Priceline Hotel: 4* London (Kensington-Earls Court-Knightsbridge) Holiday Inn Kgn Forum

[Kilrathi]

Hi --

I'm wondering if anyone has a general sense for how pricing trends work on Hotwire and Priceline, depending on timing. I'm sure it varies by season and location, but generally am I better off bidding far out (and hoping a hotel is giving a low rate just to get someone in the rooms asap) or waiting 'til right before (which doesn't satisfy my urge to plan but could theoretically see deals as hotels scramble to fill rooms that are still open) or somewhere in between?

Specifically, I've been looking on Priceline and Hotwire for an upcoming trip to the UK (11/4 to 11/9) and I'm not seeing the same deals as I have in the past (last May, Pricelined for $90 or so into Tara Copthorne then last week at the Tara Copthorne for $120 via PL and Holiday Inn Camden Lock via Hotwire for a steal at $59 -- it's $165 now, for next week). This time, I've bid up to $120 for a four-star in Kensington and other areas, which in the past would have netted me a spot at the Tara Copthorne (far from my favorite hotel, but it works and the price is right), but thus far no real luck -- something around $80/night for the Holiday Inn near Earl Court but that seems a bit far out. Am I better off trying to land something in the next day or two, despite the seemingly higher prices, or should I just wait 'til next weekend or just before the trip and see what shakes out? Any advice based on what you guys have generally seen in terms of lead time would be a great help!

Thanks!

-Kilrathi

[thereuare]

For general "when to bid" see the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ, although i'll add with just a week to go before your stay i'd already consider this to be "close to check-in" date.

Rate are date specific... do you recall the hotel direct rate of the hotel(s)you received earlier in the month and have you compared then to the hotel direct rates for your current dates?

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

[Kilrathi]

As a follow up to this, we ended up getting the Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum for $120 a night. Nice place, and a welcome change from the Tara Copthorne Kensington where we've typically ended up via Priceline.

[thereuare]

Was your purchase of the Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum thru PRICELINE or HOTWIRE?

If PRICELINE let us know and we'll move to that section of the board... if HOTWIRE please add the amenities shown before your purchase (you can still view these by going to HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top right of their home page)

Whichever service you used, please aslo add the current star rating so we can add this information to the topic title as well.

Thanks.

[Kilrathi]

It was via PRICELINE and showed up as a four-star hotel.

[thereuare]

Thanks.