Summary of Winning Bids on Priceline, Hotwire, etc.

[fonthillhdtv]

When are you staying? We are looking into the Marriott for a post cruise stay...

march 12 13 14

[TravelingG]

Bid on two rooms for April 24 for $45.00 each and bid was accepted first try got Courtyard Marriott. Both rooms with fees and taxes TOTAL $116 :D

Edited January 9, 2009 by Fillingthatpassport

[vmbaskets]

I really, really wanted the Marriot, however on Priceline I went close to $200 and couldn't get it. I tried all different ways as suggested on this board. I didn't want to go over $200 since it was only the one night prior to our cruise. I then went on Hotwire and ended up getting the Doubletree for $109. Has anyone ever stayed here? Our cruise is on RC - AOS. How close are we staying to the pier that RC sails out of? Our plane arrives at 3 in the afternoon, any suggestions what to do that evening? Never been to San Juan before. This will all be new to us. Thanks in advance for any help you can give us.

[pmshirl]

You will be leaving from the Pan Am pier. I am trying to locate the Double Tree Hotel.

 

Here is a map of a few Hotels by the Pan Am pier. I can't locate the Doubletree. I will look elsewhere and come back.

 

http://www.hotelsbythepier.com/index2.php?pier=san-juan-pan-am

[pmshirl]

The map shown on the Hotel site looks to me like it's closer to Old San Juan than the Pan Am pier, I am not positive, maybe someone else can say for sure.

 

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/SJUDTDT-Doubletree-by-Hilton-San-Juan/directions.do#localmap

[lauriedun]

Got the courtyard marriott miramar again! My first win was 3/20 at $45. My post cruise win was 3/28 for $80. I guess Saturday nights are harder to get. Still a good deal!

[big aft]

I think it is Sat nite...won mine on 2/28 for $ 80 also.

[CanuckCruizer]

I just tried again to get the Marriott and I went up to $140 and nothing! Don't know how everyone else is getting it for $125 to $140! Must be something to do with the date - I am trying for April 25th. I guess I will wait and try again when it lets me.

 

Canuck

[bartelbee]

From what I understand, the Doubletree has just opened under the Hilton brand--used to be the Best Western Hotel Pierre. It's in the Condado/Miramar area.

[vmbaskets]

From what I understand, the Doubletree has just opened under the Hilton brand--used to be the Best Western Hotel Pierre. It's in the Condado/Miramar area.

 

 

Thanks so much. Where is the Condado/Miramar area? In other words what is it near? This is going to be our first cruise leaving from San Juan. Are we near our pier?

[bubiesmom]

Has anyone had any luck with Priceline for the above dates in San Juan? I book the Embassy Suites on Tartak St. a long time ago for over $300/night, thinking the price would go up. Now prices seem to be coming down. I'd like to get the Mariott Isla Verde or the Embassy Suites. Does anyone have any ideas? I have never used Priceline before...

Thanks,

bubiesmom

[NCTribeFan]

Again, would people PLEASE post whether they used Priceline or Hotwire, what dates, and what category they bid when posting what hotel they "won?"

 

Just saying "I got the Marriott or Sheraton or whatever for $80" isn't really helping us nubes! At least, not THIS nube!

 

I thought I read earlier that the Sheraton OSJ is the only 3.5*, but when I look at the Better Bidding site, for Priceline, it shows both the Sheraton and the Embassy Suites. And for Hotwire hotels, it shows the Sheraton, Normandie, and Radisson Ambassador. :(

 

So, there really is no way to know, for my pre-cruise when I want the Sheraton, whether I might end up in OSJ or somewhere else, using either Hotwire or Priceline, right?

 

This is all making me crazy. :o

 

Anyway, going to start trying for my post cruise stay. That will determine whether I bid for a pre-cruise hotel or whether i just use my Priority points and stay at the HIE. Really want the Sheraton pre-cruise (so we can do our sightseeing on Sunday and then just walk to the ship).

