Hotwire Hotel: 4* San Juan - Bidding help

[zakharm]

Looking to secure a 4* Hotel / Resort in San Juan zone for 1/12/06 - 1/16/06.

(InterContinental is preferred)

Currently Hotwire shows a 4* at $314 w/ the following amenities (looks like Intercontinental):

Resort, Casino, Pool(s),Tennis Nearby, Beachfront, Restaurant, Spa Services, Business Center

Intercontinetal's website shows the lowest room for $309.

I've read on these forums that the San Juan area releases inventory very late. How much longer do I have to wait until Hotwire comes down in price?

I haven't tried Priceline yet as I'm worried that I'm not going to get the level of quality that I'm looking for. Looking at your Priceline hotel list, it looks like they group all the resorts into one level. Reading reviews, the Marriott doesn't seem to stand up to the hotels I would prefer like the Intercontinental, Carbie or El San Juan.

Marriott's website shows that rooms are currently sold out for my dates, does that mean that Priceline won't have any inventory either?

Thanks for your bidding help.

I'm in Hoboken too, hope it is treating you well.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Glad to have another 'bokenite on the board :)

When a hotel is sold-out it greatly decreases your chances of receiving it thru the opaque providers, but we have seen sold-out hotels received on both Priceline and Hotwire, but this is more the exception than the rule.

I've seen inventory released as close to 2-3 weeks before check-in date, but in your instance, i think the 4* rates is just high based upon the season. San Juan is busiest (and rates are most expensive) from mid-November to mid-February.

You mention above that you'd be interested in the Caribe Hilton... doesn't the 3.5* on Hotwire match the amenities of the Hilton? (of course still no guarantees)

Let us know what you decide to do or if we can be of further help.

[zakharm]

Thanks for the catch on the Caribe being the 3.5* option on Hotwire. The price looks pretty good so this could definitely be an option.

Any recommondations on a Hotel to book as a standby in case all this falls through? I ask cause it looks like things are filling up down there.

Thx for the help and I'll keep this thread updated as I figure this all out.

[thereuare]

What is it that you're holding out for... a better rate for the Inter-Continental? (is that the only thing?)

[zakharm]

Yeah, I guess I'm waiting for the price on Hotwire to come down for the 4* hotels. It just happens to be the Inter-Continental that shows up. I also like the reviews I've read for the Inter-Continental.

The 3.5* could also be an option if the 4* doesn't work out.

I'm a little nervous to just keep waiting on Hotwire and that is why I mentioned booking a stand-by hotel just in case the price never really goes down.

**Edit: Just checked on Hotwire now and the 4* isn't showing up anymore.

[thereuare]

The 4* is currently showing... but now a different 3.5* is offered and the price is $178/nite.

[zakharm]

The San Juan area hasn't worked out for me so far because of prices going up and inventory going down. Like you said, it is the high season. I've started to look at the Rio Grande - Humacao area and looks promising. Even with renting a car to get down there it will be a lot cheaper.

Hotwire shows a 4* at $178 right now that looks like a match for the Wyndham El Conquistador :

Amenities: Resort, Casino, Oceanfront, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Bus. Center, Golf nearby, Tennis nearby, Spa, Laundry

Does this look like a match to you for 1/12/06 - 1/16/06?

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Yes, the Wyndahm would be our best guess as well.

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.