Priceline Hotel: 5* Las Vegas (Strip North) Venetian

[JonathanK]

I've been checking this board for a while ever since I found out about it during my last trip. (Wish I would have used it then) I'm planning on a new trip with my fiancee to Las Vegas in April and wanted to use Priceline. Don't worry I'll be using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links here at the top of the page. My problem is she does not want to stay at the Trump whatsoever. I've seen Venetian here for $80. That would be about the ideal price maybe up to $85 or so. I'm not looking to spend $100 a night for a room. Is there any strategy I can implement to stay away from The Trump? I've read the other posts and it looks like there isn't, but I am hoping. We don't need to stay at the Venetian, but that is the hotel she really likes.

[thereuare]

Welcome (officially) to BetterBidding!

You can't avoid the Trump when bidding on PRICELINE (unless you avoid the North strip zone entirely). However, HOTWIRE can be an option since can often identify the property beforehand based upon the amenities shown before your purchase... or at least avoid a hotel you don't want (in this instance you can avoid the Trump by purchasing a hotel that shows a Casino icon... since the Trump doesn't have a Casino, you know that won't be the property you receive :) )

Your dates cover the final round of the NCAA Basketball tournament which is usually a BIG draw for Vegas and my original thought was prices would be very high, but given the current state of the economy and the Vegas hotel market, rates are actually fairly low.

Searching HOTWIRE for your dates shows a 5* hotel in the Central Strip zone for $95/nite with:

Casino

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-speed Internet Access

Golf Nearby

Tennis Nearby

Spa Services

(NOTE: Spa only appears after you click the CONTINUE button next to the offering and then the "See all amenities" link under the icons)

This is a match for the Venetian and while maybe $10 more than your desired budget, it's well worth the extra $10 for this property, imo (not to mention making your girlfriend happy :) )... but it's up you how high you're willing to go as you know your budget and limits better than we do.

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

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

[JonathanK]

Does someone know if I tried using Priceline but bidding say $100 to start (or higher), if I'd still get the Trump? Basically what I am asking is if I start higher, would they try and screw me over kind of by still giving me the Trump? Or would it affectively bypass the Trump because of the higher bid?

I'm just thinking I'd like to stay at the Wynn or Encore. I originally wanted Venetian due to the prices and my girlfriend liking it, but figured I'd spend more if it meant getting Wynn or Encore, plus she's okay with these properties. Again, she simply wants to avoid the Trump altogether. My final resort will be using HOTWIRE to get the Venetian, but I'd like to try and see what other options I have first before accepting the Venetian at $95.

[thereuare]

See this thread: Don't Bid Higher For a Specific Hotel

Please remember to use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes.

[JonathanK]

Thank you for that, I've decided to stay away from PRICELINE. My concern is whether or not to get the Venetian at $95 or try something else. I personally would rather stay at Wynn or Encore. But really I don't know the many differences between the two companies. I can't really target why I don't like the Venetian that much, but I just don't for some reason. My girl does not care which of them we stay at, she just wants the best deal which right now is obviously The Venetian.

[JonathanK]

I booked the Venetian using Hotwire for $95 a night.

Also made sure to use the HOTWIRE link above.

Thanks everyone for the help!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see that you received the hotel you (and your girlfriend :) ) were hoping for and that you're happy with the results... an excellent deal for this property!

Thank you for sharing your results with the board and using our HOTWIRE link to begin your purchase.

Enjoy your stay.

[singleton]

Which Hotwire search result did you use? Was it:

5-star condo in Central Strip (currently at $92 for 4/5-4/8)

or

5-star hotel in Central Strip (currently at $119 for 4/5-4/8)

(I'm in the same boat as you, don't want to get stuck with the trump)

[JonathanK]

I didn't use either of those search results. There was another choice, and that was what I picked.

[thereuare]

Can you post the details of what you did purchase, for as you see, this can help other users... you can still view the details of your purchase (including the amenities shown before your purchase) by going to HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top right of their home page.

Thanks.

[JonathanK]

Yeah, of course. I paid $95 for the dates of Sunday 4/5 (tomorrow) to Wednesday, 4/8. The amenity list is as follows:

5-star hotel in Central Strip

This hotel features the following amenities:

Casino

Property offers a full-service casino accessible from the lobby.

Fitness Center

Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply.

Pool(s)

Property offers at least one pool area; hours and dates of operation may be seasonal.

Restaurant(s)

Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary.

Business Center

Guests have access to business equipment and services; an additional charge may apply.

High-speed Internet Access

Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply.