Priceline Hotel: 3*Boston Park Plaza, 2/14-2/16, $55

[Analise]

Since I'm new, I thought I'd put it some of the most recent Priceline winning bids for 2003.

My boyfriend and I wanted to spend the Valentine's Day weekend in Boston and we had previously had used Orbitz to find rates. But the best we came up with was $99 for the Days Inn on the Charles River. I thought I could do better on Priceline. So I had bid $50 for a 3* and higher in Back Bay and Beacon Hill. After a bunch of rebids, I got the Boston Park Plaza for the above rate.

First off, this hotel does not warrant the 3 star rating----maybe in its past life but not now. The lobby was clogged with cigarette smoke as were the hallways. The gave us a tiny room with one full bed---well if you knew my boyfriend, he would not fit in it. Plus the bathroom had a small shower stall, no tub. I wanted to see if I could change rooms so I tried to find my receipt. Well I forgot to bring my Priceline receipt. I went downstairs to speak with the female concierge. I had explained to her our "problem" and I have to say, she was most curteous to me and gave us a much larger room with a Queen sized bed and a full bath.

The hotel had a nice bar and old-world lobby but it is way past its hayday. Our room had paint peeling, inconsistent water pressure, and thin walls. What's worse was that the hotel was the host of the annual collegiate Model UN conference. That's when I know a hotel is past its prime as the Hotel Pennsylvania in NYC is a frequent host. This hotel really should have been a 2.5 but it does have a great location. I could not check out from the room; I had to wait on the long line to do so.

[thereuare]

Posting past results is great as it helps add to the database of possible hotels.

FYI, if you want to write a review of your stays as well, there is a "Hotel Review" section for this near the bottom of the main page on the board... this is where it would be most helpful to the most number of users as this is the first place most will look.

We're just full of surprises here!

[Analise]

I see that I've done this twice. Sorry about that. From now on , I'll review my stays in the Hotel review section.

[thereuare]

No problem what-so-ever.

I just figured that if you take the time to write it, you'd want the most number of people to read it.

[Analise]

I went from "newbie" to "member" in under 24 hours. Wow. :)

[thereuare]

We discovered that you knew more than you lead us to believe!!

[Scorp]

From Analise:

First off, this hotel does not warrant the 3 star rating----maybe in its past life but not now.  The lobby was clogged with cigarette smoke as were the hallways.

Boston has just gone non-smoking! No smoking in any public buildings, including bars, I believe. Good news for us non (or even former) smokers. I know it makes it inconvenient for smokers, but it really makes the air (and the furnishings) a lot cleaner.

I heard from others that this hotel did not deserve its rating. Actually, I only bid 4* in Boston and avoided 3* because I did not want to get this hotel. Most cities, I would be happy with either level.

I am happy to hear that they tried to make your stay better by giving you a better room, though.

[Analise]

We discovered that you knew more than you lead us to believe!!

All I know are the things I've experienced through trial and error. I did get a lot of helpful hints from TOBB so I must give credit where credit is due. I'm always open to learn more about mastering the art of bidding! :)