Priceline Hotel: 4* New Orleans (Downtown-Convention Center) InterContinental

[the_chad]

my search for a hotel in this area has sparked a question...

background: 4-6 friends are looking for 2 rooms in the french quarter, each room with 2 double beds. i noticed stipulations in the priceline information noting that each room will accommodate TWO adults and that anything beyond (bed requests, etc) has to made with the hotel directly.

que 1: what are the chances that after securing 2 rooms (say given king size beds) that i would be unable to get rooms with doubles? im not going with my girlfriend this trip, where i wouldnt care about exact bed size, but rather with guy friends.

que 2: is it possible to secure both rooms, recieve king beds, attempt to change to doubles and be told that if i want to change it is going to cost $XX.XX??? which would also be particularly frustrating considering i would have gotten a great deal on the rooms through priceline, but then a marginally expensive "upgrade" at their hotel rate (rather than PL) could put me into a place where it would have been cheaper to have pursued other options...

any insight/help is greatly appreciated!

[thereuare]

As you've noticed, all that is guaranteed thru PRICELINE is a room which can accomodate two adults. It's entirely possible you receive a room with only one bed... being able to switch (for a fee or for free) is entirely dependent upon the hotel you receive... some (a few) won't make any changes to HOTWIRE reservations, some will ty to do whatever they can to accomodate you (based upon availability), and some still will charge an 'upgrade fee' to a 'two bedded' room (if that is not their standard hotel room)

HOTWIRE may be a better option as they enable you to search for up to quad occupancy, so in your situation, searching for triple occupancy for each room (although you put the total number of occupants for both rooms on your search) will ensure a room with separate sleeping accomodations (and note in some <rare> circumstance, a 2nd bed could be considered a pull-out sofabed or a rollaway... but this is more the exception than the rule)

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed based upon the above (or if it raises additional questions) and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[the_chad]

Realistically, at what amount is my bid likely to be accepted under my above parameters (FQ, 4*, my dates)? I realize that i am able to start bidding as low as i want, but there is almost always a point at which i can "figure" my chances would be most likely the highest.

I think it was posted previously that these hotels are gradually becoming more difficult to secure a great deal through the PL process. I am wondering if while i can still start slightly above 50% off (say 60% off) if my bids don't become legitimately acceptable until a certain point, say 35% off....

Median Retail price on PL is shown at 154. I wouldnt add rebid zones as i want to stay only in the FQ area and would use another means to reserve a room outside of PL to ensure the same.

Where would you start your bidding??? Thank you for all of your help.

[thereuare]

If you let us know your maximum bid we will then be able to determine a suitable starting point and will advise accordingly.

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

[the_chad]

Considering valet parking is required (30$ day) at most of the hotels i have been looking at, all factors included, i would say MAX bid of per room/ per night = $90.00.

This would put the PL total with taxes to $428, add parking $60, grand total = $488.

At about $488, the other hotel i was looking into becomes a better option (guaranteed double beds + conti breakfast).

[the_chad]

UPDATE: according to the hotels listed in the Convention Center District and their locations, I would probably be willing to add this as the ONLY other rebid zone option or as a contender rivaling the FQ district...

[thereuare]

Be sure to read the comments at the top of the Priceline Hotel List (ie- the list should not be considered finite and you could be the first to report a new hotel in a zone which is not currently on the list)... is the Convention Center still a zone you want to bid? If so, do you only want to add it if your French Quarter bids up to your limit fail... or would you sooner prefer a less expensive hotel in the Convention Center zone?

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

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

[the_chad]

I am up to date and apprised of the possibility a "new" hotel will enter the mix. See recent 4* addition to FQ (Westin Canal i think)!!!

I am fine with the quality of the hotels listed as 4*'s and am open to the Convention Center area as it isn't too far from the FQ. Walking is no biggie when its under 15 blocks, especially after a few beers...

To me the FQ 4* is worth a slightly higher premium than those to the CC. If i were creating a strategy, i would likely start my bidding lower in the CC before increasing or adding the FQ, BUT wouldn't want to increase too much as to possibly "overpay" the CC.

What would you suggest?

[the_chad]

Guilty of impatience...

First bid of 65 rejected for the French Quarter

Second bid added Downtown Convention Center, but kept bid of 65

Accepted at Hotel Intercontinental for 65.00

Two rooms, two nights

Total: $311.26 (fees, taxes included)

Thanks for all of your help thereuare

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win!

Thank you fo sharing it with the board... hopefully you're happy with the results and this property will work well for your needs.

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

Enjoy your stay.

[the_chad]

thanks for editing the subject line in the topic, i couldnt find the way to do so!!! it looks more user friendly from the initial LA priceline screen...

the IC will work great, few blocks from Harrahs casino and maybe ~8 to the heart of the FQ. it will be great!