Priceline Hotel: 4* DC (Dupont Circle - Woodley Park) Omni Shoreham Hotel

[jellyfish39]

I am trying to Book a 4* Washington DC hotel for 5 nights Oct 20-25 2012. Am looking at a hotel on Hotwire in Dupont Circle that shows as $163 for 4 nights, but $209 for all 5 nights.

However same hotel also shows up at $109 when I try a 7 night booking - which strangely works out as the cheapest option. I have been checking for about 2 weeks now.

Have tried Priceline but everything gets rejected, and they suggest I book above $170.

1) If I book for 7 nights, does it matter if I check out early, since the reservations is pre-paid?

2) Am I trying to book too soon, should I wait a couple of weeks and try again?

Thanks,

Sally

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

1) If I book for 7 nights, does it matter if I check out early, since the reservations is pre-paid?

Shouldn't be any problem... when you want to leave you could either tell the hotel something came up and you're leaving OR let the room sit vacant and then call them on the morning of your official check-out day and tell them you forgot to check-out via the television (or at the front desk) and if they could manually take care of that for you now.

2) Am I trying to book too soon, should I wait a couple of weeks and try again?

Nobody can say if rates will come down, or move higher, between now and your stay, but for a more details discussion on this subject see the related 'Bid Early or Close to Check-in' link in our PRICELINE FAQ. I would use the biddinghelper to see hotel direct rates for these dates and if a $152/nite rate (the cost per nite for the $109/nite rate for 7 nites when accounting for the fact that you'll only be using 5 nites of the 7) is a good deal... if so i'd have no problem locking it in now.

Have you identified the Dupont Circle property you think you'll most likely receive? What are the amenities associated with it?

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

[jellyfish39]

Thanks for the advice - I think it is probably the Omni Shoreham - just north of Dupont, the other possible option I thought was the Palomar.

The hotel amenities are smoke free rooms, business centre, pool, spa, accessible rooms, accessible paths and services for the deaf.

I guess $152 is ok considering the retail rate, but most of the winning bids over the last little while have been much lower - but that has been for August and September travel, so not sure how much more I should expect to pay in October. I had read that booking a few weeks out was usually advisable but not more that a month in advance, so I may still wait a little longer and take the risk.

[AaronJB]

As discussed in the FAQ, there is the risk that rates may go up if you wait - especially if there is something going on for these dates.

If you would like assistance IDing, please provide the full list of amenities (including accessible amenities.) Please keep us updated with what you decide and if you have any questions.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[jellyfish39]

Ended up bidding and got the Omni Shoreham at $152 - great hotel at a great price. Really enjoyed the area - it was a little north of Dupont Circle, but easily walkable and the DC Metro was close by.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for closing the thread.