Summary of Winning Bids on Priceline, Hotwire, etc.

[DREAM]

Could you tell me a little bit about the bidding process? When I looked on Priceline it appears that you cannot bid for a specific hotel/resort....you pick how many stars and and what you want to bid and it's the luck of the draw.

Am I correct....if not could you share the process as I would like Caribe Hilton

or El Convento.

 

Thank you

[txwildflower2002]

With Priceline you don't have as many advanced clues as Hotwire. With Priceline you can start at the main page and search for hotels on your date in San Juan, it will bring up a bunch of hotels and their prices. You can then look at the betterbidding page that has the list of what star category the hotels are in and then see what categories you want to bid on. You then go to the bid for a better price, (up to half off), page on Priceline by clicking the link. Once you fill in what star category you want and what area, you will then be prompted for your credit card info. All you will know is that you will get one of the hotels in the star category you selected. If your bid is accepted, you are committed and your card charged. If your bid is not accepted, then you either have to wait 24 hours or change your bid, (either star category or area), this keeps people from bidding super-low and going up in dollar increments all day long. Now in Puerto Rico we are lucky, it is what they call a free bid zone because Priceline only has resorts in 2 areas, San Juan and Rio-Grande-Humacao, where the Wyndham and the El Conquistador are the options. So if you select resort only, you can just up your bid a little and add any area except Rio-Grande-Humacao and you have another bid.

 

Hotwire generally doesn't have as good bargains in San Juan, but with Hotwire you can have a better idea what hotel you are getting, especially with the help of betterbidding. You go to the main page and select your dates and city and hotwire will come back with a list of hotels with their star category and the hotels various amenities. Usually the amenities list will really narrow it down, like casino, laundry, on the beach, etc. You can then post your dates and the hotel facts on betterbidding and they will give you their best guess, which is usually correct. One little trick they will also ask you is to go back and select the same city and dates, but this time select the package option, which includes flights, you can just set up a fictional one like jfk to San Juan, (SJU). When you do it this way, it actually lists the actual hotel and its list of amenities. I just did this and was able to tell that I could have gotten the Intercontinental for $119 a night.

 

Well, hope this helps and let us know if you have any more questions.

 

I have been trying to get this hotel for 12/13 through priceline. I don't have much experince with hotwire, but will try this method. How many stars is intercontinental? Thanks

[jschafer6161]

That's the one I want post cruise too for 3/8/09! We already have the Mariott Stellaris pre-cruise (won on priceline for $163). Let me know if you have any luck.

[toonjie]

I have been trying to get this hotel for 12/13 through priceline. I don't have much experince with hotwire, but will try this method. How many stars is intercontinental? Thanks

 

The Intercontinental is 4*, here's the amenities from Betterbidding:

 

4* Inter-Continental

Customer Favorite

Amenities: Resort, Beachfront, Casino, Restaurant, Pool, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Laundry, Tennis, Spa

 

Just tried this method for 12/13 and the 4 star seems to be Candado Plaza because is is listing near beach when the Intercontinental and ESJ would be listed as beachfront.

[txwildflower2002]

Thanks for checking Toonjie!

[snausman]

The Intercontinental is 4*, here's the amenities from Betterbidding:

 

4* Inter-Continental

Customer Favorite

Amenities: Resort, Beachfront, Casino, Restaurant, Pool, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Laundry, Tennis, Spa

 

Just tried this method for 12/13 and the 4 star seems to be Candado Plaza because is is listing near beach when the Intercontinental and ESJ would be listed as beachfront.

 

Thanks Toonjie, I was wondering what the amenities were for InterContinental.

 

Laura

[toonjie]

Could you tell me a little bit about the bidding process? When I looked on Priceline it appears that you cannot bid for a specific hotel/resort....you pick how many stars and and what you want to bid and it's the luck of the draw.

Am I correct....if not could you share the process as I would like Caribe Hilton

or El Convento.

 

Thank you

 

Hi. You are correct, you can't bid on a specific hotel and the 2 you want are in different categories. The Caribe Hilton is a resort and the El Convento is a 4* Boutique hotel. The good news is that with the choices you want, you should be able to get a great hotel. Here's the deal: (You have to decide) If you go for the Caribe, then stick with resort as your category. I would rank the Priceline resorts 1. Marriott 2. Intercontinental 3. El San Juan 4. Caribe Hilton 5. Condado Plaza. So if you go for the Hilton, chances are you will end up either with it, or something better. The El Convento is also fairly easy to identify because it is 4*, but not on the water and is a boutique. Here's the Hotwire amenity list from Betterbidding for El Convento:

4* Hotel El Convento

Amenities: Boutique, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business

(VP also showing Smoke Free)

Right now, Betterbidding is not showing El Convento as a Priceline option, so if you want that, you have to go with Hotwire. If you want the Hilton, then go with Priceline.

