Summary of Winning Bids on Priceline, Hotwire, etc.

[NCTribeFan]

Sass4: what did you put it for the Sheraton.

 

I'm just paranoid. Once I finally understood how to bid for the Marriott Stellaris (resort only, the various permutations), I had no problem and got it almost immediately.

 

But I'm must more worried about trying to get the Sheraton. I'm just afraid I'll add an area and end up on the other side of the island or in a 4* that I don't want.

 

I realize that it's a risk.

 

I keep checking Hotwire, but only 1 3.5* comes up and from the amenities, it's the Normandie. :(

 

Any help would be appreciated.

[NCTribeFan]

I guess I must have had beginners luck on my first try and getting exactly what I wanted at what I thought was a very good price.

 

Just tried several permutations and have crept the price up to $92 and still being turned down for 5/16.

 

Any chance I'm trying too far out? Should I just relax and try in a few weeks? I've seen some posts where people have gotten the Sheraton for $90 in that time frame. Of course, if I book directly, rooms start at $199 and I'm not willing to pay that. I'm only paying $140 for the Marriott!

 

Yet another question: if I've been increasing the price generally $5 each attempt, can I go back and put in a lower price as long as it's a different combination of areas? Would there be any advantage to that at all or is it a waste of time since a higher bid has already been declined? Or does it just vary from day to day on what they'll accept?

[Sass4]

Sass4: what did you put it for the Sheraton.

 

I'm just paranoid. Once I finally understood how to bid for the Marriott Stellaris (resort only, the various permutations), I had no problem and got it almost immediately.

 

But I'm must more worried about trying to get the Sheraton. I'm just afraid I'll add an area and end up on the other side of the island or in a 4* that I don't want.

 

I realize that it's a risk.

 

I keep checking Hotwire, but only 1 3.5* comes up and from the amenities, it's the Normandie. :(

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

3.5* and San Juan only

 

Good Luck!

[Ojaian]

Priceline

Date: Saturday 5/30/09

Hotel: Marriott Stellaris

Winning bid : $130

[CRUISNDIVA]

Best lobby in town, however, still has to go to the El San Juan... reviews and word-on-the-street about the rooms is unfortunate.

 

OH NO this is where we are staying pre cruise :eek: Could you elaborate a little regarding "the word-on-the-street" about the rooms :confused:

[YOW]

OH NO this is where we are staying pre cruise :eek: Could you elaborate a little regarding "the word-on-the-street" about the rooms :confused:

 

In the lobby we heard one woman, stomping through, saying "this place is a (expletive deleted) dump." Talked with another family who'd stayed there and were less than impressed. Buzz in the various online forums is mixed... though actually the recent reviews do seem to be getting better on TripAdvisor:

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g644389-d155800-Reviews-El_San_Juan_Hotel_Casino-Carolina_Puerto_Rico.html

 

The lobby alone was enough to make DW want to stay there next time.

[NCTribeFan]

Well, I screwed up. :mad:

 

I selected 3* rather than 3.5 and got the Courtyard Miramar, which is ok, except I know my bid was way high because I was trying to up it for Sheraton. So, I'm paying $85 for the Courtyard, that other people were getting for much less.

 

It's still less than the "usual" rate (Marriott website says $145), so it's a still a decent price, but I really, really wanted to be in OSJ.

 

This is exactly what I was worried I'd do. $%#*@!

 

Oh well. Guess I'll have to cough up even more money to get into OSJ for my sightseeing and now I have no idea what to do with my luggage.

 

I'm so annoyed.

[CanuckCruizer]

Well, after repeatedly trying to get the Marriott Stellaris for April 25th on Priceline and not getting anything going up to $160, I just won a bid right now BUT NOT FOR THE MARRIOTT! ha ha

 

I won on my first bid. I selected Resort, Zone 6(San Juan) and bid $128. I immediately got the Intercontinental in Isla Verde.

