Priceline Hotel: Amsterdam for 2010 - How early is too early?

[traveljane]

I'm interested in bidding on rooms in Amsterdam for next May.

I am hoping to find a 5-star hotel at the good prices (under 100$) I've seen others win. Using the PRICELINE link here at Better Bidding, I've been rejected a couple of times now, always with counter-offers at prices much higher than I have bid. (And higher than HOTWIRE prices, too.)

Am I simply bidding far too early? Should I wait until the first of the year before re-starting this process?

Thanks for your help, and for all the useful advice I've found here already!

[brianc_li]

IMO you are way way too early. In your shoes I'd start looking seriously March/April next year.

A couple of Amsterdam specific things you should be aware of:

- Amsterdam is an expensive city. The low winning bids ($75 for 5*) we have seen in the last year have been the exception rather than the rule. In part this has been because the NH hotel chain have come into play with low price points. In part, due to the crisis, hotels have struggled to fill rooms. One cannot say for sure what the situation will be next May but assuming the crisis continues to ease it is a fair bet that rates will be higher.

- April/May is peak (tulip) time in Amsterdam. Rates will almost certainly be higher then than in Jan/Feb/Mar.

You may want to consider making a normal booking, one that can be canceled without penalty, in the meantime. That way you can play with PL closer to the time knowing that you have a fallback position.

[ReconDoc]

Yes way to early.

Besides look at it this way. What hotel manager in their right mind would spend their time right now giving ultra low pricepoints , for what is normally a very busy and expensive time period, that is 9 months away, especially if the economy and hotel occupancy might improve significantly between now and then.

They can always lower their prices 6 or 8 months from now.

Wait and hope the $65 4* and the $75 5 * are there next year. If not......we will always have the memories of 2009.

Lets all hope that NH in Amsterdam sees 2009 and its involvement in Priceline as a good thing.

[traveljane]

Thanks very much for your advice. I'll try to be more patient.... To illustrate how much of a planner I am, I already have the back-up I can cancel if necessary. But you're right, Amsterdam is an expensive city for hotel rooms.

In truth, I'd be delighted with a 4- or 5-star under $100.

Thanks again.

[traveljane]

An update: although I do occasionally look at Hotwire for Amsterdam, I've grown really attached to the idea of staying at the hotel I considered a "back-up" last fall. It's small and atmospheric and looks kind of charming.

Mind you, some folks are scoring great deals out there....

[AaronJB]

If your back-up is available via Orbitz, you could see if coupon codes WELCOME10 or FABSAVE10 worked for 10% off per night.

Please use the site's Orbitz.com link to start your purchase if this idea is of interest.