CAnn12 Posted July 18, 2008 Report Posted July 18, 2008 Good Day!!Just discovered your site while searching thru web. My husband and I are planning to go to see Washington sites for a few days and then travel over to Luray Caverns and head back home which is in Nova Scotia Canada. We are from a small place and are really not used to big cities. I want a safe area either in Washington or Virginia (Arlington, Crystal city etc.) We know nothing about any of the areas. We are driving and would have to park our vehicle at the hotel. We would take the metro or walk to places depending on how far. I have not used priceline or hotwire before. I would like to "name your own price" as it seems to be more cost effective..my fear is that they will place us somewhere where we shouldn't be or somewhere so out of the way! I don't know any of the areas and am looking for your help in suggesting what area to try to book in. I am hoping that all areas will allow for parking at hotel..?Is there any suggestions on where to and even how much to bid to get a nice hotel that you could give me? I would like to have hotel plus parking cost no more than $150/night. I would like cheaper of course if I could get it (lol). I am a real newbie at this!! Looking for any help you can give me. Hotel dates (July 28-30 or 31) If it is easier to stay in Washington/VA and then drive down to Luray caverns, I would just do that and stay til July 31, otherwise, we'll head towards caverns on July 31st and book a hotel there. Thanks for any help that you can give me!!
thereuare Posted July 18, 2008 Report Posted July 18, 2008 Welcome to BetterBidding!While PRICELINE is usually cheaper than HOTWIRE, i'm not sure if HOTWIRE would be the best for this stay...As you get outside of the city Metro stops become more sparse and further apart. Since you want to stay in the suburbs, what if you receive a hotel that is not within walking distance to the metro? At least with HOTWIRE you can take an educated guess as to the property you will receive before your purcahse and determine if it will be close to a metro stop and/or they offer a shuttle to the metro (and also predetermine your parking costs).What is the minimum star rating you're willing to accept?Thoughts?Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
CAnn12 Posted July 20, 2008 Author Report Posted July 20, 2008 Well 3 star would be nice. I went into HOTWIRE and can get a good price for 1 night July 28th to 29th, but nothing avavilable for 29-3oth. They show a 3.5 star hotel in Crystal City - Reagan National Airport DCA for $78.00. I could bid on that and then book the next night thru the hotel ..? By the amenities shown: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business..I/m thinking the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City. I can get a 2nd night thru the hotel at $159 ..? Would you do it this way or just go to PRICELINE and bid on a 4star in the Dupont Circle - Woodley Park, Arlington areas..? Just want to be sure that I can take mertro or walk to some of the museums etc. I would go up to about $90 a night becuse I will have to add on parking costs as well. Maybe I can't get a room for this cheap?
thereuare Posted July 20, 2008 Report Posted July 20, 2008 My first appraoch would be to try to stay Downtown... trying the Dupont Circle, White House, and Capitol Hill zones (you should first check these zones to see if you'd be happy with a hotel anywhere within the boundaries of the zone) up to your limit.These are the most common zones bid and ususally the most convenient for the average tourist, imo.If you are successful in the downtown areas of Washington DC, i assume you won't need your car during the stay? Have you looked into any remote lots (outside of the city) where you can leave your car and 'commute' into the city? (you may even have to pay for parking at the 'remote lot' but it would be substantially less than parking in the city limits) Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
CAnn12 Posted July 20, 2008 Author Report Posted July 20, 2008 Okay. I have to start trying to get a hotel now. I am leaving on the 26th and going to Maine first. I need a place from 28th to 30th or 29 to 31st. I just noted that I am in the HOTWIRE posting dah!! I am not meaning to be in either one..whichever works for me. So yes, indeed price line..which are the areas I have been looking at. Should I switch over to the other forum? If this is okay to continue..looking at PRICELINE areas, and taking into consideration what we would like to do..Smithsonium, Linclon memorial etc. probably, convention ctr-capital hill and white house area first, the dupont circle and last Arlington. Okay what do I do now ? what are you suggestions for bidding?
thereuare Posted July 21, 2008 Report Posted July 21, 2008 Keep all posts for the same stay in this thread (we'll cover both PRICELINE and HOTWIRE in this thread)... if you ultimatley use PRICELINE we'll then move the entire thread to that section of the board.I need a place from 28th to 30th or 29 to 31stAre the dates of your arrival/departure flexible or not yet determined?Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
CAnn12 Posted July 21, 2008 Author Report Posted July 21, 2008 no, not much flexibilty. I am booked from the 26 to 28 in Maine so it hs to be 28 to 30 or 29 to 31.Will add the 1 day stop at laray, VA and then head back home.
thereuare Posted July 21, 2008 Report Posted July 21, 2008 I was asking if you are flexible in that either 7/28-7/30 OR 7/29-7/31 both will work for your stay... or if these are your potential dates and not yet determined which dates you'll actually be needing? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
CAnn12 Posted July 21, 2008 Author Report Posted July 21, 2008 yes either choice will be fine and will work
thereuare Posted July 21, 2008 Report Posted July 21, 2008 At the 3* level you have three re-bid zones avaialble. 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* Convention Center...Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $70, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* White House...Bid $55, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $70, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* Convention Center and White House...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $90, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINEAny questions feel free to ask. I'm doubtufl the above will be enough, but nothing to lose by trying. Start with the above and if rejected we'll revise to re-try in 24 hours.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
CAnn12 Posted July 21, 2008 Author Report Posted July 21, 2008 Okay great news and a little scary news!! Got the Marriott Washington Wardman Park Hotel for $92.00/night. Very pleased!! On the 30th, our book-out time, we are heading to Luray Caverns. My plan was to get a hotel there for 1 night and then head back towards Portland Maine. However, I thought if I could hook a nice 4 star hotel for just the 1 night in Washington, it would be a real treat and it would also shorten the trip back towards Portland. It's only a 2 hour drive to Luray, so we could tour and then drive back to Washington, stay the night and head home. I tried the convention Ctr 4 Star and for $70 got the Hyatt Regency Washington On Capital Hill. I was very excited..looked at the pics, called my husband and told him the good news. Then as I surfed for more info about the Hyatt, I found out that they are in the middle of major renovations and someone noted that they did not feel safe at night as it was near a homeless shelter. Yikes!! I don't suppose there is much I can do now about that one!!
thereuare Posted July 21, 2008 Report Posted July 21, 2008 Congratualtions on your win!Glad to hear of your success(es) and that you got a great deal on your stays.From what i can gather the hotels and dates are as follows:7/28-7/30 Marriott Wardman Park7/30-7/31 Hyatt on Capitol HillCan you confirm this is correct? Also, please start a NEW TOPIC for your Hyatt win so that others will be aware of that win when scanning the topic titles and so that win will appear in the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins as well.I wouldn't worry too much about the hotel being near the homeless shelter... they're not going to bother you at all. If you're intimidated by this then just walk on the other side of the street and cross once you pass it and are closer to the hotel.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Enjoy your stay(s). Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
CAnn12 Posted July 23, 2008 Author Report Posted July 23, 2008 Just confirming win! Will post Hyatt hotel win.
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