Priceline... Have you ever been disappointed with your hotel?

[Charade]

I'm really reluctant to try them for fear of getting some flea invested roach motel.

Although I probably wouldn't request anything lower than a 2 or 2 1/2 * room.

[hercamore]

I htink I would stick with a 3* room bid, no lower.

I have never done PL in Orlando, but other cities I have not been disappointed.

herc.

[chucknjulie]

Try going to www.biddingfortravel.com

That sight will show you which hotels you are apt to get in which star zone and area and has links to reviews for each hotel.

If you actually want thier advice...you will have to do some research and spend some time with it, but the sight is quite a wealth of info and takes most of the mystery out. You also get to see what other posters are bidding for the same places and dates and which bids win and lose.

[Belle5]

Having bid on Priceline many times in Orlando I implore you not to bid lower than a 3*. The last 2 1/2 star I landed was rather dismal and did not give us a cheerful vacation feeling. That's putting it nicely. Have fun bidding. :flower1:

[sk!mom]

I have used Priceline for several years and have never been disappointed. I normally bid the highest star level available for the area - that is usually 4* sometimes 5*. We love Priceline because we get to stay at hotels that are much nicer than what we could afford otherwise and we get a bargain rate. I have bid 3* on a few occassions when I wanted a super cheap hotel just off the interstate as we passed through. I was never disappointed on 3* either since my goal was only a clean bed and shower for a quick pit stop. I would never bid lower than 3*. I have not used Priceline for Orlando since we prefer to stay on site, but biddingfortravel is where I would start if I ever decide to.
You will be able to see what others have been bidding and what hotels they have been getting.

[BonnieA]

I have gotten a few 3 stars in the WDW area. I have been pleased with them all. I also got a 2 star once (and I only bid because I was pretty confident of what I would get). It was the La Quinta Lakeside and I got it for $22. It was worth the money and more.

[Allabtprincesses]

We've only used Priceline for a hotel room once, and were not disappointed. I did read Bidding for Travel before I bid and wouldn't have gone lower then a 2 1/2 or 3.

[tbuot]

I am really new to the priceline.com method so this may be a dumb question...when I have looked at the site it says that the rooms accomodate 2 adults. How do I get a room for 2 adults and 2 children. I haven't ever tried to do the priceline thing because I have been afraid of getting a room with just one bed. Any help or clarity would be great!

[chucknjulie]

They are only guaranteeing a room that would accomodate 2 adults. The huge majority of hotels have options (1 king, 2 queens, etc)

For a trip to WA D.C., I got a room, and needed a larger one. I got the rm for $66 per night, and when I got there, I had to pay a $30 per night upgrade to accomodate us... the rm ww got was normally $270 per night - it was actually an apartment/suite - very nice. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again, but I will always go for the high stars.

[kilee]

Definetly stay 3* or above. We've been very pleased w/ the 3*'s. But completely disgusted w/ our one time 2.5*.

[Charade]

Ok. Now the question is what's a good price for a 3* in the Kissimmee area?

[glo]

under $100 a night. A few years ago I got the Swan for $69 a night, and people were getting the Marriot World center for in the $50's

[sk!mom]

The best way that I have found to get a room with two beds when our children are traveling with us is to contact the hotel directly. After my bid is accepted, I contact the hotel and request a room with two beds. Most of the time this is what you would get anyway, but I want to be sure. I've never had a problem with this either.
To decide how much to bid I would check biddingfortravel to see what some successful bids have been. If you have time for several attempts, then I would start low.
I checked biddingfortravel before beginning to bid on an upcoming trip to London. I went ahead and bid very low for a 4* in the area that I wanted thinking that I had months to try rebidding. To my delight my initial low bid was accepted for the hotel I was hoping for. You just never know!

[Good Ol Gal]

Thanks for all the great tips! We too are thinking of using Priceline for the weekend nights on our next trip.

[tbuot]

Thanks for the info.!!

[sweet maxine]

We just had a not-so-good experience at the Wyndham Palace in DTD during December. I would never pay rack rate for this hotel. We paid $62 per night on Priceline, and I think the only thing positive was the location to DTD. I'd say that's about all I would pay TOPS for this hotel. I think it is highly overrated as a resort, and their front desk staff definitely looks down on Priceline customers.

I guess it just depends on where you go and what you get. I probably won't let this one bad experience deter me from using Priceline.

[floridagirrl2]

Depending on the time of year--for a 3-star during Value season I wouldn't go higher than about $40 tops because you can usually get a Value Resort (with a discount code) for $49 during Value season. Plus if you stay on site at a Value Resort you get free parking at WDW (subtract 8 bucks right there).

