Priceline Hotel: Kohala Coast Nov 28-Dec 2

[andrei]

I've been reading posts from last year on what PL and HotWire offer for the Kohala Coast (Big Island). Everyone talks about the Hapuna Prince and the Hilton (I assume no one mentions the Fairmont--a 3rd resort in the PL catagory) because it is priced sky high.

I see a hotwire listing for $175. The ammenities match exactly the Prince, but I am nervous because this seems low, even for my dates Nov 28-Dec 2 (2007). Could it be the Mariott or anything else? The Mariott lists "Laundry Facilities", but not "Highspeed Internet" (which the Prince and the mystery hotel both have). Is this definitive?

I have pasted below the full ammenties and reviews for the $175 mystery hotel, followed by the Prince's ammenties as listed on Hotwire's packages section.

(My kids would love the Hilton. If my wife consents that the Hilton is ok, do you have a suggested PL bid given the $175 Prince hotwire offer?)

No big surprise that I failed at $122.

Thanks,

Andrei

Myster Hotel Amenities

Resort

Beachfront

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-speed Internet Access

Golf Nearby

Tennis Nearby

Spa Services

Children's Activity Program

Customer Favorite!

********************************************

Hapuna Prince Ammenties (from Packages section)

Hotel Amenities

Resort

Beachfront

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-speed Internet Access

Golf Nearby

Tennis Nearby

Spa Services

Children's Activity Program

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

We can't see the name of the above hotel either :) so there are never any guarantees with an opaque purchase... however, everything i'm seeing points to this being the Prince and that would be our best guess too.

As far as bidding on priceline, you have less control over the hotel you will receive, so i would make sure you're comfortable first with any Resort property in the Kamuela zone (i assume that's the zone you'd be bidding?)... you won't be able to target the Hilton specifically. If this is ok and you want ot bid on priceline, let us know your maximum bid and we'll suggest a strategy to follow. (after first checking with your wife... no point in developing a strategy if it may not get used)

Since it appears you're traveling with kids, and you don't mention how many rooms you're trying to book, i'll also add that priceline only guarantees double occupancy, while HOTWIRE will allow you to search for up to quad occupancy.

If you book the above please use this HOTWIRE link to begin any purchases you make. If you'd like to try priceline let us know the info above and we'll take it from there.

Let us know what you decide or if we can be of further help.

[andrei]

Thanks. I would like learn more about PL, and probably make another bid, but I will definitely do either Hotwire or PL via the links at your site. Here are answers to your questions...

We are happy with any of the 3 Resort properties in the Kamuela zone.

(Side question, is it safe to assume--in this case and/or in all cases--that the only properties in that zone are the ones listed in the matching zone and catagory in the name-shown part of PL?)

We are looking for only one room (our kids are small and stay with us).

I tried bidding again for resorts in the Kamuela zone for Wed Nov 28th to Sun Dec 2, 4 nights.

(Side question, will it dramatically help my chances to not have a Sat night stay in my request? That is, I could bid for Wed-Sat and rebid for Sat night, recognizing that I may have to change hotels (that actually might work, as I could bid for a cheap hotel near the airport).

Here are all my failed bids so far... 122 (no rebid), 140 (free rebid using Hilo zone) 150.

(Side question, does PL track the fact that I have made several bids and record, for example that I am a motivated buyer and likely to keep upping my bid until I win? In other words, is it bad to nickle and dime your way up toward your max price if you have lots of time, as we do in this case?)

I suppose that my max bid is under $175 since it appears we can get the Prince on Hotwire for that price (although it went up to 179 today).

Final two questions if you have time or interest (thank you agian for your advice)

1) I have read that there is little advantage to waiting until close to the departure date to do PL. I suppose I can understand this if the hotel is likely to fill, but this seems unlikely for my dates given that they are probably fairly unpopular. Can you give me a good link to comments on last minute bidding?

2) Is it strange that the Hilton is listed in the packages section, but appears to be missing from the blind part of Hotwire?

[thereuare]

(Side question, is it safe to assume--in this case and/or in all cases--that the only properties in that zone are the ones listed in the matching zone and catagory in the name-shown part of PL?)

No, see the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.

(Side question, will it dramatically help my chances to not have a Sat night stay in my request? That is, I could bid for Wed-Sat and rebid for Sat night, recognizing that I may have to change hotels (that actually might work, as I could bid for a cheap hotel near the airport).

If you search the 'known' hotels in this zone for just Saturday, and then again for the balance of your stay, are the rates drastically different?

(Side question, does PL track the fact that I have made several bids and record, for example that I am a motivated buyer and likely to keep upping my bid until I win? In other words, is it bad to nickle and dime your way up toward your max price if you have lots of time, as we do in this case?)

No, it doesn't work that way.

1) I have read that there is little advantage to waiting until close to the departure date to do PL. I suppose I can understand this if the hotel is likely to fill, but this seems unlikely for my dates given that they are probably fairly unpopular. Can you give me a good link to comments on last minute bidding?

See the related link our PRICELINE FAQ.

2) Is it strange that the Hilton is listed in the packages section, but appears to be missing from the blind part of Hotwire?

No, HOTWIRE will only show the least expensive hotel at each star level in a given zone.

If you let us know the rates for the hotels for Saturday vs. the 'other nites' we'll comment further on SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID.