Summary of Winning Bids on Priceline, Hotwire, etc.

[Fisherlady48]

Hi Stranger:) how are you?

 

I stayed there last year and to be honest, I wasn't impressed.

Had issues with the room, bed and the staff:rolleyes:.

 

It is in a good location.....lots of restaurants along the street.

 

Hi Lois, Im good. just got off the Enchantment's repo to Florida by way of Aruba. It was ok.. but I think Im sticking with Celebrity.

 

How is your new home? Did you sell the old?

 

Take care,

 

Kathleen

[Lois R]

Hi Lois, Im good. just got off the Enchantment's repo to Florida by way of Aruba. It was ok.. but I think Im sticking with Celebrity.

 

How is your new home? Did you sell the old?

 

Take care,

 

Kathleen

 

Hi Kathleen, new place is good:D the old one? I sold it back in

November...closed on it in December:)

[BigDave76]

Last night I got this deal on Priceline for San Juan:

 

10/06/13

1 night

2 rooms

4 star

 

Started bid at $80. That got rejected so I went to $90. That got rejected. So I went to $100 and that was accepted for San Juan Water and Beach Club Hotel.

Edited May 5, 2013 by BigDave76

[khm1]

Site: Hotwire

Dates: 11/7/13-11/9/13 (2 nights, 1 room)

Area: Condado, 4 stars

Ammenities listed:

Accessible for the blind

Braille or raised signage

Accessible for the deaf

TTY for telephone, visual or flashing fire alarm and vibrating alarm clock

Accessible path of travel

36 inch wide flat or ramped paths from the parking lot to the front desk and from the front desk to guest rooms

In-room accessibility

Accessible path from the room entrance to the window, the bed and the bathroom; accessible hardware and minimal resistance to open the door; accessible temperature controls and window coverings

Accessible bathroom

Raised toilet, hand-held shower and grab bars at the tub and toilet

Handicapped parking

Handicapped parking available

Roll-in shower

Bathroom has a roll-in shower

 

Listed price: $126

Sub Total: $252.00

Tax and recovery: $80.15

Total: $332.15

Hotel: Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino

 

I am very happy:D. I have stayed here twice before. Great area, great hotel.

[ncsteeler]

I can't seem to find the selection for resort on priceline. When I select SanJuan I see 5-1 stars but can't find resorts. Anyone got an idea?

[khm1]

I can't seem to find the selection for resort on priceline. When I select SanJuan I see 5-1 stars but can't find resorts. Anyone got an idea?

 

The resort category does not exist anymore on Priceline. The rules have changed and it is much harder to know what you are getting on PL. I found that Hotwire was easier this time for me (see above post). I studied hotel lists of amenities on better bidding dot com. I was pretty sure that I would get the Marriott and I did. Hotwire breaks down into much more specific geographical areas of SJ. I found it to be much more predictable. JMHO.

[ncsteeler]

The resort category does not exist anymore on Priceline. The rules have changed and it is much harder to know what you are getting on PL. I found that Hotwire was easier this time for me (see above post). I studied hotel lists of amenities on better bidding dot com. I was pretty sure that I would get the Marriott and I did. Hotwire breaks down into much more specific geographical areas of SJ. I found it to be much more predictable. JMHO.

 

Thanks, I hadn't gone but a few pages back in the thread. Were a long way out from needing it, but I figured I would see if a low bid would sneak through.

[divinmule]

Just got San Juan Beach and Water club $105 for one night precruise.

I am soo happy...I can just see us sitting at the roof top bar watching the ocean!!!

[jcgld62]

Site: Hotwire

Dates: 11/7/13-11/9/13 (2 nights, 1 room)

Area: Condado, 4 stars

Ammenities listed:

Accessible for the blind

Braille or raised signage

Accessible for the deaf

TTY for telephone, visual or flashing fire alarm and vibrating alarm clock

Accessible path of travel

36 inch wide flat or ramped paths from the parking lot to the front desk and from the front desk to guest rooms

In-room accessibility

Accessible path from the room entrance to the window, the bed and the bathroom; accessible hardware and minimal resistance to open the door; accessible temperature controls and window coverings

Accessible bathroom

Raised toilet, hand-held shower and grab bars at the tub and toilet

Handicapped parking

Handicapped parking available

Roll-in shower

Bathroom has a roll-in shower

 

Listed price: $126

Sub Total: $252.00

Tax and recovery: $80.15

Total: $332.15

Hotel: Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino

 

I am very happy:D. I have stayed here twice before. Great area, great hotel.

How do you get the full list of ammenities to show up? I click on "see more..." in the box and it still only lists a few. Some of the descriptions are very literal and I think if I can see all the ammenities I will have a pretty good idea of which hotel I am looking at. I still have a while to lurk, so I am looking just in case I catch a great deal. We will only need one night and just want clean, good area and resonable price. We prefer not to pay a resort fee. I think priceline would be too risky since they seem to lump all the areas together.

[cheffip]

Just got San Juan Beach and Water club $105 for one night precruise.

I am soo happy...I can just see us sitting at the roof top bar watching the ocean!!!

 

 

Congratulations...did you get it through Priceline or Hotwire? If it was Hotwire, can you list the amenities to help the rest of us ID it?

[khm1]

How do you get the full list of ammenities to show up? I click on "see more..." in the box and it still only lists a few. Some of the descriptions are very literal and I think if I can see all the ammenities I will have a pretty good idea of which hotel I am looking at. I still have a while to lurk, so I am looking just in case I catch a great deal. We will only need one night and just want clean, good area and resonable price. We prefer not to pay a resort fee. I think priceline would be too risky since they seem to lump all the areas together.

 

On the Hotwire website, enter your location and dates. Hit search and you will have a list of "Secret hot rate hotels". Click on the offer that you are interested in. You will see a box at the upper left that says " Your trip summary" In that box, you will see "See all amenities" Click on that text to see the complete list.

[jcgld62]

I see that on the 3* hotels, but the "see all amenities" link is not in the box when I select the 4* hotels. Not sure if it's my computer or what.

[NCTribeFan]

The only time I've ever used Priceline (and have never used Hotwire) was when I sailed from San Juan back in May 2009. Thanks to all the great info in this thread, I got just what I wanted post-cruise (Marriott Stellaris) but messed up my pre-cruise (wanted Sheraton OSJ but ended up at Courtyard Miramar, which turned out to be just fine).

 

And now it looks like everything has changed. :( I was hoping I could just go back and find the levels and zones I'd used last time and do it again, but apparently not.

 

I'm on the Conquest repo in November from San Juan to Miami. Had wanted to do a longer cruise, but since I love San Juan, I decided I'd just fly down a couple of days early and extend my vacation that way.

 

Don't know yet whether I'm sailing solo or not, so I'm not sure what to do about a pre-cruise hotel. And haven't booked my flight, yet. If I get in late, may just try for a hotel by the airport for night #1 and then something in OSJ or Condado area for night #2.

 

Better start doing some reading!!!

[khm1]

The only time I've ever used Priceline (and have never used Hotwire) was when I sailed from San Juan back in May 2009. Thanks to all the great info in this thread, I got just what I wanted post-cruise (Marriott Stellaris) but messed up my pre-cruise (wanted Sheraton OSJ but ended up at Courtyard Miramar, which turned out to be just fine).

 

And now it looks like everything has changed. :( I was hoping I could just go back and find the levels and zones I'd used last time and do it again, but apparently not.

 

I'm on the Conquest repo in November from San Juan to Miami. Had wanted to do a longer cruise, but since I love San Juan, I decided I'd just fly down a couple of days early and extend my vacation that way.

 

Don't know yet whether I'm sailing solo or not, so I'm not sure what to do about a pre-cruise hotel. And haven't booked my flight, yet. If I get in late, may just try for a hotel by the airport for night #1 and then something in OSJ or Condado area for night #2.

 

Better start doing some reading!!!

 

I know! Just when you think you know how to use PL, they change! I bid successfully for hotels in SJ 3 times on PL in the last few years. I had it all figured out. Then they changed all the rules.

 

After reading a lot on better bidding dot com, I decided to try on Hotwire. The best thing about Hotwire is that the hotels are grouped into specific geographical areas of the city while PL's are not. If you read the hotel amenities on better bidding, you can be pretty sure of what you will get based on star level, geographical area, and amenities.

 

I did pretty well and got Marriott Stellaris for $126/night in November on Hotwire. Do your research and give it a shot. It is much better than paying the rack rates! Good luck!

[cheffip]

 

I did pretty well and got Marriott Stellaris for $126/night in November on Hotwire. Do your research and give it a shot. It is much better than paying the rack rates! Good luck!

 

I noticed a Condado hotel for the same price for our post-cruise night in December. Do you remember if the Stellaris is the one with the 95% approval rating? There weren't many amenities listed.

[NCTribeFan]

I really liked the Marriott Stellaris (except for the bartender who completely and totally ignored us one afternoon), and I'd be happy staying there pre-cruise, but I think if I'm solo I'd rather stay in OSJ. It was difficult enough to try to get the Sheraton last time.

 

I'd better try to get people to either commit to joining me or not and just move on with my own plans if people won't make up their minds!

 

I did start my reading on betterbidding yesterday. I haven't seen any recent posts here about getting the Sheraton OSJ or how it was accomplished.

[khm1]

I noticed a Condado hotel for the same price for our post-cruise night in December. Do you remember if the Stellaris is the one with the 95% approval rating? There weren't many amenities listed.

 

Yes. It had a 95% approval rating. Read my other posts above again. I think that you should find the amenities if you follow what I wrote. I just tried it again and the amenities are there, as before. Good luck.

[cheffip]

Yes. It had a 95% approval rating. Read my other posts above again. I think that you should find the amenities if you follow what I wrote. I just tried it again and the amenities are there, as before. Good luck.

