Priceline Hotel: 5* Venetian 4/27-4/29

[sdduuuude]

This is truly an excellent forum. 30 minutes of lurking and I feel I own Priceline.

So, I think I get the whole "book a backup then wait until 7 days prior and try for the Venetian using tricky rezoning strategies."

I saw one post that said when the 5* shows up for $125 in Hotwire, that is a good time to strike. Can anyone tell me if they think this opportunity will arise for a two-night stay starting on the 27th of April.

There is a $125 4.5* on Hotwire right now - would it be wise to wait until next week and try for the 5* on Priceline or is this a good deal?

I would really like to save some money and go for a Priceline 4* instead of the Venitian but I have heard alot of people getting the Westin and complaining about the fact that it really isn't a 4* and it really isn't on the strip. Can we collectively gripe to Priceline about this? I won't bid for a 4* on Priceline given complaints I have heard about this hotel (see http://www.tripadvisor.com).

Do any of you sly foxes out there know any way to get cheap Blue Man Group tix for 4/28?

Thanks in advance for all the help I know I will get.

D

[sdduuuude]

Also, I don't see any 5* on Hotwire at all. Is this a bad sign?

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Rates in Vegas change quickly and frequently so there is no way to know if the Venetian will come down in price for your date. However, i've researched this for a relative that will be in Vegas during this very same time period and i've essentially told her to just about forget the Venetian as rates are pretty high for those dates. I will still continue to look but i'm very doubtful she'll end up staying there since rates aren't even close to what where we usually see them for low Priceline acceptances.

If i recall correctly there are a few conventions in town and one of them is based out of the Venetian, which would explain the higher than usual demand.

I don't think it's worthwhile to complain to Priceline about the Westin unless you've already won the hotel and/or stayed there. Too complain without having won or experienced the hotel i don't think is right, as we have seen many instances of people winning a hotel and then freaking out about it based upon the reviews that they have read... they often then return after their trip and say it was fine! I haven't read the reviews, but it is a brand new hotel and it is a Westin, so my guess is that it probably is worthy of a 4* rating. As far as complaining about the zone location, Priceline has no obligation (nor interest) in trying to help us target or avoid specific hotels... they can draw their zones anyway they like and as long as the hotel won is within that zone they've held up their end of the bargain (as far as location goes).

If you'd like help identifying the Hotwire hotel please list all the amenities that are listed with it. With that information we will best be able to comment as to whether it is likely a good deal or not.

Come to NYC and Blue Man tickes are much cheaper... but i don't think that's what you had in mind :)

[sdduuuude]

$125/night

4.5* on the strip.

Casino

Restaurant(s)

Pool(s)

Fitness Center

Business Center

Golf Nearby

Tennis Nearby

Spa Services

My direct options suck at this point. I'l looking at the Tropicana at $100 (average of $75 and $125), Boardwalk at $68, or the Westin at $110 or so.

Your help is most appreciated.

D

[thereuare]

If you compare what is shown to what is known (hey, a rhyme! :) ) in our Las Vegas Hotwire Hotels this seems to match both Caesars Palace and the MGM (double check it yourself)... both of which i think are better than your $100 option for the Tropicana or the Westin at $110.

Of course, this could always be another hotel that we don't yet know about :) , but given the prices you're talking about elsewhere this may be your best option.

If you wanted to go 'cheap' you could slum it at the Imperial Palace (which has a great location) for just over $50/nite. It is a lesser quality hotel, but depending upon your needs may be worth it for only $50/nite.

[bbbb]

The Westin is a nice hotel,with a two block walk to the strip.The only problem I had when I stayed there was the halls going to the rooms are not very nice but the rooms are very nice.The slots are tight and the rules on blackjack have very poor odds,so if you dont play there you should have a great time.I would take the Westin over any 3* on the strip.I stress do not play there,some of the things I saw the pit boss do while I was there told me right away that their casino is not doing well at all.

[sdduuuude]

OK. This is fun. I should really post this in the hotwire side, but ...

I'm watching this 4.5 star hotel go down in Hotwire - first to $123 then to $120.

Just to warn you, I am painfully analytical and enjoy getting into the heads of these websites.

Now, if I think like an economist, I would assume that this price will continue to drop until it hits bottom, then it will start back up again as inventory gets smaller, then disappear.

Is this usually the way it happens or does it just go bye-bye at some random price?

The point to my question is - should I keep waiting unti we get into the 7-day range before I grab it.

Also, can anyone tell me what the profile of the Westin Causarina is on Hotwire (i.e. the stars and accomodations).

Lastly, does the Westin show up in Hotwire? I am wondering if I can follow the Venetian logic of "if it isn't in Hotwire, it probably isn't in Priceline" to avoid getting the Causarina. i.e. if I can run a Hotwire query and I don't see the Westin Causarina, can I assume it won't show up in a Priceline bid for a 4*?

(My objection to the Causarina is the off-strip location, for the most part, and reports of bad smells, more so than room quality.)

D

[thereuare]

Minor fluctuations ($10 or less) should be viewed as 'noise' and not an indication of demand. Hotwire fluctuates their prices throughout the day by a few dollars (to increase opacity).

I wouldn't apply the logic of the Venetian to the Westin as i don't think the correlation is as great with other areas and properties. What is known about the Westin is in this thread: HOTWIRE HOTELS LAS VEGAS (but keep in mind the star ratings and amenity icons are subject to change at any time)

Las Vegas is a hotel market unlike any other and prices and availability often change fast! (both up and down)

If i'm happy with what i think the hotel is and think it's a good deal than i subscribe to the philosophy "a bird in hand...", but if i feel i'm settling and i have reason to believe i will do better by waiting then i will do so. As i said above i am familiar with these dates as a family member will be there during this timeframe and i have essentially told to her forget about the big V. (she'll be at Paris for ~$100/nite... a rate no longer available as rates have since increased)

[sdduuuude]

I booked the above item and it did turn out to be the MGM, which is cool 'cuz it is so close to the Luxor/Blue Man.

The price was $120/night.

For your relatives, the Venetian just showed up at $248, which is high but it may indicate they have slack that week and will come down as the time approaches. I don't want to watch now that I bought in at $120.

D

[sdduuuude]

I have another question, as long as I am here.

Can you get the killer Venetian rates on weekends or only weekdays?

Do you have any stats on what kind of rates you can on weekends there?

D

[bbbb]

It depends on the weekend,whats going on in town,and the time of year.