bigreddog Posted January 7, 2010 Report Posted January 7, 2010 What star level might I have success with in zones 8,9,13 with a max bid before tax and fee under $50? (or is this possible?) How low could my bid go, if I go down to 2 or 1 star? Are 1 or 2 star hotels usually at least clean? I have had a satisfactory stay at the State Plaza hotel which I saw listed as a 2 star.My primary concerns are cleanliness and proximity to metro.Thanks.
AaronJB Posted January 7, 2010 Report Posted January 7, 2010 Please post the names of the zones and your desired budget/star rating per night. Additionally, please let us know if you have confirmed dates.Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchase.
bigreddog Posted January 7, 2010 Author Report Posted January 7, 2010 Preferred Zones: 1st choice: Dupont Circle - Woodley Park 2nd: White House - Downtown 3rd: Georgetown - Foggy BottomMy dates are not confirmed. I could go either weekend 1/29 - 2/1 or 2/5 - 2/8.Price and star rating are tricky for this trip. I have a small budget. I can buy hotel/flight package for a 3* in Rockville, MD for a price I can afford. The hotel is 1 block from a metro. To come into the same price range with a retail airfare on priceline, I need the hotel to be $40 before tax and fees. Given my trip budget, I would be willing to go up to $50 for the mentioned zones as long as I can count on a clean place to stay. If that is not realistic, I will go with the package deal.Thanks.
thereuare Posted January 7, 2010 Report Posted January 7, 2010 My dates are not confirmed. I could go either weekend 1/29 - 2/1 or 2/5 - 2/8.Is either date range acceptable or are you waiting on something else to determine which dates you need?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
bigreddog Posted January 7, 2010 Author Report Posted January 7, 2010 Is either date range acceptable or are you waiting on something else to determine which dates you need?Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Either date range is acceptable.
thereuare Posted January 7, 2010 Report Posted January 7, 2010 Do you want to first try for a 3* hotel up to your limit, then if rejected try for a 2.5*, then for a 2*... or did you want to start at the lowest star level you're willing to accept?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
bigreddog Posted January 7, 2010 Author Report Posted January 7, 2010 I'm feeling cheap in this case and think that if I could get a 2* for considerably less than my max, I would prefer to start with the low star rating. If the prevailing wisdom is that getting any hotel for the money I am willing to spend will be a challenge, then I would bid 3* up to my limit and work down the star levels.Really, I'm not trying to be difficult....Thanks!
thereuare Posted January 7, 2010 Report Posted January 7, 2010 It's not an issue of being difficult... it's trying to get you want you want for this stay :)My advice, given your priority for cleanliness, is to stick with the higher rated hotels... still no guarnatees, but you have a better chance at a nicer hotel with a higher star rating than a lower one. While there may be hotels at the lower star levels you find acceptable, there may be some which are not, and with PRICELINE you can't choose which type you will get.But if budget is more of a factor, then perhaps your priorities are with the least expensive property possible. Although my own strategy would be for the highest rated hotel possible within my budget, but perhaps you want to try for a lowball at the 2* level, if that's rejected try a higher bid at the 2.5* level, and if that is rejected try for a higher bid at the 3* level... then work it from bottom up (vs. the traditional "top down" approach)Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
bigreddog Posted January 11, 2010 Author Report Posted January 11, 2010 After several days of persistently trying to be a cheapo, I gave in and crossed my fingers to be the next to succeed with a $65 bid for the Marriott Wardman Park. I am happy to report success!3.5* DC (Dupont Circle-Woodley Park) Marriott Wardman Park, $65 ... 2/5/10-2/8/10I appreciate all the posts and tips and tricks from this board! I did use the PRICELINE link.The room cost comes out to $195 + $36.18 (T&F) for a total of $231.18To keep a long bidding story short, I took the advice regarding getting the best quality possible for my budget and bid 4* up to $60, 3.5* up to $55, and 3* up to $50 for the Dupont Circle, White House, Georgetown and Convention Center zones. I then bid 4* Dupont Circle at $65 before bidding the 3.5* for $65 that was the winner.Thanks.
thereuare Posted January 11, 2010 Report Posted January 11, 2010 Congratulations on your success!Glad to see you're happy with the results and that this property will suit your needs well... reviews look pretty good and for the price this looks like a great deal.Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using our PRICELINE link to begin your bidding.Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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