Summary of Winning Bids on Priceline, Hotwire, etc.

[d&a Delaware]

[quote name='rockymtn']Just got the Gran Melia for 3 nights at 98 per night. Anyone been there[/quote]

rockymtn,

I have no direct knowledge of this hotel, but I see that it is not in San Juan (Priceline Zone 6), but in Zone 5 (Rio Grande) instead:
[INDENT] [U]San Juan (Rio Grande - Humacao)
[/U]Resort El Conquistador Wyndham--
Resort Wyndham Rio Mar Westin Rio Mar [URL="http://www.betterbidding.com/show.php/showtopic/5096"]REVIEW[/URL] / [URL="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147324-d148598-Reviews-Westin_Rio_Mar_Beach_Resort_Golf_Club-El_Yunque_National_Forest_Puerto_Rico-m10528.html"]tripadvisor review[/URL]
4* Gran Melia

[/INDENT]Were you aware that this hotel will require some extra arrangements for transportation from the airport? Post your same question on the San Juan board itself (not just in the Priceline wins thread) as you might get even more responses there.

David

[LALAFRANCE]

HI, after I read about all the good deals I thought I would try out the PRICELINE site. I am really confused....I saw a list of hotels and also the place where you pick an area, I want San Juan as we are leaving out of Pan American pier, [I]I picked a price and a category, now do I pay up front ?? It is asking me to initial if I acccept the conditions??[/I]
[I]I guess i really don't know what to do or to expect[/I]
[I]Can you give me some more info of what to do...I haven't paid anything and will wait to hear.[/I]
[I]Thanks[/I]

[toonjie]

[quote name='LALAFRANCE']HI, after I read about all the good deals I thought I would try out the PRICELINE site. I am really confused....I saw a list of hotels and also the place where you pick an area, I want San Juan as we are leaving out of Pan American pier, [I]I picked a price and a category, now do I pay up front ?? It is asking me to initial if I acccept the conditions??[/I]
[I]I guess i really don't know what to do or to expect[/I]
[I]Can you give me some more info of what to do...I haven't paid anything and will wait to hear.[/I]
[I]Thanks[/I][/QUOTE]

Sounds like you may not be on the bidding section of the site. Priceline lets you purchase hotel rooms just like Expedia or Travelocity, but you can also bid. Make sure you click on the banner that says save up to 50% off and that will take you to the bidding section. You do pay upfront in that if your bid is accepted then your card will be charged immediately. Hope this helps, let us know how you make out or if you have any other questions.

[d&a Delaware]

[quote name='LALAFRANCE']HI, after I read about all the good deals I thought I would try out the PRICELINE site. I am really confused....I saw a list of hotels and also the place where you pick an area, I want San Juan as we are leaving out of Pan American pier, [I]I picked a price and a category, now do I pay up front ?? It is asking me to initial if I acccept the conditions??[/I]
[I]I guess i really don't know what to do or to expect[/I]
[I]Can you give me some more info of what to do...I haven't paid anything and will wait to hear.[/I]
[I]Thanks[/I][/quote]

LALAFRANCE,

Go to this website to get good information about using Priceline: [URL]http://www.betterbidding.com/[/URL]

You can get great deals through Priceline, but you can also get burned. Betterbidding can help you. Once you know just what you want, they can even provide a strategy for bidding.

David

[LALAFRANCE]

THANKS, I'LL TRY BETTER BIDDING. It can't hurt...I was denied 2 times in 5 min.!!!!

[jschafer6161]

I used better bidding and was pretty sure I was getting the Sheraton Old San Juan on Hotwire for $89 a night on March 8, one night post cruise, and I did. I'm so happy!! Thanks to everyone's help on this site!

[LALAFRANCE]

[SIZE=4][COLOR=blue]Hi, does any one have any advice on booking the Radisson Ambassador Plaza it says Condado...it looks close enough to places but I am not sure. It is listed @ $164 for 2-7/9. :confused:[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][COLOR=#0000ff]I started looking because I've had no luck bidding:rolleyes:[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][COLOR=#0000ff]Thanks,[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][COLOR=#0000ff]Patti[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[d&a Delaware]

[quote name='LALAFRANCE'][SIZE=4][COLOR=blue]Hi, does any one have any advice on booking the Radisson Ambassador Plaza it says Condado...it looks close enough to places but I am not sure. It is listed @ $164 for 2-7/9. :confused:[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][COLOR=#0000ff]I started looking because I've had no luck bidding:rolleyes:[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][COLOR=#0000ff]Thanks,[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][COLOR=#0000ff]Patti[/COLOR][/SIZE][/quote]

Trip Advisor reviews for this hotel:
[URL]http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147320-d150444-Reviews-Radisson_Ambassador_Plaza_Hotel_Casino_San_Juan-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html[/URL]

[Sass4]

[quote name='lisacollie']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!!![/QUOTE]

Hi

I would like this hotel pre cruise night of 2/21/09. Which search area should I use?

So it's no stars
and check Resort
then ....

Thanks!! Edited December 4, 2008 by Sass4

[d&a Delaware]

[quote name='Sass4']Hi

I would like this hotel pre cruise night of 2/21/09. Which search area should I use?

So it's no stars
and check Resort
then ....

Thanks!![/quote]

The Marriott Stellaris Resort & Casino is in San Juan itself, Zone 6. If you want to maximize your chance of getting this hotel via Priceline, please go to betterbidding.com for guidance. If you want to be SURE of getting this hotel, go to the hotel's web site and purchase it there.

[Deborito]

[quote name='Sass4']Hi

I would like this hotel pre cruise night of 2/21/09. Which search area should I use?
So it's no stars
and check Resort
then ....Thanks!![/quote.

First check San Juan and resort only. Then put in your first bid $____. I would bid at least $140 for that time of the year. ( High Season)

If denied, add any area except Rio Grande-Humacao. Keep increasing your bid until accepted or run out of areas. You need to have a limit in mind of how high you will be willing to go. Becareful not to get too carried away bidding that you go over your limit. Remember there is also fees and taxes added to your total. This process may take a few days to weeks to win something.

It's really the luck of the draw. I won Marriot Stellaris for my pre-cruise stay but won Caribe Hilton for my post-cruise stay. I bid exactly the same for both but it just depends what is available and what they are willing to accept. If you only bid on resorts, you are guaranteed to get a great room. All the Priceline resorts are very nice. Good Luck and have fun. :)Debbie Edited December 4, 2008 by Deborito

[Sass4]

[quote name='Deborito'][quote name='Sass4']Hi

I would like this hotel pre cruise night of 2/21/09. Which search area should I use?
So it's no stars
and check Resort
then ....Thanks!![/quote.

First check San Juan and resort only. Then put in your first bid $____. I would bid at least $140 for that time of the year. ( High Season)

If denied, add any area except Rio Grande-Humacao. Keep increasing your bid until accepted or run out of areas. You need to have a limit in mind of how high you will be willing to go. Becareful not to get too carried away bidding that you go over your limit. Remember there is also fees and taxes added to your total. This process may take a few days to weeks to win something.

It's really the luck of the draw. I won Marriot Stellaris for my pre-cruise stay but won Caribe Hilton for my post-cruise stay. I bid exactly the same for both but it just depends what is available and what they are willing to accept. If you only bid on resorts, you are guaranteed to get a great room. All the Priceline resorts are very nice. Good Luck and have fun. :)Debbie[/QUOTE]

Thank you so much Debbie! Right now I have to wait the 24 hour waiting period. I will let you know what happens.

Thanks again everyone!

[Groovey]

Won R.A. on priceline for $140/night Jan.15-18. With taxes and fees, total is $499.46. Does anyone know if the RA charges daily resort fees or any other fees in addition to those already paid to priceline. Stayed at the Marriott two years ago and recall they charged an additional $10/night resort fee.

