Priceline Hotel: Resort Puerto Rico (San Juan) Wyndham Condado Plza

[lars32]

Hi, I'm trying to bid for a resort-level hotel specifically in the San Juan area. We are trying to book the week with 3 rooms. Our last bid was $120, and priceline came with the option to raise it $22 to $142. We haven't taken it yet because we're hoping to get the bid for a max of $130. What do you suggest?

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

When was your last bid?

[lars32]

We can rebid tonight, in a couple hours

[thereuare]

We refer to this as a counter-offer and they can usually be undercut as explained here: PRICELINE TIPS: Counter-Offers.

I assumed we were talking RESORT star levels, if i'm wrong, please clarify.

I would bid the $130 that you are considering. If you could have one of the other travelers bid on their own computer, i would first try $125 and then if rejected have them bid $130. If you only have one shot at this i would just do the $130 in order to secure the plans.

When searching for one room, Hotwire shows what i believe to be the Wyndham Condado Plaza for $132/nite during your stay; but when selecting 3 rooms the Wyndham Old San Juan appears and rates jump to $154.

Let us know how you handle it tonite and what happens. If rejected i'll advise further.

[lars32]

Yes, we are going for resort level. Do you think we could get a win with a lower bid? Is it possible that inventories haven't been sent to priceline yet? However, it could be risky we don't get anything soon.

Also, do you think if we win at $130, it'll be the Wyndam? I've heard a lot of bad things about that place, i.e. 22% tax upon arrival even though people paid taxes with priceline. I've never used Hotwire, so is it possible that the $132/nite be the Hilton, Marriot, or InterContinnental?

[thereuare]

It will most likely be the Wyndham Condado Plaza. The $132 on Hotwire as well is in all likelihood the Wyndham.

The fact that the tax rate for properties with casinos is 22% isn't the hotel's fault, but the mis-charging of it is. I haven't heard of anyone not getting this charged reversed... sure it's a hassle you shouldn't have to deal with, but not really that big of a deal (and i'd guess a problem that has been corrected at this point).

I stayed at this property over 10 years ago and i thought i was living like a king, but i can't say what's changed over the 10+ years.

Here's a suggestion:

When searching on Hotwire for 3 rooms from 3/22-3/26 what appears to be the Caribe Hilton comes up for ~$117/nite. Take this and then bid Priceline for the first half of your stay (3/19-3/22) using the bid strategy above. Spend the first 3 nites at the Wyndham and the next 4 nites at the Hilton. You'll be able to try them both and then come back and give us an apples-to-apples review.

Of course this involves changing hotels during your stay, but they're so close to each other that a cab ride should be less than $5 and you may actually welcome the change of scenary after a few days. As well, if you're really watching your budget the Hilton doesn't have a casino, so the taxes are only 11% instead of 22%.

I was at the Hilton 6 months ago and have posted a HOTEL REVIEW.

[lars32]

I was checking hotwire, and if we book 1 room, then it seems to be the Condado. But if we book 3 rooms, it seems to be the Wyndham Old San Juan Hotel and Casino at a higher price. Are Hotwire's inventories the same or linked with Priceline's? We'd like to get a resort and 3 rooms is a definite must since we are a group. What bidding price should we start at (we have different cards to do multiple bids)?

[thereuare]

Let's back-up a minute because i am getting a mixed message.

I understand your whole bidding situation but you implied that you had mixed feelings about the Wyndham Condado Plaza and would much prefer another property. If you bid the complete stay on Priceline i believe you will most likely get the Condado Plaza. If you split your stay and use Hotwire for part of it and Priceline for the other part you almost guarantee that you will get the Hilton for part of the stay (which you commented was desirable). To me this seemed like the perfect solution for to guarantee that you won't be at the Condado Plaza for the whole stay as well as save a few extra dollars.... what is it about this solution that you don't like?

If you explain your thoughts i'll advise further.

[mtohio]

Hi,

Just to give an additional opinion. I stayed at both the Hilton and Condado Plaza in January 2004. Personally, the facilities at the Hilton are better; especially the pool and beach area ---- BUT, the Condado is still quite nice. Also, the Hilton will allow you to use your HHonors card w/ a priceline room [which I did in January], so in addition to getting the Hilton for $90 in Jan, I was also able to get free continental breakfast and wine/hor d'oevres in the evening. All in all, the stay at the hilton was very nice.

