Priceline Hotel: Bidding Strategy for London New Year's Eve

[DawnMaple]

Hi,

I just decided to spend New Year's Eve in London (Dec.31-Jan.2) and was hoping to get a 4* or 5* hotel in either Kensington-Earl's Court-Knightsbridge or Mayfair-Soho areas. This is the first time I'm planning to use Priceline. Any advice on the bidding strategy? Thanks in advance for any suggestions/help.

Regards,

~DawnMaple

[pirate]

Hi Dawn, welcome to the site.

Your problem here is that the rate for New Year's Eve is going to be vastly higher than for the second night of your stay. For instance the Thistle Marble Arch, a property that is coming up a lot at the moment, is quoting $440 for NYE and $118 for the next night!

In order to win a 2 night stay on Priceline you have to bid high enough to secure the first night, resulting in a substantial overbid for the second night. The solution is to split the bid, bidding for each night separately, but this carries a very high risk of getting two different properties and having to shift hotels.

Having said that I think you have a realistic chance to snag a 5* property for both nights, since they are less afected by the high NYE demand than 4*. For instance a quick check shows the Howard (very swish, on the embankment and just on the edge of theatreland.) has both nights at $300, which would indicate plenty of availabilty.

Let us know if you are prepared to split the bid and what your ABSOLUTE TOP price is and we can suggest a strategy.

Happy Christmas, :) Pirate

[DawnMaple]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've since managed to find accommodations at a friend's place and thus will not be bidding at this point. Thanks again and shall look forward to bidding when the next opportunity arises.

Happy Christmas and Merry 2006!

~DawnMaple