Priceline Hotel: 3* Los Angeles (Santa Monica-Marina Del Rey) Marina Del Rey Hotel

[tuxcedo]

I'm looking to get a 3* in Santa Monica beginning on Aug 24th for as many nights as I can...I'll actually be staying through Sept 4. I'm worried about bidding on a 3* in Santa Monica for fear that I may get the Marina Del Rey. The clear consensus on tripadvisor is that this place is a dump. Can anyone help me with a strategy. I'm willing to pay up to $125 a night but I will be weeping if I bid that and get a dump. Thank you

[thereuare]

What ever happened with your Hyatt Valencia stay? :)

[tuxcedo]

Sorry about that...I'm looking back over my records to remember the outcome of that. I'll post it when I do...

[thereuare]

With priceline there is no way to avoid a specific property unless you only select a star rating higher than the hotel you're trying to avoid. I would first determine if you're willing to accept this risk or not... if you got the hotel you're trying to avoid, and only paid $125/nite, would it ruin your trip?

Have you considered HOTWIRE? At least there you can take an educated guess as to the property you're being offered. I did a HOTWIRE search for your dates and they have a 3.5* property for the entire lenght of your stay, a little over your budget at $159/nite, but you also wouldn't have to change proerties during your stay. (best guess, at least the hotel on my search, is the Sheraton Delfina)

If this is an option please use this HOTWIRE link to begin any searches/purchases that you make.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there.

[tuxcedo]

I hadn't considered Hotwire. Do you have a guess what the 3* is on Hotwire. If that was the Doubletree, I might go that way

[thereuare]

What are the amenities associated with the 3* hotel you're being offered on HOTWIRE?

[tuxcedo]

Hotel Amenities

Complimentary Breakfast

<amenity names only please... not descriptions>

Pool(s)

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

Laundry Facilities

<amenity names only please... not descriptions>

High-speed Internet Access

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

[tuxcedo]

I went on the regular pick your price at priceline and entered the dates of 8/27 - 8/28 and the hotels that showed up didn't include the Marina Del Rey Hotel. So I thought I could bid then and maybe extend my stay if I liked the hotel. I bid $108 and got rejected. So I checked again for 8/27 - 8/29 and still no Marina Del Rey...it had shown up on my broader searches. Anyway I bid $112 and my bid was accepted...you guessed it: Marina Del Rey Hotel. So I got burned trying to be clever! I guess I'll try to fill in around those dates by going on Hotwire. However Hotwire isn't offering the 3.5* for 8/24-27. Is there a chance it will show up again if I try later on?

[thereuare]

So I got burned trying to be clever!

As well, this is covered in our PRICELINE FAQ.