Priceline Hotel: 4* St Louis (Downtown) Reniassance Grand

[wendyb]

In June I got a 4* downtown room for $117 at the Hilton. Only July 24, I bid $80 for a 4* and got the Renaissance. I am needing a room for 8-7-07 and 8-8-07. I would like a 4* downtown. After reading some other posts and talking to friends, I feel like I am bidding too much. However, my smaller bids have been rejected. MY question is this....are there rankings for the 4* hotels. In other words, will the lower I offer give me a more likely chance of getting a lower quality 4*? (I have wanted to stay at the Westin, but do not want to pay that much) I was just curious if the 4* hotels were ranked and if I have paid too much for my other two previous stays. Hope this makes sense.... :)

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Your bid will be accepted by the hotel that has the lowest rate equal to or greater than your bid amount. See this PRICELINE POST for a more indepth discussion (you can read the entire thread, but that particular post answers your question best).

If you'd like help with a bidding strategy for the above let us know your maximum bid and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Either way, please be sure to return here and follow-up this thread with whatever you end up doing for that stay.

[wendyb]

Thanks for the information! I went ahead and gambled myself before getting your reply. I hated to wait too long since I needed reservations for this Tues. & Wed. Anyway, I got the Renaissance for $55 for each night. Total with taxes/fees ($25.21) was $135.21. I'm pretty happy about that price considering I paid $80 per night a couple of weeks ago.

Next time I won't wait until the last minute and I'll ask for your advice on helping me with a strategy. I like the Renaissance, but I can't help but wonder if they do not treat Priceline customers differently. I asked for a King bed and couldn't get it. Also, in the hotel information booklet inside the room, it mentioned something about the floors above 7 or so received free breakfast and evening drinks. Of course I was on the 3rd floor. I at least expected a small refridgerator in the room and there was not one. I asked about that at the desk and they told me only certain rooms came with one. Does that mean Priceline rooms are more basic than others?

One last question....when you bid on a place like the Renaissance St. Louis Grand & Suites, where there are two different buildings to this property, what determines whether you are booked for a room in the hotel part or in the suites?