Priceline Hotel: 4* Portland (Downtown) Hotel Monaco

[punisher_1001]

Last year I used Priceline to book a downtown Portland hotel. I did not know about this board and how to bid properly. I thus ended up with the Holiday Inn Downtown for like $85. What kills me now is that I should have paid about half for that looking at the current 3* prices posted by others. What kills me more is even if I had paid $42.50, I would still have thought I paid too much! I was not happy with the hotel at all. Maybe it was a case of me getting one of the "Priceline" rooms.

Anyway, I need to stay in Portland again for one night, 12/28. I have no problem with a 3* as many of those look like very nice hotels. It would be great if I could get one for under $50. Although I will be traveling down to Albany, OR, the following day (to pick up my 2008 Harley Road King :) ), I do want to stay in a downtown hotel because my wife and I will be having dinner at the Portland City Grill, which we did last year. If you have never eaten there, and you can spare a few $$, it will be some of the best food you have ever tasted.

I think I have the bidding process down, but if someone has a good plan for me, I would greatly appreciate the advice. I am assuming there is no way for me to guarantee Priceline will not stick me at the Holiday Inn again.

[Colfax]

Welcome to BetterBidding, punisher_1001.

Since your last trip to Portland Priceline has divided the Downtown zone in two. Now there are "Downtown Portland" and "Convention Center-Lloyd Center" zones. The Holiday Inn is in the CC/LC zone, so you won't win it (or the Doubletree or Red Lion) if you only bid the Downtown Portland zone.

I'm not sure $50 is enough for a 3* though. Usually it takes a bit more.

When bidding for a 3* you have two free rebid zones in Portland---Northwest and Beaverton-Hillsboro. I suggest trying $45 for 3*. Then add your two free rebids at $50 and $55.

Please let us know how it goes.

[thereuare]

Have you tried the bidding suggested by Colfax?

[punisher_1001]

I will be trying as soon as I get home from work (6am). Thanks for the help and I will let you know what happens.

[punisher_1001]

So, here is what happened:

Bid $45 for Downtown - no luck.

Bid $50 for Downtown + Beaverton - no luck

Bid $55 for Downtown + Northwest - WINNER for one night at the Hotel Monaco. Going rate through their website was $139 for a queen room.

Anyone have any experience with this hotel? Both reviews in the "Reviews" section were complimentary.

Thanks for all the help!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win!

This property has previously been reproted at the 4* level, and i believe is still rated 4 stars, can you confirm if you bid for 3* or 4* hotels? If 3*, did your confirmation screen mention being upgraded to a 4* hotel?

I have no experience with this property, but at well under half the rate of a conventional booking i'm sure it will be quite nice for price paid.

Thanks for sharing your win with the board.

Enjoy your stay.

[punisher_1001]

I think I ended up checking 3* and 4*. I will post a review after I return.