Hotwire Hotel: 3.5* San Juan Sheraton Old San Juan

[crisp1]

How do I figure out when the hi season starts and ends. It would help knowing the 'breaking point'. The difference in bidding $$ from low to high is rather dramatic.

[thereuare]

What are your dates, or are you just trying to plan your travel?

[crisp1]

We're going on 4/09/05, but there are other cruisers that I'm trying to help/send here.

[thereuare]

You should send the other cruisers here to BetterBidding! :)

The summer is typicall low season in San Juan, with high season often starting sometime around Nov/Dec and running until March/April.

I have found that unlike other areas where there is a definitive cut-off point where prices jump/drop, in San Juan it is a constant flick of the switch when the season changes... they'll jump one week, be low the next, jump again, drop again, etc, then stay high for the season.

San Juan is also notorious for releasing rooms close to arrival.

[Marysunshine]

I am also looking for a decent priced room in PR. Going on 4/09/05 sailing of Serenade of the Seas. :)

[thereuare]

I've been the Serenade and she is a beautiful ship.

[crisp1]

With the Wyndham becoming the Sheraton, how will this effect pricing/ strategy etc.? I heard that the casino may close. What about booking this hotel during the transfer/renovations? We have friends who are taking the same cruise with us, and took the air/hotel package thru their agent. we would like to stay at the same hotel, but my thinking is to pass ( 4/09/05 stay) Any thoughts?

[thereuare]

I've heard some negative things about the property with the ownership change, but i don't see it effecting strategy at all at this point.

The Wyndham Old San Juan had a high priceline price point, and i would make any assumptions or conclustions until we see if pricing has changed at all.

[crisp1]

Hotel kingdom has a rate of $155 for a standard room, Hotwire is still around $325, which is close to the hotels rate. I am an Hhonors member and would like to win the hilton for the amenities. Do I wait until Feb, or start bidding now

[thereuare]

Is that $155 rate bookable?

It says "rates from $155" (which at some websites doesn't mean for that nite) and when i clicked BOOK the next screen didn't process any rates to choose from.

[crisp1]

:) Right again. Is there any chance that priceline would accept a lower bid for 2 nights when you only need one? Do some hotels have minimum stays?

[thereuare]

It's possible, but mostly in cities where we sometimes see Saturday check-in problems. As well, it's usually not cost effective to do so.

I'll also add that i don't think that is your problem in this sitatuation.

[crisp1]

This morning this came up on hotwire's list for 4/09/05 for one night. Casino, restuarant, pool, tennis nearby, business center, laundry. It looks like the Sheraton Old San Juan. Do I jump on this? Or give Priceline an $80 bid?

[thereuare]

Does it also have a Fitness icon? You didn't mention it above although the Sheraton is believed to have a Fitness icon as well.

If this is the Sheraton it appears to be a good rate for this property... especially if you are cruising and leaving from the Old San Juan pier (i don't know if that's the official name for it, but not the PanAm pier) as i believe this hotel is right across the street from the pier.

This hotel used to be the Wyndham Old San Juan and was rated 3* by priceline, the problem with bidding 3* on Priceline (trying to beat this rate) is that you then subject yourself to other 3 star hotels in the zones, some of which have less than stellar report cards.

If you try Priceline first i would NOT bid for 3* hotels, i would stick with a resort level (as long as you're also willing to take the Wyndham Condado Plaza, which some people don't like).

It's up to you whether you want to wait or not (we have no idea if prices will go up or down between now and then), but my guess is that you'd be spending about this much for a hotel in the area anyway, it's just a question of whether you'd be able to get the Caribe Hilton or not.

If you do book this please use THIS LINK to begin your purchase.

Let us know what you decide to do.

[crisp1]

I have been checking hotwire for several months. Resorts were as much or just slightly lower than the Hotel's rates. 3.5* had been coming up well over $240. I jumped on this because we are cruising with friends who booked their air and together and are staying here. Although we're cruising on Princess (their ship is docked elsewhere). It'll be nice to be in OSJ again prior to boarding. Thereuare, thanks for all your help, and sorry for taking up so much space :)

Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino, 1 room @$83.00 x 1 night. Taxes and fees $15.95, Total $98.95

Amenities: Casino, restuarant(s), pool(s), fitness, tennis nearby, business center, laundry(self serve)

[crisp1]

Theruare, Thanks once again for all your time and patience. The hotel did have fitness icon ( sorry about that :) ) I went ahead with Hotwire and booked it. Our freinds are staying there and cruising with us, so it made sense to jump on the offer ( the offers seem to appear and disappear just as fast). We are cruising on Princess, which docks at the Pan Am pier. I doubt if I'd ever walk to the ship anyway ( my wife packs enough for 3 weeks :) )It'll be nice to stay 'in town' this time. See my post on the hotwire board.