Hotwire Hotel: 4* San Diego (La Jolla) Embassy Suites La Jolla

[chillout]

Hi! Long time lurker, but have used the PRICELINE links here twice - love this forum :) Finallyyy made an account :)

We're celebrating our anniversary in San Diego - we will be arriving 4/1 and leaving 4/6.

I'm hesitant to split bids. We'd be willing to spend the night of the 5th (a Friday) at a slightly lower end but still very comfy/nice hotel (if the difference in bidding cost would be substantial). The other nights we prefer one that comes with high reviews. We want to avoid the high valet (~$35/day) costs that often accompany the Gaslamp, but are open to any region of San Diego.

For the 5 nights, I'm aiming for an average nightly cost (after taxes/fees) at around $100-120.

Given the desired criteria, is this an unreasonable budget?

What would one anticipate spending for such a vacation?

How would the pros approach these needs? -Priceline? Hotwire? other?

Other tips/recommendations to assist with obtaining a great hotel for lowest price?

Thanks!!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding and Happy Anniversary. :)

Sharing any prior wins as separate threads would be greatly appreciated, as the information does help others.

What would be your desired star rating for this stay?

In terms of guaranteeing free parking, the best route is to search on HOTWIRE and click "free parking" in the amenity list on the side. In terms of high reviews, one option is to look for listings on HOTWIRE that offer a tripadvisor rating (click 'see details' on the listing and then scroll down on the detail page and there will be a tripadvisor logo w/circles shaded for the user rating.)

Let us know your desired star rating and any other details about what you are looking for and we would be happy to offer thoughts on how to proceed.

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

[chillout]

Thanks Aaron!!

Desired star rating could be as low as a 3 -- as there are a select few (e.g. Hyatt House in Carlsbad or Hyatt Place) that could probably suffice. But 4+ would probably be more likely to fit desires/expectations. First choice would be Embassy Suites San Diego Bay. Something like Hyatt House or Place for the first 4 nights, and Embassy the 5th night could be ok. Or of course Embassy Suites La Jolla for first 4 (or all 5) would be even better.

I'm confused by this one from HOTWIRE - do you think it might be Embassy Suites La Jolla? @$126/nt for Apr 1 - Apr 5...

3.5-star Hotel in La Jolla

Free Breakfast

Suite

Indoor pool(s)

Smoke Free Rooms

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

Laundry Facilities (self-service)

Golf Nearby

Tennis Nearby

Kitchenette

Accessible for the blind

Accessible for the deaf

Accessible path of travel

In-room accessibility

Wheelchair accessible

Accessible bathroom

Handicapped parking

Roll-in shower

Thanks!

[thereuare]

I'd agree... the Embassy Suites San Diego-La Jolla would be my best guess for this one as well.

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

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[chillout]

Thanks for the reply thereuare!

Fairly certain? -- Is it peculiar or raise any hesitancy that it says "We are still gathering reviews for this property." (4.0 tripadvisor rating)

I'm considering pulling the trigger if we're nearing certainty -- on $124/night for April 1-6, $712 total after taxes/fees, using the HOTWIRE link, of course :).

Any other suggestions/recommendations for pursuing/obtaining a better anniversary hotel experience for about the same price?

Thanks! :)

[thereuare]

I feel comfortable with my guess of the Embassy Suites. The user reviews of 'We are still gathering information... is not meaningful as we often see the percent recommended figure change from one search to the next as well as sometimes revert to the 'Still gathering...' message, even though when the hotel is ultimately purchased it's been won frequently in the past and for quite some time.

Since this an extended stay you could see if this same property is offered for the first (or last) nite of your stay and then again for the balance. If so, you could purchase the solo nite in order to 'look behind the curtain'. If you're happy with the results purchase the remaining nites, if not, make alternate plans for the balance of your stay.

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

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[chillout]

Great idea!! Thanks! Did some further research:

--Prices after taxes/fees--

Apr 1: 135

Apr 2: 164 (weird that a Tuesday night jumps up??)

Apr 3: 164 (and a Wednesday?)

Apr 4: 136

Apr 5: 134

(Total of 5 separate purchases = 733; versus one purchase of Apr 1-6 offered @ 712)

Apr 2-6: Does not show up with search for Apr 2-6...

Apr 3-6: 424 (versus individual purchase nights @ 434 total)

Apr 4-6: 266 (versus individual purchase nights @ 270 total)

Apr 1-5: 581 (versus individual purchase nights @ 599 total)

Apr 1-4: 452 (versus individual purchase nights @ 463 total)

Apr 1-3: 293 (versus individual purchase nights @ 299 total)

And I see what you mean, as certain individual nights said "80% recommended" while the majority said "Still gathering...".

Would these figures change your strategy to purchasing?

(i.e. Buy Apr 1 individually. If Embassy: then Apr 2, then Apr 3-6. = 723 total.

Or alternatively, buy Apr 5 individually. If Embassy: then Apr 1-5. = 715 total.)

Thanks!

ps-- I obtained Gold status with Hilton, so I think I'll get free wifi if I show them my card at check-in ..maybe a free room upgrade!? Gold status tips anyone? I've never used it!

pss-- Anyone have last suggestions/recommendations for any definite better San Diego hotel for the price or less that would make this a better trip? (ideally: good free breakfast, comfy bed, picturesque, free parking (or nearby). Perhaps coastal or on the beach, or in the Gaslamp?)

[thereuare]

If you're looking to SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID the 'correct' split in my mind would be 4/4-4/6 ($266) and then 4/1-4/4 ($452) for a total of $718 (vs. $712 each nite individually vs. $733 all nites together)... to save a total of $6 on a $700+ hotel stay (less than 1% savings) you don't take the possible risk of landing some other hotel on your in between nites.

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

Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[chillout]

Thanks!

I believe I've found another way to maximize savings, as well as accommodate a cheap single night "look behind the curtain"...

...I'm excited about it... Please tell me if this is crazy talk or if there is any reason why this should not work:

Recall that we're staying five nights-

• I'll use five Hotwire rebate coupons - which save $20 per HotRate ($100 total savings).
  
• I'll make five individual HotRate purchases - listed above and amounting to $733.
  

After receiving five $20 rebates, the new amount will be $633. :D

I have contacted Hotwire and they have confirmed with certainty that this permissible and that there is no limitation whatsoever to the number of these rebates used per house, person, card, timeframe etc.

Surely this has been considered by someone before...? or am I kinda a prodigy betterbidding ninja?

This is turning into a great thread.

--but still curious of any last suggestions/recommendations for any definite better San Diego hotel for the price or less that would make this a better anniversary? (ideally: good free breakfast, comfy bed, picturesque, free parking (or nearby). Perhaps coastal or on the beach, or in the Gaslamp?)

[thereuare]

Generally Free Breakfast is an amenity at the lower rated hotels, Embassy Suites is one of the few chains at the 3.5* and higher level that offer this amenity, so if you decide to look outside of this area you'll likely either be looking lower star rating OR no free breakfast. As well, start to consider 'downtown' areas such as the Gaslamp and there is little free parking there (afaik).

If you decide to use our rebates please click the board's HOTWIRE link first, then go to the 'special' page they ask you book thru (in the past you didn't need to go thru this page, but you can just to be on the safe side, but please click the board link before doing so... then typing the designated rebate URL into your browser)

Thanks, and good luck.

[chillout]

Thanks..

As anticipated, it was Embassy Suites La Jolla!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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

Enjoy your stay.