Now... my stay at the Condado was also quite nice, and the room at the Condado was much nicer than the hilton, BUT ---- [AND THIS IS A VERY VERY BIG BUT] you must hope for [ask nicely....] a oceanfront room in the main building. These rooms are very nice, and the view and balcony cannot be beat !!! Also, the Condado has a casino, which is a factor for me. Since you are NOT guaranteed any particular room, the condado is definetly risky... but, if you play in the casino [table games] and put in a few hours a day at $15 to $25 bets, the Condado really does take care of you....

Hope this is a little bit helpful.

Regards,

Michael

[lars32]

Oh sorry, let me clarify. I am willing to bid for the Wyndham Condado for the 3 nights. I was just wondering that, since Hotwire wouldn't let us book 3 rooms for the Condado, what are the chances that priceline will have 3 rooms available for us? And what should our bidding strategy be? Thanks for the advice.

[thereuare]

I would follow the strategy posted above, try $125 and if rejected have your friends bid $130. When i checked earlier you could get 3 rooms at the Wyndham Condado for 3 nites but not for 7 nites (at which point the Wyndham Old San Juan presents itself).

If i were in your shoes i would be splitting my time between the two properties.

EDIT: i just checked again and although i'm certain i saw 3 rooms available at the Condado Plaza for 3/19-3/22, it is no longer available (just another example of how quickly inventory can and does change). I would still follow the above outlined strategy and if you stumble we'll cross the bridge for the first 3 nites when we get there (meaning if Priceline doesn't accept your bid... even still, i think it will be easier to get the remaining nites than starting from the beginning and trying to get all 7 nites).

[lars32]

Just a few quick questions, we're going to book on hotwire for the hilton on 3/22-3/26. Can we have 4 people per room? Can we call the hotel immediately and ask for two beds per room? Also, are there extra taxes that will be charged upon arrival?

[thereuare]

Priceline/Hotwire only guarantee double occupancy, after that it's at the hotels discretion. You can call the hotel immediately after booking and request 2 beds, but it's just that, a request and no guarantees that it will be honored as rooms are booked 'run of house' (ie- a standard room will be assigned to you based upon what's available at check-in).

Bottom line is that it's a risk that you'll have to decide if it's worth taking. Given that this is still a fairly busy time in Puerto Rico and hotels are operating at higher than expected occupancy i personally wouldn't chance trying to have 4 adults per room... 2 adults and 2 children maybe, but not 4 adults (this is just my own opinion and yours may differ). This is vacation and i want to relax, not have to worry about whether i will get my bedding request honored, and then if i do, how we will handle 4 adults using one bathroom and shower in the morning.

This hotel charges ~$4/nite resort fee and also adds $1/nite onto the bill to donate to a local children's charity, but you can have the $1 donation removed by asking.

[lars32]

Hi, I'd like report my biddings:

First, we bid $125 for resort-level and got rejected. Received a $22 counter-offer and decided not to take.

Then we rebid $130 and got the Wyndham!

So here are the results:

3/19-3/22 Wyndham Condado: $130

3/22-3/26 Caribe Hilton: $113

Here is a link to the HOTWIRE DETAILS.

We are very pleased with results! Plus we used the savingsbarn.com link. Thanks a lot for your help!

[thereuare]

Your welcome for the help... and thank you for the suport of using the SavingsBarn.com links. We're glad it all worked out for you!!

It took a litttle effort and a little experimenting with the dates, but i think the savings were well worth it.

When you have a moment please list your Hotwire win at the Caribe Hilton as a new topic in the Hotwire section of the board (include star rating, amenties, dates, etc... all of this is available thru the MY ACCOUNT link on the top right corner of Hotwire's home page).

Once the Hotwire post has been made, i'll edit your above post to include a link to it.

Thanks for posting. I'm happy you were ultimately able to have success.

Enjoy your stay(s), and don't forget to join HHonors as it comes with some good perks at the Caribe Hilton, as per my HOTEL REVIEW.