Summary of Winning Bids on Priceline, Hotwire, etc.

[sally4909]

Priceline Winning Bid: $91.00 plus taxes

Intercontinental Resort

Feb. 5, 2010-Feb. 6, 2010

[shamrockace]

I know everyone is trying to get the Sheridan and I am having no luck for Feb 7th. So I'm willing to lower my standards as long as I'm in OSJ. Can anyone tell me how I can be sure to get another hotel in OSJ and not next to the airport?

[ColoRockiesFan]

I know everyone is trying to get the Sheridan and I am having no luck for Feb 7th. So I'm willing to lower my standards as long as I'm in OSJ. Can anyone tell me how I can be sure to get another hotel in OSJ and not next to the airport?

 

Try Howard Johnsons (lower price) or El Convento (expensive).

[mrsmacc]

Hotwire 4*

InterContinental San Juan Resort Spa & Casino

August 2, 2009 1 night

$109.00

plus taxes of $17.87

hotel protection $8.00

Grand total $134.87

 

I have never stayed in San Juan before so this post cruise hotel will be a first for us. I was also able to use $25 Hotdollars credit towards the cost of the hotel stay.

For those that don't know, if the star rating at a hotwire hotel you stay at gets downgraded, they award you hot dollars to use as a credit towards your next purchase. I just love a bargain.:)

Edited May 5, 2009 by mrsmacc

[Londen'sMiMi]

Hi. Yes, that's a great deal! Click on my AOL review link and scroll to the end where you will see tons of pics of our 4 day post-cruise at the Wyndham and hiking through El Yunque. If you are not already a member, join Wyndham By Request, their frequent stay program, you will get a separate check in line and beverages and snacks of your choice in your room when you arrive, you will also get an upgraded room with a great view. (The pictures in my review are of the room we got for around $120 a night on Skyauction.) You will love the Wyndham and my review has tons of info on all the restaurants in the area.

 

Thank you so much for the great tips here and in your awesome review! The pictures were fabulous. I will be sharing your review with my DH...we can't wait for our cruise out of San Juan in July. You have a beautiful family. :)

[kay995]

I just bid $110 for Resort/San Juan area

(They rejected my $100 offer)

I got Intercontinental for total of $130.42 for Sat Nov 21

Post cruise on the Serenade of the Seas

 

Last year we got El San Juan Hotel & Casino and LOVED it

This year we decided we needed this type of place post cruise, not

pre cruise like last year...to relax on beach or at pool before we go home!

 

This year we want to stay in Old San Juan pre cruise...

To party the night before we leave!

What do you suggest to get us a room here on priceline on Fri Nov 13th???

I am willing to try hotwire....but never used it before and am a bit confused

Any help or suggestions???

 

Kay

[Addictedtocruising]

Priceline 3*

I followed what a PP had done and got the Courtyard By Marriott Miramar

10/4/2009-10/05/2009

 

$44.00

$12.18 taxes & fees

______

$56.18

 

 

Chose zone 6 - $35.00

added zone 1 - $40.00

added zone 5 - $44.00! Accepted

 

We just need a place to stay until Monday, will be doing all our touring pre-cruise while staying at the Luquillo Sunrise Beach Inn

 

 

Thanks everyone!

[royal_flush]

Priceline 3*

I followed what a PP had done and got the Courtyard By Marriott Miramar

10/4/2009-10/05/2009

 

$44.00

$12.18 taxes & fees

______

$56.18

 

 

Chose zone 6 - $35.00

added zone 1 - $40.00

added zone 5 - $44.00! Accepted

 

We just need a place to stay until Monday, will be doing all our touring pre-cruise while staying at the Luquillo Sunrise Beach Inn

 

 

Thanks everyone!

 

That's pretty damn good deal!

[cruisintwinsmom]

Caribe Hilton: $95.00

Taxes & Fees: $18.54

Total: $113.54

 

Have been trying for days to get a decent rate...even went up to $135, using only resorts, but was constantly denied. Tonight being frustrated with the whole thing, started only with bidding 4* and initial bid of $90 (was going to do $100, glad I changed my mind!) It was rejected. Added Cabo and increased bid to $95, which was accepted.

 

Thanks to all of you for sharing your info, it helped me to persist.

