Well, I tried HOTWIRE again after an hour or two when the system wouldn't let me make the purchase, and the same hotel showed up but at $150 per night instead of $152. It probably was due to the system in the process of readjusting the rate! I committed to buy and it is Sofitel, as you suspected! I am pleased with the location and price as I will be attending a meeting a few blocks away at the Rittenhouse hotel, which is at $229/night, meeting rate. I actually also tried PRICELINE earlier using BiddingHelper.com, but stopped at $135 per night after 7 bids with your listed bidding strategy. Figured that I could have retried after twenty four hours wait, and if patient enough over the next week or two, could probably get a lower rate with PRICELINE as the date comes a bit closer. But with Sofitel almost a sure bet but only at least $60 difference between the two at this point, I decided to go ahead and commit. Thanks for the help.