[MARTYsmom]

Again, would people PLEASE post whether they used Priceline or Hotwire, what dates, and what category they bid when posting what hotel they "won?"

 

Just saying "I got the Marriott or Sheraton or whatever for $80" isn't really helping us nubes! At least, not THIS nube!

 

I thought I read earlier that the Sheraton OSJ is the only 3.5*, but when I look at the Better Bidding site, for Priceline, it shows both the Sheraton and the Embassy Suites. And for Hotwire hotels, it shows the Sheraton, Normandie, and Radisson Ambassador. :(

 

So, there really is no way to know, for my pre-cruise when I want the Sheraton, whether I might end up in OSJ or somewhere else, using either Hotwire or Priceline, right?

 

This is all making me crazy. :o

 

Anyway, going to start trying for my post cruise stay. That will determine whether I bid for a pre-cruise hotel or whether i just use my Priority points and stay at the HIE. Really want the Sheraton pre-cruise (so we can do our sightseeing on Sunday and then just walk to the ship).

 

 

I hope this help you. I started with a bid for resorts only in San Juan.

Knowing it was spring break i started bidding at around $80.00 ( i really wanted Marriot Stellaris). I then would re up my bid by $15.00 each day or you can add/choose another zone/area and re bid. After a day or 2 my bid was accepeted at $165.00 and was at the Marriott Stellaris. From other posters i learned that only a few hotels are actual "resorts" in San Juan.

 

I also realized that it being spring break i would need to go higher than say 125.00 to get an accepted bid.I was happy at $165.00 as every other site i checked was at $300.00 per nite. it still is higher than i would like but i did get the hotel that i wanted.

 

Good Luck and keep us posted.

[Relayer4]

Has anyone had any luck with

Priceline

for the above dates in San Juan? I book the Embassy Suites on

Tartak

St. a long time ago for over $300/night, thinking the price would go up. Now prices seem to be coming down. I'd like to get the

Mariott

Isla

Verde or the Embassy Suites. Does anyone have any ideas? I have never used

Priceline

before...

 

Thanks,

bubiesmom

 

Besides the Sheraton, the Embassy Suites is the only other 3.5* hotel on Priceline's retail list. The problem is I can't remember ever seeing a win at Embassy Suites on Priceline. Everyone gets the Sheraton. Is that the Courtyard by Marriott in Isla Verde? If so, that is a 3* hotel we never see being won on Priceline either. Their best AAA rate at Courtyard is $170 a night so that is an option for you. If you're willing to take a chance, I'll be glad to help. If bidding on a 3*, always the chance of winning the "other" Courtyard, Radisson or Holiday Inn.

[NCTribeFan]

Canuck,

 

This is what I did:

 

FIRST BID: $125.00, Zone 1, Resorts= Denied

SECOND BID: $130.00, Zone 1 & 6, Resorts= Denied

THIRD BID: $135.00, Zone 2 & 6, Resorts=Was offered a counter offer if I added $22.00 to my bid so I signed off, logged back in and bid again ;).

FOURTH BID: $140.00 Zone 6, 2 & 1, Resorts=ACCEPTED :D

 

I've stayed at this particular property before and while it is a lovely hotel it is NOT worth $427 a night IMO, keep trying your luck on Priceline, this is the 2nd time for me and BOTH times I "won" rooms at the Marriott Stellaris.

 

Good Luck!

 

A fellow Canuck :p

 

 

WooHoo! I did exactly the above, and got the Marriott Stellaris through Priceline for $140/night for 5/24 & 5/25.

 

THANK YOU!

[MARTYsmom]

WooHoo! I did exactly the above, and got the Marriott Stellaris through Priceline for $140/night for 5/24 & 5/25.

 

THANK YOU!

 

 

Great job !!! We will be staying there on 03/21/09. From everything I read it is a great resort.

 

I'm glad it worked out for you.

