Priceline Hotel: Looking for a hotel in any beach city for 4 nights

[tagop]

Hi there,

I am interested in using PRICELINE to bid on a hotel in the Orange county area - Newport, Huntington, Laguna or Dana point beach for 4 nights starting Friday Aug29, check out Tuesday Sep2 2008.

The prices seem to be quite high from Hotwire site.

From what I see there were some successful bids in the Newport area, but not much for Laguna beach or Dana point.

I would be willing to pay up to $100 per night.

Can someone suggest the bidding strategy please?

Is it even possible to find anything for that weekend since it is a labour day weekend? Is 4 nights too many, should I split the stay and try to find 2 different hotels for these days?

Should I just use Hotwire and find the hotel there.

Does anyone know what hotel comes up in HOTWIRE as 2 and 2,5 * for Laguna beach and Dana point?

Finally, when should I start bidding? Should I wait until the last minute or start now?

Many thanks!!

[Colfax]

I'm probably not answering all your questions but I'll try to answer a few.

1) If your travel dates are firm it's not too early to bid for Labor Day weekend.

2) Nobody can say whether it's possible to win hotels over Labor Day weekend for under $100. You find out by bidding.

3) You'll definitely improve your chances of winning something by splitting your bid---Friday/Saturday together and Sunday/Monday together. If you prefer staying at one hotel all four nights though you might as well try bidding for four nights first. Bidding is free.

4) All of the known reported hotels are in the BetterBidding Priceline Hotel List. We still don't know what the 2.5* hotels are in Laguna Beach or San Clemente/Dana Point zones because noone has reported 2.5* wins there yet. We'd be delighted if you were the first to report.

If you'd like a bidding strategy please answer the following:

1) Do you want to bid to your $100 limit for a 4* hotel first before trying lower quality levels? Or would you rather win the least expensive 2.5* hotel or higher in any of the beach city zones?

2) Are you willing to split your bid--2 days at one hotel and 2 days at another--in order to get the lowest total price over four days? Or would you rather stay at one hotel all four nights, even if that means paying more than if you split?

Also, as a side comment, I hope you understand that bidding in a beach city doesn't mean you'll win a beachfront hotel. If you're looking for a beachfront hotel you should book conventionally or purchase on HOTWIRE, something with a beachfront icon.

[tagop]

Thanks for your reply!

To answer your questions:

- I would be willing to first bid for a 4* up to $100 and if not successful, go down to 3* or 2.5*.

- I would be willing to split my bid if that means I would get the better price.

I am looking forward to hearing from you about the bidding strategy.

Thanks!!

[Colfax]

I'm not confident $100 will be enough for a 4* in Newport/Huntington or Dana Point/San Clemente, but let's try.

When bidding for a 4* in Orange County you have six free rebid zones. Those are zones that only have hotels rated less than 4*. If you don't understand how to determine your free rebid zones please ask before you bid.

First for all four nights I suggest you select Newport/Huntington and Dana Point/San Clemente and bid $70 for a 4*. Then raise $5 per free rebid to your $100 limit.

If that fails repeat the same for just your first three nights. Then again for your last three nights.

Then again for just your first two nights and last two nights.

If none of those work get back to us and we'll suggest strategies for 3* and 2.5*.

Please each fresh round of bids with this PRICELINE link.