sullmeist Posted February 4, 2009 Report Posted February 4, 2009 I am a new user to the site and was hoping someone could way in with an opinion on my situation and steer me in the right direction. I m looking specifically for the Caribe Hilton on 3/10. I have read enough posts that I think I can get comfortable with identifying the hotel. I also have my re-bidding strategy all mapped out as I can use 4 zones for re-bidding. My issue is that I really want to stay at this hotel and not one of the other 4* resorts, especially the San Juan. This is mainly due to reviews I've read on trip advisor and elsewhere and the Hilton property is set up for exactly what I need travelling with children.I am scared to death of doing this wrong and ending up with a hotel I do not want. If I am being this picky, should I just blow off priceline and go retail.... knowing that I will get what I want? Retail for those dates is around $230/night. I've seen wins on different dates at the caribe Hilton for $99. That is a huge savings, so I am willing to put in a little work here. Any thoughts on how to proceed carefully or ensure I get the hotel I want are greatly appreciated.
hurley Posted February 4, 2009 Report Posted February 4, 2009 I'm new here too, but I'm answering because we stayed there a year ago December after winning a priceline bid for $65/night. Just wanted to let you know that we REALLY enjoyed our stay though even though it was only 1 night pre-cruise. I know that you'll love it if you do end up staying there. I'm sure that others will have advice for you regarding your original question.
sullmeist Posted February 4, 2009 Author Report Posted February 4, 2009 Thanks Hurley. I am actually open to the Intercontinental as well, I just need a place that will work for the younger kids. I am using the links on this sight to do all my checking on Priceline and Hotwire and will use the links from this site to book my trip as well. We'll see how it turns out, but I'm hoping for the best.
thereuare Posted February 4, 2009 Report Posted February 4, 2009 Welcome to BetterBidding!Few points to cover......the Hilton property is set up for exactly what I need travelling with children.Be aware that PRICELINE only guarnatees double occupancy. It sounds as if you're seeking more than double occupancy, and if you only intend to bid for one room, there is a chance that you could received a room with only one bed.On the otherhand, HOTWIRE will allow you to search for up to quad occupancy per room and guarantees enough sleeping accomodations for everyone included in your search.As well, with PRICELINE there is no way to target, or avoid, a specific property. If you're trying to target, or avoid, a partiuclar property HOTWIRE is usually a better option as you're often able to take an educated guess as to the property you may likely received beforehand based upon the amenity combination. However, searching HOTWIRE for your date above i don't see what i believe to be the Caribe Hilton currently offered.Is this for a pre-cruise stay? If so, what time do you arrive to San Juan? On pre-cruise stays i often find i get in later than expected and by the time i check-in, have little time to fully utilize the hotel facilities. Even if you're able to get 2-3 hours use of the pool and such, is that worth the extra $100+ it will likely cost to "choose" this hotel and book direct?Let us know your thoughts regarding the above and we'll take it from there.PS- Michigan alumn :) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
sullmeist Posted February 5, 2009 Author Report Posted February 5, 2009 Thanks for the note. This is a spring break get away and we are only staying 4 or 5 days to dip our toes in the sand with 3 kids ages 2, 10 &12. I am planning to get 2 rooms. The Hilton had a kids club, but is getting $249/night retail. The Intercontinental is my second choice and seem svery nice, but without a kids club. When I check on priceline the last few days, there is a resort that lists amenities that match up perfectly with a previous winner on this board that ended up at the Intercontinental. The property seems great and I am considering going for it.Do these amenities below seem like the Intercontinental to you? Better yet, can I be relatively certain it is not the San Juan? At $159/night it seems like a very nice property. Any thoughts you or others can share would be appreciated.Amenities listed on Hotwire:Resort Beachfront Casino Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Laundry Facilities High-speed Internet Access Tennis Nearby Spa Services
thereuare Posted February 5, 2009 Report Posted February 5, 2009 I m looking specifically for the Caribe Hilton on 3/10.we are only staying 4 or 5 daysWhen i searched HOTWIRE above i was only looking at a one nite stay, 3/10... what are the dates you're searching for to have the property above appear? As well, are y ou search 2rooms/2adults/3children (or just 2 children)Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
sullmeist Posted February 5, 2009 Author Report Posted February 5, 2009 I am firming up plans and am now looking for 3/16- 3/20. I am searching for 2 rooms and may be bringing a total of 3 adults and 3 children. I have tried diffferent searches (2 adults and 3 kids, 3 adults and 3 kids, 2 adults and 2 kids etc.) to see if I can turn up any additional hotels because I will balance these people aross the 2 rooms depending who makes the trip. It looks like the Rio Mar Beach resort is coming up on Hotwire for $113. The room rate is over $300/night retail. It seems nice, but looks like I will have to get a rental car as it seems pretty isolated. The hotel has the amenities listed below and it looked like the Rio Mar to me. Does it to you? Any thoughts on this property?This hotel features the following amenities: Resort Beachfront Casino Airport Shuttle Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center High-speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby Spa Services
thereuare Posted February 6, 2009 Report Posted February 6, 2009 The above is a match for the Rio Mar so that would be our best guess.I've never stayed there myself, but from what i know it's a very nice property, but you do need a car as it's isolated and food, restaurants, etc on-site are all very expensive.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Let su know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
sullmeist Posted February 8, 2009 Author Report Posted February 8, 2009 Just an update for the board. I booked a 4* Hotel through the HOTWIRE links on this page. I got the InterContinental San Juan Resort on 3/15- 3/19. I booked 2 rooms at $149/night. I had a feeling I could get them cheaper by bidding on Priceline, but really wanted this resort for the childrens' activities and didn't want to take the risk of ending up somewhere I didn't want to be.Thank you all for your help. I'll be back soon. Go Blue!
thereuare Posted February 8, 2009 Report Posted February 8, 2009 Congratulations on your success!Nice to see you received the hotel you were hoping for. Can you please add the amenities shown before your purchase to this thread... you can still view this information by going to HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top right corner of their home page.Thank you for shring your results with the board and for using our HOTWIRE link to begin your purchase.Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
sullmeist Posted February 8, 2009 Author Report Posted February 8, 2009 No problem at all . Happy to help. These were the amenities listed for the Intercontinental San Juan Resort: Resort Beachfront Casino Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Laundry Facilities High-speed Internet Access Tennis Nearby Spa Services
thereuare Posted February 9, 2009 Report Posted February 9, 2009 Thanks for the follow-up!BTW, if you cross the street from the InterContinental and go slightly to the right, at the end of a strip mall is a bagel/breakfast shop... some of the best cafe con leche you'll ever have. :)Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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