Hotwire Hotel: Strategy for Miami Hotel?

[mzjones34]

I am interested in visiting Miami from jan 29 thur feb 1, 2004. Unfortunately, what I'm finding for hotels seems exceptionally high (of course it is high season). Please feel free to offer advice. Here are my specs:

preferences...

4/5*/resort max $80

3* max $50

area...

1. south beach

2. miami beach

3. downtown

... in desperation ...

4. coconut grove

Am I being unreasonable? Please feel free to comment w/realistic prices. Also, I'm willing to go thru hotwire.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

jj

[thereuare]

What's more important: price or zone?

For example, would you rather have a 4* in Miami Beach for $80 or a 3* in Downtown for $40.

Also, i'm not pushing you to bid more than you want to, but $100 rather than $80 in the South Beach zone may be the difference between success/failure. Don't know if the zone is that important to you in order to try that high (though the strategy would try to get you a hotel a lower dollar amounts first).

[mzjones34]

Great question... and I hate to answer it because I want the best of everything! :)

But... in deciding, I guess I'd have to say...

1. price

2. star rating

3. zone

Because we'll have a car, I could care less about zone -- that is, only if we exclude the coconut grove option!

[thereuare]

Well if price is your main concern, i think that the downtown zone is the least expensive and offers the best value... however expect to pay for parking at most of the hotels in these zones (and it can be steep!)

If the Downtown zone meets your needs i would try the following strategy:

3* Downtown...

Bid $27, if rejected add re-bid zone and

Bid $35, if rejected add re-bid zone and

Bid $40

If the Downtown zone isn't acceptable to you and you'd rather try other zones first, just post back and i'll add a strategy for a different area. It's my opinion that this zone at this star level represents some of the best value that Priceline has to offer, although the Downtown area isn't exactly in the 'heart' of the beach nor the nightlife of South Beach.

Let us know how it goes or if you have any questions regarding the above (like confirming your re-bid zones if you're unsure).

As always, it's appreciated if you'd start your bid at SavingsBarn.com