 

So it is $128, $5 for the insurance, $35.92 for a grand total of $168.92US. That is a LOT better than the room we had booked at the Marriott for $427/night (that was oceanfront though).

 

I know that I read reviews for the Intercontinental before - I can't remember if they were bad or not - but I do know that it is further away from where we wanted to be. Oh well, it is only for one night before the cruise so hopefully it will be okay. Now, I will have to investigate. Has anyone stayed there recently?

 

I will still have to bid for our post-cruise stay on May 10th.

 

Canuck

[CanuckCruizer]

I just got the Intercontinental AGAIN for our stay on May 10th (post cruise) on my first bid! For $110!:D

 

I selected Zone 6, Resorts and bid $110 and got it. (Priceline)

 

It is $110, $5 for insurance, $31.81 for fees & taxes, for a grand total of $146.81.

 

I just skimmed through all the reviews on Trip Advisor and this hotel gets excellent reviews - so we are pretty happy. Maybe I should have started out lower for my May bid - but it is still WAAAAY cheaper than booking direct with any of the high end hotels.

 

Hope this info helps someone else! Thanks to all who helped answered my questions about bidding.:)

 

Canuck

[bubiesmom]

I need info on winning bids for San Juan on 3/20-3/22 from Priceline please. :confused::confused::confused:

[royal_flush]

Well, I screwed up. :mad:

 

I selected 3* rather than 3.5 and got the Courtyard Miramar, which is ok, except I know my bid was way high because I was trying to up it for Sheraton. So, I'm paying $85 for the Courtyard, that other people were getting for much less.

 

It's still less than the "usual" rate (Marriott website says $145), so it's a still a decent price, but I really, really wanted to be in OSJ.

 

This is exactly what I was worried I'd do. $%#*@!

 

Oh well. Guess I'll have to cough up even more money to get into OSJ for my sightseeing and now I have no idea what to do with my luggage.

 

I'm so annoyed.

 

Sorry to hear that. It's so easy to screw up like on that Priceline (they really ought to add a "confirmation screen" of some sort before your pickings become finalized), and I make boo-boo's like that all the time. There's no way to retract your bid as far as I know, is there?

[burm]

Sorry to hear that. It's so easy to screw up like on that Priceline (they really ought to add a "confirmation screen" of some sort before your pickings become finalized), and I make boo-boo's like that all the time. There's no way to retract your bid as far as I know, is there?

 

I am afraid I'll get the wrong date.

[NCTribeFan]

Yeah, every time I'd go in and start to bid, I'd panic and have to pull up my flight res to make sure I wasn't bidding for the wrong day! Now, that would REALLY make me angry with myself.

 

It won't be so bad. Hotel gets good reviews although a lot of people don't like it not being near too much. We sail from OSJ, which is why I wanted the Sheraton before we leave. Now, although we get in at about 1:30 on Saturday, I'll have to pay for a taxi to the hotel. Then, if we want to have dinner in OSJ, I'll have to pay for a taxi to and from, which really adds to the expense for that 1 night. And I don't think there's much within walking distance. Hopefully, there will be a few local restaurants we can walk to.

 

And I've discovered that we can check out Sunday morning, take the taxi over to OSJ, leave our luggage at Barrachina's restaurant - for free! - and then do our sightseeing. When we're done and ready to go check in for the cruise, I'll thank them by enjoying one of their Pina Coladas. It's the least I can do, right?

 

:D

[d&a Delaware]

Sorry to hear that. It's so easy to screw up like on that Priceline (they really ought to add a "confirmation screen" of some sort before your pickings become finalized), and I make boo-boo's like that all the time. There's no way to retract your bid as far as I know, is there?

 

Actually they do show a confirmation screen before you finalize your offer. The screen does not, of course, show you what hotel you might win, but it does show the details of dates, star level, and zones your are bidding.

 

And, in very specific circumstances, it is possible to ask Priceline to recind your bid, but you have to contact them immediately when you see your error, pay a small penalty and complete a re-bid under specific conditions before they will actually give you a credit for your cancelled reservation. Here is a previous post where I described how this worked for me when I made a Zone error in my pre-cruise hotel bid:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=17281276&highlight=#post17281276

 

David

[cardiotech]

Just got the Marriott Stellaris for $125 on Priceline for 5/2/09. With taxes etc total came to $160.23. I'm pretty excited about that, though I haven't had time to search through all of these posts to see how good of a deal that is. Happy vacations everyone!

[SunLover05]

Got the InterContinental on Hotwire for our pre-cruise stay. There are 4 of us, 2 Adults, 2 Teens, so I opted for Hotwire over Priceline. It was offered at $123. Final price was $155.04.

 

We saw this hotel last year when walking to the restaurant, Metropol, from the Embassy Suites. We thought the grounds looked great! So happy to be able to stay there.

[2gators]

Just booked San Juan for a pre-cruise stay

April 2009

Booked Hotwire due to traveling with a family of 4

Got InterContinental for $123 TOTAL with tax $155.04

 

Walked around old san juan last year so this year will stay at resort till we leave to board Caribbean Princess.

 

Any restaurant suggestions near hotel?

[ciroon]

Just booked San Juan for a pre-cruise stay

April 2009

Booked Hotwire due to traveling with a family of 4

Got InterContinental for $123 TOTAL with tax $155.04

 

Walked around old san juan last year so this year will stay at resort till we leave to board Caribbean Princess.

 

Any restaurant suggestions near hotel?

 

cAN ANYONE TELL ME THE ZONE FOR OLD SJ SO I CAN TRY PRICELINE OR HOTWIRE BIDDING. THANKS SO MUCH.

[d&a Delaware]

cAN ANYONE TELL ME THE ZONE FOR OLD SJ SO I CAN TRY PRICELINE OR HOTWIRE BIDDING. THANKS SO MUCH.

 

For Priceline there is no separate zone for Old San Juan -- it is included in Zone 6 for all of San Juan.

 

David

[ace1zoe2]

Just got the Intercontinental on Priceline for 6/18/09 for $100 plus $24 in tax & fees for $125 total.

 

Had booked Marriott Stellaris for 6/19/09-6/21/09 for $147 plus fees about months ago but decided to go a day earlier.

 

Even though we will have to change hotels I think we got a really good deal!

[bubiesmom]

Does anyone have any info on winning priceline bids for march 20-22 resorts in san juan??????

[lauriedun]

Well, I screwed up. :mad:

 

I selected 3* rather than 3.5 and got the Courtyard Miramar, which is ok, except I know my bid was way high because I was trying to up it for Sheraton. So, I'm paying $85 for the Courtyard, that other people were getting for much less.

 

It's still less than the "usual" rate (Marriott website says $145), so it's a still a decent price, but I really, really wanted to be in OSJ.

 

This is exactly what I was worried I'd do. $%#*@!

 

Oh well. Guess I'll have to cough up even more money to get into OSJ for my sightseeing and now I have no idea what to do with my luggage.

 

I'm so annoyed.

 

 

We are also at the courtyard miramar. You can take the bus to OSJ for 75 cents which is what we plan to do. It is not far.

[robbi5]

Hi,

 

I just won the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver BC for $100/night May 9-12

 

Thank you to all the other posters for advice!

 

Robin

[TravelingG]

I had previously won 2 rooms at the Courtyard Miramar for Friday 4/24 ($45.00 each) and then my sons decided they wanted to arrive on 4/23 so I just bid again and won Courtyard Miramar again for $45.00. So I would say that is a safe bid. (Yes the Courtyard Miramar is considered a 3*) I'm happy :D

Edited January 20, 2009 by Fillingthatpassport

[TravelingG]

Hi,

 

I just won the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver BC for $100/night May 9-12

 

Thank you to all the other posters for advice!

 

Robin

 

Hi Robin, I think you posted this on the wrong thread. But congratulations on your win, great price. :)

Edited January 20, 2009 by Fillingthatpassport