Hotels using priceline

[cincycruisincouple]

I've never used Priceline before and have a quick question: If you bid a higher dollar amount will you get a better hotel? For example will a $120 bid get you a better hotel than a $70 bid even though they are in the same 4 star category? Thanks to anyone that can help.

[roothy123]

I doubt you'll get anything better if you bid higher, as long as you stay in the same star category. From what I understand, each hotel has a certain threshold and if someone goes over their desired price, they offer you a room. What I don't know is what happens if two hotels want to offer you a room for the same dollar amount - in other words, if you bid $95 and two hotels were willing to give you a room for that. However, I see no reason to put in more than you feel is a decent/possible bid for a particular star category.

 

There are one or two sites you can use to get advice on better bidding on Priceline. I don't know if I can give the site name, but if you google you will hopefully find it. If not, just email me at howardruthalliejoey@gmail.com and I'll help.

 

About 3 weeks ago I was looking at Priceline (and Hotwire) bidding for a Saturday night in early March. Here's the info I copied:

 

Best guess for Hotwire hotels:

 

Better bidding shows likely hotels on HW. 2.5 stars as San Juan Beach Hotel, Hotel Miramar, and Quality Inn El Portal. 4 star for $137 ($212 is crossed out) with no user recommendation is thought to be San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino

 

3.5 star for $127 (no price crossed out. just says super savings) says it is a San Juan area Condo. Guess is that it is Condado Lagoon Villas at Caribe Hilton

 

3.5 star San Juan hotel for $87 ($168 crossed out) that says 65% recommend is probably Radisson Ambassador Plaza Hotel and Casino

Sheraton is 4 star, previously 3.5 star, on HW.

Priceline hotels thought to be:

4* La Concha Renaissance

4* Sheraton Convention Center (previously 3*)*********

4* Water and Beach Club (previously 2.5*)

3.5* Embassy Suites

3.5* Radisson Ambassador (previously 3*)

3.5* Sheraton Old San Juan Wyndham Old San Juan Hotel and Casino

3.5* Verdanza Hotel

3* Courtyard Isla Verde

3* Courtyard Miramar

3* Doubletree

3* Holiday Inn

2.5* Normandie San Juan Park Plaza

2* Holiday Inn Express--

2* Howard Johnson Inn Plaza De Armas

2* Quality Inn El Portal

2* San Juan Beach Resort (previously 2.5*)

Someone got Rad in Dec. for $75 but also 11% ($8.25) casino or resort fee was added on). Someone else got 4 star (or resort?) Conrad Condado Plaza for 2 nights in Feb. for $110 and someone else in March for $100. Another person got it in Dec. for $90; another $95 around same time. Someone got Sheraton for $145 after Christmas.

 

I ended up booking (without trying to bid on Priceline) at the Casa Condado in the Condado section. It is a little over $100 and supposed to be decent but not cushy. Then I found out that my husband knows someone in San Juan and that person offered to put us up for the night.

 

Priceline is great (and San Juan this time of year is pricey), but I would guess that you won't find good deals until perhaps April or May. However, it certainly doesn't hurt to try, and I would start immediately, as that will give you more time to bid. I would also make a reservation (through one of the booking sites or through a hotel) right now as a fall back move - although check the cancellation policy! There is also a site that shows you what hotels are near a particular location, including the ports in San Juan. I may be able to dig that URL out also!

Edited February 8, 2013 by roothy123

[cincycruisincouple]

Thank you for everything! You've been a lot of help. If you can find the URL that would be awesome. If not, no problem. I appreaciate everything you've told me

[roothy123]

Just noticed that "sticky" above regarding Priceline. That might help, too!

[KuffMUp]

I had been having an awful time looking for a post cruise hotel. Everything over $200 and those under weren't looking that good. I cleaned out my cookies and got back onto Hotwire. Brought up a 4 star which I guessed to be Caribbe Hilton and a 3 1/1 star I guessed to be Embassy Suites. They were both $138 which was excellent based on what I have seen lately. We took the 4 star and it was indeed Caribe Hilton.

