Priceline Hotel: San Diego *4 10/1-10/3 and re-bid zones

[pitt.traveler]

I stumbled across this board yesterday and wish I found it a long time ago. I am looking for a 4* Hotel in San Diego in the Gaslamp District (maybe Coronado) and could use some advice. I know that I may have to risk getting the Sheraton because of the way Priceline groups hotels. I would like to spend $135/night tops, but the lower the better on 4*s with the exception of my reservations of staying at the Sheraton.

In the group's experience, what are safe re-bid zones? I looked at some earlier posts, but am uneasy doing the re-bidding process given that Priceline's normal search feature lists less locations than those with the areas you are asked to select when bidding. Does anyone know which areas definitely do not have a *4 hotel in it? I noted that one recent bidder was advised that he had 11 re-bid zones in San Diego. Out of the general search areas on Priceline, only a few came up without a priceline hotel. I am guessing that those areas are larger than the "name your own price" areas.

Also, this will be my first time to San Diego. Are there any other areas that are great to stay at and convenient to hitting the Zoo, Gas Lamp, etc. for a two day trip? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Give this thread a read and see if you can figure out, and if you'd like confirm, your re-bid zones. If you're confused by reading this and/or have any questions feel free to ask:

Priceline Re-Bidding Explained

Once you're comfortable (assuming you are after reading/understading the above link) we'll be in a better position to advise you on how to bid.

[Colfax]

If you want to stay in Gaslamp then Hotwire might be the way to go. Hotwire has a "Gaslamp Quarter" zone but Priceline doesn't. For your dates Hotwire only has a 3* Boutique in Gaslamp for $148---a little over your limit and the hotel hasn't yet been identified. If you're patient I think there's a good chance Hotwire will offer other options in the Gaslamp nearer to your travel dates. Please use this HOTWIRE link if you purchase.

It sounds like you're looking at Priceline's retail page AND their "Name Your Own Price" page. The zones are defined differently in the two products, which gets confusing. When you're trying to identify your 11 free rebid zones for 4* bidding look at the zones listed on the Name Your Own Price page ONLY.

[Wildcat76]

Bidding 4* for Coronado has less uncertainty than many other San Diego zones, because you are almost certain (though not guaranteed) to get either the Marriott Coronado Resort or the Coronado Loews Resort. Both are very nice hotels. If you would be happy with one of those, you can bid Coronado and add many other zones that do not have 4* hotels. I stayed at both of them in May and enjoyed both. I got the Loews for $120 on priceline.

[pitt.traveler]

Thanks for the advice - maybe I should give Coronado a look. Never been to SD before so I am playing this by ear. Any other spots downtown to worry about other than the Sheraton?

[Colfax]

I don't know that you need to "worry" about winning the 4* Sheraton. It's not that it's a bad hotel. It's just not Downtown. About a ten minute drive. (There's another Sheraton Suites in Priceline's Downtown-Harbor Island zone that Priceline rates 3* and that hotel IS in Downtown San Diego.)

There are so many 4* hotels in the Downtown zone that statistically your odds of getting the Sheraton are small. But if you don't want to take that chance then either use HOTWIRE or bid Coronado on Priceline, as Wildcat76 suggests. Coronado is swell but it's a farther drive from Downtown than the 4* Sheraton.