Priceline Hotel: Need Help Bidding on Berlin and Prague

[G$Saver]

Hi,

I have never used Priceline to bid on hotels in Europe and I would appreciate any advice I can get on what price to begin bidding at and what zones to bid on for Berlin and Prage. I would like to get a 4* or better for the following dates:

Berlin - Check-in May 9, 2006 and Check-out May 12, 2006 (From what I've read it seems as if the Tiergarten - Kufuerstendamm zone is the most convenient and accessible by public transportation)

Prague - Check-in May 12 and Check-out May 15 (Unsure if East or West is better in terms of convenience and accessibility)

Thank you!

[WillTravel]

I can't say for your dates, but in my opinion, the rates offered directly in Berlin are often so good as to make Priceline bidding not a good deal. See my post here:

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showtopic=23483&

I'd also recommend looking at these sites:

http://www.bookings.nl

http://www.hotels.de

http://www.hrs.de

The Holiday Inn site often has good deals too (available from the BetterBidding support page).

Back when a bidder had a good chance of getting the Westin Grand, I thought differently. But now, parts of the East zone would be excellent, and others inconvenient. T-K is fine, but I went to a lot more places in the east.

It's quite likely that 5* bidding offers good savings.

At any rate, before deciding to bid, you should research all of the above so you can set a reasonable target.

For Prague, hopefully someone will chime in.

[lls138]

I recently won a bid on 4* in prague for simialr dates at $85....

see link

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showtopic=23393&

[G$Saver]

Thank you WillTravel and lls138 for your help.

lls138, I was wondering what your bidding history is? Did you begin by bidding $80 on West then add East and increase bid? I just want to figure out what the best strategy is before I begin bidding.

Thanks again!

[lls138]

What I did was I started bidding only for 4* and 5* hotels. I included both East and West as i didn't know where the more expensive hotels were located nor was i aware which would end of being more convenient. I have been to Prague once before and stayed on the East side and it was fine. But I figured if it is a 4 or 5* hotel, the neighborhood will be nice enough. So I am indifferent to East vs West...south seemed too far.

I looked at previous bids and undershot that a bit. I bid like this:

Started at 5* - $75, then

4* $65

I then rebid every 24 hours starting with 5* and using free re-bid at lower price on 4* for a few days.

Bid 5* up to $90 without luck...pushed to $85 on 4 stars and got it.

I was hoping to be near the castle, but we are happy. Just a long walk, or short metro ride away.

Good luck and post your results.

Also, are you going to Budpest? I can't get any luck there.

I am trying for 5/15-5/17 and have bid 5*up to $95 and 4* up to $88 without any luck....getting frustrated.

[G$Saver]

Thanks for your bidding history. I'll definitely post my results.

Unfortunately, I'm not going to make it to Budapest. However, good luck and maybe if anyone has any advice they'll chime in.

[calibrad]

Budapest may be tough. I'm planning a few days there in Sept and asked friends in Vienna for hotel advice (they've been a few times). They report the city is short on rooms for the number of visitors they get and hotels are often full and pricey, esp. for nicer properties. Deals can be hard to come by. Good luck

[lls138]

i got budapest, finally...see my PRICELINE thread.