 

 

Given those 2 hotels, El Convento is much nicer, the only advantage is the Hilton is on the beach if you want that. Otherwise, El Convento is just the best, most romantic place and it is right in the heart of all the shopping in Old San Juan. I led my wife all through the streets and then asked her to marry me in the courtyard of the El Convento of all the places in OSJ, so that's how romantic it is!

 

Good luck, keep us posted with any more questions or results!

[chefchick]

Okay, I am new to this but have read as much as I could.

 

I have been trying for a few days to get a resort room on Priceline for 2 nights (12/25/08 - 12/27/08)

 

I start with San Juan only (it has stated that the average price is $249) so I have been starting with $170 - denied. I have tried all the combos of zones and prices I could per Toonies excellent advice but nothing. Okay, so today (I waited 24 hours), I tried again, I always start with San Juan only, tried $175 as a starting point and it said I had already made that request (I have been writing everything down and I did not). I also tried today not just changing items from the denied page (you must change some item to re bid) but sent my browser back a couple of steps and started from the beginning to see if that changed anything. This time I actually got a "still working on your request it might take 15 minutes" which was different from the flat out deny, but when I checked the status I got a "you already made that request". Believe me, I am trying different combos of zones (always with san juan checked). Is that the problem? Should I try a zone (other than rio grande) alone WITHOUT san juan so I have even more combos? I can't change my dates and I have a pretty limited window for cost (maybe $30 difference) so what am I doing wrong? I know it's Christmas and I should be patient, but I see others getting great deals and I am hoping to get one myself.

 

Sorry this was so long.

 

Any advice?

[toonjie]

Okay, I am new to this but have read as much as I could.

 

I have been trying for a few days to get a resort room on Priceline for 2 nights (12/25/08 - 12/27/08)

 

I start with San Juan only (it has stated that the average price is $249) so I have been starting with $170 - denied. I have tried all the combos of zones and prices I could per Toonies excellent advice but nothing. Okay, so today (I waited 24 hours), I tried again, I always start with San Juan only, tried $175 as a starting point and it said I had already made that request (I have been writing everything down and I did not). I also tried today not just changing items from the denied page (you must change some item to re bid) but sent my browser back a couple of steps and started from the beginning to see if that changed anything. This time I actually got a "still working on your request it might take 15 minutes" which was different from the flat out deny, but when I checked the status I got a "you already made that request". Believe me, I am trying different combos of zones (always with san juan checked). Is that the problem? Should I try a zone (other than rio grande) alone WITHOUT san juan so I have even more combos? I can't change my dates and I have a pretty limited window for cost (maybe $30 difference) so what am I doing wrong? I know it's Christmas and I should be patient, but I see others getting great deals and I am hoping to get one myself.

 

Sorry this was so long.

 

Any advice?

 

Could you have bid after midnight the night before? I'm not sure if Priceline clears you for bidding each new day or keeps track of 24 hours from your last bid. I think it is the latter though, so you have to wait 24 hours from your last bid. That may have something to do with it. Next time you get an error message like that, try closing your browser completely or using a different browser, that may help. You have to always have San Juan as an area every time since that is where you want to stay. Keep trying and keep us posted, you'll get it!

[toonjie]

Okay, I am new to this but have read as much as I could.

 

I have been trying for a few days to get a resort room on Priceline for 2 nights (12/25/08 - 12/27/08)

 

I start with San Juan only (it has stated that the average price is $249) so I have been starting with $170 - denied. I have tried all the combos of zones and prices I could per Toonies excellent advice but nothing. Okay, so today (I waited 24 hours), I tried again, I always start with San Juan only, tried $175 as a starting point and it said I had already made that request (I have been writing everything down and I did not). I also tried today not just changing items from the denied page (you must change some item to re bid) but sent my browser back a couple of steps and started from the beginning to see if that changed anything. This time I actually got a "still working on your request it might take 15 minutes" which was different from the flat out deny, but when I checked the status I got a "you already made that request". Believe me, I am trying different combos of zones (always with san juan checked). Is that the problem? Should I try a zone (other than rio grande) alone WITHOUT san juan so I have even more combos? I can't change my dates and I have a pretty limited window for cost (maybe $30 difference) so what am I doing wrong? I know it's Christmas and I should be patient, but I see others getting great deals and I am hoping to get one myself.

 

Sorry this was so long.

 

Any advice?

 

If you want even more bids per 24 hour period (and if you did well in algebra!), you can use permutation bidding, it's really not as complicated as it sounds at first and it should give you around 15 bids a day! Here's the link: http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/forum/viewtopic/id/615

 

Also read some of the following posts which clarify some questions

[MNSmurf]

toonjie, I've been lurking in this thread for a while and I have to thank you for your advice. We're going out on AOS on Feb. 8 and got the Marriott through Priceline for the night before. I wouldn't have even thought about trying it without the info found here.

[heyduke55]

toonjie, I've been lurking in this thread for a while and I have to thank you for your advice. We're going out on AOS on Feb. 8 and got the Marriott through Priceline for the night before. I wouldn't have even thought about trying it without the info found here.

