Priceline Hotel: 4* London (Westminster) Jolly Hotel

[bozorg]

Great forum-- I'm new to this, and it's all very helpful.

I am trying to find rooms in London for 7 adults (4 rooms) from July 25-29 (4 nights). Will the large number of rooms/large block of time make it harder to get a good price? Am I better off splitting up the bid somehow (running the risk that we might be in two different hotels for the time there)?

I assume Priceline will be my best bet, rather than Hotwire?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated, thanks.

[thereuare]

Shouldn't be a problem... unless a hotel has only loaded less than four rooms into the system, but usually this is not the case, especially a couple of months before your check-in date.

If you are ready to bid, let us know which zone(s) you want, desired star rating, and maximum bid and we will suggest a strategy for you to follow.

[bozorg]

Ideally I'd like something in the Bloomsbury-Marble Arch or Mayfair-Soho regions, either a 4* or a good 3*. Maximum bid around $100. What's a reasonable starting bid this time of year?

[WillTravel]

I'd start with a lowball bid, because you can bid every day and you have lots of time.

Start with 4* bidding.

So, try $60 for Bloomsbury-Marble Arch.

Note the counteroffer, if any.

Close the browser.

Try $80 for Mayfair-Soho.

Note the counteroffer if any.

Close the browser.

If no counteroffers above, try

$70 for Bloomsbury-Marble Arch + Mayfair-Soho (both zones checked).

Again, report any counteroffer.

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If you don't succed, you can post back about 3* bidding options.

And I recommend going to SavingsBarn.com and clicking on the PRICELINE link and going from there to help support the board :).

[bozorg]

Thanks, very helpful, and I'll definitely go through savingsbarn.com!

[bozorg]

Bidding History (4 rooms for 4 nights):

yesterday...

Bid $70 Westminster -- rejected-- counteroffer $91. Rejected counteroffer, wondered if this was foolish.

Bid $70 Mayfair-Soho-- rejected-- counteroffer $134. Rejected counteroffer.

Bid $75 Mayfair-Soho + Westminster -- rejected, no CO.

tonight...

Bid $80 Westminster -- rejected -- $22 bid increase offered. Rejected that.

Bid $80 Mayfair-Soho (ha!)-- rejected -- CO still $134

Bid $85 Westminster + Mayfair-Soho -- accepted!

It's the Jolly Hotel, as we expected, but that's fine with us for that price! Interesting to note that the counteroffer for Mayfair-Soho was the same both times.

:) :) :o

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win and thank you for sharing it with the board.

Enjoy your stay.