Priceline Hotel: 3.5* DC (Dupont Circle-Woodley Park) Marriott Wardman Park

[spendlesstravelmore]

Hello. I am a first time poster to this forum but hoping you can help. I am trying to book a hotel for the following dates in DC: 10/14-10/20/2009. My preference is for a 3.5+ star in the Dupont Circle area. Based on the recent bids that have been shared, I had assumed I would be able to get the Marriott Wardman Park for $65-70, but am not and so would appreciate some help.

Bid history (over the past few days):

- 4* from $50 to $75 in $2 increments, adding 1 rebid zone at a time.

- 3.5* from $60 to $73 in $1-2 increments, adding 1 rebid zone at a time

In all cases, I have been rejected.

I have identified 5 rebid zones for 4* and 2 for 3.5*.

My goal was to keep the whole six nights to < $500, which before taxes equates to ~$65-70/night.

Any feedback, ideas or strategies would be greatly appreciated at this point.

Should I break this up into two shorter stays to increase my chances?

Should I consider another zone?

Do I need to down market to a 3* to get this price?

Thanks.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Sub-$75 for a 4*/3.5* is not that common for DC and typically only available for very slow times in the city... and given a 6 nite stay the chances of all of these nites being low occupancy would be low. You can try SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID, but given the rates i'm currently seeing, i'm not so sure it's going to help you. (although it wouldn't hurt to try as here is a Priceline win Marriott Wardman Park at $65 for a sub-set of your dates, 10/14-10/18)

Whether you give SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID a try, add other nearby zones, lower your star rating, etc. really depends upon your plans for this trip, how much of an inconvenience changing properties would be, and what you expect (quality wise) from your hotel stays. What is most important to you for this stay... price, quality, convenience, etc?

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

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

[spendlesstravelmore]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree - I wouldn't have ordinarily thought sub-$75 would be that common, but have seen multiple winning bids < $75 including the $65 one you mentioned for the first half of our trip.

In terms of priorities, I think I would characterize them this way:

1) keep costs down as much as possible

2) stay in an area that is either close to the major sites or at least a Metro stop and -- ideally -- be near Dupont Circle part of town or somewhere that has a neighborhood feel with evening options

3) would prefer not to change hotels, but would certainly consider it on any night other than Sat night (i.e. want to stay at the same place Fri-Sun nights).

As to quality, I am fine with anything Courtyard level and above, but would obviously prefer something nicer if I can get a deal on PRICELINE / HOTWIRE.

We are flexible, I just have stayed at the Marriott Wardman Park (paid a lot more than $65 last time) and knew the location. Any tips welcome. Cheers.

[thereuare]

If you're trying to keep costs down as the first priority, i would include other zones (if any other zones are acceptable) as it will give more hotels the ability to accept your bid, by definition increasing your chances.

As well, given the prices i'm currently seeing, i would consider SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID, trying for Dupon Circle if that is your first choice, for the dates of 10/14-10/19, and then if rejected try again immeidately for 10/14-10/18 (trying to replicate the previous win for those dates). Given budget is a concern, if you were successful replicating the previous bid, i think the savings would be worth the inconvenience of changing hotels, and then it would also hopefully be a bit easier to 'fill in' the remaining two nites (vs. those two nites + four additional nites).

I don't think there's a "right or wrong" in this situation as each person values things differently (ie- changing hotels, saving money by splitting, cost of prefered neighborhood, etc), but i would try the 5nite and 4nite stays first (even though i'm less than optimistic)... then try adding any other zones which you think would be equally acceptable.

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

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll suggest a strategy to try for whatever you'd like to attempt first.

[spendlesstravelmore]

I was successful picking up the Marriott Wardman Park 3.5* for $65 10/14-10/18 but unsuccessful in extending for another night so I will need to find another place for 10/18-10/20. Making progress.. Thank you.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you got a great deal for this leg of your trip and that we were able to help.

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

If you'd like help with the balance of your stay please start a NEW TOPIC.