 

BTW, used Priceline last year and this price is better.

[IworkIcruise]

Just got InterContinental for $100 +14.67 tax for 1/29/10, bid on 3 rooms, total $344.01! First time I have ever used Priceline, my first bid was tbe $100. Guess I should have started lower, but didn't really think it would even be accepted! Happy with the price though, too bad we will only be there one night. It won't be long enough, but then off to the Serenade, which will be wonderful of course!

 

What can I expect for resort cost extra?

[CarolRick]

I know everyone is trying to get the Sheridan and I am having no luck for Feb 7th. So I'm willing to lower my standards as long as I'm in OSJ. Can anyone tell me how I can be sure to get another hotel in OSJ and not next to the airport?

 

I think you are too early to get the Sheraton for February on Priceline. My experience is that the Sheraton did not release rooms for Priceline till a few months ahead of time. Hotwire may be a better alternative if you can figure out the hotel by the amenities listed.

[Lois R]

Just got Wyndham Rio Mar thru Priceline bid

July 26 1 night

$117.00

plus taxes of 21.29

and trip insurance fee of $5.00

grand total 143.29

 

We plan to rent a car and do a self tour of El Yunque post cruise. Is this a good deal?

 

Yes, it is a good deal. I stayed there last year. The grounds

and hotel are lovely. Its good you are renting a car though...

Its at least a 30 minute ride from the airport:rolleyes:

[lovemylab]

I think you are too early to get the Sheraton for February on Priceline. My experience is that the Sheraton did not release rooms for Priceline till a few months ahead of time. Hotwire may be a better alternative if you can figure out the hotel by the amenities listed.

 

I was able to get the Sheraton 9 months in advance, so it can be won early. I am thinking there is either not a lot of availability for February or the person is not bidding a high enough amount.

 

shamrockarse - the only way to be sure of being in OSJ is to book a room directly with the hotel. With priceline and hotwire there are no guarantees of the location.

[shamrockace]

Priceline:

bid 31/2*** in SJU (zone 6 only) at $105.00 for Feb 6th, 2010 for one night

accepted at Intercontinental San Juan Resort Spa at Isla Verde

happy to have a hotel booked!

[Lois R]

Yippeee!!!!:D

Just got the Intercontinental on Priceline!

San Juan

Resort

90.00 + taxes and fees=107.91

Staying there pre-cruise 1 night, Jan 15th, 2010:)

 

First time at this hotel and it sure looks great.

I am HAPPY:D

 

Oh my goodness...it said I was upgraded to the resort.

I think I clicked on 3star..thinking I was going to get

something else....

Edited May 12, 2009 by Lois R

[familycruzer]

What areas or zones do I want with Priceline and Hotwire to be near the port?

[Lois R]

What areas or zones do I want with Priceline and Hotwire to be near the port?

 

Hi,:) if your ship embarks from Old San Juan, then San Juan would

be the zone.

If your ships embarks from Pan American Pier? There are no

hotels right there so pick any and you will have to grab a cab

to your ship:D

[Sheffie]

Winning Priceline bids:

 

Just got the Marriott San Juan Resort and Stellaris Casino

6/27/09

 

Resort

Zone 6

4 star

$120

 

_____________________________

 

Sheraton Old San Juan

7/5/09

 

Zone 6

Resort $95 didn't win

Resort 4* $100 didn't win

Resort 4*, 3 1/2* $105 won

 

We are happy with each of them.

[stipmom]

What zone and stars do I need to bid to try and get the intercontinental? Thanks

[lovemylab]

What areas or zones do I want with Priceline and Hotwire to be near the port?

 

With priceline you want to bid the San Juan zone only. If you bid anything other than this zone you could be placed anywhere in Puerto Rico :eek:

[lknight27]

With priceline you want to bid the San Juan zone only. If you bid anything other than this zone you could be placed anywhere in Puerto Rico :eek:

 

Not quite!

 

In order to NOT get a resort in another zone, you need to re-bid in a zone that DOES NOT HAVE RESORTS. This is called a free re-bid. So before you start bidding, select every zone individually. The ones that do not have resorts write the zones down so that if your first bid isn't accepted, you can add these zones as free rebids right away. Otherwise you'd need to wait 24 hours before bidding again. This also allows you to not overbid since you can start low and work your way up. Be sure to NOT change the star level. Keep it at RESORT just add the zones.

