Priceline Hotel: New Orleans

[metoll]

What is the best way to secure either the Marriott (555 Canal St) or the Omni Royal Orleans for May 6-9? We just stayed at the Omni earlier this month and liked it very much. Unfortunately I didn't discover this web site until after I had over bid on Priceline ($75/night). The location was great and we want to make sure that we have a pool.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

With Priceline you can't specify either of the above hotels and you're subject to any hotel in the zone at the star level (or higher) that you requested. If having a pool is a must, then perhaps Hotwire may be the better option since they show you the amenities beforehand. It may cost a little more than Priceline, but it also may be easier to match up the amenities and star rating to those in our Hotwire Hotel List in order to target the hotel you want.

Rates since very high for this period, is there a festival in town that you know of or perhaps low-priced inventory just hasn't been released yet.

[metoll]

Are there any other 4 * hotels in the French Quarter that Priceline uses besides the Omni Royal?

[thereuare]

Yes, there very well likely are other 4* properties in the FQ besides the Omni Royal (the Marriott is a known other one and there are likely others not yet reported). I also don't think that a pool is a common amenity to hotels in the FQ.... so even if there is one 4* hotel in the FQ w/o a pool there is a chance you could get it.

[swag]

This year, the final weekend of Jazzfest ends Sunday, May 3, so the rates for 5/6-09 shouldn't be too bad.

And here's something to try. Searching for 5/06-09 on Hotwire, the selections and prices aren't too good, I'd guess because it's so far out. But search instead for 5/06-10, and you get lots more hotels to choose from; and some of the same hotels are actually cheaper for 4 nights than they would be for 3. And you get the benefit of a late checkout. Just leave early and leave the keys in the room.

There's a 4* Customer Favorite in the downtown zone (restaurant, pool, fitness,business) that I've been watching for other dates. The comments under the favorite link change from time to time, but have included phrases like "right on Canal St" and "great view", which lead me be believe that it's very likely the Sheraton or the Doubletree, both of which are basically across the street from the Marriott, and both I which are pretty nice (I've stayed in both).

[whenpigsfly]

I'm looking to book a 3* or 3* for some frineds going to NO in April and the only priceline 48 i've seen come up lately is the marriot. I would say you have a good chance of geting the Marriot bidding. If you don't would it bw that bad to be at other properties in the area that are listed as 4*?