Priceline Hotel: 3* Philadelphia (Downtown) Doubletree

[Sciamano]

Hi,

my parents are going to be in Philadelphia on the 12th and 13th of August.

I've tried to bid for a 4* hotel, up to $120 using the 'free rebids', but got rejected every time.

Is this too low, or is it too early to bid for mid august?

Judging from previous experiences here, I though Phila might be much cheaper...

Any help appreciated. Thanks!

[thereuare]

It could be both early and rates are high.. a quick search of the most frequently won hotels at the 4* level shows rates a little higher than usual (a few less frequently won properties are a little less)

If you're willing to go a little higher i would try up to $130 and use that as your limit up until about a month before your stay at which point re-evaluate rates at that time.

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

Keep us updated and let us know if we can be of further help or if you have any additional questions.

[Sciamano]

Keep us updated and let us know if we can be of further help or if you have any additional questions.

Thanks for the strategy plan.

I tried again today, up to $130 with no luck.

I will wait a few days before trying again, there is still a lot of time, after all.

[Sciamano]

Noticing that DT Philadelphia has a lot of nice 3* hotels, I tried for one of those. And got it!

Check-In Date: Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Check-Out Date: Thursday, August 14, 2008

Hotel Name: Doubletree Hotel Philadelphia

Broad And Locust Streets

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107

215-893-1600

Summary of Charges

Your Offer Price: $70.00

Number of Rooms: 1

Number of Nights: 2

Subtotal: $140.00

Taxes and Service Fees: $28.13

Total Charges*: $168.13

Not bad considering that the lowest published (prepaid) rate on the Doubletree's website is $206.10/night!

Placed my bid through the PRICELINE link provided. Thanks for your help.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win... a very nice deal at nearly a third of the going rate!

Since you had to lower your star quality i'm happy to see that you received such a great deal and are happy with the results.

Thanks for sharing your win and for using our PRICELINE link to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay... and the chocolate chip cookies!

[Sciamano]

Unfortunately I'm not the one going to the US... my parents are... so THEY are going to enjoy the cookies :)

Thanks for your help, and lowering the star level was not a big deal: my parents don't really need fancy hotels, just a clean and comfortable bed to rest after a long day of walking around Philadelphia... Lowering star level this time meant spending on two nights what they would have spent for a single night in a 4* hotel.. so that's very good for us :)

Anyway I'm not bidding on a 3* for their stay in NYC... too many bad 3* hotels there...