Priceline Hotel: 4* London (Regents Park-Baker Street) Hilton Metropole

[MadFlyer]

While unsuccessful with 8 zone system that allowed 10 re-bids each day all last week for 2 night stay in central London 7/8/08 - 7/10/08, I was able to get one night stay for the 9th of July, 2008. That attempt had produced only $235 counteroffers each day when either Regents or Westminister zones were included.

Had booked with the London School of Economics Residence system that required only a 4 pound non-refundable deposit with 2 single rooms with shared bath for 33 pounds each or equivalent of $133 a night.

I have been checking Hotwire for the 2 single nights and combined for the last couple of weeks. Best has been first night at HI Express Hammersmith for $89 and nothing good for second night. Today $155 4* Bloomsbury Marble Arch (hotwire) appeared and this is identified as this Hilton Metropole on this site.

Checked online and this hotel available on the 9th for best rate of 174 pounds with pre-pay option, but interestingly a very low 98 pounds only for guests arriving on the 10th for 1, 2 or 3 nights. On the uk hilton version you can get a calender option that shows Low, medium, high demand dates, www.hilton.co.uk . This comes out to be around the Hotwire offer for the day prior.

Other useful information was that the Novotel in the Bloomsbury zone along with the 2 Marriotts that come up sometimes in the Regents Park zone were all showing sold out. I figured that Mayfair had almost no likelihood to come up below $180 for 4*. I would have accepted any other Bloomsbury property so this gave me a only 3 re-bid zone strategy. Knowing that I could know this hotel at Hotwire I was not going to go above $120 with PRICELINE.

1. Bid $100 Regent Park, counteroffer $127.

2. Bid $107 Regent Park, Mayfair, counteroffer $127.

3. Bid $115 Regent Park, Mayfair, Bloomsbury. Winning Bid.

Have heard others state that $12 under counteroffer works often and I had no willing re-bid zones remaining.

4. Offered extend 1 night and tried on check-in for 7/8/08. rejected.

Congratulations, your price of $115 was accepted by Hilton London Metropole.

Total 27% under the same day HOTWIRE offer. Rate quoted at hotwire 26% over winning PRICELINE bid.

Hilton London Metropole

Regents Park - Baker Street

225 Edgware Road

London, United Kingdom

44-207-4024141

See Hotel Website

View Map and Directions Check-In Date:

Wed, Jul 9, 2008 / After 04:00 PM

Check-Out Date:

Thu, Jul 10, 2008 / 11:00 AM

Amenities:

Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: US$115.00

Subtotal: US$115.00

Taxes & Service Fees: US$28.44

Total Charges: US$143.4

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win and thank you for sharing it with the board!

An excellent example of how doing your research can pay big dividends... very nicely done!

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

Enjoy your stay.