Priceline Hotel: Fishermans Wharf or ?? in mid-Oct.

[AndrewOAz]

What a great site and I hope this can help? I am considered by others an experienced bidder on Priceline and thought so myself, ............at least until reading all the great advice on here, some of which I have used effectively in the past. However, I find myself with a new challenge, trying to find a nice hotel in one zone during a busy, busy weekend.

We are traveling from Saturday, Oct. 10th to Tuesday, Oct. 13th and prefer to stay in the Fisherman's Wharf area. I have seen the Hotwire amounts around $200 (though currently showing $249) so my bids may just be too low. I'd consider nearby areas like Nob Hill or Financial Center, but at these numbers I'd likely get that instead, even if a 4 star. Also, this is a family of 4 going.

So far, I have bid:

$85 - FW 3.5 star

$89 - FW 3.0 star

then next day:

$90 - FW 3.5 star

$95 - FW 3.0 star

So, any advice on how to make this work and not pay $200+ while getting Fisherman's Wharf? I am open to suggestions of nearby if you can give me a really good reason. If it helps, we'll have the two day double decker red bus and Alcatraz package so being near their stops is good. Thank you so much for all input.

[thereuare]

Welcome to Betterbidding!

Are you bidding on only one or two room(s) for the four of you? What are the ages of the kdis?

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

[AndrewOAz]

Just one room for the four of us.

[thereuare]

Be aware that PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel. It's possible that you receive a room with only one bed and the hotel is unable, or unwilling, to switch you to a room with two beds (or can charge an additional fee to do so)

Is this an acceptable risk?

If not you can try HOTWIRE, which usually costs a little more than PRICELINE, but gives you the ability to search for up to quad occupancy, ensuring that there are sleeping accomodations for everyone you include in your search.

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]

So, any advice on how to make this work and not pay $200+ while getting Fisherman's Wharf? I am open to suggestions of nearby if you can give me a really good reason.

You're bidding for Presidents Cup weekend, and it's also the weekend before Oracle World. This is one of the busiest and most expensive hotel weekends of the year in SF. I'm not confident you'll win a 3* hotel in Fisherman's Wharf now even if you bid $200. So far you've only bid to $95.

Most hotels in Fisherman's Wharf are sold out for your dates.

On Expedia Sheraton FW is $359 and the Holiday Inn FW is $293.

HOTWIRE's only option in FW is a 3* at $259. (Probably the Holiday Inn.)

PRICELINE usually beats HOTWIRE on price, so you might get the Holiday Inn for less than $259 bidding 3* in FW. Offhand I'd guess somewhere in the $150-200 range.

Downtown isn't better. Parc 55 $345, Nikko $443, Monaco $449. Many hotels sold out.

The best deal I see Downtown now is the Grand Hyatt for $228 (on Expedia).

It's possible some rooms will open up closer to the convention dates but it's not something you can plan on. If you want to wait it out you should book a cancellable backup reservation now.

If you're trying to secure something under $100 now you'll probably need to look at outlying zones like the Airport area or Berkeley-Emeryville.

Also consider bidding for a 2.5* or 2* in Fisherman's Wharf. Most of the 2.5* and 2* are sold out, but it's worth trying if Fisherman's Wharf is your first choice.

Many are struggling with these busy dates, so please keep us posted if you have any progress. Good luck!

[AndrewOAz]

Will do, thanks .............. and yes, we need double, but hoped with "requesting" ahead direct with the hotel and checking in early, we wouldn't have that problem. Am I wrong?

Also, that Grand Hyatt isn't available. When clicking the link, it shows room not available.

[thereuare]

...and yes, we need double, but hoped with "requesting" ahead direct with the hotel and checking in early, we wouldn't have that problem. Am I wrong?

Given these peak demand dates the risk goes up substantially, as the hotel may be sold-out or near capacity, and not be able to honor your request for a room with two beds.

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

[Colfax]

To assure two beds you need to book conventionally or use HOTWIRE, where you state the number of adults and children in your party and are guaranteed bedding for that number.

