Priceline Hotel: Can you please help? Can't land any bids...

[Clair de Lune]

Hello, a first time member here, referred through a friend. Even before posting, yes I've been using the PRICELINE link provided here as I've observed it's stressed here often. Thank you. :)

I wish to stay three nights at a 5 star hotel: 2/12/09 (Thu) - 2/15/09 (Sun).

-My GF and I, one room, no bed preference (King or 2 Queens)

-My ideal goal is to score Wynn/Bellagio/Venetian/Palazzo at range $80-110 a night as I've seen occur many times in this forum.

-Even Trump is okay. It's still better than our currently booked MGM Grand at $115/night.

-I've bid, $80, 90, $100, and $110 via Strip North, no luck. I've read about rebidding and did that last night and this morning now. Nothing, no counter offers.

What else can I do? Does this mean I have to simply pay more? What if I wait, would there be openings or as times goes by it's against your favor?

Thanks for your help! :)

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding! (and thank you to your friend for refering you here :) )

Rates are date specific and fluctuate according to supply and demand. Based upon current reservations, rooms available, and expected reservations to come in over the next 3 weeks, rates (both opaque and thru conventional channels) are set accordingly. If more actual bookings come in than expected and/or fewer cancellations are received then expected, then rates will rise from here... should actual bookings come in lower than expected or more cancellations are received, then rates will likely drop. Since nobody knows how actual bookings will come in relative to expectations, nobody can say if rates will fall... or rise. (but you can be sure Las Vegas hotels have sophisticated programs working all the time to adjust rates accordingly)

Your choices come down to:

-wait it out

-lower your star level

-raise your bid

HOWEVER, there is one additional option...

HOTWIRE has a 5* condo property in the Central Strip zone for $113/nite:

Studio

Smoke Free Rooms

Daily Housekeeping

Air Conditioning

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

24-hour Front Desk

High-speed Internet Access

Golf Nearby

Spa Services

Kitchenette

Condo

(NOTE: you won't see all the amenities above until you click the CONTINUE button next to this offering adn then select the 'See all amenities' link under the icons)

The above has not yet been reported to the board, but it's widely believed to be the Trump Interational and that would be our best guess. If this property is acceptable to you then you can lock it in above for just about your budget. If you choose to wait in hopes that one of the other 5* hotels lowers their rates, there is no assurance that this property will still be offered at that time (and there's the decision you'll have to make :) )

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

Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[Clair de Lune]

Thank you, thereyouare.

Yes, I've been eyeing HOTWIRE (using the link here) 5 star at $113/night which is indeed probably Trump seeing as there is no casino in the amenities.

I already have MGM Grand (4 star) Tower room secured for $112/night (which I can cancel anytime without penalty for weeks).

I guess the question is which is better for the similar price? From my research so far, Trump is 5-7 min walk from the strip and offers no casino, but it's a 5-star. MGM Grand is 4 stars and is on-strip with casino.

It looks like people are trying to avoid Trump as much as possible especially compared to other 5 stars, but how does it compare to MGM? Please let me know if you have a general thought on this. Thanks. :)

[thereuare]

I stayed at the MGM Grand a year ago and was pleasantly surprised by my stay (i got a rate i couldn't refuse). I wasn't expecting much as i wasn't too happy with the size of the place going in (i don't mind large hotels/resorts, especially if it's geographically and has 'sprawling' grounds, but this place is just massive with over 5000 rooms on the premises!)

The room was nice and i would have no problems returning, however, i think it depends upon what you're looking for from this stay...

If you've never been to Vegas, intend to casino hop, want to gamble, and 'party it up', then i think the MGM Grand would be a better choice. If you've already been to Vegas and have visited all the casinos, looking to relax a bit, just take it easy along with a little romance, then the Trump may be more appealing for this stay.

Also note that somebody commented that the Trump only offers valet parking and there is a Resort fee, so if budget is a factor you should consider that into your total cost.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. (and if you haven't booked the MGM Grand yet note that we're an affiliate, as per our support page)

Let us know what you ultimately decide or if we can be of further help along the way.

[Clair de Lune]

Great info!

Yea, I think I'll shy away from Trump and only risk it for bidding to get other 5 stars.

Thanks! When I do end up bidding, I'll be sure to come back here and report!