[Sass4]

I won Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel for $140 2/21/09.

Any idea how close to the Pan Am port that is?

[caribbeanchickie]

[quote name='Sass4']I won Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel for $140 2/21/09.

Any idea how close to the Pan Am port that is?[/quote]

About a 10 minute cab ride that costs about $12.

I'm staying at the Sheraton again in Jan. Location is PERFECT!

[Sass4]

[quote name='purr_30']About a 10 minute cab ride that costs about $12.

I'm staying at the Sheraton again in Jan. Location is PERFECT![/QUOTE]

Awesome!!! I hope you have a great time!

Now the last part of the trip, finding airfare!!

[caribbeanchickie]

[quote name='Sass4']Awesome!!! I hope you have a great time!

Now the last part of the trip, finding airfare!![/quote]

You too! :D

Farecast dot com is a great site to find out airfare prices for most airlines. I use it whenever I have to book a flight.

[stebul]

Just got the Sheraton OSJ for one night on 12/11 for $96 (Hotwire 3.5 *)

Thanks for the help. I had a reservation from the Sheraton website at $199 that I was able to cancel.

[josumello]

We got Sheraton Old San Juan for $99 booked precruise Friday April 17 on Priceline.....

[LALAFRANCE]

Hi, we just "won" the Courtyard Mariott Miramar for $125 for 2/7/09 for 2 nights. I guess it will be ok. Is there something we have to do now:confused: do you call the hotel or anything to confirm?
Thanks,
patti

[caribbeanchickie]

Hi, we just "won" the Courtyard Mariott Miramar for $125 for 2/7/09 for 2 nights. I guess it will be ok. Is there something we have to do now:confused: do you call the hotel or anything to confirm?

Thanks,

patti

 

Now you sit back and anxiously await your cruise date! :D

 

I usually call the hotel a few days prior just to ensure everything is OK.

 

Happy cruising!

[Deborito]

Hi, we just "won" the Courtyard Mariott Miramar for $125 for 2/7/09 for 2 nights. I guess it will be ok. Is there something we have to do now:confused: do you call the hotel or anything to confirm?

Thanks,

patti

 

Congratulations on your win. Sign up for the Marriott rewards program, then call and ask them if you can add your number to your reservation.

Sometimes it helps you get upgraded rooms and extras. Can't hurt to try. Debbie

Edited December 7, 2008 by Deborito

[toonjie]

Hi, we just "won" the Courtyard Mariott Miramar for $125 for 2/7/09 for 2 nights. I guess it will be ok. Is there something we have to do now:confused: do you call the hotel or anything to confirm?

Thanks,

patti

 

Congrats! :) That's a really nice hotel. I saw above you were looking at the Radisson Ambassador and the Marriott Courtyard is much nicer! As noted above, you can join Marriott Rewards and give them your number when you call the hotel, sometimes they'll enter it even though it's a Priceline room. You can also make any requests you have, like a king-size bed or 2 double beds. Otherwise, you are done.

[candf]

Marriott Resort & Stellaris - Jan 3/09 - $160.00 + 39.84 taxes and service fees.

 

This was my first time booking thru Priceline and I don't think I would have felt confident enough booking without all the wonderful hints that I received here. Thank you all so much. As suggested, I called Marriott (their general 1-888 number) and they were happy to add my Marriott rewards number and bed preference to my reservation. I asked if I was able to do an upgrade to ocean view, but they were not able to do this at this time so when I get to the hotel I'll check then. A special thank you to Toonjie - you certainly have been more than generous with your time on this board and it's very much appreciated.

Edited December 8, 2008 by candf

[Mickeefan]

I just got the Courtyard by Marriott Miramar for $99 for 1/10/09. We're saving over $30 from our original reservation at the Holiday Inn Express and we'll be enjoying an upgrade in hotels for the night. Thanks for all the tips and suggestions.