[calypso*a*go-go]

We were very disappointed w/Wyndham Orlando (not the Wyndham Palace). The place was gorgeous on the outside and we were happy when we arrived. Then we found our room -- it was the most horrible, dirty, dumpy, little room we have stayed in. Actually had to move to three different rooms before we found one we would stay in. We would have left the property but arrived late at night using a towncar service and felt stranded.

That was our only disappointing experience. We have also been *surprised* a few times by extra charges for parking, resort fees, etc. that we didn't realize were not included in the bid. As suggested, use betterbidding.com or biddingfortravel.com to see what hotels may be available in the category you are bidding on. Call them directly and ask what misc. charges are required at checkout. That way you can adjust your bid accordingly and not have any unpleasant surprises.

[aero99]

I got the Sheraton Safari last year and LOVED it. It was a last minute trip and the DVC resorts were sold out. We paid $37/night and had a beautiful room with the new beds and were never treated any different due to being Priceline. (I'm an AP holder so we drove each day since we got free parking, so I can't comment on their shuttle service).

[disneychrista]

Yes. I have. The Disneyland area hotel that comes up the most/lowest usually gets you a dirty run down room in what is otherwise a very nice hyatt hotel. I have only used it for Disney trips, so I have no experience in other areas.

[Charade]

Ok, so what happens after you make your offer? Say I offer $45 for a 3 * but get no takers?

I either planning 1st week of May or 1st week of Dec if that makes a difference.

[chucknjulie]

If you choose a 3* in a certain neighborhood and enter $45 - it will take a minute and then it will either say - they found one - or that they were not able to. If they say "no" you can add another neighborhood and add $5 and try again, but you can't just raise your bid and do the same thing, until 72 hrs later. That is why I use biddingfortravel, it saves a lot of wasted bids.

[Beca]

Yes. I have. The Disneyland area hotel that comes up the most/lowest usually gets you a dirty run down room in what is otherwise a very nice hyatt hotel. I have only used it for Disney trips, so I have no experience in other areas.

We've been there, and done that!!! That was one of the WORST hotels I have ever stayed at!!! My wallpaper was peeling off the walls, and the vanity in the bathroom was off on one side, so the whole thing was slanted. I just KNEW it was going to fall off of the wall during the night. The carpet was SO disgusting that I wouldn't let anyone walk around barefoot. It was gross!!! I really think they save those rooms for "priceline people".

Then, I LOVED how in the course of conversation, the front desk clerk asked me if we had driven or flown to CA. I told her we drove, and she said, "Great! Will you be needing valet, or would you like to self-park?". I replied, "Self-park". And she said, "Okay, well the additional charges will be $45 dollars for parking." I just about flipped!! $15.00 a day to self-park!! With hotwire, we got a GORGEOUS suite hotel that included a buffet breakfast and FREE parking (this hotel was RIGHT next to the Hyatt) for less than priceline's Hyatt price +parking.

I will NEVER again use priceline. I think Hotwire is much more on the "up and up". And, Anaheim can keep their flea-bag Hyatt!!!

:wave:

Beca

[sweet maxine]

I agree with the post about the Sheraton Safari. The rooms there are beautiful, and the beds are sooooo comfy! I wish I could get that place on Priceline next time!

[barbnbrian]

I "won" the Wyndham Palace on Priceline last Aug. and would definitely not pay rack rate there. I had a bad experience with our 2 rooms booked there. I was happy with the hotel location being so close to DTD, but don't think I'd go back again. In fact, I know we won't! During our stay last Aug., our balconly looked across at SSR and DH, being a building contractor, was very interested in the new construction going up. Needless to say, we toured and bought points!

Anyway, if you do a search, you'll find other posts I made after our Aug. '04 trip that discussed the Wyndham Palace. If you do bid on Priceline in Orlando, I'd be worried that if you requested the "Resort" level, you might end up "winning" a room at the Wyndham Palace.

I've bid on a Priceline room at MCO and was very pleased though.

[deltachi8]

I have used Priceline almost exclusively for traveling to Orlando or anywhere really and have never been dissapointed ina hotel i recieved. The key is to research first and read reviews.

[Rpsemont]

We have used priceline on a few occasions, in Orlando and elswhere. definitely spend time on the biddingfortravel site. The information gleaned from a couple hours of reading is well worth it.

I would stick to 3* or above
For Orlando, most of the 3* + hotels have an option of two double beds, so call the hotel after you win. If, for some reason, the hotel gives you a hard time, wait until you check in a try again.

