Hotwire Hotel: Aruba hotel 2/16 - 2/19

[hkdavda]

Hi, I am looking for 1 room from 2/16 - 2/19/13 for Aruba. I would love to stay in the Palm Beach in Westin/Hyatt. I am also open to a nice resort in the Divi beach area. Trying to stay closer to the $150 per night range. Please recommend the best strategy.

Option 1 - Should I use the Priceline Bidding Tool?

Option 2a: Which hotel do you think this is?

HOTWIRE $161 in Palm Beach - 3 star hotel with following amenities: Suite, Near Beach, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Laundry Facilities (self service), High Speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby, Spa Services, Children Activity Program

Option 2b: Which hotel do you think this is?

HOTWIRE $191 in Palm Beach - 3 star hotel with following amenities: Resort, Free Parking, Suite, Near Beach, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Laundry Facilities (self service), Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Kitchenette, Children's Activity Program

Option 3: Which Hotel do you think this is?

PRICELINE EXpress Deals - $168 in Palm Beach, 3 star with following amenities: Indoor or Outdoor Pool, Fitness Center, Casino

Your help is much appreciated

[thereuare]

Please click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links, then reply to this thread and we'll have a look at your post above.

Given that you're trying to stay about $150, and all of rates above are higher than that, is your first course of action to try bidding on PRICELINE in order to stay within budget?

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

[hkdavda]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. If the $168 option is a nice hotel like Westin, I will take the express deal. I am open to options like bidding as well if you think I can get a nice hotel for a cheaper price.

I used your PRICELINE link and got a 3 star hotel with 7.0 rating.

PRICELINE EXpress Deals - $168 in Palm Beach, 3 star with following amenities: Indoor or Outdoor Pool, Fitness Center, Casino

I used your HOTWIRE link and got similar results:

HOTWIRE $164 in Palm Beach - 3 star hotel with following amenities: Suite, Near Beach, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Laundry Facilities (self service), High Speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby, Spa Services, Children Activity Program

HOTWIRE $191 in Palm Beach - 3 star hotel with following amenities: Resort, Free Parking, Suite, Near Beach, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Laundry Facilities (self service), Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby, Kitchenette, Children's Activity Program

Thanks,

[thereuare]

Given that you're trying to stay about $150, and all of rates above are higher than that, is your first course of action to try bidding on PRICELINE in order to stay within budget?

I am open to options like bidding as well if you think I can get a nice hotel for a cheaper price.

Bidding on a hotel will likely be your least expensive option. At the very least since your desired maximum bid is $150 you could try bidding up to this amount, then if rejected, take the PRICELINE EXPRESS deal.

For the PRICELINE EXPRESS deal my guess would be the Divi Dutch Village. Is this an acceptable property for you at $168/nite OR do you prefer to try bidding on PRICELINE?

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

[hkdavda]

I can go up to $200 per night, so there is some room to work with. What should be my starting bid or should I try the Hotwire $191 deal?

As for the Divi Dutch Village Deal for $164 a night, don't really like the property much. Also, I thought the listing was in Palm Beach but Divi Ducth Village is a little south of Eagle beach (just an observation). It really doesn't matter as I would prefer some other property.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

You need to look at the zone boundaries on both PRICELINE and HOTWIRE, not just the zone names... the hotel you receive can be anywhere within the shaded boundaries of the zone.

If you're looking for Westin type quality i think you need to be looking at higher then 3* hotels on both PRICELINE and HOTWIRE.

Given that the Divi Village Golf And Beach Resort is 3* rated by PRICELINE, this would be a possible outcome if you decide to bid 3* on PRICELINE.

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

[hkdavda]

Ahhhh, I forgot aboutthe boundaries. Too bad Aruba has just 1 big zone on Priceline. I guess it looks like I will have to settle for a 3 star hotel in my price range. Any idea on what the Hotwire hotels for $164 and $191 are?

By the Way, I tried bidding on Pricline for 1 room in Aruba from 2/16 - 2/19.

Try 1 - Resort for $175 - REJCETED

Try 2 - Resort + 4 star for $175 - REJCETED

Try 2 - Resort + 4 + 3.5 star for $175 - REJCETED

Any suggestions on the next bid?

Thanks!

[thereuare]

I don't have a guess for the 3* at $163/nite but this property has a 55% recommendation from previous guests so i'm guessing that this is not something that you'd likely be interested in.

I'm seeing a 3* for $177/nite with:

Resort

Free Parking

Suite

Near Beach

Pool

Restaurant

Laundry

Golf

Tennis

Kitchenette

Childrens Activities

--> my guess for this one would be the Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort.

What is the best rate you're able to get at an acceptable hotel thru traditional booking channels?

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

[hkdavda]

I looked at the traditional websites and it looks like I am finding some good Divi resorts including the one you mentioned - Divi Dutch Village or Divi Village Golf for under $225. My wife seems to like the place so I am warming up to those as well. I am inclined to go through Hotwire or PRICELINE EXPRESS Deal and take my chances in getting a Divi resort.

By the way my wife tried bidding on PRICELINE for $201 for for a 3.5/4 star/Resort and the bid was Rejected as well. I will try once again tomorrow for $225. If it doesn't work, I will go with HOTWIRE or PRICELINE EXPRESS Deal. Any suggestions on which one to choose?

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Unfortunately I don't have experience with either of these properties.

Let us know whatever you decide to do for this stay or if we can be of further help.

[hkdavda]

I ended up booking Radisson for $275 through a last minute travel website.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Thank you for closing this thread with your decision... glad you found something that works well for your needs.

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

Enjoy your stay.