Priceline Hotel: Help with 3* Universal area Jan 2-6

[shanebarnes1978]

I'm trying to find a deal on a hotel in the Universal area (2A, 2C). I'm prepared to pay the best price for the Holiday Inn on Kirkland (across the street from U.S.) b/c I can save on parking. My best price for the four nights comes to $316 with taxes and fees. I'd really like to beat it by about $40.

I bid 3* Universal area at $45 and then used the Sand park free rebid at $50.

The second night I rebid at $55 and on the third night I rebid $57.

I would think I could get a decent deal for that week but now I'm starting to wonder. I have no problems with a 2.5* but the ones that are listed for the universal studios area have some really shady reviews.

Anyone have a strategy to suggest...(thereuare?) or at least a suggestion as to why everyone else has been able to pull a 3* in that area for the past few months at $55 or less, yet no deals are popping up for my week? We're doing universal ONLY so its important that we are nearby.

Thanks in advance!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Few points...

You can't choose the hotel (ie- Holiday Inn) when using priceline, if you would like to try to target a specific property (or avoid a certain property) then HOTWIRE may be a better option.

As well, priceline only guarantees double occupancy and you could receive a room with only one bed... is this a risk you're willing to take? If not, HOTWIRE may be a better option as they allow you to search for up to quad occupancy.

The Holiday Inn (on Kirkman) is just $81/nite with no booking fee... your $55 bid is already about $61 after booking fee, and i would think you'd need to save more than $20/nite to make an opaque purchase worthwhile (imo).

[shanebarnes1978]

No, I'm sorry. I made a mistake. The total is $316, including fees. I forgot that I found a "florida resident" rate (I know, wierd). I believe it's $69/night.

I used the savingsbarn link and unsucessfully rebid tonight at $58 and then $59. That puts my total at about $280. I might come back tommorrow and try $60, but I'm not sure I'm willing to go any higher than that. Might as well stay across the street and walk.

I don't see anyone else bidding on those dates. I wonder if there is something going on I'm not aware of.

[thereuare]

I don't think saving $5/nite is worth making an opaque purchase... i'd take the Holiday Inn deal and know that you have a hotel you'll be happy with along with a location which servers your needs well.