Priceline Hotel: Need help with hotel in Charlottesville

[Hope]

I am visiting UVA in Charlottesville, and need a room for my son and I on Sunday the 27th. I know this is Thanksgiving weekend, but I'm not sure if Sunday will be a problem.

I would like to keep it under $50 total if possible - clean is all we need.

Thanks

[thereuare]

What star rating are you aiming for?

What is your maximum pre-tax bid amount?

[Hope]

I'd say $40 and any star that is clean.

[thereuare]

You're buying an opaque property... you won't know the name until after purchase. Some people are entirely happy at 2* properties (and consider them to be clean), while some are not happy at 3* properties (and don't consider them clean).

What is the minimum star rating you are comfortable bidding for?

[Hope]

Since Charlottesville's lowest on your list is 2.5, I guess I could go with that.

Thanks

[TravelGuy]

$50 for a 2.5* should work.

[thereuare]

We often see $35 accepted in this area at the 2.5* level, but you may want to consider a few dollars more if you dont' have any reasonable back-up... but if you're able to ultimately add other zones and/or lower your star level (to a 2*) then i would first try $35.

Let us know what you decide to do and how it goes.

[TravelGuy]

Unfortunately the last winning $35 bid was in August of '04. Please note also this failed $48 2.5* bid at prevailing rates identical to those on 11/27/05. I've seen elsewhere a relativey recent successful 2.5* bid of $50 after a failure at $45, also at identical prevailing rates, which is why I suggested $50.

There are in fact 3*'s in C'ville, 2 of which are listed on this board's Priceline hotels list, however they'll run over the $50 maximum - probably closer to $60.

[Hope]

Just as a followup, I bid $35 and $40 and was rejected. Since my bid wait was past the time I left, I was not able to rebid. We ended up staying in an Econo-Lodge which was not so nice but loved UVA and Charlottesville was wonderful! Thanks for all of your suggestions.