Priceline Hotel: Miami South Beach Hotel 8/31 - 9/4 - 4* starting bids?

[vik2r]

I will be traveling to Miami from 8/31 to 9/3. My first time ever. I'm a single guy, late 20's and been told Miami Beach is the place to be!

Please let me know what would be the best starting bid for 4* hotel? 3* hotel. I will be flying into Fort Lauderdale and taking a shuttle into Miami Beach. suggestions here also appreciated.

TNX

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

What is your maximum bid? We wouldn't want to suggest a strategy that went higher than you were willing to bid.

Let us know and we'll advise accordingly.

[vik2r]

$170.00 per night is the highest I'd like to go. What start level can I hope for in the Miamin south beach area? Since it's my first time in Miami I am hoping I can get something better than decent. Should I be looking into other areas as well? I was thinking Miami Beach because of the nightlife and restaurants are within walking distance. I expect to be partying quite a bit and really do not want to drive or spend much in taxis. Any advice greatly appreciated.

[thereuare]

Your budget should be fine for this stay, but two additional questions before we can start...

1) what is your check-out date... your topic title states 9/4 but your first post indicated 9/3?

2) would you prefer a higher rated hotel at a higher price or is the best 4* or better hotel what you're seeking? (ie- would you prefer a Resort at $170 or a 4* at $150)

[vik2r]

Your budget should be fine for this stay, but two additional questions before we can start...

1) what is your check-out date... your topic title states 9/4 but your first post indicated 9/3?

2) would you prefer a higher rated hotel at a higher price or is the best 4* or better hotel what you're seeking? (ie- would you prefer a Resort at $170 or a 4* at $150)

Thanks fo the follow-up.

1) 9/3 is my check out date

2) 4* hotel or better is ideally what I'd like.

Last week, I bid $85.00 for 4-Star Upscale hotel in South Miami Beach. Rejected, so I added 3-Star Upscale - Rejected.

Yesterday, I bid $115.00 for 4-Star Upscale hotel in South Miami Beach - Rejected. I added 3-Star Upscale - Rejected.

I have not added another zone area because I do not know how far they are from South Miami Beach and I am afraid I would get stuck in an area I did not intended.

Hotwire appears to have 4* in South Miami Beach at over $200. The area and dates seem to be commanding high prices.

[thereuare]

First thing you need to do is read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained as we'll be using re-bids in any strategy that is suggested. At the 4* level you'll have four re-bid zones to work with. Read the previous link and see if you can figure out (and confirm) your re-bid zones with the board.

Alternately, you could book the Royal Palm Hotel for $152/nite... would that work well for your plans (and/or as a back-up)?

[vik2r]

4* rebid zones:

Dadeland

Miami Lakes

North Miami

Southwest Miami

I did look at a previous thread suggestion from you for the Royal Palm Hotel. I will use as a backup option for $152 thru EasyClickTravel.com. I noticed the hotel has a price guarantee policy. Their website rate is $247.00 per night for 8/31/- 9/3. They will match and upgrade the room [upon availability]. However, their process requires you to book make the reservation first and they request a price guarantee request betwenn 24 hours. The restrictions appear to tough. Additionally, if they don't honor it, there is a $50 fee penalty for cancellations or modifications.

[vik2r]

3* hotel in south beach thru Hotwire

Check in:Fri, Aug 31, 2007

Check out: Mon, Sep 3, 2007

$149.00 per night

Traveler Rating(3.5 out of 5) [TA]

What's this? Based on:140+ customer reviewsLast Reviewed:July 2007

Boutique hotel, resturant, near beach

1 room(s) @ $149.00 per night x 3 night(s) $447.00

Taxes recovery charges and fees $58.82

[thereuare]

I'm showing a rate of $197 directly on their website.

Couldn't find the full terms which you deem as 'tough'.

Since they don't give any additional money off (only match the rate)... is the potential upgrade (since it's upon availability) worth a $50 risk to you?

Please use this Royal Palm link (which is thru LastMinuteTravel)

[thereuare]

If you're considering the 3* property... what is it that you're looking for from this stay?

The 3* HOTWIRE property is rated lower, and after HOTWIRE's fee, will end up costing more, then the Royal Palm thru LastMinuteTravel (even without traying for the guarantee)

[vik2r]

If you're considering the 3* property... what is it that you're looking for from this stay?

The 3* HOTWIRE property is rated lower, and after HOTWIRE's fee, will end up costing more, then the Royal Palm thru LastMinuteTravel (even without traying for the guarantee)

Sorry, Can we go back to my original request for a bidding strategy advice for a 4*. I want the best that I can get for my money and I really want to try my shot a bid requests for 4*. I started looking at other alternatives only as backup. I intended and thought I posted the 3* hotwire hotel question as separate topic altogheter and is taken my original request off-track - something I did not want.

