Priceline Hotel: 3* New Orleans (Downtown) Wyndham Garden Hotel Baronne Plaza

[JayM]

I'm interested in bidding on a room in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

My preference is a 3 star and above Downtown, then the French Quarter, and maybe the Convention Center.

My dates of travel are 2/7/12 to 2/14/12.

I'd like to spend hopefully up to $150 a night including taxes and fees.

My travel dates are flexible and my budget is somewhat flexible.

What is a reasonable bid?

[AaronJB]

In terms of flexible dates, are you looking for 7 days, or a particular amount of days within this period (if so, how many days?)

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

[JayM]

Thursday to Thursday would be ideal, but I could add a day or two at the beginning or end, if that would make a difference. Or take away a day at the end. I'd really like to be in place Thursday to Wednesday.

I just bid 4* down to 3*, up to $140 with no luck.

[thereuare]

At each star level which zone(s) did you bid?

At current rates for this complete stay i think you're going to need to be closer to the $185-$205 area than the amounts you've been bidding... unless a hotel has less occupancy then expected at the last minute (but given the length of your stay and the peak time frame, if you wait you also run the risk that hotels are near full occupancy and therefore sold-out or rates are even higher)

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

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

[JayM]

I bid Downtown and the French Quarter 4* to 3*, using the rebid zones. I didn't bid the Convention Center, but probably will before giving up on this price range.

I'm hesitant to go into the price range you suggested, without a roommate at this moment.

Thanks for your consideration and input, it is appreciated. I'll keep the board posted.

[thereuare]

Keep us updated on your progress and let us know if we can be of further help along the way.

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

Good luck!

[JayM]

I think I found someone to split the cost. How should I proceed to bid around the $185-$205 range?

Thanks.

[thereuare]

Did you want to first try for a 4* hotel up to your maximum bid... OR is the goal the least expensive 3.5* or better?

Let us know the above and we will suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[JayM]

My goal is the least expensive 3* or better.

[JayM]

I went up to $195 for 4* Downtown & French Quarter areas and $175 Convention Center, with no luck. I worked my way up in the 3* Downtown zone and was somewhat surprised to hit at $175.

I went overbudget a bit, but the more I worked on this, the more I wanted it. The hotel's website average cost per day is $260. I'm overpaying a bit on the last day, but I am doing quite well Friday to Monday.

At the end of the day, I'm glad I got it done and am staying Downtown; not some far flung locale like the airport or West Bank.

Thanks to the board's moderators for their guidance and input!

Any feedback on this hotel is gladly welcomed.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

While not cheap in dollar terms, this looks like an excellent deal vs. a conventionally booked room and glad to see it will work well for your needs. I don't have any firsthand experience at this property, but the reviews are overwhelmingly positive and the location looks perfect if you plan to spend a lot of time in the Quarter around Bourbon St.

Thank you for sharing your win and using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay.

[tigersbh]

It's a decent hotel. It's clean, and the staff is friendly. It's within easy walking distance of Bourbon Street. There are plenty of parking garages on O'Keefe Street, just one block over.

[JayM]

Thanks, I've read some mixed reviews.