Priceline Hotel: South Miami and Homestead Bidding

Use this forum quite a bit and the links to get some really good deals for vacation and some business travel. I am a motorsports photographer and will be in Homestead March 2nd-5th. Staying the 6th in Fort Lauderdale to fly out.

I started in Homestead which has 2.5 and 2 stars(and some 1s). I realized none of my bids was going through because both the 2.5 and 2 star places were booked. The race teams probably scooped them all up. So I have moved north which is no problem. Looking in the Miami Southwest and Coral Gables area. What type of bids should I be putting in? I started in Southwest 3 star and put in 50 dollars. According to priceline this was 50% off the median. Nothing. Added Coral Cables. Nothing. Added Dadeland. Nothing. Started putting in 3.5 and 4 stars. Nothing.

I am going to increase tonight but it seems that people are getting the deals based on this forum in this price range. I know there is an 'event' but it is a Road Racing event. This isn't NASCAR and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised that many of these hotels do not even know what the Continental Tire Sports Car Series even is...

There are a lot of nicely priced wins at the Fort Lauderdale airport. Are you bidding that for your last night? I'm really happy with what I got there.

Romelle

Rates do see somewhat high for this area across the board, it could be Spring Break or some other event which is effecting prices... just how far are you willing to stay outside of the Homestead area and/or the highest you're winning to bid and the lowest star rating you're willing to accept?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

EDIT TO ADD: found this event which may be the reason for the high demand:

Miami Beach International Fashion Week

March 3-6, 2011

The largest Latin American and International fashion event in the U.S.

That probably has something to do with it! See what all I can get as I raise my bid. I am willing to be up to an hour away. I will need to be at the track a good bit but don't mind driving.

Would the Miami airport zones get you close enough... HOTWIRE has a 3* in the Miami Lakes zone for $61 but it has a very low 55% recommended rating by previous HOTWIRE guests, but not sure if you're looking for the lowest price within the specified distance or comfort. There is also a 2.5* in this zone for $81 which gets very good reviews (95% recommended rating and includes breakfast) should this be of interest.

In the airport zones you may be able to get a 2.5*-3* hotel for ~$60-$80.

Let us know your thoughts and/or how you'd like to proceed and how we can be of further help.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Being in a 'nice' and comfy place is not a top priority. I am not traveling with my wife so a 'grungy' place is fine. As long as it has reliable internet I will be fine. Honestly thinking about just booking the Motel6 in Cutler Bay... they charge 2.99 a day for net though. Gets decent reviews online. I was up to 75 dollars in Dadeland, Southwest and Corbal Cables to get a 4, 3 o 2.5 star. Seems a little too much when I can go down the road closer to where I want to be and pay 55 a night.

I am an easy going person in that respect. Bed. hot Water. Little TV and most importantly internet. Clients expect uploads within hours of the track going cold.

Let us know what you ultimately decide or if we can be of further help.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck.

Going to bum at the Motel6. Rooms available and average rate is 54.99 a day. 2.99 a day for internets but still WAY cheaper than what people were reporting on here and recent winning bids.

I will be back to bid on the rest of the seasons travels. Love racing season!

Thanks for closing this thread with your decision.

Enjoy your stay and good luck with your current project/work.