[NCTribeFan]

I'm thrilled. Now I'm going to see if I can get the Sheraton pre-cruise. I figure I should just go ahead while luck is on my side. ;)

[MARTYsmom]

:)

I'm thrilled. Now I'm going to see if I can get the Sheraton pre-cruise. I figure I should just go ahead while luck is on my side. ;)

 

 

I've got my fingers crossed- - - Good Luck!!!!

[cruiseguy1016]

We have a group going and we are going to need 6 rooms. If I bid for 6 rooms will all 6 rooms definitely be in the same hotel or is there a chance that they could be seperated?

[NCTribeFan]

Well, I decided to give it a shot for the Sheraton. I picked 3-1/2*, for 5/16 (Priceline), zone 6 only and bid $75, which was refused.

 

For this particular hotel, I do NOT want to rebid by adding any areas, right? Which means I need to wait 24 hours and up my bid.

 

I saw the hotel lists by star ratings at the two bidding help sites, but I didn't see anything that broke down # hotels by * by area.

[CRUISNDIVA]

WooHoo! I did exactly the above, and got the Marriott Stellaris through Priceline for $140/night for 5/24 & 5/25.

 

THANK YOU!

 

Congrats!! I'm glad I could help :D

 

Well I've tried all week to get my pre cruise stay on the 28th at a reasonable price.....I wasn't willing to downgrade my star rating :rolleyes: so I ended up today bidding $210.00 and "won" El San Juan Resort & Casino...I'm hoping it will be okay :o

 

Good luck to everyone else and happy travels!!!

[NCTribeFan]

I went back and looked at the lists again on better bidding.

 

It appears that Zone 6 (San Juan) is the only Priceline zone that has any 3.5* hotels and those two are the Sheraton and Embassy Suites. And someone already said they'd NEVER seen anyone get other than the Sheraton.

 

So I'm going to give it another try today. I'm assuming I'll be "safe" if I just try all the various permutations (6, 6 + 1, 6 + 2, etc.) at one price, and if that doesn't work, up the price and go through it all again.

 

I may do a little research to see how much Hotel Milano or the HoJo would be. I understand that either would have to be booked directly. And although El Convento is listed as a Hotwire hotel, you have a minimum 2 nights, which won't work for me, pre-cruise.

[NCTribeFan]

HoJo has no 2-bed rooms, apparently. I sail with my DD and we cannot sleep together. Even though she'll be 23 by the time we sail, she still kicks and thrashers as much as she did when she was little, so even a King doesn't work.

 

Decided I'd have a look at Hotwire, and for a 3.5* on 5/16, the amenities look like it's the Normandie, which I don't really want.

 

Upped my price on Priceline to $85, 3.5*, zone 6 and was rejected. I'm still nervous about adding other zone. Wish someone would respond and give me some wonderful advice for getting the Sheraton, like I got for the Marriott!

[bubiesmom]

Is it better to do 3 stars or 3.5 stars? I'd really like the Embassy, it's on the beach or the Marriot....any suggestions. I think I'm going to try Priceline. I need a room for 2 nights.

[Relayer4]

Is it better to do 3 stars or 3.5 stars? I'd really like the Embassy, it's on the beach or the Marriot....any suggestions. I think I'm going to try Priceline. I need a room for 2 nights.

 

Depends on where do you want to stay. The Sheraton is the only place that comes up for 3.5*, so that's a pretty safe bet. However, several hotels have been won for 3* and Resorts. It's also important to check the hotel rates for your dates. You've seen the primary winning hotels in this thread. I personally can't see paying a fortune for a pre-cruise stay, so I was very happy to get the 3* Courtyard for $50, and the reviews look good on Tripadvisor. Don't get me wrong, I tried the resorts up to $115 and 3.5* up to $95. We are going to rent a car for 24 hours, so we won't be at the hotel much anyway.

 

Something else to keep in mind, Priceline can upgrade you. This means one bids on a 3* and gets upgraded to a higher level hotel. Or you might bid for a 4* and end up winning a resort. However, I don't this happen too often in San Juan.