Priceline Hotel: 4* Dupont Circle - Woodley Park (May/June 2007)

[willow78]

Hello! :o

It's been awhile since I last posted. This would be only my second time using Hotwire / Priceline so I'm a little nervous. :)

We're planning a trip to DC either May 14-19 or June 4-9. We'll need to book two rooms as my parents will be joining us. The last time we were in DC for a wedding, we stayed at the Jury's Washington which was nice, close to everything and we paid only about $99/night which was great. I'd prefer to stay in the same area and pay around the same $100 because we're trying to do this trip with my parents on a budget. We can't stay at Jury's again because the prices are about $349/night which is crazy, especially since they've had mouse problems lately - gross. :)

I've noticed Priceline 4* hotels in the Dupont/Woodley area are the Westin Embassy Row, Omni Shoreham or Palomar. I really don't want to stay at the Palomar - I'd much prefer the other two.

How do I go about bidding...it's been awhile! I notice a lot of people add the "Convention Center or Downtown" as a rebid but we don't want to end up with a hotel in either of those areas. Since it's my parents first time to DC and they're in their 70's, I really want to make this a nice trip and make them as comfortable as possible. Having stayed in the Dupont/Woodley area before, I think this area would suit them just fine. I've noticed most people are getting either the Westin or Omni. If we can get either hotel for $100 or less, I would be VERY happy! :)

Thanks for your help in advance! Again, sorry so long!

Willow78

[thereuare]

We're planning a trip to DC either May 14-19 or June 4-9

Are either set of dates fine or are your plans not set yet?

[willow78]

Our dates are now set. June 4 - June 9. Yay.

[thereuare]

...the Westin Embassy Row, Omni Shoreham or Palomar. I really don't want to stay at the Palomar

Then you shouldn't bid that zone.

Remember, the deep discounts we receive are in exchange for being flexible in your plans... that includes accepting any hotel in the zone that meets the minimum star rating you select. If no zones fit this criteria for you then then priceline may not be the best solution for this stay.

You can try HOTWIRE where you may be able to ID the hotel beforehand (or at least know that it's not a hotel that you're trying to avoid), but my guess is that your budget is not hgih enough for that route (and my not be enough for priceline either).

[willow78]

I understand what you're saying. I guess what I meant is we don't really 'want' to stay at the Palomar, but if we did somehow get the Palomar, it would have to do. I've been seeing most people on the boards getting the Westin or Omni (and with only 3 hotels listed as 4* in Dupont) I was assuming our odds would be pretty good. And we don't have to stay under $100, I understand it's the summer and prices are higher and it's more crowded, but if we happened to bid $70 and get a room (in June) at that price, of course I'd be shocked and very happy!

Thanks for your responses...

[thereuare]

What is your maximum bid?

If we think a user's maximum bid is too high then we don't go suggest going that high, but we need to know your maximum bid in order to suggest a strategy so that we don't suggest bidding higher than you're currently willing to bid. Note that the Omni is sold-out for your dates, and the other 4* properties are $275+.

[willow78]

I see...

Well - we'd like to bid max $125. I understand it's a stretch for that time-frame, but we'd like to try for it.

Too bad the Omni is sold-out. :)

[thereuare]

At the 4* level you have four re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 4* Dupont Circle...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* Dupont Circle and re-bid zone2...

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $85, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* Dupont Circle and re-bid zone3...

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $95, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* Dupont Circle and re-bid zone4...

Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $105, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* Dupont Circle and re-bid zone2 and re-bid zone3...

Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $115, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* Dupont Circle and re-bid zone2 and re-bid zone4...

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $125.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Good Luck and let us knw how how it goes.

[willow78]

I bid up to $170 for hotels in the Dupont Circle or Downtown are and couldn't get any hits. So, we opted not to bid (blindly) and use Priceline's best rate and purchased 2 rooms at the Residence Inn Marriott in Dupont for $139/night + tax.

It was the best deal for us during that time and we were actually really happy with the accomodations. The rooms were suites, with a full-kitchen, separate living/dining area and just two blocks from Dupont Circle. It was clean, the staff was friendly, it included a buffet breakfast in the morning and parking on-site (although we paid extra for that). We would stay there again for the price.