Dannie138 Posted October 12, 2009 Report Posted October 12, 2009 Hi, I'm new here and would like to try this bidding:).I read through everything, so I understand the basics. We're looking for a hotel in Miami and we're cruising out of POM the next day. I've been told that South Beach is the place to go for the one night. We're in our twenties and this is our delayed honeymoon. We want a nice hotel (4* or more) near something to do, restaurants and a liquor store.Which area in South Beach do I bid for first? (I don't know which would be the preferable ones!) Thanks so much!
thereuare Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 Welcome to BetterBidding!What is your maximum budget per nite (before taxes and fees) and actual dates of your stay?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
Dannie138 Posted October 14, 2009 Author Report Posted October 14, 2009 Actual date is Feb 11th (checkout on 12th).I would say max is $250 or so..I would expand my search to nice hotels in downtown/coral gables as well...flight isn't getting in until 6, so we only have that night to explore :)
thereuare Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 South Beach, Downtown, and Coral Gables are all going to give you a very different experience for this pre-cruise stay... what exactly do you want from this nite?Not sure if you're new to cruising or a veteran, but my own experience is that by the time you land at 6pm, claim your luggage, get a taxi, arrive at the hotel and check-in... you're likley looking at 7:30pm or later, and after a day of traveling, i'm just looking to relax, eat dinner, and call it an early nite. Perhaps you are looking to go out until the early hours of the morning, but i think that wouldn't be the norm for most after traveling for the day... plenty of time to party on the ship :)Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed.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
Dannie138 Posted October 15, 2009 Author Report Posted October 15, 2009 I'm a veteran...you are definitely on the same page of my thinking. Relax, dinner, hang out at the hotel!We are in a suite, so we do have priority embarkation. I'm thinking the morning will just be breakfast, quick run to the store and off to the boat :)
thereuare Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 Then are all three zones (South Beach, Downtown, and Coral Gables) still the ones you want to bid?I'm guessing Airport will be the least expensive but least to do in the immediate area, Downtown a little pricier and many choose to go to Bayside for dinner, we don't see too many people choose Coral Gables for pre-cruise stays, but i supposed it's do-able.Let us know how you want to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.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
CarolBarrel Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 If you are in your 20s and have never been to South Beach, go! Stay only in a hotel on Ocean Drive, Collins Ave or Washington Ave...in South Beach only. Washington Ave is location of a hostel called Clay Hotel, which has a certain ambience for 20-somethings if you're laid back. It's more of a 2 star hotel, but they do have private rooms and not just dorms with bunkbeds. Have fun!
Dannie138 Posted October 16, 2009 Author Report Posted October 16, 2009 I'd like NOT to be near the airport. Is Coral Gables/Coconut Grove somewhere I'd like to be or not? :)I don't mind the "little pricier" Downtown option. From what I've read, the 4 star and up hotels have good reviews. It is our honeymoon, so I don't want to stay at a Holiday Inn. lol. South Beach seems nice too, but what sections would you recommend?
thereuare Posted October 16, 2009 Report Posted October 16, 2009 Congratualtions on your upcoming nuptuals...In regards to South Beach do you need/want to be on the beach? We stopped at South Beach for a nite at the end of my own honeymoon and we were just so tired by the end of the trip, and after all that travel, we were too tired to really enjoy it. By the same token, as i noted above, not sure how much you will partake in the 'scene' of South Beach the nite before embarkation... nobody wants to get a ship hungover.You could bid both zones and let whichever has the lower price accept your bid first :) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Dannie138 Posted October 16, 2009 Author Report Posted October 16, 2009 I completely agree with your thinking. I think Downtown or somewhere a little more laid back/quiet, will probably be more my thing. :) We're flying all that day, so I'm sure we'll be tired!
thereuare Posted October 17, 2009 Report Posted October 17, 2009 So did you want to start with only Downtown?Rates are somewhat high at the moment... it may just be a bit early OR do you know if anything in particular is happening on this nite in the area?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
Dannie138 Posted October 17, 2009 Author Report Posted October 17, 2009 I don't know if anything is going on in the area. Do you think then it's too early? Should I wait another couple weeks or months?
thereuare Posted October 17, 2009 Report Posted October 17, 2009 I would begin to bid now, but stay well under your $250 limit... if there is any low hanging fruit, you'll never know unless you try a few lowball bids :) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Dannie138 Posted October 17, 2009 Author Report Posted October 17, 2009 Thanks and I will do. I'll read through the current prices to see what the usuals are right now.I wonder if the prices are higher because of it being only a few days after the superbowl?
thereuare Posted October 18, 2009 Report Posted October 18, 2009 If you let us know your current maximum bid and which zone(s) you decide upon 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
Dannie138 Posted October 18, 2009 Author Report Posted October 18, 2009 I really don't have a set maximum...just want to get a better deal than advertized prices.I'll try for downtown first!
