Priceline Hotel: 4* London (Regents Park - North London) London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale

[jsteph]

Hey there,

Heading to London for 3 nights in September before heading to Ireland. I see a 5* Express deal for Regent's Park/NLA for $302. Guest rated 9/10; amenities: indoor/outdoor pool, restaurant, biz centre, fitness centre.

Is this the Landmark? It's the only 5* I see on the Priceline hotel list. Also, if this is the Express price (plus I could get an additional 5% off with the Summer coupon) what would be a good bid for NYOP?

Jen

as a lark did some bidding for 4*/5* in Bloomsbury and Soho regions up to $102 and was rejected. (Was not expecting to win at those prices.)

We usually stay in Bloomsbury.

[thereuare]

Given the $300+ rate of the PRICELINE EXPRESS deal... how high would you be willing to bid for a 5* hotel in this zone? Are any other zones acceptable at the 5* level?

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

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

[jsteph]

I've never bid outside North America so I'm not really sure on the stable of properties that participate in PL for London.

Can anyone speak from experience to the quality of rooms they get using NYOP in London? I've never had a problem with rooms I've won in Canada and the US in terms of being less desirable.

We do love the Bloomsbury area, though recommendations welcome. Has to be convenient to the tube.

Any clues to PL rates for 4* or 5* at this date would also be welcome. I've been scouring online sites and direct with hotels but nothing's jumping out at me yet. No budget yet, per se. Obviously spending less than $200/night would be great.

Many thanks, as always.

[thereuare]

Generally speaking hotel rooms in Europe are smaller then in their US counterparts and star ratings are a bit more generous, which is why sticking with the higher rated hotels is usually advisable (or at least have realistic expectations). While a 3* hotel in the US/Canada typically still provides a level of 'comfort', in Europe this may more likely be a 'budget' property and be more inline with 2* expectations from a US hotel. Not realizing the difference in star ratings is probably the biggest reason for user disappointment.

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

[jsteph]

Thank you, thereuare, for your insight.

I am familiar with European lodgings, just not which properties participate in PRICELINE and HOTWIRE.

This is a special anniversary trip for us (20 yrs!!) so I just don't want to be dismissed into a subpar room or treated like a second-class citizen just because we used PL. KWIM? The hotels in US and Canada have never made us feel like that :D So basically I wondered how others have been treated who have won London hotels, and if they were happy with their accommodation/experience.

Will be looking at 4* possibly 5* if the price is right.

[Romelle]

I am familiar with European lodgings, just not which properties participate ....

....how others have been treated who have won London hotels, and if they were happy with their accommodation/experience.

"

Hotel Lists up above in the header will let you see which hotels have participated (and been reported here) in PL and HW. History is not necessarily an indication of future, but it will give you a good general idea. And of course there is always the possibility of an unreported hotel.

I've never noted any treatment difference between US and European hotel bookings as regards using PL. Never an issue with either one. In fact, on a recent stay in Budapest I received an upgrade to a riverview room for absolutely no reason I could discern.

You might look at the Hotel Review area at the very end of this site. Unlike tripadvisor, it has the perspective of people with bargain prices.

Romelle

[WindyCityHokie]

I have had 2 NYOP experiences in London. 5* in Mayfair/Soho (got Intercontinental Park Lane) and 4* Notting Hill/Bayswater (K West Hotel and Spa). Both times I was completely satisfied with the room I was assigned, and in both cases I got great rates compared to published rates, both the hotels and online brokers.

Of course I always link to PRICELINE from betterbidding. It's the only way!

[jsteph]

Bid 5* up to $150 nothing. Mayfair/Bloomsbury/Westminster/Regents-NLA

Bid 4* started at $85. Won the 4* Maide Vale @ $110 plus the 5% savings.

$330 + $77.10 - $16.50 = $390.60

Now to research the hotel...

FYI I do have a Marriott rewards # which I will casually mention in my confirmation email. Did wonders with our win for the Chicago Blackstone. Who knows? Can't hurt to mention ;)

Of course I always link to PRICELINE from betterbidding. It's the only way!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Hope you're pleased with the hotel and deal received and are looking forward to your trip.

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

Enjoy your stay.