Priceline Hotel: 4* Minneapolis-St Paul (Downtown Minneapolis) Hyatt Regency

[calla]

I need a room for 2 nights for 2 people, May 21 - 23, in Minneapolis. This is a birthday gift for my daughter. I will be buying tickets for the Phantom of the Opera at the Orpheum Theatre downtown. I am somewhat reluctant to get a hotel downtown because of the high cost for hotel parking ($20 usually), although this would be the most convenient for them. They also like a hotel with complimentary breakfast because of budget considerations (they are paying for their own meals!). Hotwire has a 3 star in the Eagan area for $48 which I think is the Hampton from the research I've done on this site. I have never used Priceline before and I am wondering if this would be a good opportunity to try it in order to get the best deal. Any advice?

[thereuare]

Generally speaking, whether to use PRICELINE or HOTWIRE depends upon your needs for the stay and what is most important to you...

PRICELINE is usually a little cheaper, but you're subject to receiving any hotel in the zone at the minimum star rating you select... no clue as to the location within the zone or the amenities (pool, included breakfast, etc) that the hotel offers.

HOTWIRE usually costs a little more, but you are told the amenities the hotel offers and can often take an educated guess as to what the property is based upon the star rating and amenities, and therefore also have a guess as to where within the zone the hotel is located.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[Colfax]

Eagan is quite a ways from Downtown Minneapolis, about 18 miles per Mapquest. I haven't searched but I'm pretty sure you can find a Hotwire hotel with free breakfast that's closer to Downtown. Any of the Bloomington zones or Minneapolis West would be nearer to Downtown than Eagan.

Although your daughter will save the hotel parking charge by staying in the suburbs she'll have to pay to park near the theater, unless she's lucky and finds a space on the street. If she stays at a Downtown hotel she'll be able to walk to the Orpheum.

Or a compromise...she could stay Downtown the night she sees Phantom and stay in the suburbs the other night.

[willynate]

I believe your best bet would be to find a hotel in the Bloomington area. This would allow your daugther to park at the Mall of America and take the light rail into downtown. The light rail is safe and a lot cheaper (about $2/person each way) than paying for parking in downtown.

The last stop of the light rail in downtown Minneapolis drops off less than three blocks away from the Orpheum. The show finishes around 10:30, and the light rail runs until at least 1:00 AM, leaving you plenty of time to get back down to the mall area.

Most of the hotels on American Boulevard (the main drag in Bloomington) are in good shape (the Travelodge being the exception) as well.

Hope this helps.

[calla]

I decided to go with Colfax's advice. Tonight I reserved the Radisson in Plymouth because it's only a 20 minute drive to Albertville Outlet Mall, where they want to do some Memorial Day shopping for sales! The rate on the Radisson website was only $59 + 4.09 tax = $63.34/night, which was a few dollars cheaper than Hotwire (based on my research on this site). For the 2nd night I would like to get a downtown hotel so they can walk to the Orpheum. Willynate, I decided against Bloomington because they stay in that area every year when visiting MSP. Looking for something different and special for my daughter's birthday. Hotwire has a 4* with these icons: restaurant, fitness centre, high speed internet, and business centre. The rate is $75 plus taxes and fees. Could this be the Hilton Marquette? The Radisson Plaza would be a good find but it looks like they are including a "golf nearby" icon. I was hoping for a better rate. Maybe I've left this too late! Date I need is May 22, 1 night, 2 people. Any more suggestions??

[thereuare]

A current HOTWIRE search shows a 4* in the Downtown zone, priced less than the above properyt at $61/nite, with Smoke Free Rooms, Fitness Center, Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf.

This is a match for the the Radisson and that would be our best guess... is this the property you're hoping for?

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

[Colfax]

calla,

Do you need a specific Downtown hotel? You might win a 4* Downtown in the $40's on PRICELINE. Any of them would be within walking distance of the Orpheum.

There are a couple of Residence Inns Downtown with free breakfast. You could try for one of those by bidding for a 3* Downtown. (No guarantee you'd win a Residence Inn though.)

willynate,

Thanks for posting that good info about the light rail from Mall of America.

[calla]

Finally made my booking. Colfax's viewpoint helped me make the decision! Used the link to PRICELINE.

May 22, 2009 - 1 night, 2 adults

Bid $41 on 4 star in downtown Minneapolis. Accepted. Total cost - $41.00 + 12.54 taxes/fees = $53.54

Hotel - Hyatt Regency

This hotel has had mixed reviews, but the price was definitely right and the location will be convenient. Based on other wins posted here, I was 99% sure I would get the Hyatt. My daughter and boyfriend will love it. This was my first experience with Priceline, so hopefully they won't have any problems. Thanks for all the advice. This site is one of the best I've found on the net. Very helpful.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Looks like an excellent deal for a Downtown city hotel which should work out quite well for your daughter and boyfriend.

Glad to see you're happy with the results and we're glad the board was helpful with your purchase.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using our PRICLINE link to begin your bidding (and for the compliments on the site :) )