liz1992 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Posted October 19, 2009 Which area in South Beach do I bid for first? (I don't know which would be the preferable ones!) Thanks so much!I am in the same boat/ship ha, ha... From what I have studied so far the Cruiseport is very very close to the "Priceline Miami Downtown" location.If you're being realistic, you aren't going to have that much leisurly time. My suggestion would be to go closest to the cruise port which will give you more time. There are many beautiful hotels in this location. Use this link.... Hotels By The Pierto see what hotels are near the portPRICELINE THRU THIS SITE! and put in Miami, go to the tab where it says Hotels. Look at what Priceline is offering before you use the bidding system. Then you will see what is truly available. The area I am researching is "Miami Downtown", again closest to the cruiseport. There's lots of 4* hotels, Epic Hotel (which looks awesome) Intercontinental, Conrad Miami Downtown, J.W. Marriott and the Hyatt Regency, again all 4 *. I have been seeing winning bids of $50ish for the Hyatt Regency for the same month we are lookig, this November. Then there are 3 star and 3 & 1/2 star. Marriot Biscayne Bay, Hilton Miami Downtown, Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay, Do yourself a favor and study the hotel amenities, see if it fits into the romantic part of your vacation. Make the best of the 1 night you have. Don't bog yourself down being far away from the cruiseport. More money, less time, etc....You don't have the time. Sorry about being so "frank" but" been there done this". At least once a year. We are veteran Royal Caribbean Cruisers. Our ages are 48 & 50. Married 29 years.You are in the right place as far as getting help. These guys are the best! But believe me, you and I are no expert, no matter how much we think we've read and studied we don't know how precise this bidding process is..... If you don't take follow the guidelines the board recommends you could end up way far away then you'ver ever expected. Take your time, tell them what you got and how you want to use it. HEED THEIR ADVICE!!!!!I thought I knew how to use the boards and have for every Cruise we've taken so far. If it weren't for their expertise and patience and professionalism, I "could" have screwed up really bad. Each and every time we've cruised I used these boards. I ended up with the best of the best hotels each time. Here's an example. My winning bide of $85 brought us to a "RESORT" in San Juan, The Caribe Hilton. This place has a rack rate of $280.00 and up per night. It was one of the most beautiful, romantic places we'ver ever stayed at. I wish it was more than just a post cruise 1 nighter. Awesome Mojitos, fabulous grounds. IT WAS PERFECT. After dinner we walked by a couple in one of the jacuzzis and overheard them saying they paid $385.00 per night and they thought they had a deal. I was speechless. It was on the Ocean. I can't say enough. Our pre cruise hotel was an awesome deal too and was situated on the harbor so we could see the ship we'd be boarding. That was the Sheraton Old Samn Jaun, I think we paid $65.00 for 1 night.Oh, I could go on and on. I saw your post and thought I'd put my two cents in. I'm waiting for a response as to how to proceed for my Miami hotel for November.I tell one thing for sure, I'm not bidding anything till board admin's like ThereUare get back to me and keep me on the right track. Leave the expertise to the experts, we're not travel agents neither are they, but the people who guide, assist, run and maintain these boards certainly know what they are doing and if you listen to them you will save money and get honest to goodness help and advice. They are PRICELESS!!!!!!
thereuare Posted October 20, 2009 Report Posted October 20, 2009 Looked into this a little more as rates seem pretty high at the moment.Not sure if this is the culprit, but the Miami Boat Show takes please from 2/11-2/15 so this may explain the higher than usual prices in the area.Based upon current rates, what would you consider a 'good deal' at the moment and worth locking in a non-refundable reservation now? (the risk is rates go down as you get closer to your dates... the opposite could also take place and hotels can begin to sell out and rates go even higher)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
Dannie138 Posted October 20, 2009 Author Report Posted October 20, 2009 Oh, good to know....I guess I would consider a good deal saving money off their published rates. :)
thereuare Posted October 20, 2009 Report Posted October 20, 2009 I'm still not clear which zone(s) you want to bid (if a zone other than Downtown) but with SIX re-bid zones we should be able to make this work regardless. 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.(NOTE: 're-bid zone1' is not the same as priceline's Zone1, 're-bid zone2' is not the same as priceline's Zone2, etc, etc)Select 4* Downtown (and any other zones you want, if any)...Bid $60, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $80, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Downtown (and any other zones you want, if any) and re-bid zone5...Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $105, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Downtown (and any other zones you want, if any) and re-bid zone6...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone5...Bid $125This far ahead of your stay i don't think i would bid higher than $125 and would start with the above, we'll see how it goes, and take it from there.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Let us know how it goes or if you have any questions regarding the above (especially regarding re-bidding... feel free to confirm your re-bid zones with the board before bidding) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Dannie138 Posted October 20, 2009 Author Report Posted October 20, 2009 I got to the $125, by using my final bid in Downtown, South Beach Collins and South Beach Ocean. It was not accepted. What should be my next step be?
thereuare Posted October 21, 2009 Report Posted October 21, 2009 It depends how quickly you're looking to get this done.You can choose to increase your bid OR simply wait a week or two and repeat the above, hoping that lower priced inventory has been released.Let us know your thoughts. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Dannie138 Posted October 21, 2009 Author Report Posted October 21, 2009 I'm not in any rush, but I'm afraid that they'll get higher because of the boat show. If I do increase my bid now, what is the highest I should go up to at this point?
thereuare Posted October 21, 2009 Report Posted October 21, 2009 I would only go up to $125 at the moment... maybe $150, but if you're concerned you could go as high as you want.But before i paid more than that i'd sonner book a cancellable back up and hope for lower rates to come.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
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