Priceline Hotel: Resort San Juan Wyndham Condado Plaza

[nate416]

ok here is the split of my initial thread.

this is for San Juan Sunday and Monday August 15 & 16.

thus far i've been unsuccessful.

Resort level - $65 - rejected

Resort level - $70 - rejected

Resort level - $75 - rejected

3 Star - $65 - rejected

i would rather have a resort (hopefully the Hilton Caribe or the Wyndham Condado). i'm somewhat surprised to see the $75 rejected for resort as i've seen numerous bids around that tiem accepted for 65-75.

For these two nights.....

Expedia is listing as follows:

Wyndham Condado - $131

Caribe Hilton - $155

Wyndham Old San Juan - $175

Radisson Ambassador - $115

Hotwire is listing as follows:

4 Star (casino/beach/spa) - $179

3 1/2 star (has casino/beach) - $102

3 Star (has casino/ not on beach) - $90

what are your thoughts on this? i'm just rather surprised that it hasnt accepted at this rate given seeing 65-80 being the typical bid accepted for the Hilton and the Condado Wyndham for this time of year.

i was hoping to keep it under $100 total (taxes and fees included) based on the other winning bids i've seen for this time of year but not so sure about a random "less than resort" property. i'd noticed the wyndham old san juan was a 3* and i guess that wouldnt be bad but i'd still like to shoot for resort level if possible.

any suggestions would be very appreciated.

thanks,

nate

[thereuare]

Well taxes are high in San Juan (especially for properties with casinos on the property as they have an added tax) so in order to keep it under $100 including taxes and fees your maximum bid would be about $83.

If that's your limit i would just bid that amount given your prior rejections (and i might even stretch it to $85).

Not sure how it will work out at this level, but i think you're chances are better for these 2 nites than for the other part of your stay (which is why i think this is worth bidding, while the other date i think (based upon current prices) will take a bid over $100/nite and perhaps Hotwire is a better option for that part of your stay).

[nate416]

well i decided to up the bid just a tad more so as to get it over with as time is running a little close and i've seen a couple of sold out dates coming up in San Juan.

i went with $95 just to be safe (who knows probably could have gone a bit less) and it was accepted.

still saved around $50 so im satisfied, as it seemed it might be a no go on the resort level.

[nate416]

Resort level - $65 - rejected

Resort level - $70 - rejected

Resort level - $75 - rejected

with time getting short and seeing some booked resorts,

upped bid to $95 accepted

a little higher than i was hoping for (may have gotten it for 80-85) but time was running too short for my taste :)

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your winning bid.

Now you can focus on all the other pre-cruise things to do.

Have a great trip.

[nate416]

thanks you! :)

btw unfortunately im not going on a cruise :) going down to visit some friends down there and going to a big music festival in Rincon for the weekend inbetween those split reservations. should be a lot of fun though.

still workin on that other res. i'll post on that thread regarding that.

any advice on must-see/must-do things in SJ? i'll be carless the first several hours im there but i'll have a good 2 1/2 days and 3 nights where ill have a car once friends arrive.

right now my list is Old San Juan, the fort, Bacardi tour, possibly the biobay thats somewhat near SJ from what i've read (i forget what that one is called)

not sure what else

anything that i'd regret missing out on?

[nate416]

one other question rather off topic:

the flight that i booked is through two different airlines.

the tallahassee to orlando leg is Delta and the orlando to San juan is AA.

i've been told by a few people that this is the most common way to lose luggage. its been awhile since i've flown but it sounds credible.

is the risk that much higher by using two separate airlines on the connections? im trying to figure out whether to just bring a max size carry on (though that seems a bit small to bring everything for 6 days and 5 nights. also if they do lose luggage are they good about getting it delivered the next day or is that unpredictable?

thanks,

nate

[thereuare]

Although luggage does get lost, the percent of luggage that is lost relative to the amount of luggage they transport is very low (and i'm one of the last to defend the airlines on any matter). If they lose it they're generally pretty good about delivering it to you within 24 hours. If it's a major concern bring a small carry-on that can hold enough clothes (and a bathing suit?) for 24 hours.... but i'm fairly confident you won't have any problems.

The Bacardi factory is fun (i'm always interested in learning 'how things work') but be careful getting too excited in their gift shop and buying discounted liquor. The bottles are heavy and i regretted the bottles we brought home for others since we had to deal with transporting them home. If doing it again i'd just as soon buy bottles at the local liquor store when i returned home and tell friends we brought it back from San Juan :)

Are you from TLH? We have family there and i get there about once a year:

F-L-O-R-I-D-A... <extra pause>

S-T-A-T-E...

Florida State, Florida State, Florida State... woo!

See, i have indeed been there!

You may also want to consider the Rain Forest (el yunque(?)) but it is a bit of a drive from San Juan and will take a good part of a day. When traveling i also enjoy emersing myself with the locals (and avoid a lot of ketchy touristy things/places) and we really enjoyed our meal that we had here: LOCAL SAN JUAN DINING.

[nate416]

Are you from TLH? We have family there and i get there about once a year:

F-L-O-R-I-D-A... <extra pause>

S-T-A-T-E...

Florida State, Florida State, Florida State... woo!

See, i have indeed been there!

:)

lol true. 3 more weeks til FSU-Miami :)

thanks for the advice and also the thread regarding the dining tips. i'm printing that out to take with me. leaving in 9 hours..... hopefully the tropical storm/hurricane will stay out at bay until later tomorrow as they're predicting lol.

thanks again... cant wait to get there.

[nate416]

oh and to answer your question..... yup im from Tallahassee. btw, i remember several years ago being on a camping trip and watching FSU-Michigan on a tiny tv in the woods ..... and if i remember correctly, Michigan won by a field goal or so :) lol