jsteph

It looks like my daughter would rather use Airmiles and have the extra cash for shopping. Go figure.

On Priceline the zone would be Downtown City Centre. It's a much bigger zone than I thought. I'm torn because I can get the 3* Best Western Europa with Airmiles and $50.10 for the two nights. It's not where I would usually stay, but I'm thinking I won't get a 4* for less than $120 a night. The location of the BW is great but the reviews I'm reading are so-so. Soooo conflicted.... do I save the $$ for shopping or pay more for better accommodations with the risk of being on the outskirts of the zone? O.o

We are looking to stay downtown in the financial district, the closer to central station the better. This is basically a back to school shopping trip. Funny, I was thinking the 3.5 might be Chez Swann. Thanks!

Booked last-minute Montreal getaway Aug 17-19 and now the fun part of securing a hotel. 1 adult/1 child (15yrs) Usually use Priceline but looked on Hotwire and found the following but not sure of the properties. In particular the 3.5* as I don't see an boutique hotels reported yet. Also, does it mean anything if the amenities are in green as opposed to black? 3.5* $123 Downtown Financial District area boutique hotel; 75% recommended (77 total reviews) Free Breakfast Free Internet Pet Friendly Boutique Hotel Fitness Centre Business Centre 4* $124 Downtown Financial District; 95% recommended (483 total reviews) Smoke free rooms Fitness Centre Restaurants Internet Access Thanks guys! PS For questions re: starting bids on PL should I start a separate thread on the Priceline forum?

Bid 5* up to $150 nothing. Mayfair/Bloomsbury/Westminster/Regents-NLA Bid 4* started at $85. Won the 4* Maide Vale @ $110 plus the 5% savings. $330 + $77.10 - $16.50 = $390.60 Now to research the hotel... FYI I do have a Marriott rewards # which I will casually mention in my confirmation email. Did wonders with our win for the Chicago Blackstone. Who knows? Can't hurt to mention ;) Of course I always link to PRICELINE from betterbidding. It's the only way!

Thank you, thereuare, for your insight. I am familiar with European lodgings, just not which properties participate in PRICELINE and HOTWIRE. This is a special anniversary trip for us (20 yrs!!) so I just don't want to be dismissed into a subpar room or treated like a second-class citizen just because we used PL. KWIM? The hotels in US and Canada have never made us feel like that :D So basically I wondered how others have been treated who have won London hotels, and if they were happy with their accommodation/experience. Will be looking at 4* possibly 5* if the price is right.

I've never bid outside North America so I'm not really sure on the stable of properties that participate in PL for London. Can anyone speak from experience to the quality of rooms they get using NYOP in London? I've never had a problem with rooms I've won in Canada and the US in terms of being less desirable. We do love the Bloomsbury area, though recommendations welcome. Has to be convenient to the tube. Any clues to PL rates for 4* or 5* at this date would also be welcome. I've been scouring online sites and direct with hotels but nothing's jumping out at me yet. No budget yet, per se. Obviously spending less than $200/night would be great. Many thanks, as always.

Hey there, Heading to London for 3 nights in September before heading to Ireland. I see a 5* Express deal for Regent's Park/NLA for $302. Guest rated 9/10; amenities: indoor/outdoor pool, restaurant, biz centre, fitness centre. Is this the Landmark? It's the only 5* I see on the Priceline hotel list. Also, if this is the Express price (plus I could get an additional 5% off with the Summer coupon) what would be a good bid for NYOP? Jen as a lark did some bidding for 4*/5* in Bloomsbury and Soho regions up to $102 and was rejected. (Was not expecting to win at those prices.) We usually stay in Bloomsbury.

Follow up: I went and booked the Fairmont deal offered on Travelocity. Didn't think there was anyway to beat that and didn't want the flights to sell out. So to summarize, return nonstop flights for 4 on United and 3 nights accommodations at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park for 2 adults, 2 kids. flight & hotel: $657.02 + taxes & fees = $810.89 CDN I'm very happy with this deal! :D

Yes, that price is "all in". the only extra would be the baggage fee for United at $25 a bag, of which we'll share, so 2 bags for an extra $50. So you think that's a good price then? I thought it was, but I have nothing to compare it to so I wasn't sure! I will use the PRICELINE links to book this package. I can't imagine rates getting much better than that... Edit: Forgot to ask if you think there's a better hotel choice I should look for? OK I realize there's a gazillion hotels, but maybe you have a particular one that is a must-stay, since it's not a blind bid situation. PS thanks for the food tips! Edit 2: on Travelocity I can get a room at the Fairmont for $811 incl flights

Change of plans... on a lark I looked on PL for combo flights out of Buffalo with hotel. (We are an hour away from Buffalo, vs a 7.5 hour drive to Chicago) Anyway, turns out the 4 of us can fly non-stop on United, arriving 8:30am Friday, leaving 7pm Monday with a 3-night stay at hotels for about a grand. To me this is totally worth it, we get more time in Chicago and don't have the whole parking hassle. Can you give me your advice on the hotels? I'm leaning toward the Hotel71 due to the location. Here's the rates of some, all in: Hotel 71 $929.94 (2 queen beds, river view) Springhill Suites $953.14 (incl breakfast, 2 dlbs & sofa bed) Palmer House $1,055 (2 queen) Hyatt Regency $1,006.68 (2 queen) They offer most hotels, some $100-$300 more. I'm just not sure which hotels are worth spending more on. Let me know what you think! Thank you!

Thanks for the advice. That's why I asked the pros ;) Still undecided on one room vs two. I guess if a single room could accommodate a rollaway, that would work. As always your advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks for bearing with me while I figure this out! lol I will for sure use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin my travel purchases when the time comes.

The April date looks better for us than the May long weekend. Groupon has an offering for the Allerton right now. I could get a Superior Suite for $471 + tax for the April dates. But I read so many unfavourable reviews on that hotel it makes me sorta nervous. Your thoughts? I just noticed this appears to have a 48-hour cancellation. HOTWIRE or PRICELINE

Thanks for the speedy reply!! After looking at the kids school sched I think I might switch the weekend to April 26-29 (they have a PA day in there). Rates look to be much cheaper then, plus it saves us crossing the border on a holiday Monday! haha! How's Chicago weather in late April?? Will keep you posted. Because we're flexible due to driving, no flights, I might take your earlier advice and try to PRICELINE 2 rooms. As always will let you know. THANKS! :lol:

Thought I'd check since it's a new month. :) Today I see a 4* Mag Mile North/Water Tower going for $175 ("Super Savings" comparable $355. 90% recommended). Searching for 2 adults, 2 kids. May 17-20 Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Restaurant(s) Business Center High-Speed Internet Access Accessible for the blind Accessible for the deaf Accessible path of travel In-room accessibility Wheelchair accessible Accessible bathroom Roll-in shower Thanks! HOTWIRE or PRICELINE