[brobin123]

I ended up with the Marriott San Juan and Stellaris Casino for my November trip. Express deal for resort at $119, originally $195.

[cakerbakermom]

We are a family of four hoping to spend our time walking and exploring OSJ. Fly in on Nov 12th, cruise on the 16th. We want to be within easy walking distance as we have two young children. Having spent 24 hours there last Nov, we sort of want to be low-key with our two BUSY children and OSJ is about what they can handle. A beach hotel isn't necessary, and as I said, we would like to be within walking distance to El Morro, cruise terminal, etc. (taxis get costly!)

 

How would we go about looking for a hotel in OSJ on Priceline or other hotel bargain sites?

[lah66]

I have used Hotwire and Priceline in the past but had a difficult time finding something decent priced in OSJ. So instead, we are renting an apartment in OSJ called Caleta 64 the end of this month. We saved so much money ($170 a night and no extra charges) over staying at a hotel in OSJ and we will have a full kitchen, bedrooms, livingroom and laundry! Last year we stayed at SanJuan Suites in OSJ and it was the most depressing place I ever visited! Caleta 64 gets fantastic reviews on Trip Advisor. They have a website, Caleta64 dot com. The apartments are so charming! It is centrally located just down the street from the City Gate and across from the cathedral. Good Luck! Lauri

[trish1c]

Priceline is great but it doesn't work when demand is high. I was unable to get anything in San Juan 2 years ago in March. I ended up paying rack rate for the Quality Inn. It was also completely useless when I was trying to book a hotel near San Diego during Comic Con. In my defense I had no idea what Comic Con was, that it was in town or that demand shot the price for Motel 6 to $350 per night. :eek:

If you don't know how to use Priceline read the sticky on here & read betterbidding.com and bidding for travel before you do anything.

Bidding a higher amount doesn't get you a better hotel. It may guarentee a faster acceptance but you just end up paying more $$$ for the same thing.

If all else fails sometimes you can score a great deal by calling the hotel directly, not the 800 reservation # but the actual hotel's local #. Good luck.

[cakerbakermom]

I have used Hotwire and Priceline in the past but had a difficult time finding something decent priced in OSJ. So instead, we are renting an apartment in OSJ called Caleta 64 the end of this month. We saved so much money ($170 a night and no extra charges) over staying at a hotel in OSJ and we will have a full kitchen, bedrooms, livingroom and laundry! Last year we stayed at SanJuan Suites in OSJ and it was the most depressing place I ever visited! Caleta 64 gets fantastic reviews on Trip Advisor. They have a website, Caleta64 dot com. The apartments are so charming! It is centrally located just down the street from the City Gate and across from the cathedral. Good Luck! Lauri

 

Lauri

 

I really am VERY interested in this apartment!! Please, I would LOVE to hear about your trip as soon as you return. Would you be willing to email me and tell me what you thought of the apartment? We need it for four nights. Which one are you renting? Is it walkable to the port? We did something like this in Paris, rented an apartment vs hotel and best thing ever!

[lah66]

CakerbakerMom,

I saw your posts on Sailing Disneys thread...I would be glad to share our experience when we get back! It will be fun to see what Sailing Disney thought too! We have LaPuerta apartment. It looks very Old World and so charming! It will be so nice to return to a place where we can really relax after walking the cobblestone streets all day! And being able to cook some meals and do laundry will be awesome! We have a 16 YO DD and know how much she will appreciate the apartment...it will be great with your young clan! Caleta 64 is walkable from the Carnival port right in OSJ. Ships coming in for the day dock there too. Most ships departing San Juan go out of the Pan American pier which is a $16 (incl luggage) taxi ride from OSJ.

If you are a planner, check out puertoricodaytrips.com....the absolute best website for planning your vacation!