We have used pricline and gotten the Marriot at MCO for about $45 (total cost) and got a free rollaway to boot!
(We've also gotten the Dolphin, the Grosvenor, the Hyatt (now closed), the Renaissance WDW and the Renaissance at SW. We were happy with all, but have also heard some negative reports about these)

IN Wash DC we got a 4* that just had a king bed. the other option was 2 twins. We travel as 3 adults and one child so for that night Dh, DD and I shared the king, and BIL had an air mattress on the floor.

[jlcbshaw]

We have used Priceline for several of our trips and have never had any problems with any of our rooms. A side note on the 2 adults/2kids policy. Every hotel that we have "won" through Priceline have accomidated us, EXCEPT for Homewood Studio Suites in Dallas, so double check to make sure that this hotel isn't a possible site in the WDW area. You can check by looking at www.biddingfortravel.com.


CBS :earboy2:

[MichDISer]

under $100 a night. A few years ago I got the Swan for $69 a night, and people were getting the Marriot World center for in the $50's
those were the good ole days. :)
I think people are now mostly getting the Hilton at Downtown Disney for $80 or so. still not so bad but you can get a Mod on-site for $79 or $84 with a code.

[ceecee]

We use them a lot for weekend getaways. The only time we were disappointed was when the one hotel had only an outdoor pool (it was January winter and cold!) We fiqured any 4 star hotel in the city would have a pool, but we were wrong.

[Aimee K]

those were the good ole days. :)
I think people are now mostly getting the Hilton at Downtown Disney for $80 or so. still not so bad but you can get a Mod on-site for $79 or $84 with a code.


The last time I used Priceline was two years ago... we got Hilton by bidding $65 on 5 star IN Lake Buena Vista. $55 on 4 star got us Grosvenor. We were much happier at Hilton to say the least!

Aimee K :flower:

[NancyIL]

We've been there, and done that!!! That was one of the WORST hotels I have ever stayed at!!! My wallpaper was peeling off the walls, and the vanity in the bathroom was off on one side, so the whole thing was slanted. I just KNEW it was going to fall off of the wall during the night. The carpet was SO disgusting that I wouldn't let anyone walk around barefoot. It was gross!!! I really think they save those rooms for "priceline people".

Then, I LOVED how in the course of conversation, the front desk clerk asked me if we had driven or flown to CA. I told her we drove, and she said, "Great! Will you be needing valet, or would you like to self-park?". I replied, "Self-park". And she said, "Okay, well the additional charges will be $45 dollars for parking." I just about flipped!! $15.00 a day to self-park!! With hotwire, we got a GORGEOUS suite hotel that included a buffet breakfast and FREE parking (this hotel was RIGHT next to the Hyatt) for less than priceline's Hyatt price +parking.

I will NEVER again use priceline. I think Hotwire is much more on the "up and up". And, Anaheim can keep their flea-bag Hyatt!!!

:wave:

Beca

Hmmm....I got that Hyatt on Priceline and stayed there in May 2003. While I didn't stay in the newer section, my room was perfectly adequate, and I wouldn't hesitate to try Priceline again for Anaheim. I understand that all of the rooms there have been renovated now.

[Beca]

Hmmm....I got that Hyatt on Priceline and stayed there in May 2003. While I didn't stay in the newer section, my room was perfectly adequate, and I wouldn't hesitate to try Priceline again for Anaheim. I understand that all of the rooms there have been renovated now.

Hmm...well, I guess not ALL of them have been renovated, because we were there in April, 2004.

[amyup]

We have used priceline in the past for all different places and love it! The lowest I go is 3 stars. We seem to always get Hyatt's. I too recommend going to bidding for travel website because they give you a list of all the hotels that pop up in the area.

PS I just stayed at the Hyatt in Anaheim in December and yes all of the rooms are renovated now. The room was very nice and new! The worst part about it is the parking price!

[Trixiezzz]

We used Priceline in Orlando recently and were VERY disappointed!

We had booked a week onsite then decided to add a day so did the Priceline thing. We bid 2* and got a terrible room at Ramada Inn.

This hotel was probably nice about 30 years ago....the last time it was updated. Now it is shabby and worn; we had wet carpet by the balcony, toilet that didn't flush right, etc. The halls were scary! Yuk! I'll never do Priceline again in Orlando.

But, we've always had better-than-expected rooms via Priceline (4+ times) in other cities. Even at the 2* and 2 1/2* level.

[allisonwonderland]

hey,,I am not trying to hijack your thread,,but this seemed like a great place to ask.We will need a room(DH and I) for ealry MAY.I will heed your advice and stick with a 3 star or better.What price can I expect from Priceline?oh yeah,,,if u have used this before PLEASE tell me what hotel u got.also....how close can i get to WDW with Priceline?TIA!!!!!!! princess: