Priceline Hotel: 2.5* San Jose (Cupertino-Campbell) Residence Inn

[TimG]

Hello, i am considering using priceline instead of hotwire but need some advice. I am planning to go to San Jose, Ca on 4/24-10 - 4/26/10 and would like to get something in the Cupertino - Campbell area. I had stayed in this area before and stayed at Larkspur in Campbell. I would like to try and get it again or a similar hotel with a suite around the same area. On priceline it shows the larkspur and several others that are similar to be from high $90's to mid $100's but they are only 2.5* So what would you suggest a good bid to start at? Thanks

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

There is no way to guarantee a suite property via PRICELINE (or any other specific amenity.) If you are looking for a suite, it would be best to head to HOTWIRE and see if any listings in the area are showing an "S" (Suite) icon.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[TimG]

Yeah I had used hotwire to get it last time but so far I haven't seen any offers with a suite but I am just more concerned on the starting bid I should make on a hotel in the same area cause all of the hotels there seem nice. I just want to get one at a bargain price so that is why I had asked what should be a good starting bid either for the 2.5* or 4* since I am sure I would be satisfied with either of the hotels in the cupertino campbell area. Thanks again

[AaronJB]

These are the only hotels that have been reported to the board in this area:

San Jose (Cupertino - Campbell)

4* Cypress Hotel REVIEW

4* Moorpark Hotel

3* Courtyard Cupertino

2.5* Pruneyard Inn

2.5* Residence Inn

Did you get the Larkspur via PRICELINE?

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[TimG]

No i had gotten larkspur from hotwire when i stayed there last time. I just want to try priceline to see what kind of deal i can get. If priceline doesn't have a deal with larkspur then it is fine, i will be happy with any of the hotels listed :) It is a good location for me but i really have no idea where to start since you have to select a hotel class first. I don't really want to pay more than 70 a night if i can manage that with any of the hotels listed for the cupertino campbell area but i am sure you know more about how the pricing works and what you think i could go for. I don't need a 4* hotel if i can get any of the other hotels for a better price. Can you suggest me a good starting bid that you feel is the best bang for the buck? thanks for your help.

[Romelle]

My personal VERY loose rules of thumb for bidding are 10 - 15 % under Hotwire and/or 40-50% of the lowest hotel rack rate (hotel web site). In almost all cases these will not be successful, but as you work up to a successful bid you will be comfortable knowing you didn't overbid. Also, you can check the Calendar of Wins for your area AND dates to see what has been working.

Since you are more interested in a good deal than a specific star level, you can bid different streams at different star levels each day. This is purely an example, but say $50 for a 4*, $45 for a 3*, and $40 for a 2 1/2*. The next day you do all three again, increasing each by maybe $2. If you hit your max $80 on the 4*s, drop that one out from then on and keep increasing the lower star levels.

You get to decide how much more a 4* is worth to you, over the next level down, and the other spreads. Or you might use the Hotwire or rack rate % differences.

Romelle

[TimG]

Ok thanks for the tips :) I will see what I can get:)

[AaronJB]

Best of luck with bidding, and let us know if you are successful and if you have additional questions.

[TimG]

Got it for $120.96 total with taxes for 2 nights. It is at least a studio room and they also offer suites so i am sure i will be happy with the extra space. :) After trying to get a good deal on a 4* hotel first, it wasn't working but i wasn't too worried if i got a 4* or not in this area because any hotel in this area imo has nice rooms. I don't need a pool or fitness center, that is what you do at home lol I guess the only thing negative about this hotel is that there are guests who practically live their since it is an extended stay hotel but what do i care? I am just using the room at night :) Maybe i could have got a higher star if i would have waited for another bid or 2 but i still paid less than any other website and hotwire didn't offer anything cheaper than $68 a night in this same area.

This was my first time using priceline and i am happy on the savings but i do kinda prefer hotwire only because you have a better idea of what you are getting. I will still be open to using priceline again if i can't get any good deals on hotwire for future bookings.

[AaronJB]

Congratulations on your success. :)

Quite a nice deal - plus free breakfast. Glad you are pleased with your first PRICELINE purchase.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using the site's PRICELINE link.

Enjoy your stay.