Can you confirm the four rebid zones for 4* hotels in South Miami Beach:

4*rebid zones:

Dadeland

Miami Lakes

North Miami

Southwest Miami

Can you please provide a bidding strategy?

[thereuare]

All posts for the same stay go in the same thread... it makes it easier to see what alternate options are if some bidding fails as well as see what has already been tried.

You have your four re-bid zones correct, but always doublecheck them just before starting a bidding cycle.

This is how i would bid:

Select 4* South Beach...

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone1..

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

Select 4* South Beach 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* South Beach 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* South Beach 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* South Beach 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* South Beach and re-bid zone2 and re-bid zone4...

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

Bid $125, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* South Beach and re-bid zone3 and re-bid zone4...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone1..

Bid $135, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.

Select 4* South Beach and re-bid zone2 and re-bid zone3 and re-bid zone4...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone1..

Bid $145.

If you're rejected up to this point you're better off booking the Royal Palm for $152/nite since you could just as easly receive it when bidding on priceline, but would be overbidding (there's no booking fee when booking HERE which is why the $152 is 'net' less than the $145 bid)

Any questions feel free to ask.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[vik2r]

Thank you

Couple of questions:

Why close the browser and re-access priceline after the 2 bids?

Can I use a saved profile at priceline so that I don't to have to enter my credit card and other info? Would this affect the method of rebidding described above - even though I close the browser where indicated?

I see "resorts" with a check mark selected for me, does this affect my targeted zone of south miami?

[vik2r]

I bid step by step as indicated above. [i created a user profile at p/l to avoid reentering all the credit card info].

Everything was rejected all the way to the overbid boundary of $145.00 "We're sorry, but we can't accept your offer of $145 for a hotel room in the Miami, FL area." - Dissapointed yes, but excited also with your bidding strategy - I felt like like I was empowering myself to allow for the best bidding chance.

Before I book something like the Royal Palm, is it smart to wait another day and try the bidding process again?

Also the Royal Palm seems to be a hit or miss depending on which Tower one stays based on the reviews at traveladvisor.com - If I don't book directly with them and use EasyClickTravel instead I'm I more likely to get stuck in 2* room? It appears that those that do and ask for a different room get asked an upgrade charge [again based on TA reviews]. Suggestions, please let me know.

[thereuare]

I don't know the intricacies of room assignments at this property.

However, if you continue to bid higher on priceline, there is the chance that you'll pay more than you would have thru EasyClickTravel, get the same time of room assignment, and simply paid more than you should have.

When i commented above that i didn't think your budget would be an issue, it was because i saw this property priced at $152 on EasyClickTravel. Unless you don't want to stay at this property, or you know of another property that fits your criteria, i would book the Royal Palm since it's cancellable. At least this way you know what you're trying to beat and have something that is suitable... if you do nothing, this property could sell out thru EasyClickTravel, rates for the area could go up, and you could be left with nothing (or no better options).

[vik2r]

Thanks for yor help. Per your advise I booked the Royal Palm thru the EasyClickTravel link above. It was $152.45 per night plus taxes. The total was $516.12 and I felt somewhat comfortable doing it because it's refundable if cancelled within the allowed time. Looks like the hotel has a $20 per day resort fee which is payable upon checking out.

Regarding my earlier question, is there a website that tracks hotel cost trends (the hotel version for farecast which tracks airline ticketing pricing trends). The reason I ask is because I want see if it is worth rebidding again for a lower price and the best time to do it.

[thereuare]

Thanks for using our links.

I don't know of any fare predication site for hotels.

[vik2r]

Does any one know which hotel this may be?

3.5-star hotel in Miami Beach $123.00

Hotel Amenities

Resort, Beach front Pool, Restaurant

Retail $216.00- save 40%

my dates of travel are 8/31 - 9/3

pools, and superior dining options. Depending on location, recreational activities may include water sports, golf, tennis or skiing. Coastal resorts usually boast ocean views or beachfront access. Note: A resort fee may be charged. Beachfront

Property is located on the beach. Fitness Center

Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply.Pool(s)

Property offers at least one pool area; hours and dates of operation may be seasonal. Restaurant(s)

Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary.Business Center

Guests have access to business equipment and services; an additional charge may apply. High-speed Internet Access

Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply.Golf Nearby

Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one golf course; an extra charge typically applies.

Review: "This hotel is great. The rooms are decent and the view is wonderful. The pool is huge and overlooks the private beach"

[thereuare]

Please keep all posts for the same stay in the same thread.

It looks like you started to list the amenities near the top of your post but then proceeded to try copying/pasting the balance and i'm not really sure where to start to view the amenites (plus, with the bad formatting, look how hard it is to read)... please list just the amenities (and not the descriptions) of the HOTWIRE hotel you're seeing and we'll try to have a look.