Priceline Hotel: Washington DC help

[slolar]

Scratching my head with a bidding strategy for DC. My main problem is not knowing the geography too well. I need to go to a conference in the Crystal City area one day (Crystal Gateway Marriot in Arlington). But will spend the other days sightseeing (Senate, Native American Museum, Smithsonian). I don't think I want to stay in the Arlington area--seems too far away to be convenient for sightseeing. But want to stay somewhere sort of close to not break the bank in taking a cab to the conference one day.

That being said, I've been bidding 3.5 and 4 stars in the Convention and White House zones with no luck (using my two re-bid zones). So far up to $105 with no luck. This was initially the top end of my budget, but *may* bid up to $120 tonight.

Should I just keep trying? Split my dates? Is it reasonable to add in Dupont Circle, or is this too far from the conference and sight-seeing? I guess if all else fails, I will bid 3*, but this is not my preference.

Thanks for you help.

I've been using the PRICELINE link.

Sara

[thereuare]

If you're willing to split your stay between two different hotels i think you can find success for at least part of your stay. I think the Wednesday nite is causing you the most trouble, and the Thursday nite possibly some trouble... although even splitting you may need to bid someplace between the $105 you already have and the $120 you're considering.

Let us know if you first want to try up to $120 for the complete stay or if you're ready to SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID. If ready to split, did you want to include the Dupont Circle zone? Are you willing to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3.5* or is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this stay?

Let us know the above above and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[Doubleplay]

For Priceline name your own price, the areas closest to most of the tourist sites are (in preference order IMHO):

#5: Convention Ctr - Capitol Hill area

#13: White House - Downtown

#8: Dupont Circle - Woodley Park

#9: Georgetown - Foggy Bottom

Stay away from #7: DC Suburbs - Northeast Area

If you're doing name your own price, hopefully you'll get lucky and get a hotel near a Metro. The Renaissance on 9th St, the Grand Hyatt, JW Marriott and Willard are all walking distance to Metro stops.

3 star in the zones mentioned above should be fine.

Crystal City is closer than you think. It's about a 15 minute subway ride to the tourist sights on the Mall. Driving (without traffic), it's 5 minutes. You will do well cost wise in #6: Crystal City which has a Metro stop and the hotels have free shuttle buses to Reagan Airport where you can also catch the Metro.

You can get all day Metro passes that are good after the morning rush hour (930a).Details about the subway at www.wmata.com

[slolar]

Thanks for the advice. I agree that Wed night seems to be the problem. I bid up to $120 for 3-4* in Convention Center and White House with no luck. Then added 3.5* in Dupont and Foggy Bottom with no luck. I tried taking out the Wed night (splitting the bid) with a similar bidding strategy with no luck. Not really happy about the splitting, so didn't try to split it into Wed/Thurs and Fri/Sat. I will likely just stay at the Conference Hotel. It's a reduced rate and in Crystal City.

First time Priceline hasn't worked for me!

[thereuare]

Sorry it didn't work out for you this time around.

Keep in mind that hotels use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE to sell excess inventory. With demand for these dates (including the Wednesday) high, there is little reason for hotels to supply inventory at a deep discount if they believe they have a good chance of selling them on their own at full/higher rates.

To give an example of how this could potentially work... when searching HOTWIRE for 5/13-5/16 they have a 3.5* hotel in the White House zone for $124/nite 5/13-5/16. This would be close to the levels you have already bid, and then just leave the (more expensive) Wednesday nite.

What is the conference hotel and what is the rate?

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