walker Posted January 17, 2005 Report Posted January 17, 2005 Hi, I am looking to book 2 rooms in DC for 3 nights starting on Friday April 8th. I am not very familiar with the area but it looks like most suggest the Dupont Circle area. I was hoping to get a 3.5* or 4* hotel somewhere between $50-80 per night. We are coming for the Cherry Blossom Festival so we would be open to other areas based on recommendations. Please offer some bidding advice. What is the recommended starting bid price for that time of the year? Are there any bidding strategies you would offer?I really appreciate the help.Thanks!
TravelGuy Posted January 17, 2005 Report Posted January 17, 2005 Rates look high for your dates. I think $80 will very probably be too low for a 4* in Dupont/Woodley Park, although it might be enough for a 3*. If you'd prefer an in-town location, the other two most frequently bid zones for Washington DC, and zones that I would also recommend, are Downtown/White House and Convention Center/Capital Hill. I would suggest trying those zones up to your limit and see what happens. If nothing pans out, you might consider raising your limit, or there are usually less costly alternatives across the river in Virginia. Will you have a car or do you need to be near a Metro?
walker Posted January 17, 2005 Author Report Posted January 17, 2005 We will be driving down from Philadelphia so I will have a car. I want to keep the transportation convenient so that is why I was considering staying in town near the tourist spots. I really don
TravelGuy Posted January 18, 2005 Report Posted January 18, 2005 Well, might as well test the waters for a 4* since that would provide the most pleasant experience most likely. This is how I would do it:Choose Dupont/Woodley Park at 4*Bid $65, if rejected, add Alexandria/Mt. VernonBid $70, if rejected, add Alexandria/PentagonBid $75, if rejected, add ArlingtonBid $80, if rejected, close your browser and start a new bid.Choose Downtown/White House and Convention Center/Capital Hill zones at 4*Bid $65, if rejected, add Alexandria/Mt. VernonBid $70, if rejected add Alexandria/PentagonBid $75, if rejected add ArlingtonBid $80If 4* doesn't pan out and you'd like to try 3*, I would suggest:Close your browser, start a brand new bid & choose Dupont Circle/Woodley Park at 3*Bid $65, if rejected add SpringfieldBid $70, if rejected, close your browser and start another bidChoose Downtown/White House and Convention Center/Capital Hill at 3*Bid $55, if rejected add SpringfieldBid $60Please note there may be other takes on this, and your mileage may vary :)
walker Posted January 18, 2005 Author Report Posted January 18, 2005 I followed your advice and this is what I came up with:I went up to $87 per night for 4* at Dupont/Woodley and that was rejected.Next I tried the 4* at Downtown/White House and Convention Center/Capital Hill. I got the Grand Hyatt Washington for $80 per night.Congratulations, you got your price of $80 for a 4-star hotel room.Grand Hyatt WashingtonConvention Ctr - Capitol Hill Area1000 H Street Nw Washington, District Of Columbia 20001 202-582-1234Check-In Date: Fri, Apr 8, 2005Check-In Time: After 03:00 PM Check-Out Date: Mon, Apr 11, 2005Check-Out Time: 12:00 PM Your Offer Price: $80.00Number of Rooms: 2Number of Nights: 3 Subtotal: $480.00Taxes andService Fees: $79.96Total Charges: $559.96THANKS very much for your help. This is a great message board!!!
TravelGuy Posted January 18, 2005 Report Posted January 18, 2005 Nice deal! $259/night on hyatt.com. Something tells me you're going to have a Grand time while attending the Cherry Blossom Festival. :)
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