Priceline Hotel: 4* Boston (Copley Square-Theatre District) Westin

[supersonix]

Hi There,

Four of my friends and I (5 total) will be in Boston from 06/19-06/22 to take in a Bosox game and visit the area. I'd like to book a fairly inexpensive hotel room for all of us and not 2 separate rooms if possible. 2 double beds in one room would be fine as we'll have a couple of sleeping bags and one of us can crash out there.

I'd like to book through either priceline or hotwire but from what I read on their websites, neither guarantees the number of beds in the room and I'd have to check with the hotel after the reservation. I'm a little concerned because you can't cancel a reservation on either site so if the hotel cannot make arrangements for 2 double beds then it will be very uncomfortable stay.

Any advice/help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

As you noted, PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy. However, HOTWIRE will guarantee sleeping accomodations (although in some situations this can include pullout couches and/or rollaway beds) for everyone you inlcude in your search... the problem is that they only allow you to search for up to quad occupancy. (and not sure how you feel about 'sneaking' somebody into the room)

Do note that occupancy greater than four will often exceed fire code in most standard hotel rooms.

Not sure what you're needs are, but for 3 days i would sooner recommend booking two rooms, as it can often be cheaper than booking one room direct... but it's your stay and your money, so let us know how you'd like ot proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[supersonix]

Thanks thereuare,

We have no issues sneaking somebody into the room but I think you are probably right, it would be better to book 2 rooms instead of one. Since we will be walking around the city I think that staying somewhere in the copley square area would suit us. We are looking for a 3 star and the most we would like per room is $120/night. Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks again

[thereuare]

Since you're now looking for two rooms, could you accept the risk that the room only has one bed? (at which point PRICELINE becomes an option)

Since price is a factor, are there any other zone(s) you're willing to bid, or is Copley the only zone you're willing to accept at this point?

[supersonix]

I see what you are saying. Well if each room has at least a double bed then we should be fine. I can try to contact the hotel after the reservation to see if another bed is possible yes? I think copley sq and the theatre district would work but pretty much any zone that is walking distance to the downtown core would work for us.

[thereuare]

So to confirm:

Two Rooms

6/19-6/22

Copley Square-Theater District is the only acceptable zone

What is the minimum star rating you're willing to accept? Your maximum bid?

Let us know the above and we'll suggest a strategy to follow.

[supersonix]

Yes the confirmed details are as follows:

Two Rooms - boston

06/19-06/22

Copley Sq, Theatre, Financial, Quincy market districts (copley and theatre being preferred)

minimum 2 star rating

maximum bid per room per night = $150

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Did you want to try for a 3* first up to your maximum bid or are you looking for the least expensive 2* or better hotel for these dates?

I'm not sure of your budget (since at first you were looking for one room and now 2 rooms (which obviously doubles the cost) and had a $120 maximum bid but now looking at a $150 maximum bid) but i'd tread cautiously with 2 star hotels in larger cities... there may be hotels at this star level which may be fine for your needs, but there may also be hotels which are 'less' than you expect, and when using the opaque providers you can't choose which type you will receive.

Let us know and we'll advise accordingly.

[supersonix]

Thanks for the tip.

I agree and I think we would all be more comfortable with a 3 star to be honest...so I'd like to go that route. Our budget isn't set in stone but basically we'd like to get something cheaper than a standard booking. We found some hotels that are about $180 per night so really anything that better than that would be great.

[thereuare]

At the 3* level you have three re-bid zones available. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 3* Copley...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone3...

Bid $90, if rejected close browser and re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Quincy...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone3...

Bid $90, if rejected close browser and re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* Copley and Quincy...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $100, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline

Select 3* Copley and Quincy and re-bid zone2...

Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $110, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline

Select 3* Copley and Quincy and re-bid zone3...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline

Select 3* Copley and Quincy and re-bid zone2 and re-bid zone3...

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline

I'd start with the above.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Please remember to use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[supersonix]

Thanks a lot! I'll let you know of my progress

[supersonix]

Used Priceline link and won!

Used the method that you noted in your post and got $110 a night at the Westin Copley Place (4 star)

Also used the information from GTF's Boston Copley Square booking as I couldn't figure out the zone numbers in relation to the area names when rebidding and that helped greatly

Now I just have to call the hotel to see if we can get double beds in each room. I'm super happy with this booking!!

Thanks for all of your help!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win... glad to hear you're happy with the results and the price!

I couldn't figure out the zone numbers in relation to the area names when rebidding...

Glad to worked out well for you, but do note that this was somewhat risky, as re-bid zones could change at any time. By following somebody elses post you could have ended up on an area you didn't really want.

If/when you have a moment read thru Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and ask any questions that you have so that you understand how to check your re-bid zones yourself... easy to do now since no pressure of an upcoming stay, and it will help you the next time you need to bid on a hotel. (you can continue thist thread with any questions on re-bidding that you have)

Thanks for sharing your win with the board and for using our PRICELINE link to begin your purchase.

Have a great stay and enjoy your trip.