Priceline Hotel: In need of Toronto Hotel from 03/08/10 to 03/13/10

[eendler]

My wife and I will be in Toronto from 03/08/10 to 03/13/10. I've been bidding for Toronto Downtown South and Downtown North for days (I bid up to 75) without success. Any tip? Do You Think its to early to bid?

Thanks

[thereuare]

I don't think it's too early to bid, but i'm guessing you're just a little shy at the moment for this stay... so it comes down to if you're willing to go a bit higher in your bidding to lock something in now OR if you want to keep your limit where it is and risk that prices go higher between now and your stay.

What is the best rate you're able to find thru conventional booking channels?

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

[AaronJB]

I don't think it would be too early to bid for these dates. What would be your budget per night? $75 may not be a realistic bid for a 4*, but I think it's probably not too far off.

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

[eendler]

I've been bidding everyday up to $85 for both Toronto Downtown South and North, every day it was denied.

Checking hotwire the rates for 03/08 and 03/09 are much higher then for the others days. It seens like theres going to be a big event those days. Does someone know something?

Thanks.

[AaronJB]

There may be an event going on during part of your stay, although not sure what it may be. You could try splitting your stay. What would be your budget per night?

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases.

[Double_Downon11]

I live just outside of Toronto and wanted to chime in regarding your stay. These dates may fall over March Break so the hotels could have increased the rates for the time being. I doubt they will stay that high but hard to tell. Keep in mind you can always try to get the Delta Chelsea (3.5* - North) or the Hyatt Regency (3.5* South) for cheaper (Delta often goes for $50-$60). It's not as nice as the 4* hotels listed but it's not a bad deal either. I'd suggest reading the reviews on TripAdvisor before hand to see if they would suit your needs. Hope this helps.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for sharing that info, Double. :)

[eendler]

Thank u for sharing info with us.

I've made some research using Priceline just for price comparing, this are the results:

Downtown Toronto East Hotel

03/08 -> 03/09: $119

03/09 -> 03/10: $119

03/10 -> 03/11: $96

03/11 -> 03/12: $96

03/12 -> 03/13: $99

Downtown Toronto West Hotel

03/08 -> 03/09: N/A

03/09 -> 03/10: N/A

03/10 -> 03/11: $79

03/11 -> 03/12: $79

03/12 -> 03/13: $79

Next with, just for comparing reason:

Downtown Toronto East Hotel

03/15 -> 03/20: $89

Downtown Toronto West Hotel

03/15 -> 03/20: $79

I read some where else that Winter Break will start at 03/12, is it right? It seens like there is something else from 03/08 to 03/10.

I'll consider the possibility of bid for Delta Chelsea or Hyatt Regency.

Thanks.

[Double_Downon11]

Thinking about this a little more, if it's more of a romantic getaway I would suggest booking the Hyatt over the Delta. The Delta is okay for the price you can usually get it at BUT the rooms can be small and a little dated compared to the improved Hyatt. If it's just a bunch of buddies then the Delta would likely suffice. I can't imagine what would be happening that weekend which would explain the higher rates and unavailability of 4* hotels. I will look into it further and advise.

Canadian Music Week begins on the 10th but I can't imagine this would have a HUGE impact on the prices. I would probably try and hold tight for now.

[eendler]

Thanks for the tips.

I'm still trying to get a good deal but it seens to be very hard those days. Using hotwire for price reference its very wird because the 4* in Toronto Downtown (when available) is about $250. Using priceline and the betterbidding link i tried up to $80 without success.

I'm sure there's something in Toronto from 03/08 to 03/11 but I have no idea wait is it.

Thanks.

[thereuare]

... so it comes down to if you're willing to go a bit higher in your bidding to lock something in now OR if you want to keep your limit where it is and risk that prices go higher between now and your stay.

Looks like rates have gone up substantially in the last 6 weeks.

[tilepusher]

I just noticed your post last month, where you wrote that there were no 4* rooms available in the Downtown Toronto West zone on Hotwire. That got me thinking that there might be a large conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Center (which is in the Downtown West zone). I checked the convention center's website -- the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada is holding its International Trade Show, Trade Show & Investors Exchange March 7-10. There were 18,000 registrants for this convention last year; the convention has room blocks at 14 downtown hotels, and 11 of them are sold out.

[eendler]

How luck I am.

At least I already have a backup reservation at booking.com. I'll keep trying up to March 6th using PRICELINE link to get a Better deal. I'll let you know if my luck change.

Thanks.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for using the site's PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches. Good luck on bidding, and please let us know what you decide and if you have further questions.

[liquiddemons]

You could always put a bid in for an Airport hotel, eender. I'm not sure if those prices would be influenced by the tradeshow during your stay. In the past I've successfully bid under $40/night for an Airport hotel. And the two hotels I've stayed at near the airport have been quite nice. The drive (during non-rush hours) to downtown Toronto is not much of a chore and reasonable parking rates can be had in outdoor lots. Anyway, just another option to throw out there in case you have not considered that possibility.

[eendler]

Just updating (delayed update): I did not used Priceline to get Toronto hotel for those dates because the prices increase a lot because of a petro event (I don't remember the name).

I've used my backup book for Sutton Place for 105 CAD/night.

[thereuare]

Thanks for closing this thread with your decision.

Hope you enjoyed your stay.