Hotwire Hotel: 3* London (Kensington-Chelsea-Knightsbridge) Express Holiday Inn EC

[Transatlantik]

Hi, I am an experienced PRICELINE bidder for London (2-3 trips a year for the last 4 years, always thru Priceline) but I haven't used HOTWIRE before. I am having no luck on Priceline with 4* properties for my dates, so I tried Hotwire and found this deal:

Dates March 17-March 24 2010

3-star hotel in Kensington - Chelsea - Knightsbridge

$69

Complimentary Breakfast - Rates include continental or full breakfast

High-speed Internet Access

I did not see anything like this in the list pinned to the top of the forum. Any ideas? Is there any other sleuthing I could do to try to figure it out?

I will definitely use the BB link in the message I received when I registered.

Thank you!

[Transatlantik]

I looked on Expedia and found a matching 3* property with these amenities (comp breakfast is a little unusual) - Holiday Inn Express Earl's Court. I wonder if that could be it. The price is good but I know that hotel is a long way from the nearest tube station, which would be a big minus for me.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

If you look in the Hotwire Hotel list the Express by Holiday Inn Earls Court has been seen with these two amenities in the past, but at the 2.5* level... i'm going to guess that this property has been upgraded to the 3* level.

This property was last reported in this Hotwire Hotel win thread, which is for dates in the future. If you search for that user's dates, there is a 3* offered with these two amenities... and no 2.5*. As well, the TA info matches this property so this would be my best guess.

If you want to play it a little safer you could search HOTWIRE to see if this property appears for the first (or last) nite of your stay and then again for the balance. If so, you could purchase the solo nite in order to 'look behind the curtain' and confirm that this property has been upgraded; assuming it's the Express by Holiday Inn Earls Court (or some other property you're happy with) go ahead and purchase the remaining nites... if not, make alternate plans for the balance of your stay.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[Transatlantik]

Thanks so much for the helpful reply. The suggestion about purchasing the single night is a good one and I will consider it.

I think that within my price range (under $90) I will be choosing between this hotel and a 4* in the Docklands zone, where I have never stayed. The 4* hotels in the Docklands zone are known to be nice properties, but they are a long way from Heathrow and in the case of the Docklands Hilton. you have to take a shuttle to the nearest tube station and there are no shops or restaurants in the immediate area. Tough decision!

I will post to let you know the outcome. Thanks again.

[Transatlantik]

Well, I went back and looked again and the 4* I'd seen for $75 in the Docklands was no longer listed. So I went ahead and purchased the 3* in Kensington with the amenities previously listed (complimentary breakfast, high-speed internet) for $69.

It was indeed the Express by Holiday Inn Earls Court. It wasn't my preferred hotel due the the somewhat inconvenient location, but I am happy with it for the price.

I used the HOTWIRE link provided. Your help was much appreciated.

[yellowdog]

Transatlantik

Thank you for sharing your result with the board and using our HOTWIRE link to book this :)

Also thanx for reporting this new star rating to the BetterBidding Hotwire Hotel List

Enjoy your stay.

Yellowdog.