Priceline

[sweet angel]

I'm upset -- more at myself because I didn't listen to my gut.

I just tried Priceline for the first time. Looking for four-star hotels in Baltimore. There were five four-star hotels. Four I would've been happy with, one I ABSOLUTELY did not want. Guess which one accepted my price?

Is there anything I can do? I've already emailed Priceline. I'm not going to stay at this hotel. I will eat the $349 and chalk it up to a lesson learned.

Any advice?

 

[FreshTressa]

Maybe you can get someone to take your reservation for less money?

Like maybe post on CL or something that you have the reservation and ask like only $200 a night or something.

 

[Mercy]

What hotel did you get? I live outside Baltimore. I helped a friend bid for a hotel in the Inner Harbor for a 1 night getaway. She got the Hyatt, she went a couple of weeks ago and said it was very nice.

 

[sweet angel]

The choices were:
Hyatt (which was what I wanted)
Harbor Court
Pier 5
Renaissance Harborplace
and
Marriott Waterfront -- which is WAY off the beaten path from what I can tell from the map.

I got the Marriott.

ETA: It looks like it's a water taxi stop, so maybe it's not so bad. I hate to be at the mercy of the water taxi though, especially since it stops running at 8 p.m.

 

[Mercy]

Well, the Marriott Waterfront is a beautiful hotel! It is just on the other side of the harbor, it's really not that far. That is actually the hotel my friend wanted. What did you pay per night? I wouldn't be so quick to give it up.

 

[sweet angel]

It's $100/night, so $349 for 3 nights after taxes. From what I can see, it's on the water taxi route, so I probably shouldn't complain too much. The best online rate I could've gotten for the Hyatt (which was the one I wanted) was $788.

I really wanted the other side of the harbor though because it's just going to be me and DS14 and we mainly were interested in the Aquarium and Science Center.

I also probably should've started bidding lower from I see now on other threads, but I suppose you live and learn.

I figure the $400+ I'm saving on the room will pay for tickets and meals.

I think I've calmed myself down.

Thanks!

 

[L107ANGEL]

Wow. You talked yourself down off the ledge!!

Teach me how!

 

[Beth76]

You know, I did the same thing. I used PL for Chicago last May. The hotel we got had to have been the least child-friendly hotel in downtown Chicago. And we had our 4yo and 10 month-old with us. But, it was a 5* and it was beautiful. If I had gone without the kids, this would have been the PERFECT hotel. We went and it turned out to be great! And even if you don't have the perfect hotel, you got a great deal and can still enjoy the rest of the city.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

a 4* hotel in that area for $100 a night is a darn good deal. Be adventurous!

I hope you have a nice trip.

 

[Mercy]

That Marriott is the newest hotel at the Inner Harbor. I think you will love it! You got a great hotel at a great rate. The money you saved can be used for food, tickets for attractions, food... did I say food!!

We have lots of great restaurants in Baltimore, that hotel is actually close to a section of Balto. called Little Italy. There are a cluster of great Italian restaurants there. It's cool because the restaurants are in an old section with the signature Baltimore row houses.

Hope you and your son have a fabulous time!

 

[sweet angel]

Thanks. I feel a lot better now. Is it common practice for the hotels to charge for parking????

My anticipated itinerary is:
Sun - World Trade Center and walking around to see what there is
Mon - Aquarium
Tues - Science Center
Wed - head home

 

[Mercy]

Thanks. I feel a lot better now. Is it common practice for the hotels to charge for parking????

My anticipated itinerary is:
Sun - World Trade Center and walking around to see what there is
Mon - Aquarium
Tues - Science Center
Wed - head home

Yes, I think most hotels charge for parking. We just paid $18/nt at a Sheraton.

 

[sweet angel]

Okay, one more question --

How's traffic in that area on a Sunday? I picked Sunday-Wed hoping that the traffic would be lighter and I wouldn't have to be nuts driving in an unfamiliar place with a ton of traffic.

 

[Mercy]

Traffic could be hectic, even on a Sunday. Mon-Wed, you have to contend with all the work traffic.

Personally, if it were me, I think I would park my car and leave it at the hotel and take cabs, water taxi, etc. Actually, the parking situation could be worse than the actual traffic. If you move your car from the hotel and say go to the Aquarium, parking will be an issue, which you will probably have to pay for anyway.

 

[princesspumpkin]

Ok, it's ok. First, I did the exact same thing. Last summer, I bid on Priceline and got the Marriott. I had no pre-conceived ideas about it (or it's location). It was fabulous!! I won it for $65 on a Thursday night, so when we got there, I voluntarily paid an extra $25 for a harborview. Best $$$ that I've spent! We were up above the 20th floor and the view was amazing. We took the water taxi twice (took abouot 8 minutes to get to the central location), and we walked the other times (took about 10-12 minutes). We didn't visit the Science Center this time, which is on the opposite side completely, so I can't say how long the taxi would take to get there (or walk) Me, Dh and DD-9 thoroughly enjoyed the Marriott. Don't worry. Also, we did have to pay for parking (can't remember how much, though).

 

[sweet angel]

Mercy, I'm driving in on Sunday and parking at the hotel. I won't be moving the car until Wednesday when we leave. I was concerned with the traffic going in and out -- I'll be okay.

Princesspumpkin -- THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I feel a ton better now! I had planned on parking and then just taking the water taxi or regular taxi. Thank you for telling me it was nice!

 

[LisaNJ25]

have a greeeeeat trip. You will love it.