Priceline Hotel: Resort Aruba Marriott Stellaris Casino

[nauticagal]

Hello. My sister and I just booked our flight to Aruba from January 9-15, 2007.

We're getting a little worried because when I check on Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity"]Travelocity it seems like all but 3 or 4 resorts on the island are completely sold out. I've called hotels directly they are also telling me they're sold out. Do you think the hotels haven't released the rooms for those dates because it's so far in advance or are they really all sold out?

We're worried that there may be no rooms available on Priceline during our stay. Our maximum bid on Priceline will be $150/night. Do you think we are better off waiting to bid until the date gets closer or start right away?

Right now according to Expedia, Travelocity"]Travelocity & Orbitz these are the only hotels that aren't sold out:

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino- $520/night

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino- $479/night

Marriott's Aruba Ocean Club- $605/night

Marriott's Aruba Surf Club- $485/night...sold out on 1/14

Hotwire does have two options available:

3* for $259/night (guessing Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort and Casino based on hotel list)

and

4* for $342/night (guessing the Wyndham based on hotel list)

Thanks for all your help!

Steph

[thereuare]

Is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option?

[nauticagal]

Yes we would be willing to split the trip into two sections for the bid if necessary...anything that would help increase our chances of getting a room.

Thanks for your help,

Steph

[thereuare]

It doesn't look like splitting is going to help much at this point.

Do you already have tickets to this area?

What will you do if not successful bidding up to $150? Your maximum bid is only about 1/3 of conventional rates, and that is not always a high probability bet.

[nauticagal]

Unfortunately we've already purchased our tickets.

I guess I'll try to wait and see if the hotels will release more rooms as the date approaches. It seems strange to me that so many hotels are sold out 11 months in advance.

Thanks,

Steph

[thereuare]

Do you have a back-up reservation anyplace?

I don't have time right now but if you don't have a back-up let us know and i'll try to see if there is anything reasonable out there... as well as look further if there is anything specific about these dates (either too far in advance or some event in the area)

[nauticagal]

Hello! We have booked our backup reservation at the Wyndham Resort at the rate of $252/night using the Entertainment Book rate. In the meantime, we'll try bidding on priceline since the we're months away from the trip. Hopefully some hotel rooms will open up!

Thanks for your help!

Steph

[thereuare]

Bump this thread mid-summer and we'll take a current look at this at that time. (or update it if you have any further progress/information)

[nauticagal]

Just an update:

I've been bidding regularly with no luck, so I decided to split up the dates.

I ended up getting the Resort level Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino for $101.00 per night from January 9-12. Total was $372.17 with taxes, which is a great deal. Marriott website has rooms listed starting at $449 per night.

I haven't had any luck with Jan 12-15, but will keep trying.

Thanks,

Stephanie

[thereuare]

Do you recall your bidding history on the day your won the Marriott (more specifically the highest rejected bid before your $101 acceptance, assuming $101 wasn't your first bid).

Please start a NEW TOPIC for the balance of your stay.

Thanks!

[mandalaybay]

When Priceline accept your request you can add maximum the same quantity of nights at the same prize at the beginning or at the end. Do it now, check your request and down you can add 3 nights more at same prize.

[thereuare]

The "extend your stay" option is not always offered, and when it is, it does not guarantee that there is availability.