 

Yes, I see that now...thanks for the tip!

[cheffip]

I really liked the Marriott Stellaris (except for the bartender who completely and totally ignored us one afternoon), and I'd be happy staying there pre-cruise, but I think if I'm solo I'd rather stay in OSJ. It was difficult enough to try to get the Sheraton last time.

 

I'd better try to get people to either commit to joining me or not and just move on with my own plans if people won't make up their minds!

 

I did start my reading on betterbidding yesterday. I haven't seen any recent posts here about getting the Sheraton OSJ or how it was accomplished.

 

I've won the Sheraton OSJ on Hotwire in the past and have seen it in recent Hotwire searches (though not for a Saturday night). It is easy to identify as a 3 1/2 * in OSJ with key amenities that include casino, pool, tennis nearby etc. and others that match up to better bidding.

[epixx]

Hotwire Condado for 2 adults and 2 children. Resort fee. Base price for one night: $126. 95% approval rating. Amenities:

 

Accessible for the deaf

TTY for telephone, visual or flashing fire alarm and vibrating alarm clock

 

Accessible bathroom

Raised toilet, hand-held shower and grab bars at the tub and toilet

 

 

Handicapped parking

Handicapped parking available

 

We're happy with the selection, as we're staying here during the high season of Christmas week.

[cherylroslyn]

Hotwire Condado for 2 adults and 2 children. Resort fee. Base price for one night: $126. 95% approval rating. Amenities:

 

Accessible for the deaf

TTY for telephone, visual or flashing fire alarm and vibrating alarm clock

 

Accessible bathroom

Raised toilet, hand-held shower and grab bars at the tub and toilet

 

 

Handicapped parking

Handicapped parking available

 

We're happy with the selection, as we're staying here during the high season of Christmas week.

I LOVE the La Concha..... I think it is the best hotel that I have stayed at in Puerto Rico........ GREAT DEAL!!!!!!!

[NCTribeFan]

I've won the Sheraton OSJ on Hotwire in the past and have seen it in recent Hotwire searches (though not for a Saturday night). It is easy to identify as a 3 1/2 * in OSJ with key amenities that include casino, pool, tennis nearby etc. and others that match up to better bidding.

 

Thanks. I'll actually need it for a Friday. I'm flying down on Thursday but don't arrive until almost 11 pm, so thought I'd just get a room near the airport, then move to OSJ for Friday night. Now that I've booked my flight, I'm ready to get the rooms booked, too.

[NCTribeFan]

Well, that was pretty painless! There was an Express Deal on Priceline for $120 in Condado area, but I decided to go with Hotwire for what I was pretty sure was going to be the Sheraton in OSJ.

 

And that's what I got for my 2 night pre-cruise in November for $116/night, plus taxes & fees.

 

3-1/2*

Old San Juan

Free Internet, Pet Friendly, Casino, etc.

 

I'll get plenty of beach time on the cruise. I love OSJ and this is very convenient. And with this hotel, I only need to pay one taxi fare from the airport to the hotel. I'll drag my bags over to the pier!

[cheffip]

Well, that was pretty painless! There was an Express Deal on Priceline for $120 in Condado area, but I decided to go with Hotwire for what I was pretty sure was going to be the Sheraton in OSJ.

 

And that's what I got for my 2 night pre-cruise in November for $116/night, plus taxes & fees.

 

3-1/2*

Old San Juan

Free Internet, Pet Friendly, Casino, etc.

 

I'll get plenty of beach time on the cruise. I love OSJ and this is very convenient. And with this hotel, I only need to pay one taxi fare from the airport to the hotel. I'll drag my bags over to the pier!

 

Good one! I'm surprised when people will pay hundreds more for the Sheraton OSJ when it is so easy to identify on Hotwire. Are you on a Carnival sailing? If so they will depart from the old town pier. Celebrity and RCI depart from the Pan Am pier and that definitely requires a taxi.

[stefanny28]

Dear khm1

 

It has been a while since I used Priceline but since they changed things, I rather not try my luck.

I followed you advice and went on Hotwire to see. I need 1 night pre-cruise on Dec 21st, 2013, checking out Dec 22nd.

We are 2 adults and one teenager.

I did what you suggest in your post regarding how to see the complete list of amenities and I think it is the Concha Renaissance.

 

Here is the aminities:

Accessible for deaf (TTY for phone...)

Accessible bathroom (raised toilet....)

handicaped parking (handicaped parking available)

 

Is it the Concha Renaissance?

The rate per night is $125.85

Tax and recoverycharge and fees: $23.31

Total: $149.16

 

Is there a resort fee on top of the total?

is it around 14-16%?

How do I get a room for 3 or Hotwire only has room for 2?

 

I am sorry if I ask all these questions but I have never used Hotwire before and since we need a date during high season, if we can save a few $ it will be great.

 

Thanks for your help

 

Stefanny