Priceline Hotel: 4* Toronto (North York East) The Westin Prince

[Shoob]

Hey guys,

This will be the 2nd stop on our trip around Lake Erie. I am still unsure if I will check-out of here on the 1st or the 2nd... it will depend on whether we should stay in Niagara Falls 1 or 2 days. From what I understand, there is a lot to see and do in Toronto, and I hear the hotels are beautiful, so I would like a decent place here.

Judging from others' wins, tremendous deals have been had at the 3.5* and 4* levels. I'm not really sure what is typical around this time of year in this area, though. I'm not sure what strategy I should employ (which is why I need your help!)... I know that if I shoot for a 3.5* hotel, I'm limiting my rebidding options, and at 4* it might get very expensive. I'd like to aim for paying a max of $80/night in Toronto... could I possibly get a 4* at that rate? If so... strategy please! :)

I know I'm asking for a lot of help for this trip (Detroit, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Sandusky, Toledo)... but I hope by me using your PRICELINE link, you guys get a decent compensation. This is easily one of the most useful and amazing sites out there (I'm telling all my friends at med school to use you guys!)!!! Thanks!

-Shoob

[Shoob]

As I noted in the other post about Niagara Falls, I expect to stay here only two nights (5/30 - 6/1). I've noted my thoughts in my post above.

[thereuare]

I think $80 will be a bit of a reach for a 4* hotel but you have nothing to lose by bidding so we can at least start there and then lower the star rating if necessary.

Are you willing to accept both Downtown North and Downtown South or is only one of these zones acceptable?

Glad to hear you're enjoying the board and finding the information useful. Thanks for the compliments no the site and helping to spread the word about BetterBidding! :)

[Shoob]

I figured it would be a bit of a reach, but I wasn't sure, given all the wins in this forum for that price level; do you think those wins were due to the dates they chose? Also, there a few "PRICELINE EXPRESS Deals" at about that price (which I was inclined to pick up because of the %5 off any of those deals right now... but am waiting on you to hear your thoughts). I'm not exactly sure the difference between the two Downtown regions (on the map, they look literally juxtaposed), so I would suppose either of those work. There seem to be plenty of rebid zones at the 4* level. Please let me know your thoughts on a strategy.

Hope to hear back soon!

[AaronJB]

It is really a matter of date/s, and rates can vary significantly from day-to-day. These date/s appear somewhat more expensive than usual, but 5/30-6/1 looks somewhat cheaper than 5/30-6/2. There is a 4* in Downtown West on HOTWIRE for $103 from 5/30-6/1.

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

[Shoob]

I'm going to stay 5/30-6/1, so if it is cheaper, that's better! Now, I've gotta figure out a bidding strategy here.

[Shoob]

Did you guys have any thoughts on what price I should start with for a 4* in Downtown (North or South should be fine)? I don't want to compromise 3.5*... In case I need to move down to that level, I don't want to be stuck with a bid in a 3.5* zone that I don't want. This is how I've separated everything out (by highest *level available in the area):

2*

Toronto East

3*

Brampton

Burlington

Don Valley

Oakville

Toronto Airport West

Toronto West

Vaughan

3.5*

Markham

Mississauga

Scarborough

4*

Downtown North

Downtown South

North York East

Toronto Airport East

[thereuare]

When bidding 4* in the Toronto region you have ELEVEN re-bid zones. Using your ELEVEN re-bid zones you can bid as follows up to your $80 limit:

Select 4* Toronto North and South...

Bid $50, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $58, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $63, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $68, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $73, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $78, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $80

Any questions feel free to ask.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Shoob]

Could I not further maximize bids by doing Downtown South + the rebid zones, and if those don't work, then Downtown North plus rebid zones, followed by Downtown North & South plus rebid zones (this time increasing bid value)? Please let me know ASAP, and I'll start on the strategy.

[thereuare]

You could do that but you're already bidding in $2-$3 increments so i didn't see the need to break it up even further, as well as risk winning in the first zone you bid at a higher price then would have been available in the second zone that you would have bid. As well, $80 for a 4* hotel for your dates is already a bit of a 'reach'.

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

[Shoob]

That makes sense... okay then. Wish me luck! I'm going for it.

[AaronJB]

Best of luck! Hopefully this round of bidding will be successful. :)

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

[Shoob]

Thanks again for all the help guys.

