Priceline Hotel: 4* on the Strip July 4th weekend

[economyclass]

Hi,

I am looking to go to Las vegas from July 4 - July 7 which is a Friday to Monday. We want to stay in a 4 star on the strip either north or south strip doesn't matter. We are trying to get something in center strip if possible but want to know what is the likelyhood of this happening. Our budget is between $80-$115/night pre-tax. My main concern is that the Westin, which Priceline considers to be "on the strip area" is showing a rate of $90/night on their company website. If I bid my range I'm pretty sure this is the hotel I would be getting. We want to be on the strip. Does anyone know any way I can avoid this from happening. I would even preferr to stay at Imperial, Flamingo, or even better Bill's Gamblin Hall than the Westin but we don't want to pay the range I gave for these hotels. If I bid 3 stars I don't want to get stuck in the south strip at Tropicana or north at Stratosphere. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Sadly, our dates are not flexible.

Thanks in advance.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Even if you bid 3* on PRICELINE, that is the minimum you are willing to accept, so you could be upgraded to the 4* Westin on a 3 star bid.

If you're trying to target, or avoid, a specific property, HOTWIRE can often be a better option. Do any hotels show up within your price range when searching HOTWIRE for your dates?

[mrxow]

There hasn't been a win reported there in a while, I don't think, but Treasure Island has come up as a 4 star win. You could bid 4 star on the north strip and only use free rebid zones and see what happens... It is fairly certain that if you end up winning within your budget, you will be on the strip...

Looking at recent 4 star south strip wins, it appears that the Westin in being won about 25% of the time. So I wouldn't assume that is where you would end up. Certainly it is a possibility. With Planet Hollywood looking to fill rooms and the Monte Carlo burning up and making people hesitant to book there, you might have some opportunities... That particular weekend may be more likely to end up with a Westin win, though, I suppose.

Also, Wyndham Vacation Resorts offers timeshare presentation based vacations. They book people into Imperial Palace and sometimes Harrah's which are not necessarily the greatest places but are on the strip and if you sacrifice 2 hours one day you might be able to get a great deal. They have an affiliate program that this site could take advantage of...

[economyclass]

Thanks for the responses.

The only Hotwire option in our budget is a 3* for $109/night. Seeing as we can get the Westin booked directly for $90/night, using Hotwire in this situation doesnt make muck sense. I also have been on Craigs List and VRBO.com to get the rates of peoples time shares at The Jockey Club and condotel rates at The Signature. I came up with $400 for 3 nights at Jockey Club which is surrounded on 3 sides by City Center construction but is in a great location, and $505 for 3 nights at The Signature, which is a much much nicer hotel but in an out of the way location.

[mrxow]

While I am sure you can find some timeshares to rent, that isn't what I meant. There is a site called WyndhamEscapes.com For $259 for a Friday or Saturday check in ($189 for other check in days) you get the following:

YOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES:

3 nights hotel accommodations for two adults and up to two children (under age 18) at Harrah's Las Vegas Casino and Hotel, Bally's Las Vegas, Flamingo, The Westin Casuarina or Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel

PLUS, your choice of one of the following:

A coupon for $50 in gaming chips at Harrah's Las Vegas Casino and Hotel. Gaming coupon expires seven days after issue date and is non-transferrable.

OR

2 adult tickets to an area show such as Vinnie Favorito or The Improv (retail value up to $99). Ticket vouchers are non-transferable. Improv voucher not valid for headliner shows.

OR

2 adult tickets for Harrah's Buffet or Rio's Buffet (retail value up to $44). Ticket vouchers are non-trasferable. Gratuity not included.

They ask what state you are from on the site and offers may vary according to that. If you only book it if you get a hotel on the strip, you are within your budget. Of course you have to go to one of their presentations. It think it is in Harrahs. They may not necessarily have room on the weekend you want, too, but I think they might.

Like I have said before, their site has an affiliate program. If better bidding was part of that they could get $ for sending people to these things...

Also, I don't think I saw Stratosphere on the north strip hotel list. The only 3 star win apparently was reported at Riviera. That would be a little closer to the action. Never stayed there, though - maybe not so desireable...