Priceline Hotel: San Francisco 7/3-7/5 2013

[Yumde]

We are staying in San Francisco 7/3 - 7/5 2013. Plan is to rent a car from Stockton and Drive to San Francisco. Hotel size is not a big deal. Just want nice, clean, own bathroom. We will have a car so short driving is not so bad, but would rather walk because I heard parking is hard.

1. For 2 mid 20 yr olds, what is the best area to stay? Union Square east, west, Somo, Wharf?

We'll probably do touristy stuff, Like Alcatraz, Bridge, Wharf, Food, Alcohol.

2. Is it possible to stay in 4 stars for 100 - 130? Should I lower my expectations? I would rather not stay in a holiday in or Super 8 type of place.

3. If we go through Priceline how do we know the place will have parking? Is Parking expensive? If so would it be best to just book a place with parking so we don't get hit with Parking fees?

4. From what I understand, you should book a hotel that has no fee cancellations a head of time so if you can't get an accepted bid you're not sleeping outside. Does anyone have recommendations on a hotel with parking that I can do this? Don't want to spend much over $150 a night.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. Any Information you can provide is much appreciated.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

1. For 2 mid 20 yr olds, what is the best area to stay? Union Square east, west, Somo, Wharf?

We'll probably do touristy stuff, Like Alcatraz, Bridge, Wharf, Food, Alcohol.

USE and USW are the most frequently bid zones at the 4* level, followed by Fishermans Wharf and the Financial District. If all of these zones are acceptable why not bid all of them and let PRICELINE award the one with the lowest price by bidding strategically? ;)

2. Is it possible to stay in 4 stars for 100 - 130? Should I lower my expectations? I would rather not stay in a holiday in or Super 8 type of place.

Yes, near the upper end of this range is a reasonable expectation for a 4* hotel for these dates.

3. If we go through Priceline how do we know the place will have parking? Is Parking expensive? If so would it be best to just book a place with parking so we don't get hit with Parking fees?

Most hotels offer parking but it's expensive... i would figure about $40/day on average for this area. Even if you book a hotel direct you'll have parking fees, and should you find a hotel with a package price that includes parking, it will likely be $200+ (which is more than the approximate $130 bid price + $40 hotel parking would cost). You can usually find cheaper parking on your own at a private garage separate from the hotel, or if you can work it out with your plans, park near the airport or some other location outside of the city where parking is cheaper and than take mass transit into the city/hotel. However, with subway far i'm not sure how much you would ultimately save on a 2 nite stay and if it would be worth the hassle... i would more likely try to find a garage on your own apart from the hotel.

4. From what I understand, you should book a hotel that has no fee cancellations a head of time so if you can't get an accepted bid you're not sleeping outside. Does anyone have recommendations on a hotel with parking that I can do this? Don't want to spend much over $150 a night.

You can try, but as per above i don't think you won't find a city/downtown hotel that includes free parking, and any package will likely be more than $150. If you're ready to bid now i think you can be successful within your $130 limit, then focus on private lots where you may be able to park your car for less than the hotel will charge.

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

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

[Yumde]

Wow great information, thank you very much.

I read that USW can be a bad part of town. If we stick to 4* do you think we would be ok or should I just by pass that all together if I don't want to worry about getting a bad part of town? What about 3.5* for USW?

[Yumde]

Just bid

Did strategy ending up with USE, Wharf, Financial District 4* last bid of 125

I looked on Hotwire and they have a 4* USE for $132

Pet friendly

Indoor pool(s)

Fitness Center

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-Speed Internet

Do you know what hotel that could be? Should I just book that or continue to try to get a lower price?

[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.

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

Thanks.

[Bryan67]

I just got the 4 star Marriott SFO Airport hotel for 90, looks nice. But parking is 22...

[thereuare]

I just got the 4 star Marriott SFO Airport hotel for 90, looks nice. But parking is 22...

Thanks for your post.

Can you please add your win to the board as a NEW TOPIC so that others will be aware of your win when searching the topic titles on the board and in the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins.

In your post please include the star rating, city, zone, hotel name, room rate per nite, dates of your stay (and if HOTWIRE teh amenities shown before your purchase)... you can still view all of this information by going to HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top right of their home page OR using the MY PROFILE >> MY TRIPS link at the top of PRICELINE's home page if that is the service that was used.

Thanks!