Priceline Hotel: Two weeks in Miami Dec/04

[pmdeh]

Hi all!

I will be spending a little more than two weeks in MIA in December (Dec 9 to Dec 26) with my family, and I would like to stay at a decent frontbeach hotel. I have used priceline in the past, but I am concerned that I may get stuck far away from the beach, and I want my 5 year old twins to be right there, not a short drive away or even a couple of blocks away. Budget is 75 to 100$ a nite, including parking if possible. The hotel need not be at SOBE or Miami Beach, but I wouldn't mind if it weren't too far away from MIA (let's say 100 miles north or south)

Any ideas on how not to mess this up? Two weeks is a long time to be in a hotel you dont like!

Cheers from Spain

Pablo

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Have you thought about splitting this stay? I'm not saying that it's necessary to do so in order to get a good price, but as you said, 2 weeks is a long time to be a hotel (more so if you don't like it). Splitting the bid would spread the risk somewhat (in case you don't like one of the hotels received) as well as give you the opportunity to stay/see two different areas.

On the otherhand, i'll soon learn what it's like to have to pack and change hotels with child(ren) in tow.... it's a trade-off which only you can decide if it is appropriate for you and your family.

There are countless possibilities, but just as an example, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale are only 50 miles apart. Spending time in both would give you two different beaches, two different areas, and two different experiences.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll proceed from there.

[pmdeh]

Thank you thereuare!

Great idea, I hadn't thought of it! :) . I do not mind travelling at all (I have rented a car through priceline, so I am mobile), and as this is vacation, moving back and forth can be part of the fun. The only problem, as you certainly know, is getting accurate descriptions of the hotel room, of the fees (and also finding out hidden charges: some will charge you up to 20$ a day for parking, and then some more for "resort fees") and on whether the hotel is family friendly or not. But we are seasoned travellers -even the kids-, so we do not mind adventures

Cheers!

Pablo

[thereuare]

I think you need to do a bit of research to find out what properties and/or areas you want to consider.

Just off the top of my head i was thinking in Miami there is Miami Beach with a few resorts and South Beach where most of the 4* and Resort level properties will probably suit your needs. I would definatley expect resort and parking fees in the South Beach area, maybe only resort fees in the Beach area. You can use our PRICELINE HOTEL LISTS to find previous wins in each area and help research the properties (call/email/visit their websites to determine how much the additional fees will be... although i'm not sure how much this will help since you can't choose the specific hotel).

In the Ft. Lauderdale area you may want to consider the 4* Hyatt Pier 66 (the only 4* hotel known to have been reported in this area) which although not directly on the beach, has a water taxi stop at the hotel which will take you to the beach... might be a cool thing for the girls to experience. Plenty of beachfront options in the area at the lower star levels. Since you now will likely stay at different hotels during your stay, i don't know if the on the beach requirement still applies (or if merely being 'close' will do for one of the hotels)

Since Beachfront is a priority for you, Hotiwre may be a better bet than Priceline. It will likely cost you a little more than Priceline, but you'll be assured of getting the beachfront property you're seeking. You could take the chance with Priceline, and which zone you choose to bid on will determine how much of a risk you are taking (of not getting a beachfront property), but if you get a hotel that doesn't meet your criteria... how much would you be saving? Use our HOTWIRE HOTEL LIST as a tool to research.

Those are just some preliminary ideas, maybe some locals may chime in with other hotels/zones in the area... especially regions with only one resort hotel in the zone so that you have a better chance at targeting that specific property (after you've researched the parking and resort fees).

You could also play around with Priceline just putting in nearby regions and seeing which zones have resort class properties (designated with the blue umbrella icon).

Let us know what you find and we'll move forward from there.