Priceline Hotel: 3* Los Angeles (Redondo-Manhattan Beach) Residence Inn MB

[SeattleTraveler]

Posting here at moderator's advice...

* Dates 1/1/09 - 1/5/09

* Priceline area: Los Angeles - Redondo-Manhattan Beaches

* Desired hotel (I know I can't guarantee it): 3* Residence Inn Manhattan Beach

* Marriott lists the room for $109/night for this time period

I'd like to use Priceline to get a hotel in the "Los Angeles - Redondo-Manhattan Beaches" area. I'd strongly prefer to get the 3* Residence Inn, which is preferable over the 3.5* Crowne Plaza.

I'm looking for tips on how to maximize my chances to get the 3* Residence Inn and not an "upgrade" to the 3.5* Crowne Plaza. I know it is not possible to prevent getting the 3.5* upgrade, so I am asking about anecdotal experience that others have seen that might lead me to increase my chances (if possible) of getting the 3* Residence Inn. For example, a kind responder in another thread mentioned that Residence Inn may come up more often on weekends than on weekdays. I don't know if that's true and I understand there are no guarantees, but this is the kind of guidance I'm seeking.

According to at least one recent post here, it looks like bids at $52 have been for 3* have been upgraded to 3.5*. I'm actually willing to pay a few bucks more for the Res. Inn, if helpful.

Thanks for all tips/advice!

[thereuare]

I don't think you're going to successfully be able to target the Residence Inn vs. being upgraded to the Crowne Plaza (or receiving some other property at the 3* or 3.5* level). You could try a $45 and/or $46 bid to begin which i think is a bit low for the Crowne Plaza based upon historical bids, but if that is rejected, i don't think there's going to be any 'magic bullet' to target the Residence Inn like you would like.

If you're trying to target, or avoid, a specific property HOTWIRE can often be a better, yet slightly more expensive option... not sure if you tried a search there yet to see what was offered.

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

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll try to advise accordingly.

[Colfax]

If you type "Redondo" into the Quick Search box at the top of the page you can view all recent Redondo/Manhattan bids on one page.

It looks like $45 is the lowest bid accepted by ResInn in the last six months. And $50 is the lowest bid accepted by a 3.5*.

So $45 seems safe from upgrade to 3.5* but history doesn't guarantee future results. It's possible some 3.5* gave Priceline rooms at $42 today and it just hasn't been reported yet. Also you could win some other 3* besides the ResInn, though ResInn is most likely.

So I suggest trying $45, but don't be mad if you get upgraded.

Please use this PRICELINE link if you bid.

p.s. You might check HOTWIRE before you bid. Maybe you can ID the ResInn there in advance.

[SeattleTraveler]

Success.

Bid $46 today for 3* in Los Angeles - Redondo-Manhattan Beach area 1/1/09-1/5/09. Was countered with $59. Ignored and added Lawndale (free re-bid zone at 3*) and bid $48.

Accepted for 4 nights at $48 in the (Marriott) Residence Inn Manhattan Beach.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $48.00

Subtotal: $192.00

Taxes & Service Fees: $36.28

Total Charges*: $228.28

Used the Betterbidding.com link in this thread. (I'm sorry, but don't know how to modify the title on this thread.)

Thanks!

[Colfax]

Great! You got the Res Inn and not that unwanted "upgrade".

Enjoy your stay, SeattleTraveler, and thank you for using the BetterBidding PRICELINE link.

[3cs]

What does it mean by free re-bid zone at 3* Lawndale? Are there any 3* or 3.5* hotels in Lawndale?

[3cs]

What does it mean by free re-bid zone at 3* Lawndale? Are there any 3* or 3.5* hotels in Lawndale?

Sorry, I found out that Lawndale doesn't have 2.5*, 3*, 3.5* or 4* thus I understand why it is a free re-bid zone. Thanks!!!

[thereuare]

For anyone else following along and not familiar with re-bidding, it's explained here: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained