates change between now and then. However, with current retail rates at some 4* hotels in the $400's, expecting rates to drop that much may not be realistic.

I'm not familiar with the Fiera District, but you may want to search MAPS and HOTELS.com which may give you something reasonably priced but closer to Bologna... using the filters makes it easy to see how much more/less it will cost to go up/down in star rating or closer/further from your preferred location.

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