Checking 2 adults/2 children on Hotwire the only thing in Fisherman's Wharf is a 3* for $262. The same hotel is $253 when checking on 2 adults/0 children, so they're charging $9/night for the second bed guarantee.

If you're flexible on zone Hotwire has a 3* in Japantown-Civic Center North with two beds guaranteed for $146. It looks like a match for the Opal.

Breakfast, Fitness, Business, Laundry, Highspeed

It's $100+/night less than Fisherman's Wharf, includes breakfast, and the parking is less than FW too.

How bad do you want to stay in Fisherman's Wharf?

[Colfax]

Also, that Grand Hyatt isn't available. When clicking the link, it shows room not available.

Since I posted yesterday one of your three nights at Grand Hyatt sold out. The other two nights--10/10 and 10/11--are $207 on Expedia and you can reserve two beds at that rate.

[AndrewOAz]

The wife wants FW pretty bad due to it being the kids first time to SF. Also, we'll be having the All Loops/Alcatraz package so most everything we'll do is that way. I have discussed with her the opportunity to stay downtown and get a 3-day pass for the Cable cars (wasn't sure if that includes bus connections?) which could be a fun way to arrive at FW each day. So, we won't have parking since we are taking the BART from Oakland over to SF.

I am considering 4* downtown if we can get those low 100's I see other times. Also, just saw a 3 1/2* on USE on HOTWIRE for $169 that looks like a match for Drake which shows $209 there, but wasn't sure?

[AndrewOAz]

Since I posted yesterday one of your three nights at Grand Hyatt sold out. The other two nights--10/10 and 10/11--are $207 on Expedia and you can reserve two beds at that rate.

Do you think the 3 1/2* USE is the Drake? or is that on the West side? Any way to figure this out better? That is $169 on Hotwire, and showing $202 on Priceline. Seems nice, but would need to do cable cars to FW. Opinions?

[AndrewOAz]

Do you think the 3 1/2* USE is the Drake? or is that on the West side? Any way to figure this out better? That is $169 on Hotwire, and showing $202 on Priceline. Seems nice, but would need to do cable cars to FW. Opinions?

Also noticed that there is a 3 1/2* called Orchard Gardens in that area now so concerned which one that might be on HOTWIRE? We've temporarily stopped bidding because we are not sure what to do here. I think she'd be happy if we got the Drake for $169 on Hotwire, but not if it were the other one. I think she is giving up on the idea we'll get within sniffing distance of FW at this point. She is starting to be okay with staying downtown and riding the cable cars/Muni to get where we need.

[thereuare]

For help identifying HOTWIRE hotels please include the amenities that HOTWIRE associates with the properties in question. (and also include the number of adults/chidlren you're including in your search)

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. (and searches too :) )

[Colfax]

The wife wants FW pretty bad due to it being the kids first time to SF.

For a first trip with two children FW would be my first choice too. There are alternatives though, as you're coming to see. And it's possible availability in FW will improve as your dates approach. The million dollar question is "Will that happen?" and nobody knows.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I think you've only bid up to $90 for a 3* in FW, and you're looking at HOTWIRE choices in less preferred zones (not bad places to stay, just less preferred from your perspective) that cost $169.

If FW is your first choice why not bid higher than $90 for a 3.5* and 3* in FW first? I'd suggest up to $150 or so.

I'd also consider bidding for a 2.5* in FW.

Another word about bedding, since there are four of you. You know PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, which could be a room with one bed. Bidding PRICELINE in any Downtown zones is a big gamble since there are many hotels in those zones where you really might get one bed. Your chances of two beds are much better in FW than any other zone because a lot of families stay in FW and the hotels are skewed towards two-bed rooms. Still, two beds aren't guaranteed, even in FW.

Let us know if you're willing to take that bed risk in FW zone because if you're not willing I'll quit suggesting PRICELINE strategies at all and just focus on options with two beds guaranteed, even if that costs a little more.

============

The 3.5* you saw in USE on HOTWIRE earlier is gone now.

The 3* in Japantown-Civic Center North is still there (probably the Opal) with two beds guaranteed. Price has gone from $146 to $166 since yesterday.