 

Here's a sample bidding strategy:

Select - San Juan - Resorts- bid xxx

add Cabo and rebid xxx

add Dorado and rebid xxx

add Maya and rebid xxx

add Ponce and rebid xxx

 

If you notice, each zone that I added has no resorts which ensures that the bidding goes back to my initial zone which is San Juan. I was able to snag the Intercontinental for $91 in January, so priceline is a good option if you know how to bid and want to save some money.

 

Hope this helps. I'm a priceline junkie!!!!:D I can bid and write up strategies in my sleep. There's even a way to squeeze more free rebids than the above strategy, but that's for the more experienced users. If you have more questions though, feel free to ask.

 

Happy Bidding! ;)

[familycruzer]

Hi,:) if your ship embarks from Old San Juan, then San Juan would

be the zone.

If your ships embarks from Pan American Pier? There are no

hotels right there so pick any and you will have to grab a cab

to your ship:D

 

 

From what I have learned, the Serenade will leave from Pan American Pier.

[familycruzer]

Not quite!

 

In order to NOT get a resort in another zone, you need to re-bid in a zone that DOES NOT HAVE RESORTS. This is called a free re-bid. So before you start bidding, select every zone individually. The ones that do not have resorts write the zones down so that if your first bid isn't accepted, you can add these zones as free rebids right away. Otherwise you'd need to wait 24 hours before bidding again. This also allows you to not overbid since you can start low and work your way up. Be sure to NOT change the star level. Keep it at RESORT just add the zones.

 

Here's a sample bidding strategy:

Select - San Juan - Resorts- bid xxx

add Cabo and rebid xxx

add Dorado and rebid xxx

add Maya and rebid xxx

add Ponce and rebid xxx

 

If you notice, each zone that I added has no resorts which ensures that the bidding goes back to my initial zone which is San Juan. I was able to snag the Intercontinental for $91 in January, so priceline is a good option if you know how to bid and want to save some money.

 

Hope this helps. I'm a priceline junkie!!!!:D I can bid and write up strategies in my sleep. There's even a way to squeeze more free rebids than the above strategy, but that's for the more experienced users. If you have more questions though, feel free to ask.

 

Happy Bidding! ;)

 

So now I just need to research the different resorts. I have used Hotwire many times in the past because I can at least see amenities. I have only used Priceline once and got a good deal but not the hotel I was shooting for.

[lovemylab]

Not quite!

 

In order to NOT get a resort in another zone, you need to re-bid in a zone that DOES NOT HAVE RESORTS. This is called a free re-bid. So before you start bidding, select every zone individually. The ones that do not have resorts write the zones down so that if your first bid isn't accepted, you can add these zones as free rebids right away. Otherwise you'd need to wait 24 hours before bidding again. This also allows you to not overbid since you can start low and work your way up. Be sure to NOT change the star level. Keep it at RESORT just add the zones.

 

Here's a sample bidding strategy:

Select - San Juan - Resorts- bid xxx

add Cabo and rebid xxx

add Dorado and rebid xxx

add Maya and rebid xxx

add Ponce and rebid xxx

 

If you notice, each zone that I added has no resorts which ensures that the bidding goes back to my initial zone which is San Juan. I was able to snag the Intercontinental for $91 in January, so priceline is a good option if you know how to bid and want to save some money.

 

Hope this helps. I'm a priceline junkie!!!!:D I can bid and write up strategies in my sleep. There's even a way to squeeze more free rebids than the above strategy, but that's for the more experienced users. If you have more questions though, feel free to ask.

 

Happy Bidding! ;)

 

 

Correct. This is if the person is only planning to bid for resort level hotels though. Because they didn't indicate that in their post I was replying under the assumption that they would be possibly bidding in other categories (i.e. 3.5 star to perhaps land the Sheraton).

Edited May 14, 2009 by Autumn3

[lknight27]

So now I just need to research the different resorts. I have used Hotwire many times in the past because I can at least see amenities. I have only used Priceline once and got a good deal but not the hotel I was shooting for.

 

If you haven't done so already please review www.biddingfortravel.com and/or www.betterbidding.com. They list the priceline resorts for the San Juan zone.