So, as I noted in the Detroit posting... we've had a change of plans. Now, we'd like to stay in Toronto this Saturday and Sunday (6/1 and 6/2). I've heard from others that parking in Downtown is pretty horrible (if anyone knows about the parking by hotels and cost, please let me know). Because of this, I'd like to book right outside of Downtown, like in North York (there is a PRICELINE EXPRESS Deal for $77 there for those nights... I know the Westin is around there... maybe it's that?). However, since I'll be going to Downtown for some things, like the CN Tower, I figure I'll have to spend on parking anyways. If anyone knows anything about the area, please let me know.

Anyways, I'd still like to shoot for a 4* around the same price as before, but if you guys think it's not realistic, let's set a quick strategy for 3.5*. Thoughts? I know this is cutting it extremely close, but the weather completely threw us off.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Please click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links, then reply to this thread and we'll continue the discussion for your trip above.

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

Thanks.

[Shoob]

Did it! :)

[thereuare]

Because of this, I'd like to book right outside of Downtown, like in North York... However, since I'll be going to Downtown for some things, like the CN Tower, I figure I'll have to spend on parking anyways.

Correct. Since you'll be paying for parking anways, so for convenience (as well as a true travel experience of getting a feel for the city) why not stay Downtown?? For both of your stays it seems like you did a lot of research in terms of location/zone, and now that you've changed the dates you've also changed the zone. Unless rates have changed making previous zones no longer affordable, i don't see the connection... the best zones previously should now be the best zones as well.

Anyways, I'd still like to shoot for a 4* around the same price as before, but if you guys think it's not realistic, let's set a quick strategy for 3.5*.

To avoid any confusion please use the same zone names that PRICELINE uses on their site... do you mean the North York East zone?

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

[Shoob]

I did do a lot of research on different zones and such. The only problem I have now with Downtown is with overall cost of parking if one of the days is going to be spent mostly outside of downtown. So I felt that being in an area accessible to downtown by being close in proximity, as well as one that's near other attractions, is something to consider. And yes... I meant North York East zone.

Regardless, I will go with whatever you guys suggest now.

[thereuare]

...I will go with whatever you guys suggest now.

It's your stay so it's ultimately you're decision, and you know your plans better than we do, but given that you'll have to pay for parking each time you go downtown, i question just how much you would actually be saving when it's all said and done. You also have to consider the overall experience you're going for... will you think twice about going Downtown because you only have a 'few hours' and it's going to cost you $xx to park for that short period of time so you don't bother heading into (and experiencing) the city that you chose as the stop for this leg of your trip? Also, part of traveling (for me) is living a little differently for awhile (this includes having somebody come and make my bed every day and bringing me fresh towels) and unless you live in a city there is something to do outside of your door, this would also be part of the appeal of staying directly downtown (as well as being able to walk to restaurants, have a drink during dinner without worrying about driving afterwards, etc)

With the above noted, let us know which zone(s) you decide you'd like to bid and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[Shoob]

So I've read what you've said. I agree that there is an allure to staying in Downtown, but after careful consideration, it seems like it would be wiser to stay right outside downtown and go in on one day to experience all that we want. We only plan to see the CN tower and Yonge St. in the heart of downtown, a lot of the other major attractions (at least the ones we're going to see) are right outside of the downtown proper.

So I only have one shot here. I'm going to bid under the prices shown on PRICELINE EXPRESS using the previous strategy for 4*. If I don't win, I must snag a PRICELINE EXPRESS deal.

[thereuare]

With the PRICELINE EXPRESS deal (Indoor or Outdoor Pool, Pets Allowed, Restaurant, Business Center, Fitness Center) at $90, and code READYSET5 taking 5% off (making this $85/nite) you can use previous strategy with your $80 limit:

Select 4* North York East...

Bid $50, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $58, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $63, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $68, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $73, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $78, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $80

If this is rejected then take the PRICELINE EXPRESS offer.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Shoob]

All right... another win. I figured it would be this hotel... but man, did they push it or what!? Unfortunately, yesterday, the same star level in the area was available for $75; you win some, you lose some.

Winning bid: $82/night at The Westin Prince Toronto (4*)

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

If you focus on the $40+ dollars you saved per nite, and not that it was $7 last week, you'd probably still consider this a nice victory. ;)

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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

Enjoy this leg of your trip.

[Shoob]

Lol. I was just disappointed that waiting a night caused me me to pay more overall. Anyways, this hotel is beautiful and the staff was very helpful. They even gave us a complimentary upgrade for the room (since I was okay with taking a smaller bed size -> king to a queen); we were moved to a room with a view of downtown.

[AaronJB]

Very nice! Glad you enjoyed your stay and were able to get an upgrade.