Priceline Hotel: Strategy needed - LA 3-4* Sat 18 July

[Diamond Dog]

I'm looking to stay in LA for just the one night - my preferred choice of areas is:

Beverley Hills

Hollywood

Brentwood

Santa Monica

LAX

Redondo

in that order.

Which all have at least 3 1/2* properties, I believe? I do not want to stay in Downtown LA, Culver City or Lawndale..

I don't really want to spend more than $75, in total. Is this feasible for a Saturday stay (it's only me staying, by the way)?

If so, what should my bidding strategy be?

If it isn't - what amount would be a reasonable expectation?

Or, alternatively, would introducing 3* properties (for the above areas) into the mix help? Maybe including Pasadena?

Sorry to be long winded - I hope I've explained myself?

[thereuare]

in that order.

What is more important to you... your zone preference or price?

Did you want to bid up to your limit for the first zone, then move on to the next zone, and so-on and so-in OR are you looking for the least expensive 3.5* or better in any of the above zone?

Let us know and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[Diamond Dog]

Price, to be honest. I'd be happy with any of those areas, really. So I'm looking for the least expensive 3.5* in those zones.

[thereuare]

At the 3.5* level you have TWO re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 3.5* Beverly Hills and Hollywood and LAX...

Bid $45, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Santa Monica and Brentwood and Redondo...

Bid $45, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Santa Monica and Hollywood and LAX...

Bid $50, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Beverly Hills and Brentwood and Redondo...

Bid $50, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Beverly Hills and Brentwood and LAX...

Bid $55, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Santa Monica and Hollywood and Redondo...

Bid $55, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Beverly Hills and Hollywood and Redondo...

Bid $60, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Santa Monica and Brentwood and LAX...

Bid $60, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Beverly Hills and Hollywood and LAX and Santa Monica and Brentwood and Redondo...

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $75

Any questionsl feel free to ask.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Diamond Dog]

Right, having really thought it over, I don't really want LAX or Redondo - too far from where I'm likely to spend the evening meeting friends. So, could you give me a strategy for the other four please, and I'm seriously sorry to waste your time with the previous request.

[thereuare]

At the 3.5* you (still) have 2 re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 3.5* Beverly Hill and Hollywood...

Bid $45, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Brentwood and Santa Monica...

Bid $45, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Brentwood and Hollywood...

Bid $50, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Beverly Hill and Santa Monica...

Bid $50, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Beverly Hill and Brentwood...

Bid $55, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Hollywood and Santa Monica...

Bid $55, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Beverley Hills and Hollywood and Brentwood...

Bid $60, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Beverley Hills and Hollywood and Santa Monica...

Bid $60, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* Beverly Hills and Hollywood and Brentwood and Santa Monica...

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $75

Any questions feel free to ask.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Colfax]

I don't really want to spend more than $75, in total.

I'm coming to this thread late, but you're bidding in zones where the 3.5* charge for parking. Be thinking another $20-40/night for parking, depending which hotel you win.

[Diamond Dog]

I'm coming to this thread late, but you're bidding in zones where the 3.5* charge for parking. Be thinking another $20-40/night for parking, depending which hotel you win.

Never thought of that - do they all charge for parking? Do the hotels in LAX & Redondo not charge for parking?

[Colfax]

I don't know if 100% of 3.5* hotels charge for parking but I'd say virtually 100% of them do in LA, at least in the four zones you want.

3.5* at LAX and Redondo charge to park but the parking charge is typically less than in your other four zones. Since room rates are also cheaper in LAX and Redondo zones it's possible you could win a 3.5* in one of those for $75 or less, parking included. Like a room for $55 and parking for $20, for example.

You also might be able to win a 3* (not 3.5*) in Hollywood or Bev Hills/West Hollywood zones for $75 with parking.

Or you could try for a 3.5* in Commerce-Norwalk-Rosemead. The 3.5* Doubletree Commerce comes in at good rates and parking is free there.

Is there some area of LA you're trying to be near for this one night stay? I don't want to suggest options that are 30 or 40 miles from your activities.

[Diamond Dog]

Good info, thank you.

I'll be meeting friends, probably in or around Hollywood Blvd (possibly the Cat & fiddle). It's the getting back to the hotel at night, after a few drinks, I'm concerned about - I'd love to stay in Pasadena, but that 20-30 minutes (and about $50) by cab. I may as well get a better hotel closer to the area I'm going to be for the night?

[Colfax]

If I was only in LA one night and I was meeting friends in Hollywood for drinks I'd probably want to stay as close to Hollywood as I could.

Unless you want to raise your bidding limit staying in Hollywood probably will mean a less than 3.5* hotel. 4* are usually over $90, plus parking, and no 3.5* hotels have been reported won in Hollywood.

If you still want a 3.5* under $75, parking included, I'd try:

1) Downtown LAX. You can take the train between Downtown to Hollywood and won't have to drive or pay for parking in Hollywood.

OR

2) Burbank-Universal-Glenwood zone.

[Diamond Dog]

Thanks Colfax & Thereuare.

I think I'm going to sit on this for awhile - I'm beginning to sway towards a 3* in Hollywood, as you say Colfax. It would just be easier - and, as I'm literally only using it to throw the bag in overnight, I don't need anything particularly fancy.

Sorry for messing you about but I will report back as and when I make the decision.

[Colfax]

I stayed at the 3* Hollywood Heights last Saturday for $70 on PRICELINE. With tax/fee $87.58. Parking $20. Bottom line: $107.58. Still more than the $75 total you wanted to spend.

July is far away in Priceline terms and the deals will probably change between now and then. Feel free to check back as your trip approaches and we'll see what else might be available then.