Summary of Winning Bids on Priceline, Hotwire, etc.

[cpdad]

We cruise on Feb. 12, 2011. Are we better off trying Priceline now or waiting until closer till Feb.?

We would love to stay at the Marriott Stellaris - are there any hints to getting in there?

My travel to SJ will be at the end of November (hotel prices suggest this will be a "slower" time in SJ), and I have not started bidding yet. February 2011 is probably more "prime" time and it might be prudent to start bidding now.

 

As far as the Marriott, as the previous poster mentioned, it is a total gamble as far as which resort you get (assuming you bid for a "resort"). There are no tricks with Priceline to ensure getting your preferred hotel. You "roll the dice" and take what you get. I understand that with Hotwire (which I've never used) there may be some ways to take an educated guess as to which hotel Hotwire may be offering you when they present you with unnamed hotels. But Priceline uses a different business model, and there is no way to know which hotel you will get in the category in which you bid. If you have your heart set on the Marriott, and will not be happy with anything else, do not use Priceline.

[ruralrambler]

Just got the Caribe Hilton for $95 on Priceline, Oct 31 - Nov 2, 2010. Put in Resorts, Area 8 (San Juan). My first bid was accepted. This was the hotel I was hoping for, so I'm happy!

 

 

Yesterday, we bid $95 for Resorts, Area 8 for the dates, Oct 30 - 31. Our bid was not accepted...any ideas how high we may have to bid to get a hotel? Anyone else been successful for these dates? Thanks for any advice!

 

Larry

[yj2cute]

Yesterday, we bid $95 for Resorts, Area 8 for the dates, Oct 30 - 31. Our bid was not accepted...any ideas how high we may have to bid to get a hotel? Anyone else been successful for these dates? Thanks for any advice!

 

Larry

 

Larry, there is a website you can refer to where they have a calendar of wins. You can plug in your date and see if anyone has posted a win. I don't think I can post the name of it here. If you want it you can email me yjam208 at aol dot com.

[dforeigner]

Had a hard time getting a bid through Priceline, although in retrospect, I should have waited a few days before re-bidding. My final bid was $145.00 and got the Verdazana Hotel for a total of $174.96 with fees and taxes.

 

The rack rate for their cheapest room is $190.00.

 

I called the hotel and was able to request a room with double beds rather than a king size bed. I was also informed that there is a Walgreens and a 24 hour super market within walking distance. Not sure how safe that area is though.

[yj2cute]

Had a hard time getting a bid through Priceline, although in retrospect, I should have waited a few days before re-bidding. My final bid was $145.00 and got the Verdazana Hotel for a total of $174.96 with fees and taxes.

 

The rack rate for their cheapest room is $190.00.

 

I called the hotel and was able to request a room with double beds rather than a king size bed. I was also informed that there is a Walgreens and a 24 hour super market within walking distance. Not sure how safe that area is though.

 

Is this for 1 night? For what date? I've seen the Verdanza going for $102 plus taxes.

[dforeigner]

Is this for 1 night? For what date? I've seen the Verdanza going for $102 plus taxes.

 

It is during Spring Break in April. Yes, people been getting rooms at other hotels for $95.00 but for different rates. We did get to save $50.00 and it is within walking distance to a Supermarket and a Walgreens. I believe there are also some restaurants in the area as well.

[ruralrambler]

Hi-

 

We got the La Concha for Oct 30 - 31 for the bid $102 and the Sheraton Old San Juan for Nov. 22 for the bid $80 all on Priceline. Thanks for everybody's help.

 

Larry and Janine

[ajilimojil]

Have you checked the Bidding Calendar on Better Bidding? You can input your dates and see what, if any, bids have been accepted for that date.

[ajilimojil]

I don't know how to start a new post to tell about our winning bid, so I'll do it here.

 

We wanted to get the Sheraton in Old San JUan for January, so, following the tips I had gathered on this message board, we made our bid earlier today, Sept. 18, 2010 ON PRICELINE as follows:

 

Stars: 3.5

City; San Juan

Dates: Jan 12 & 13, 2011 (2 nights)

Bid: $89

 

They accepted it within minutes! woo-hoo!