============

My personal opinion: Unless something good pops up near Union Square (I don't see anything now) I'd hold out another week and see if FW opens up any, since it's your first choice.

And don't stress. You're going to get a room.

:)

[AndrewOAz]

For help identifying HOTWIRE hotels please include the amenities that HOTWIRE associates with the properties in question. (and also include the number of adults/chidlren you're including in your search)

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. (and searches too :) )

As previously mentioned above, there are 2 adults and 2 children. I would have included those amenities, but unfortunately, that deal is no longer visible. .............. and again, GO BLUE! :)

[AndrewOAz]

I love how you have that "don't stress you'll get a room" at the end, while the beginning talks about the million dollar question and "will that happen"? hahaha Actually, as a previously experienced bidder, I'm kind of having fun with this extreme challenge (since as I've been told above, its the busiest weekend of the year). But that is also why we picked this weekend over the following one so to enjoy all that stuff. Plus, we now have airfare so we are set with the dates.

Okay, on to some answers/comments. When I looked at that Hotwire deal, it looked identical to the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, also the only 3.5* showing on PRICELINE in this area. However, I wanted your opinion. Then, this morning, it showed a new 3.5* called the Orchard Gardens, not something she would want. In fact, I've gotten the wife sort of excited about the alternative of downtown and just using the Muni pass we were going to get anyway to take the cable cars down to the wharf each day. Ironically, the Drake is now our "backup plan" hotel, although at $191, steeper than I would have liked for their ordinary double room, but as we've all discussed here, at least its guaranteed. So, their $169 deal on HOTWIRE looked good - if that was Drake? Now its gone but who knows if it comes back.

Other answers include, wife doesn't want 2.5* and my wife bid up to $160 the other day for FW, we don't really want Japantown and besides, I would never stay in the Opal based on reviews.

So, where we are left? I think we'll contine trying FW in a few days as it approaches plus wait to see if the Drake becomes obvious on Hotwire at a reasonable rate. We'd switch to a quality 4* downtown as well, but for less due to the bed risk. Thanks again for this great service and opinions.

[Colfax]

I love how you have that "don't stress you'll get a room" at the end, while the beginning talks about the million dollar question and "will that happen"? hahaha

I said you would get a room. I didn't say you'd get a room in Fisherman's Wharf. :)

Since I last checked availablility has tightened even more. In all the San Francisco "city zones" (not airport or East Bay) HOTWIRE only has THREE hotels now with two beds guaranteed:

3* FW $285 (looks like Holiday Inn)

3* Japantown $319 (looks like Holiday Inn Golden Gateway)

2.5* Marina-Cow Hollow-Pacific Heights $149

That 2.5* in Marina Cow-Hollow has Breakfast and Highspeed icons and a TripAdvisor rating of 4/5.

This 2.5* hotel hasn't been reported to the board before but my best guess is it's either the Chelsea Motor Inn or the Coventry Motor Inn. Those are both motel style properties with, I believe, free parking (you should verify that on your own), and they're among the better regarded motel style properties in SF. However I'm not prepared to guarantee that the 2.5* is either Chelsea or Coventry.

When dealing with lower rated unknown hotels I usually advocate buying one day first to see what you're getting. Then if you like the outcome buy the rest. But this mystery hotel isn't available on Hotwire for single days during your time frame. They appear to have a two-night minimum on HOTWIRE.

Your thoughts?

[AndrewOAz]

I agree, as we wouldn't risk it for 2.5* like that. I think we keep pushing for FW and see if we get lucky as it gets closer or a quality downtown one the same. If I ever saw the Drake on Hotwire for "reasonable" that I could secure the 2 bed guarantee, I think I'd do that since the wife has since fallen in love with this hotel. Again, when I saw it last week, I just couldn't be sure it was that or that Orchard Gardens so didn't want to risk it.

Thanks for all you guys do. :)

[AndrewOAz]

We never found anything we could afford, so stayed in a condo offered through a friend. Thanks and close this string.

[yellowdog]

AndrewOAz

Thanks for closing this thread.

Please remeber to allways follow-up your threads with whatever you end up doing, even if you chose to book direct, cancell your trip, etc.

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

Yellowdog.