Priceline Hotel: Paris 3-4* Help 5/13-5/15/06

[lls138]

Looking for Paris in may. I have tried up to $75, unsuccessfully, and priceline keeps giving me an offer with each losing bid.....see below.....how should i approach this to do better.....I'd rather keep costs under $75/night and am willing to do less stars to keep it as cheap as possible as I know my 16 nights in europe (even eastern europe) will be pricey. thanks

Check-In Date:

Saturday, May 13, 2006 Check-Out Date:

Monday, May 15, 2006

Region:

Paris, France Star Level:

4-Star

Area(s):

Bastille - Bercy , Batignolles - Montmartre - Republique, Champs Elysees - Opera Quarter West, Eiffel Tower - Grenelle - Montparnasse, Opera Quarter East - Les Halles, St. Germain - Latin Quarter - Montparnasse

Summary of Charges

Number of Nights: 2

Number of Rooms: 1

Room Cost (per room, per night): $105.00

Subtotal: $210.00

Taxes and Service Fees: $24.03

Total Cost: $234.03

[Chris26WI]

Usually hotels in La Defense-Neuilly-Zone might go for less than the other zones of Paris; La D

[thereuare]

To make sure i understand... the zones above were all included on your bid?

Is Chris26WI's zone suggestion viable for your needs?

[WillTravel]

My personal opinion is that I wouldn't bid for a 3* hotel on Priceline, because of the great variability of possible areas and quality of hotels that you might get. You might get a great deal through other sources.

If you bid for a 4*, I would consider not bidding the Eiffel Tower - Montparnasse - Grenelle zone, because that contains the poorly-located, poorly-reviewed Sofitel Porte de Sevres (along with several hotels that are very good).

[anyway]

If you are ready to give up several stars, Etap hotels are an OK choice in Paris in the 35-50 EUR range (if your expectations are not high). Sleeps up to 3 persons. Look for ones closer to center and public transport.

aw

[Chris26WI]

As even 3-star hotels in Paris usually don't go for below 100 Euro/night, I might in this case (Paris) even consider 3-star bidding. But don't expect US 3star standards for 3stars in Paris. - I got the Mercure La Defense Parc here once for around 75 Euro incl. tax/charges (if I remember correctly) per night, while official (and online rates) for that place started at 160 Euros! (for a 3-star)

[lls138]

Thanks for all of your opinons and help. My wife and I are not fancy travelers. Former backpackers (actually that is how we met in mexico) but now that we have a little more cash flow, but far from comfortable. So we like to stay in nicer places, but only if affordable, and this usually happens with priceline. But we also will stay in dumps and not complain one word.

We didn't include la Defense becasue it seemed out of the loop, but i will definitely consider it.

That being said, we do have plenty of time until May. Does anyone think prices will get cheaper as the time gets closer?

So I bid $60, on a whim and got this counteroffer below. A little cheaper than other areas....should I try again in 72 hrs and take it? Let me know, thanks

Your Offer Details

Check-In Date:

Saturday, May 13, 2006 Check-Out Date:

Monday, May 15, 2006

Region:

Paris, France Star Level:

4-Star

Area(s):

La Defense - Neuilly

Summary of Charges

Number of Nights: 2

Number of Rooms: 1

Room Cost (per room, per night): $83.00

Subtotal: $166.00

Taxes and Service Fees: $20.40

Total Cost: $186.40

[thereuare]

The counter-offers can almost always be undercut: PRICELINE Suggests Price to Pay

[Chris26WI]

Well, let me just add that La D