 

To the total of $178, they added $29.02 for taxes, bringing the Grand Total to $207.02

 

Hope this helps someone.

[dforeigner]

I don't know how to start a new post to tell about our winning bid, so I'll do it here.

 

We wanted to get the Sheraton in Old San JUan for January, so, following the tips I had gathered on this message board, we made our bid earlier today, Sept. 18, 2010 ON PRICELINE as follows:

 

Stars: 3.5

City; San Juan

Dates: Jan 12 & 13, 2011 (2 nights)

Bid: $89

 

They accepted it within minutes! woo-hoo!

 

To the total of $178, they added $29.02 for taxes, bringing the Grand Total to $207.02

 

Hope this helps someone.

 

That's an awesome hotel and location.

[Tracefan]

I don't know how to start a new post to tell about our winning bid, so I'll do it here.

 

We wanted to get the Sheraton in Old San JUan for January, so, following the tips I had gathered on this message board, we made our bid earlier today, Sept. 18, 2010 ON PRICELINE as follows:

 

Stars: 3.5

City; San Juan

Dates: Jan 12 & 13, 2011 (2 nights)

Bid: $89

 

They accepted it within minutes! woo-hoo!

 

To the total of $178, they added $29.02 for taxes, bringing the Grand Total to $207.02

 

Hope this helps someone.

 

Good Price. I tried to get this hotel for January 14 for a couple of months with no luck. What a difference a day makes! There is a festival in OSJ that weekend. I recently found out that there are no rooms available.

 

We stayed there this past January. It's a nice hotel in a great location for exploring Old San Juan and right across the street from the old pier. (The newer pier called Pan American is not within walking distance.) But be forewarned, they will charge you a "resort fee" when you check in. All hotels with casinos in SJ charge the resort fee.

[niecyd]

Those who are booking through Priceline are getting a nice deal. However, I feel like I'm taking a chance on the unexpected (not getting reimbursed). :confused: I've never bid before. My T/A say I'm taking a risk. Any comments? I don't want to pay $500 for two nights.

Edited September 20, 2010 by niecyd

[drakes2]

Sorry, but you're TA is incorrect. If you bid through Priceline, you will get a great deal at a fraction of the web rate. If you are looking to stay in San Juan close to the cruise ship there are many 4 * properties and resorts that can be had for just over $100 night. GOOD LUCK! :)

Those who are booking through Priceline are getting a nice deal. However, I feel like I'm taking a chance on the unexpected (not getting reimbursed). :confused: I've never bid before. My T/A say I'm taking a risk. Any comments? I don't want to pay $500 for two nights.

[cpdad]

Those who are booking through Priceline are getting a nice deal. However, I feel like I'm taking a chance on the unexpected (not getting reimbursed). :confused: I've never bid before. My T/A say I'm taking a risk. Any comments? I don't want to pay $500 for two nights.

The name and specific location of the hotel is indeed "unexpected", but if you are willing to stay at a hotel anywhere in the San Juan area, the surprise will not be too great. Also, you get to select the quality level you are willing to accept (1*-4* and "resorts").

 

In my case, I only wanted a "resort", so that is all I bid for and recently won the Caribe Hilton for $88 plus tax. But from reading this board, and others such as biddingfortravel and betterbidding, I was very confident that my resort would most likely be one of the following: Marriott, Intercontinental, Caribe Hilton, Conrad, or El San Juan hotel. I would have been happy with any of these, even though they are not all in the same area. So, yes, the selected hotel was unexpected for me, but that was part of the fun (for me) of bidding on Priceline.

 

If you want very much to stay at a specific hotel, or in a specific area (Old SJ, Condado, or Isla Verde) then do not use Priceline, because if your bid is accepted, there are no refunds and no changes are allowed. That is a definite risk of using Priceline.

 

Of course, as your TA points out, you are taking "a risk", as I described above, but also, the TA misses out on a commission if you do not book a room through him/her.

