Priceline Hotel: Need a good rate for La Jolla Marriott or similar...

[skeedn]

Hi

 

I am trying to take my family of six on a quick trip to see the ocean in CA from July 25 to July 28.  I chose the San Diego-La Jolla area because I read it has somewhat warmer water and some good snorkeling areas for my family to experience.  We don't do vacations very often because taking six anywhere is quite expensive, especially when you have to get two hotel rooms due to the 4 person max. occupancy rule.  I am trying to get a cheap room rate since I will be paying for two rooms each night we stay.  I have been trying to get the La Jolla Marriott because I saw in the past they accepted bids of $60 per night.  So far, I have gone from $50 up to $75 in $5 increments with no success.  I am now thinking I need a new strategy or higher bid.  I am frustrated with seeing links for nice hotels for $98 but then when you click and put the dates in, the price almost triples!  I can lower the star rating on Priceline and keep adding areas farther away from La Jolla, but before I do that, I just wondered if anyone had tips for getting a better rate or hotels that are cheaper but are still good places to stay??

 

Any help is appreciated!

 

Thank you!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

Unfortunately, La Jolla can be really quite expensive, especially during busy periods. Hot.wire is showing rates over $200 at 4*'s in this area. Unfortunately, surrounding zones look similarly expensive.  What would be your desired max per room/per night for this stay, and are there any other nearby areas that would also be acceptable?

 

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

[thereuare]

Also, note that PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel, and you could receive rooms with only one bed. While you can call the hotel you win and request a room with two beds, the hotel may not be able, or willing, to honor your request. If this is not a risk you're willing to accept, HOTWIRE would still be an option as they allow you to search for up to quad occupancy and ensure sleeping accommodations for everyone you include in your search (although this usually means two beds, the second 'bed' could be a sofabed, rollaway, etc)

Where are you traveling from? If you're committed to this area and if your dates are flexible, you may want to also look at mid-week dates in this area which may be a little cheaper than weekend rates.

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

[skeedn]

Yes, I am finding out that Southern California is quite a pricey place to visit in the summer.  When we planned the trip, I budgeted $150 per night for hotel thinking I could get two $75 rooms.  We are flying from Denver and dates are set because I found cheap tickets.  I am not worried about the double occupancy because our kids are used to sleeping on a sofa, or in a sleeping bag, etc. and they are willing to do it to make the trip happen.  I am also willing to move farther away in each direction except west.  I hear there has been a proliferation of Great White sharks in that direction.  (The news media just HAD to pick THAT to report on this week!!  Wife is now saying she will just look at the water!!)  Back to the hotel... I am trying to stay in a safe area with a nice hotel (clean & comfortable).  I read a review that said "no bedbugs or mice" and thought... nope... not in the right area if they have to say that!   This will prob. be the last all family vacation, so I'll keep trying!    Thanks for your responses!

[thereuare]

I don't know much about the west coast beaches, but what about heading North to the Newport-Huntington Beach zones? You could likely get a 4* hotel in this area for less than $100/nite... would this work for your plans?

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

[skeedn]

Well, I found out why the rates were sky high and I was not having any success with bidding on PriceLine.  The San Diego Comic Convention is being held the same weekend!!!  Bad timing on my part.  I couldn't understand why rates were doubling and tripling just during our vacation time!  Now I know!  Lesson learned.... next time I will search for activities in the area first!  Hotels filled up quickly even with the high rates.  So far I have a reservation in Escondido as a safety net and will watch what happens with the rates in San Diego.  

 

Thanks for the tip on Newport-Huntington Beach.  Just a little too far away.  Would've worked if we were flying into LAX and then heading down...

[Romelle]

Rather than search an area for events that might run up hotel rates, you can just check the hotel rates themselves via something like Hot.wire, Priceline.Express, Price.line retail, or even hotel web sites themselves.  It is easy to miss, or mis-judge, an event, but those hotels don't make that mistake and stay in business!  The story will be in their rates.

 

Romelle

[AaronJB]

Sorry to hear regarding the timing, the Comic Con is certainly a huge event.

Do keep in mind that you can use our new service, RateDrop.com to get alerts on price drops on regular rate hotels, PRICELINE Express deals and HOTWIRE deals.

 

Keep us updated on what you decide and let us know if you have any questions.

 

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