Priceline Hotel: Resort San Juan Caribe Hilton

[soso]

Hi,

Just posting my wins to assist others. Unfortunately found this site AFTER I bid.

I knew about the rebid zone trick but I think I did it wrong. Didn't realize had to close the window and didn't realize could rebid different combos. Thought could only add a zone to existing zone.

I ended up deciding that since I wasn't sure of the quality of the hotels, I didn't mind spending 2 nights in one and 2 nights in another. So I also added changing my start date/end date to the equation.

I got the Hilton Caribe for $140 for 1/22 and 1/23.

Then I got offered to extend my stay, so I decided to keep that as a backup plan (they offered me $155 for the 1st 2 nights...) and decided to try for the Wyndham Rio Mar Resort... bid 1/21 for up to $205 and got the El Conquisatodor, WHICH IS NOT LISTED on the 'non-opaque' site as a possibility. Had been having a lot of problems getting anything for 1/21.... then tried for 1/20, but scared would get a '3rd' hotel, so bid $210 and got the El Conq...

Probably cost me a lot extra in priceline fees.

I do have some questions:

1. Read that unless you are on a high floor in Caribe the rooms are cruddy. Is there any way to request a room having booked through PL. I know there is a HHonors floor, but does it help if I sign up for HHonors today, or must you have a lot of points accumulated already?
   
2. Wanted a microwave in the room, called Caribe and they said call Priceline since it's a priceline. Of course PL told me no way for them to request it. Any ideas?
   
3. Read a review on TripAdvisor that EL Conq had bed bugs. Do you think it's true? I am really scared about that? What to do?
   
4. Is there any way to request a higher floor (I think they are also renovated there) in the El Conq
   

And finally a funny story. Read the priceline guarantee success story, so decided to check out if better price avail for El Conq. Searched El Conq and found on Expedia for $57.50! Then closely read PL guarantee and saw it was for 24 hours only. Bummed! It was at least 48 hours! Was really upset, but couldn't understand how it's possible. Looked and Looked and upon further inspection found it indeed was for the El Conquistador :) BUT... the one in Nicaragua! :) :o :)

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Please use separate threads for each of your wins. This keeps the board better organized, enables others to see your wins when scanning the forum topic titles, and also includes your wins in the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins.

We'll use this thread to reflect your Caribe Hilton win and answer your questions for that particular stay... please start NEW TOPICS for your other stays.

Read that unless you are on a high floor in Caribe the rooms are cruddy. Is there any way to request a room having booked through PL. I know there is a HHonors floor, but does it help if I sign up for HHonors today, or must you have a lot of points accumulated already?

I wouldn't say that the rooms are 'cruddy', although you will not likely get a room with an unobstructed view of the ocean (which is what probably makes the higher floor rooms 'better'). You can call the hotel and make your requests known, as well as ask them again at check-in. I would join HHonors since it couldn't hurt, but it could help (but they'll know that you're new to the program, so don't as if they owe yo something because you're a HHonors member). HHonors membership may also get you a continental breakfast and evening wine reception, if they're still doing that, as they did a few years ago when i stayed at this property.

Wanted a microwave in the room, called Caribe and they said call Priceline since it's a priceline. Of course PL told me no way for them to request it. Any ideas?

Call the hotel again and ask for the microwave. If unsuccessful, ask again at check-in. Even if they mark it in your folio, it won't likely be in your room waiting upon your arrival, you'll probably need to ask for it again anyway.

Please start a NEW TOPIC for your other stays.

[soso]

Please start a NEW TOPIC for your other stays.

Thanks for the quick response. And I will start another thread... but tomorrow, cause it's time for bed!