Priceline Hotel: 4* San Juan InterContinental

[NoVa Mimi]

I am new to this board and to Priceline also. I have read many posts and I'm in hopes of getting some assistance with bidding for the first time. I am going to try for resort in San Juan for July 5 with a stay of 1 night, for my husband, teen son and myself. I'm not quite sure as to where to start with my bid. I am not crazy about Condado Wyndam, but any of the other resorts would be fine. We are arriving in San Juan at 4pm and just do not want to pay rack rates, but would like to stay somewhere nice. We've previously stayed at the Intercontinental. I am willing to bid up to $150, but of course would like to get something for a little less, if possible. I would appreciate any suggestions from you veterans :).

[mrxow]

While the Wyndham has been reported, the Marriott and Hilton are more frequently won, at least recently. Here is a link to some search results that might give you an idea of what to do...

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?act...2Bresort+-Aruba

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy and you'll be three (i'm assuming you're planning on booking one room) so it's possible that you coudl get a room with only one bed, is this a risk you're willing to take?

If so we can suggest a strategy to follow, but given the occupancy issue and that you're trying to avoid a specific hotel, i'd first take a look at HOTWIRE... you may be able to accomodate all three of you without any issue and have an educated guess as to the hotel you will receive before your purchase. If you search HOTWIRE (for 2adults/1child) is there anything that comes up within your budget?

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

Let us know your thoughts regarding the above and how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

[NoVa Mimi]

Thank you for the warm welcome, thereuare! Yes, there is a chance we would get one bed. I was thinking of perhaps contacting the hotel and asking for two beds and taking a chance. I checked Hotwire and there was only one 4-star property listed and I can't figure out which one that would be. Thank you for your help!

[thereuare]

Is the 4* on HOTWIRE within your budget? If so, what are the amenities associated with it?

... or have you resovled to bid on PRICELINE regardless?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[NoVa Mimi]

thereuare (M Go Blue, by the way), I am fine with using HOTWIRE, if we can find a nice property. The amenities for the four * on Hotwire for July 5 are as follows:

Best Value

Resort

Beachfront

Casino

Pool

Business center

High-speed internet access

Spa

Tennis nearby

Laundry facilities

Restaurarnt(s)

The price is $161.

Could this possibly be the Intercontinental? It sounds very much like it, but it shows a retail rate of $199 and I think that is below Intercontinental retail rates. Thank you again for all of your help!!

[thereuare]

The above is a match for the Inter-Continental so that would be our best guess.

When i just searched HOTWIRE for 2adults/1child i was offered a 4* hotel with the same amenities as above, but with no Tripadvisor ratings... when changing the search to 2adults/2chldren the price remained the same, as did the amenities, but i was shown a TripAdvisor rating (4/5 with 340 reviews... which is consistent with the InterContinental). While i'm confident this is the same hotel appearing on each search, you can increase your confidence level just a bit by searching for 2adults/2children and seeing the TA rating.

The retail price is often correct, but frequently incorrect as well. HOTWIRE's position is that this is the retail rate for a hotel of that star rating in the zone, not necessarily the hotel you'll receive.

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

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[NoVa Mimi]

thereuare, I used the HOTWIRE link and entered two children, as you suggested and the Trip Advisor info did come up. I did go ahead and book for $163/night and sure enough, I got the Intercontinental! Thank you very much for all of your assistance, I appreciate it a great deal! :)

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to hear you received the hotel you were hoping for and that the board was helpful in your purchase.

Thank you for sharing yoru results wtih the board and for using our HOTWIRE link to begin your purchase.

Enjoy your stay.