Priceline Hotel: 4* DC (Convention Center-Capitol Hill) Liaison Capitol Hill

[musinggrai]

I have been trying all week to bid on a room for the 13th to the 15th of January 2010. I saw a few posts down a successful bid in the White House Zone that I have been trying to match but with no luck. (3.5* for $62, Hotel Madera).

I know that the prices are date specific, but my question is, do they fluctuate as time draws nearer? Am I better off taking my time and keep trying for this star level and location, and hope the price drops as time grows nearer, or should I expand my zones (to Capitol Hill) and bid now to get the best price?

[AaronJB]

Prices may fluctuate as the dates get closer, but if there is something going on during a set of dates (convention, etc.) then rates could certainly also ramp higher. I would recommend continuing working gradually higher with your bids rather than trying to wait for the last minute.

What would be your max bid per night for these dates, and what zones (and star rating) are you interested in?

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchase.

[thereuare]

Nobody can say if rates will go down, or up, between now and your stay... it's all based upon occupancy levels, supply/demand, reservations on the books and cancellations that come in.

With HOTWIRE showing a 4* hotel in the White House zone at $89 and a 3.5* at $75 i suspet you're not too far off. How high are you willing to bid for this stay?

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

[musinggrai]

Thanks for your help you guys, as usual, you are right on it.

:)

I like the $62 tag, and I'd like to go no higher than $70 in the White House Zone for a 3.5 or 4*. This is based upon the fact that we would like to do all our exploring as tourists of the nation's capitol on foot. The Capitol Hill Zone worried me a bit because it encompasses a larger area and we might end up further away from the mall in chilly weather. But based on recent wins, Capitol Hill seems no further away than the White House Zone to the mall area. I realize there is no guarantee on this though.

The Martin Luther King weekend follows this Wednesday/Thursday booking. It is not in the thick of it, but I wondered if it is still affecting the price.

[Doubleplay]

musinggrai,

Any hotel you would get in the Capitol Hill zone would be walking distance to the Metro (subway) that will take you to the tourist sites.

[thereuare]

So do you want to try first up to $70 in the White House zone... or do you prefer to start lower for a hotel in the Capitol Hill zone as well?

Let us know and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[musinggrai]

I'd like to try for the Capitol Zone, based on the posts. Although $70 would work in the White House Zone.

I am so not used to mass transit out here in San Diego, we need a car for anything.

:)

[trentslori]

Doubleplay is right. You would be within walking distance of a metro. And I do believe if you wait a little longer, you should be able to get a good deal in DC. Although it never hurts to try every 24 hours.

[thereuare]

I'd like to try for the Capitol Zone, based on the posts. Although $70 would work in the White House Zone.

This doesn't really make it clear what you want for this stay...

Do you want to try for a 3.5* in the Capitol zone up to $62 and then try for a 3.5* in either the Capitol or White House zone (with you receiving whichever is offering a 3.5* for less)?

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

[Doubleplay]

You can buy a 1 day pass on the Metro that is good from 930a until closing for $7.80. If you're staying just in the downtown tourist areas, make sure you are going to take at least 6 different rides since they are $1.35 each (non rush hour fare) to get your money's worth.

[musinggrai]

Thanks for the info about the subway, a question about that... if I buy the day pass, can two people use it?

Sorry theruare, I can see that my post didn't help to clarify. I want to go no higher than $70, but I see that this can fetch a 4* in the Capitol Hill Zone, whereas the White House Zone seems to have this price range for a 3.5*. I don't see a way to bid this combination.

I am thinking to wait a bit, still trying for the White House Zone 3.5* for a little longer, and then going for a 4* in the Capitol Zone. Unless you advise differently.

[thereuare]

... if I buy the day pass, can two people use it?

Not at the same time.

I want to go no higher than $70, but I see that this can fetch a 4* in the Capitol Hill Zone, whereas the White House Zone seems to have this price range for a 3.5*. I don't see a way to bid this combination.

You could bid one zone at one star level, then if rejected bid the other zone for a different star level, then if rejected bounce back to the original zone at a higher bid amount.

I am thinking to wait a bit, still trying for the White House Zone 3.5* for a little longer, and then going for a 4* in the Capitol Zone. Unless you advise differently.

$65-$70 is near the low end of the range for these zones and star ratings, so i would think that by waiting prices have more upside risk than downside.

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

[musinggrai]

This is fun to me, trying. That is the fun part. The bidding.

If it wasn't for you, I would have never have seen these places I have. I owe you a special debt in this life, thereuare. I really would have never bid or gone to these places if it weren't for you.

Better bidding, it's tops, the best thanks for all the stuff you do to make this site work....

:)

[Doubleplay]

Each person must have their own pass.

[musinggrai]

Using your PRICELINE link, I bid $56 for a 4* in the Capitol Hill Zone, and it came back with a 'Try Again' if I wanted to increase my price by $17. I ignored this and hit 'click here' to add additional zones. I added DC Suburbs, bid $58 and was successful.

I am really happy with the location, it looks to be within easy walking distance (or a quick metro ride if the weather is bad) from most of the places we plan on visiting.

Thanks you guys for your help.

:)

[musinggrai]

I hit 'new topic' (at top) while in the Bidding Strategy Thread and somehow changed the title of this thread and added the post here instead of creating a new thread. I am not sure how to fix it.

:)

[AaronJB]

Congratulations on your success. :)

The reported win can stay together with this thread. Certainly looks like a terrific rate for this boutique property from the Affinia chain.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using the site's PRICELINE link.

Enjoy your stay.

[musinggrai]

Thanks Aaron. We are looking forward to it.

[Doubleplay]

Great rate for a very nice hotel. This hotel used to be a Holiday Inn, but it has gone much more upscale. You're walking distance to Union Station (red line on metro) and the $1 circulator bus route on Mass Ave. Also walking distance to the Capitol. Don't walk at night beyond Massachusetts Ave going north or to the west as these are borderline neighborhoods. There's a homeless shelter a few blocks to the west that sometimes have unsavory types hanging out on the sidewalk. But, all in all, you did great. I've seen rates at this hotel above $350 during peak times.