sandytony Posted June 19, 2009 Report Posted June 19, 2009 I need help in bidding for a 4* hotel/resort in the St. Petersburg/Treasure Island area. I understand that there are only two to bid on:4* Don Cesar Beach Resort and Spa4* Tradewinds Island GrandEither of these would be desirable.Specifics:Check-in: July 13Check-out: July 162 adults - Prefer 2 beds/non-smokingMost of the travel websites are quoting Don Cesar $161/night but Expedia is running a special @ $129/night.Most of the travel websites are quoting Tradewinds Island Grand for $130's/night but Hotwire is offering a 4* hotel for $90/night (of which the Don Cesar and Tradewinds are the only two on your Hotwire hotel list for 4*).I understand that both of these charge a resort fee. Is this per room per night? Or is this per person per night?I don't know at what $$ to start bidding and what $$ increments to increase my bids by.I have bid and won car rentals many times on PRICELINE but have never bid for hotels. I am quite anxious about bidding for hotels. I hope I have included all of the details that are needed for an appropriate post. I appreciate any comments and help.Sandy
thereuare Posted June 21, 2009 Report Posted June 21, 2009 Welcome to BetterBidding!I understand that there are only two to bid on...Not exactly, see the comments at the top of the Priceline Hotel List.2 adults - Prefer 2 beds/non-smokingAll that is guaranteed is double occupancy, after you win a hotel you can call them and request a non-smoking room with 2 beds, but this is just a request and no assurance the hotel will be able, or willing, to accomodate your request.Based upon the prices you quoted, let us know your maximum bid and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.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
sandytony Posted June 23, 2009 Author Report Posted June 23, 2009 Thanks for your replay and help.The maximum I am willing to bid is $90.00/night (only because of the high resort fee of $25.00). If this is unrealistic I can change some variables. I am flexible with the locaation - I can stay anywhere (on the beach) between Belleair and Treasure Island and would be willing to bid on 3* hotels. The dates are concrete.On Don Cesar's website the charge is $199/night for the nights of my stay.On TradeWinds Island Grand Resort's website the charge is $137/night for the nights of my stay.Thanks for your time and consideration.Sandy
thereuare Posted June 24, 2009 Report Posted June 24, 2009 At the 4* level you have SIX 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 4* St Petersburg Beach-Treasure Island...Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $90Any 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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
sandytony Posted June 27, 2009 Author Report Posted June 27, 2009 Thanks for your bidding help and strategy. I used the PRICELINE link on this website.Check in: 7/13/09Check out: 7/16/092 adultsFirst bid: $60 for #8 zone of St. Petersburg/Treasure Island area - rejected (Priceline suggested to rebid by increasing by $17)Second bid: $65 for zones #8 and #1 (Belleair) - rejected (Priceline suggested to rebid by increasing by $17)Third bid: $70 for zones #8, #1, and #2 (Clearwater) - ACCEPTED!Absorbing all of the bidding strategy and being carefull while bidding is certainly nerve wracking. It appears that this is a great price but I will reserve my opinion for my review and post it when I return. Thanks!Sandy
AaronJB Posted June 27, 2009 Report Posted June 27, 2009 Welcome to the site. Congratulations on your success!....Which hotel did you win? :)Using the site's PRICELINE link is greatly appreciated.Enjoy your stay.
sandytony Posted June 28, 2009 Author Report Posted June 28, 2009 Sorry, I was so excited about my bid being accepted that I forgot to post that I won the Tradewinds Island Grand. I've never stayed there but all of the travel guides and reviews seem to indicate that it's a nice resort and certainly a great value for the money. The going rate on most of the discount travel websites was in the $130's. I will post about my stay when I return. I am confused however, that Priceline listed this as a 4* hotel and not a resort. Thanks again.Sandy
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