[cpdad]

Started lower, and worked my way up to $88 + tax (=$100/night). I believe the hotel will also add-on the despised "resort fee" of 14%.

 

I suspect the hotel market is relatively slow during my dates, as opposed to the middle of winter, Jan-March, when higher bids may be required (just a guess)

[niecyd]

Sorry, but you're TA is incorrect. If you bid through Priceline, you will get a great deal at a fraction of the web rate. If you are looking to stay in San Juan close to the cruise ship there are many 4 * properties and resorts that can be had for just over $100 night. GOOD LUCK! :)

 

Oh okay. I think TA meant no reimbursement for any changes. The unexpected I meant is what if I have to cancel my trip for any reason? My cruise and airline is covered but if I book hotel through priceline, what happens, who do I talk to or I'm just out of $100 for hotel?:eek:

[drakes2]

If you have cancellation insurance, you could include the cost of the hotel. It would only work out to a few dollars more, that's what we always do whenever we cruise. Having said that, on our upcoming cruise in January, we're not including the airfare as part of our coverage, as if we had to cancel for any reason, we would get a credit with the airline to use on a future flight. Seriously, you should try your hand bidding through Priceline, I think you will be surprised at how much you save in the long run. For our 4 nights in San Juan, we saved $752 over the posted web rate. A bargain in my opinion. :)

Oh okay. I think TA meant no reimbursement for any changes. The unexpected I meant is what if I have to cancel my trip for any reason? My cruise and airline is covered but if I book hotel through priceline, what happens, who do I talk to or I'm just out of $100 for hotel?:eek:

[Sass4]

Hoping to get the Sheraton again in Feb *fingers crossed*

[ajilimojil]

Good Price. I tried to get this hotel for January 14 for a couple of months with no luck. What a difference a day makes! There is a festival in OSJ that weekend. I recently found out that there are no rooms available.

 

We stayed there this past January. It's a nice hotel in a great location for exploring Old San Juan and right across the street from the old pier. (The newer pier called Pan American is not within walking distance.) But be forewarned, they will charge you a "resort fee" when you check in. All hotels with casinos in SJ charge the resort fee.

 

Thanks for the comments. We have stayed there before, which is why we wanted it. We're not on a cruise. We'll be on our yearly visit to my family on the West Coast and we like to spend a few days in Old San Juan before returning home to the states.

As for the "Festival de la Calle San Sebastian", this is the first time that our departure date allows us to participate (even though for one night only), so we are excited!

[jg2256]

Just got the Sheraton Old Town San Juan (3.5*) pre-cruise for 13 Feb 2011 for $95. Was up to $125 on the resorts before I tried the lower level. From what I read on this thread I will be more than happy with the Sheraton.

[dforeigner]

Just got the Sheraton Old Town San Juan (3.5*) pre-cruise for 13 Feb 2011 for $95. Was up to $125 on the resorts before I tried the lower level. From what I read on this thread I will be more than happy with the Sheraton.

 

Yes you will. Just in case you are not aware of this, X ships do not sail from the docks across the street from this hotel. They sail out of the pan american pier. Not to0 far away but you will need to take a cab.

[yj2cute]

I am very happy with my win. Got the Sheraton Old San Juan as well for $75 plus fees for 10/31/10. I was bidding for 4 rooms.

[hightownCO]

Just got the Sheraton Old Town San Juan (3.5*) pre-cruise for 13 Feb 2011 for $95. Was up to $125 on the resorts before I tried the lower level. From what I read on this thread I will be more than happy with the Sheraton.

 

That's great and encouraging for me. I'm looking a month later than you, for March 12, 2011. I think my date is closer to peak spring break season though. So, may be more $$ than your price.

[DiveDoc]

For those of you crazy enough to sail out of San Juan around Christmas. I got two rooms at Sheraton Old San Juan for 12/25/10-12/26/10 for $110 each and two rooms at the Intercontinental San Juan for 1/2/11-1/3/11 for $125 each.

[mapmaker1]

Has anyone won a bid for a San Juan Hotel on Dec. 31, 2010 ?

 

Thanks!