Priceline Hotel: 4* DC (Convention Center-Capitol Hill) Renaissance Washington

[dbdsupra]

OK, I convinced my wife to use Priceline although she is very reluctant, the unknown is scary to her... but with limiting the search to 4* hotels we can't be stuck in a dump and by picking the zones we can't get stuck in a bad area if we follow the re-bidding tips properly.

I have read the free re-bidding topic and believe I understand how to do this.

I compiled a list (below) of zones currently without 4* hotels to be able to raise my bid without waiting the 72 hours;

Bethesda

DC suburbs

Baltimore Washington Airport

Would like to stay close in; Convention Center-Capitol Hill or White House-Downtown

Want to pay less than $120, but would go to $135 if needed.

Any tips advice or strategies to help start?

Thanks

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

To get started, you're not looking at the right zones... you're looking at PRICELINE's "retail" product where the zones differ than thru their "Name Your Own Price" product. If you click this PRICELINE link you can enter your city and dates and be take directly to the Name Your Own Price section of their website and you'll see different zones that you've posted above.

Once you're able to see the 'opaque' bidding zones, you can use the following technique from Priceline Re-Bidding Explained to determine your re-bid zones:

The way to check what star levels are available in each zone is to open a Priceline page, check ONLY the zone you are inquiring about, and then proceed to the next page (as if you were going to select a zone)... this will give you the available star ratings in that area. You can then hit BACK on your browser, uncheck the current box, check the next box, and repeat the process. It is important to do this before EACH attempt at adding a zone that you really don't want, as new hotels can be added and the star ratings can change at any time. (NOTE: for most users Priceline has updated their interface making the above process easier... simply check a zone and note the highest star rating available within each zone, UNcheck that zone and checkmark the next zone, repeating the process)

At the 4* level you have FOUR re-bid zones. Please use the above to determine them and confirm with the board... if the above is confusing or you don't understand something feel free to ask for help and we'll break it down further.

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

[plutonyum]

Check out the Priceline Omni Shoreham thread I just posted, it's for the same exact days.

[dbdsupra]

Thanks plutonyum, great deal! Dupont Circle would work and looks like it will save us some money too... I'll post my win and hope I get a deal as good!

[dbdsupra]

First time PRICELINE user, got a good deal a little further out from the Mall than we wanted, but still a great deal. No indoor pool that we can see from the website, kids are bummed about that, but we'll have them so tired after the day that they will not need a pool, only a comfy bed.

This forum says this property used to be a 3*, hope that doesn't translate into poorer quality? We'll see...

1st bid accepted.

Only checked Convention Ctr - Capitol Hill Area and 4 star properties. Maybe should not have been a namby-pampy like Shatner says on the commercial and bid lower? Oh well.

Renaissance Washington D.C. Hotel

Convention Ctr - Capitol Hill Area

999 9th Street Nw

Washington, District Of Columbia 20001

202-898-9000

Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $70.00

Subtotal: $210.00

Taxes & Service Fees: $39.43

Total Charges*: $249.43

Parking is $32.00 a night, :) seems steep, but all total we are still under half price of what we thought we would be paying looking at retail. Wish you could negotiate through Priceline on the parking fees too? Hey Shatner, get right on this suggestion why don't ya? :)

from the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel website...

* Rates from: $149-$269

* Valid Through: October 30, 2008

So even with their current web specials, we are still at 50% off published rates.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win and thank you for sharing your results with the board.

Glad to see that you got a great deal and are happy with the results... hopefully you're wife will be a convert now as well :)

Since it appears you're bringing your kids along, you should call the hotel now and put in a request for a room with two beds.

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

Enjoy your stay.