13 days and counting...Lauri

[girlscruise2011]

lah66, I am also interested in your take on the apartments. I need a room for my precruise night in January 2014 but being a family of 5, I may need 2 rooms so the costs may be worth coming down for 2 nights and have a whole day to explore OSJ.

 

Please come back and let us know how your stay ways. Enjoy your cruise

[lah66]

girlscruise2011,

You may very well be able to rent just one apartment...we are in the smaller one, but I think some of them may fit 5 people. I would highly suggest spending a day in OSJ...we absolutely love it there! I will definitely report back, and I am sure that SailingDisney will too! Lauri

[girlscruise2011]

girlscruise2011,

You may very well be able to rent just one apartment...we are in the smaller one, but I think some of them may fit 5 people. I would highly suggest spending a day in OSJ...we absolutely love it there! I will definitely report back, and I am sure that SailingDisney will too! Lauri

 

Actually there is one room that does sleep 5 and it was less then $200 a night. so I'm putting it on my "list". Hopefully when you get back, it will move to the top after your review ;)

[cincycruisincouple]

We wound up going with an apartment as well. I really don't like the whole deal about not knowing your hotel until after you pay. I'm a planner and I like to know what I'm doing. Ours is right on the ocean at the end of a dead end street. No city noise to wake up to (hopefully). It is on the 4th floor and no elevators, but that is ok for us. The back balcony overlooks the ocean and you can see the dock that the Valor will be docking at. AND it costs less than half of the hotels in the area. We are so excited and can't wait!

[Windinmahair]

We found a 900 sq ft private ocean view condo for 5 days pre-cruise. Fourth floor with no elevator. It is in a quiet and SAFE area of Old San Juan. It has great reviews. $125.00 a night in High Season. Low Season is $100.00 a night. No taxes hidden or otherwise. There is a cleaning fee of $50.00. Damage deposit of $100.00 quickly refunded if you leave condo in good condition. Washer and dryer is a definite plus. It is perfect for two people with a sofa bed for a third person. The living room furniture doesn't look all soft and comfy but I've read no complaints. If anyone would like the link let me know. I have heard Caleta 24 is a very nice place to stay but for our December visit they were already booked.

[cincycruisincouple]

We found a 900 sq ft private ocean view condo for 5 days pre-cruise. Fourth floor with no elevator. It is in a quiet and SAFE area of Old San Juan. It has great reviews. $125.00 a night in High Season. Low Season is $100.00 a night. No taxes hidden or otherwise. There is a cleaning fee of $50.00. Damage deposit of $100.00 quickly refunded if you leave condo in good condition. Washer and dryer is a definite plus. It is perfect for two people with a sofa bed for a third person. The living room furniture doesn't look all soft and comfy but I've read no complaints. If anyone would like the link let me know. I have heard Caleta 24 is a very nice place to stay but for our December visit they were already booked.

 

 

I think we might be staying in the same place!

[Windinmahair]

I think we might be staying in the same place!

 

Cincycruisincouple I wondered when you said fourth floor! LOL The big plus other then the washer, dryer, view, 900 sq. ft, full kitchen (I could go on) is there will be someone to help carry luggage up four flights of stairs! I now wish we had stayed two nights post cruise so we could stay in the condo again. Finding a nice hotel at a decent price isn't easy. Those extra taxes and fees add up. Have a great time on your vacation!!!

[cincycruisincouple]

Cincycruisincouple I wondered when you said fourth floor! LOL The big plus other then the washer, dryer, view, 900 sq. ft, full kitchen (I could go on) is there will be someone to help carry luggage up four flights of stairs! I now wish we had stayed two nights post cruise so we could stay in the condo again. Finding a nice hotel at a decent price isn't easy. Those extra taxes and fees add up. Have a great time on your vacation!!!

 

Thank you, have a great time on your vacation as well.

 

You're right. Those extas do add up. This place seems like a steal with the ocean out back and the apartment complex on a dead end street. When will you be there? We will be there in October. I'll come back here and give a full report of the place. Can't wait!

[Windinmahair]

Thank you, have a great time on your vacation as well.