 

what price... help us out man!

[toonjie]

toonjie, I've been lurking in this thread for a while and I have to thank you for your advice. We're going out on AOS on Feb. 8 and got the Marriott through Priceline for the night before. I wouldn't have even thought about trying it without the info found here.

 

Thanks so much! Glad to hear you got the Marriott, you'll love it! I just think that rack rates in San Juan are ridiculous and it keeps many people from coming down a day or two early and enjoying one of the nicest ports in the Caribbean or for staying there for a week or so on a land-based vacation.

[MNSmurf]

what price... help us out man!

 

$190 for Feb 7, '09.....

[Deborito]

Not sure if I should be happy or not. I won Marriott Stellaris for my pre-cruise. Will I be disappointed with Caribe Hilton after staying at the Marriott? Debbie

[sun&sea]

Not sure if I should be happy or not. I won Marriott Stellaris for my pre-cruise. Will I be disappointed with Caribe Hilton after staying at the Marriott? Debbie

 

Debbie,

 

The Caribe Hilton is a very nice place. Just be aware that in addition to the taxes you already paid through Priceline, the Caribe Hilton tacks on other taxes that add up to around $25 additional per night:eek: ! They just began to do this in January. I have not heard if they are still doing this, but my guess is they are.

 

They have a nice pool and beach area. Hopefully you will get a room with a view.

 

Janet

[cruisinfever]

I got the Normandie hotel when I requested a category 4 or resort for a pre cruise on 1/23 and 1/24. I need to book another room post cruise on 2/1/09 and am very nervous about getting stuck with the Normandie again ( did not here any good reviews - anyone have any suggestions????

[sun&sea]

I got the Normandie hotel when I requested a category 4 or resort for a pre cruise on 1/23 and 1/24. I need to book another room post cruise on 2/1/09 and am very nervous about getting stuck with the Normandie again ( did not here any good reviews - anyone have any suggestions????

 

Don't ask for a 4*, just resort. It looks as though they have recently changed many of the ratings in San Juan, so I would just stick with resort to be safe. I have stayed at the Normandie. It was "Okay", but certainly a far cry from the Hilton, Marriott, or the Intercontinental. Not sure why it would now be a 4*:confused: ??? When I got it, it was a 3*.

 

Janet

[toonjie]

I got the Normandie hotel when I requested a category 4 or resort for a pre cruise on 1/23 and 1/24. I need to book another room post cruise on 2/1/09 and am very nervous about getting stuck with the Normandie again ( did not here any good reviews - anyone have any suggestions????

 

That's weird since the Normandie is definitely a 3 *, I can't see them bumping it up to a resort when they just recently moved the Condado Plaza down to a 3 * and that is nicer than the Normandie. The only 4* according to Betterbidding is La Concha. The good news is that now there are only 4 resorts in the resort category, 1. Marriott 2. Intercontinental 3. ESJ 4. Caribe Hilton. They have definitely moved some things around lately, it will be interesting to see what pops up!

[Deborito]

What do you think about the Caribe Hilton in comparison to the Marriott? Have you ever stayed there? Debbie

[Embracedbylife]

Date: 1/16/09

# of nights: 4

Hotel: Marriott Resort & Casino

Rating: Resort

Area: San Juan, PR

Site: Priceline!

Winning bid: $185.00/night

Taxes & fees: $40.55/night

 

also purchased insurance in case of illness/injury for an extra $5/night!

 

First time using priceline ever!!!! :) first bid was $145, second $160, third $175, final accepted $185. used the formula of resort and then added on to my search the areas that I knew there were NO resorts so i'd stick just to the San Juan area :) yippee!!!

[toonjie]

Date: 1/16/09

# of nights: 4

Hotel: Marriott Resort & Casino

Rating: Resort

Area: San Juan, PR

Site: Priceline!

Winning bid: $185.00/night

Taxes & fees: $40.55/night

 

also purchased insurance in case of illness/injury for an extra $5/night!

 

First time using priceline ever!!!! :) first bid was $145, second $160, third $175, final accepted $185. used the formula of resort and then added on to my search the areas that I knew there were NO resorts so i'd stick just to the San Juan area :) yippee!!!

Way to go! Congrats on this great score! :)

[travelmoxie]

Well, just an update for all you bidders (take note PrincessE) I am trying for OSJ on 1/31/2009 and am now uo 138.00 and haven't hit one yet.:(:(

 

Did you end up finding a hotel? I'm looking for the same date and location.

[txwildflower2002]

Anyone stay at Numero Uno Guest House?

[CarolRick]

I got the Normandie hotel when I requested a category 4 or resort for a pre cruise on 1/23 and 1/24. I need to book another room post cruise on 2/1/09 and am very nervous about getting stuck with the Normandie again ( did not here any good reviews - anyone have any suggestions????

 

What price did you get the Normandie for? Thanks...