Hotwire question...

[Esco!]

Esco you have to read the website and BFT, it does not sound like you have.

Sorry but I havent had the time to read all that.
I'm not leaving for Montreal until August, but this priceline scheme looks very interesting

 

[Doc Holliday]

Right now, the Hyatt (3-star) is going for around $70 on PL. I figure that the 4-star Omni can be had for around $85 or so. Even if you wind up with the Hilton Bonaventure, it isn't such a bad deal during the summer. I like staying there during the summer since it has a great pooldeck and lots of babes hang around there to suntan. Sure, i'm not crazy about the long and confusing walk to my room and back, but you can always request a closer room, like i did a year ago. Don't ask me how, but i wound up with a suite....and even better, it was right by the pool deck!! My date that night turned out to be a hundred times hotter than any of the girls from the pool deck, though.

 

[bond_james_bond]

Sorry but I havent had the time to read all that.
I'm not leaving for Montreal until August, but this priceline scheme looks very interesting

It's not really a scheme in that we're scamming the hotel or anything. The hotel can have an empty room and make $0. Or they can sell you the room at the Priceline rate, which is 40% less than the regular rate. But there are only so many empty rooms in each hotel, so that's why you don't know which hotel you're going to get until someone accepts your offer. The hotel would rather make something than nothing.

I too was a Priceline doubter. Here's what helped me to see the light:

Not knowing which hotel: PL tells you the class. BFT narrows it down. I want high speed internet and SP friendliness. At least in Montreal, all hotels on PL's list have high speed internet, and I don't think the non-SP-friendly hotels like the Vogue are even on PL. Even for a non-hobbying trip to L.A., I can use PL and even more so. Since I'm not hobbying, my requirements are even less.

Payment at time of bid: I was leary of this at first, but afterwards, it makes it easier in that I don't have to worry about the hotel bill when I'm there. Everything is taken care of when I'm still at home. I am confident that 99.9% of the time, I will not have to cancel my trip and suffer a loss. If you're someone with really "flaky" travel arrangements, PL is definitely not for you.

Not getting rewards points: Hotel rewards points are meaningless unless you are rich or you do a lot of business travel. Took me awhile to realize that.

Not getting room preferences: This isn't too big a deal for me, though I do prefer an upper level floor with 2 queen beds. But if you're someone who just has to have 1 king bed on the 11th floor, PL is not for you.

 

[Esco!]

The hotel can have an empty room and make $0. Or they can sell you the room at the Priceline rate, which is 40% less than the regular rate. But there are only so many empty rooms in each hotel, so that's why you don't know which hotel you're going to get until someone accepts your offer. The hotel would rather make something than nothing.

Makes sense, if I can get a 4 star room for around $100 I'll be absolutely thrilled!!!!

 

[picasso]

Hilton Bonaventure

Even if you wind up with the Hilton Bonaventure, it isn't such a bad deal during the summer. I like staying there during the summer since it has a great pooldeck and lots of babes hang around there to suntan. Sure, i'm not crazy about the long and confusing walk to my room and back, but you can always request a closer room, like i did a year ago. Don't ask me how, but i wound up with a suite....and even better, it was right by the pool deck!!

That was my home away from home during this past Jazz Fest and I have to say I have a very different and considerably more favorable opinion of the place now vs. two years ago. The difference this time? A suite at no extra cost on the same floor as the reception area.

 

[HarmonyNYC]

I think you need to choose the Name Your Own Price option and go with that.

Start with Downtown Montreal, 4 stars, $75 (if that's ok with you). It will probably reject you. Go down to 3 stars and according to BiddingForTravel, you have a pretty good chance of being accepted. If you really want 4 star, you'll probably have to bid $100 or higher, IMHO.

Question #1: Can I further define my Priceline search (or bid) to include only hotels with free internet access (like Europa has for free but places like Delta charge 15 bucks a day).

Question #2: Before I could feel it was safe (for me) to do a blind bidding, I would have to know that the place had internet for free in each room and that it was very close to Ste. Catherine. The question is how would I insure such things, or could I insure such things.

Question #3: If I am to start with: 4 star @ $75 for single occupancy then what should I start with for double occupancy?

My goal was 50, 60 to 70 for a single occupancy room at the Hyatt but now a friend may be making this trip so I think I'll be looking for double occupancy.


_

 

[Doc Holliday]

That was my home away from home during this past Jazz Fest and I have to say I have a very different and considerably more favorable opinion of the place now vs. two years ago. The difference this time? A suite at no extra cost on the same floor as the reception area.

Same thing happened to me last year.....i wonder if maybe we would up with the same suite? Was there a mini-bar area located on your way to the bathroom? Was its windows facing the pool deck area? Like i said earlier....this place's atmosphere is much different during the summer as compared to during winter time. I never really liked it in the past....claustrophobic-feeling, maze-like, long walk to many of the rooms....beds not that comfortable.....but i've grown to appreciate it more and more. Being right accross the CN station & close to the Bell Center is also a bonus. I heard from a friend of mine who happens to drive one of the shuttles driving people around town to and back to their hotels that they're considering of moving the bus depot (bus going to and from the airport) back to its old location near the Hilton. That would be great! Presently, they're located at the Berri-UQAM bus/train station and it seems to take like forever to get there as compared to before.

 

[Doc Holliday]

For Harmony NYC:

No to your first 2 questions. The Omni, by the way, has free wireless internet. As for the double-occupancy question, don't mention this when you place your bid. Simply bid as you'd be by yourself, and when you check in, ask for a room with two beds (make-up whatever reason if they ask) and tell your friend to wait somewhere else when you check in in order not to arouse suspicion. The front desk might not even care anyways.....

 

[picasso]

Same thing happened to me last year.....i wonder if maybe we would up with the same suite? Was there a mini-bar area located on your way to the bathroom? Was its windows facing the pool deck area?

Doc,

You got a different suite because mine faced the gardens and pond. Regardless, I was quite impressed with the amount of space there-- a sit-down guest area separate from the bed space--as well as the little things like good speakers in the bathroom that allowed me to listen to the WC soccer broadcasts while soaking in the bathtub. Also, they have maidservice checkup in the late afternoon. This is especially great if you see SPs during the day and you need your bed redone and your bathroom restocked for the nighttime activities ! A minor beef and this is just my personal preference is that I'd rather have wireless Internet in the room. Right now, all the rooms are equipped with wired hi-speed access for $9.95/day -- extremely reasonable-- whereas in the reception/lobby area you get free wireless access.