Priceline Hotel: Aruba Resort 7/18/06-7/24/06

[trickyslicky]

Hello,

Looking for guidance and assistance on a bidding strategy for a resort in Aruba for 7/18/06-7/24/06.

The maximum I would be willing to pay would be $200. I am looking for a high rise resort on the beach. I know hotwire is showing a 4* resort with the following amenities shown below for $104 which I'm guessing is the Renaissance. Although this seems like a good deal on a 4*, I would prefer the high rise area for something like the Mariott.

Any assistance will be appreciated.

Resort

Property is located within easy walking distance of a beach. Casino

Property offers a full-service casino accessible from the lobby.Restaurant(s)

Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary. Pool(s)

Property offers at least one pool area; hours and dates of operation may be seasonal.Fitness Center

Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply. Spa Services

Guests have access to a spa facility or spa services; an extra charge typically applies.Tennis Nearby

Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one tennis court; an extra charge typically applies. Business Center

Guests have access to business equipment and services; an additional charge may apply.

[thereuare]

There is only one zone for Aruba and you would need to be able to accept any hotel within the zone (at the minimum star level you select) in order to use Priceline. There is no way to ensure that you will receive a "hi-rise" hotel on the beach if you use priceline.

If you're willing to accept the above conditions we'll suggest a strategy, but otherwise you may be better booking direct with the Marriott or some other property of your choosing.

[trickyslicky]

Thanks for your help.

I'm assuming hotwire also has similar challenges? (just one zone? - don't want to repost asking the same question in the hotwire forums.)

If there is no way to ensure a high rise hotel via priceline and hotwire, please go ahead and suggest a bidding strategy as I can't justify spending $230+ for the marriott while hotwire displays a resort for $104 per night.

Thanks again.

[thereuare]

There is no way to guarantee the exact location with Hotwire either... but Hotwire offers the advantage of letting you know if the hotel is Beachfront, Beach Access, etc, based upon the amenities that are shown. As well, we can take an educated guess as to the identification of a property they are showing you and you can then use that in your determination to move forward (or avoid) the property based upon our guess.

What is the star rating and amenities associated with the property you're being offered on Hotwire? (keep in mind you'll need to click "continue" or "view hotel details" to see the full list of amenities if there are more than eight)

[trickyslicky]

Hotwire star rating : 4

Rate : $104

Amenities:

Resort

Near Beach

Casino

Restaurant(s)

Pool(s)

Spa Services

Fitness Center

Business Center

Tennis Nearby

Traveler Rating(4.0 out of 5) Based on:80+ customer reviews Last Reviewed:January 2006

thanks again!

[thereuare]

This appears to be a match for the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino so that would be our best guess.

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

[trickyslicky]

Thanks.

So it it worthwhile trying to bid on Priceline at all? If so, what would you suggest Or is a rate of 104 on hotwire for a 4 star as good as its probably going to get?

If the rate of 104 at hotwire is as good as its going to get, ill go ahead and get it

Thanks.

[thereuare]

Priceline is usually a bit cheper than Hotwire, but here is the decision you have to make:

1) on Priceline you're subject to any hotel in the zone, with Hotwire you have an educated guess that it may be the Renaissance (if correct, is this property in the area you originally wanted to target?)

2) if you try Priceline there are no re-bid zones so you have one shot at it per 24 hours... if you go that route and try a few lower bids for the next few days, the above could disappear before you're able to have a priceline success

3) what are your overall thoughts of the Renaissance?

Let us know your thoughts and we'll advise accordingly.

[trickyslicky]

1) on Priceline you're subject to any hotel in the zone, with Hotwire you have an educated guess that it may be the Renaissance (if correct, is this property in the area you originally wanted to target?)

---Actually, I wanted to target the high rise hotels, not the area that the Renaissance is located in. However, if Renaissance is the best deal, I can't pass it up... :)

2) if you try Priceline there are no re-bid zones so you have one shot at it per 24 hours... if you go that route and try a few lower bids for the next few days, the above could disappear before you're able to have a priceline success

3) what are your overall thoughts of the Renaissance?

----I think its a decent hotel and would not mind staying there, but if the high rise hotels in the Palm Beach area can be had, I would prefer one of those.

Thanks for your help!

[thereuare]

I'd start by bidding $80 for a Resort via Priceline... if rejected increase your bid by $5 over the next 24 hours until you get to $100.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.