 

You're right. Those extas do add up. This place seems like a steal with the ocean out back and the apartment complex on a dead end street. When will you be there? We will be there in October. I'll come back here and give a full report of the place. Can't wait!

 

That would be great! Thank you. We booked 5 days in December 2013. I see you have 2 days reserved in October. You can tell we are both early planners. lol A local relator told me where we are staying is probably the safest and quietest area in Old San Juan. She said don't wander into La Perla and you will be fine. The relator also shared "Even

I won't go to Puerto de Tirra, you want to stay out of there." No problem I can do that!

[gracie65]

Just stumbled across this thread where a few of you were talking about an apartment in OSJ. I think your trips have come and gone hoping you will come back and tell us about it.

 

 

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[Windinmahair]

Just stumbled across this thread where a few of you were talking about an apartment in OSJ. I think your trips have come and gone hoping you will come back and tell us about it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I am sad to say we had to cancel our trip due to my husband now being in very poor health. Olivia the owner of the condo we had rented could not have been nicer or more accommodating. All 26 reviews on Flipkey have been wonderful except by one lady who didn't read the clearly stated fact this is a fourth story condo without an elevator....she got nasty. Olivia arranges help for your luggage if you wish. (we wished) if you Google "Waterfront Condo in Old San Juan, La Puntilla" you will find the condo. It is in a quiet area but close to everything. From what I could find in my research quiet is hard to find. Plus there is a parking lot right next door, another hard thing to find is a parking place if you rent a car. What got me about Puerto Rico was the big taxes added on to the price of a hotel room. With this option you don't have to pay those extra taxes. If I remember correctly the condo is 900 square feet. Where ever you choose to stay I hope you have a wonderful time and safe travels. :)

[nursesusiee]

I was able to book a hotel for Chateau Cervantes in Old San Juan, a block or two away from the Sheraton, right by the port.

 

Reservation date: October 31, 2014

 

$130 before taxes.

[cincycruisincouple]

Just stumbled across this thread where a few of you were talking about an apartment in OSJ. I think your trips have come and gone hoping you will come back and tell us about it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Sorry for the delay. I thought I came back and answered everything from our cruise.

 

The apartment was nice. It was nicely decorated and furnished. Olivia couldn't have been nicer to deal with. There were no problems at all getting there, and the maintenance guy was there to let us in.

 

Just to make sure everybody is clear on this, the only a/c is in the bedroom. It is not strong enough to cool down the apartment. All the windows open in the living room and there is a ceiling fan. There is also no tv, but there is WIFI. The only reason this was an issue for us was my wife got a sinus infection the day we left and by the time we landed it was so bad we thought she had pink eye. She had no energy and felt so crappy we basically didn't leave the apartment one day. If you don't do well in the heat then you are confined to the bedroom. Not saying this is bad, just letting you know what to expect.

 

We liked the apartment. Olivia was awesome, but I think for us we will do a resort with a beach next time. It's hot as hell there both day and night, and not many places to escape the heat/humidity.

 

We stayed at the Caribe Hilton for our post cruise day and absolutely loved the place. We got a good deal and it has a giant pool as well as a beach if you'd rather swim in the ocean.

[Morecruisesplz]

I doubt you'll get anything better if you bid higher, as long as you stay in the same star category. From what I understand, each hotel has a certain threshold and if someone goes over their desired price, they offer you a room. What I don't know is what happens if two hotels want to offer you a room for the same dollar amount - in other words, if you bid $95 and two hotels were willing to give you a room for that. However, I see no reason to put in more than you feel is a decent/possible bid for a particular star category.

 

Just FYI, there are no hotels involved in the actual bid process on Priceline. The only person/company who is making a decision to accept your offer or not is Priceline. Priceline simply purchases blocks of rooms from various hotels in advance for the best price they can negotiate. (Sometimes as low as $10.00/night I was told by one hotel supervisor.) Where they make money is what they can get you to pay minus what they had to pay for the rooms in their block.