Priceline Hotel: 5* London (Mayfair-Soho) Marriott Park Lane

[timriley]

Was looking for a 5* in the London (Mayfair-Soho) area. I was surprised to get the Marriott Park Lane as the only 3 hotels Priceline lists as purchasable at the 5* level are the Intercontinental Park Lane, St. Martin's, and Sanderson. 07/03/08 to 07/06/08 is high season and coincides with the finals at Wimbeldon so I knew it probably wasn't going to be cheap, but wanted to book early rather than waiting until the month before.

Started at $150 - given a counter offer of $282 immediately.

Continued at $155/165/170/175/180/185/190/195

Restarted at $200 a few days later - given counteroffer of $284

Continued at $205/210/215/220/225/230/235/240/245

Restarted browser at $250 - given opportunity to increase price by $25 to rebid at the same location (without adding). Declined the offer and continued:

$255/260 - win at $260/night at the Marriott Park Lane. Marriot online average rate was closer to $600/night for that time period.

Although the location is further than I had hoped based on the three 5* Priceline hotels being offered (I wanted to be as close to SoHo/OldCompton as possible), I'm happy about the additional amenities offered by this hotel that the other hotels didn't offer, including free access to a boutique-style pool and fitness centre. Marriott's website also listed my reservation immediately on their website and allowed me to modify the reservation to reflect a guarantee for king-sized bed and non-smoking, which saved me from having to call the hotel directly. I'm happier with this win, than I think I would have been at the Intercontinental, which is what I had been expecting given it's relatively low 'buy it now' cost of mid $300's/night but poor Tripadvisor reviews...

[thereuare]

I was surprised to get the Marriott Park Lane as the only 3 hotels Priceline lists as purchasable at the 5* level are the Intercontinental Park Lane, St. Martin's, and Sanderson

See the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ regarding using the 'retail' version of priceline to determine what you'll thru the the 'bidding' version.

If you didn't, please remember to use the board's PRICELINE link to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay.

[rapazfreiburg]

I'm sure you'll be fine staying at the Marriott. Old Compton Street is almost walking distance--at least we sometimes walked at night. If you don't want to walk or spend money on a taxi, then there are several night bus lines which will take you along Oxford Street until Marble Arch where you'll get off.

[timriley]

Thanks - that's good info to know! It looks like it's very walkable to Paddington Station too which is a plus - we'll be arriving via Gatwick and the express trains seem to end up there...

[valueguy]

Its a great location, mind you, very convenient to all sorts of public transport and restaurants. Try calling ahead, the morning of the check in and request a room with a park view. Never hurts to ask, and that's the time they can block aside the room for you as well, based on availability!

Cheers.