nini

I realize this topic has been discussed plenty but this is our first time attempting to book a hotel in London on PL. How much to bid for a five star in Mayfair? They offered a room for $223 ( not a counter offer). Is $200 an appropriate offer? We always stay in South Kensington at the Rembrandt which now is well over 200 bp. We're reluctant to change the location because South Ken & Knightsbridge seem to be lumped in with Earl's Court and we don't want to stay there. Has anyone stayed in a nice four star in Mayfair/Soho for $200 or less? We've spent lots of time on Bidding for Travel and Better Bidding. Would appreciate hearing from someone who has recent experience with PL in London. We will be there in late October for five nights.

yk

When you say PL offers a room for $223, which hotel is that, and are you sure it is a 5*?

Have you checked Hotwire?

Have you checked the rates for the 5* Soho/Mayfair hotels for your stay period (direct from the hotel websites)?

Just generally speaking (not specific for London nor 5* hotels), I tend to win PL bids for about 40-50% of the hotel's rate.

Just earlier this week, I won a 4* hotel in SF downtown for $85. The hotel website cheapest rate is $195.

WillTravel

The $223 is just a different form of counteroffer (there are several), and most likely you can get it for less. Is this the result of a bid for a 5* hotel in Mayfair/Soho?

Make sure you take a look at all the reviews for known (so far) 5* hotel in Mayfair/Soho on Betterbidding.com and BiddingforTravel.com - not all the reviews are good, but there are many very good hotels included in the bunch.

Jed

I don't understand. If the offer of $223 was not a counter offer, what was it? Please explain how you got the $223 offer.

As I see it on biddingfortravel.com, 5* Marriott Grosvenor House in Mayfair is going for $200 to 215.

As to whether a bid is appropriate, if it isn't, it simply won't be accepted and you can bid higher until either you get it or it hits the max you want to pay.

BTW, 4* Mayfair looks like ~$180.

nini

We are into day three of bidding. We have had the $223 offered each day and it is for a ***** but name is not revealed. They have indicated that some of these zones don't have any five star hotels--at least none that PL deals with. We have changed zones three times and last bid was $180. I think $200 may be accepted but now we have to wait to bid again. We stayed at the Regency on Queen's Gate years ago and can get it for $216(hotels.com) with taxes and breakfast included so there is a new option. It is **** but a good hotel with fitness center and whirlpool. Other people on Bidding for Travel are getting the same $223 offer.

yk

Based on what you are saying, to me, that $223 IS a counteroffer. You should be able to get it for around $200 or $205, IMO. Are you using your free rebids? If not, you can continue to bid without waiting for another 24 hours.

Jed

This is a most interesting situation, somewhat different from the experiences I have had with priceline. Please tell us how it turns out.

kayd

You mention that you need five nights -- that sometimes makes Priceline difficult. Does that span include both weekdays and a weekend? You might easily get the weekend dates in a business hotel, or the weekdays if it is a popular holiday destination, but the combination locks you out.

avalon

If you like the Rembrandt area, and I do too, You might try Londontown.com website. They have the Millenium Gloucester for 5 nights for 590 pounds includes breakfast and vouchers worth 50 GBP. It is just across the road from the Gloucester Rd tube

nini

Thanks for the replies. We really wanted six nights but DH realized the length of stay would be a problem with PL so we are adding an extra day in Prague to shorten the London visit. Using PL for Vienna was quick and easy compared to London. Yes, this stay in London involves a weekend--Friday -Wednesday so we thought that would be a complication. We hope to book a room tomorrow.

nini

Thanks Avalon but I just looked at londontown.com and the Millenium Gloucester came up at 781 bp without breakfast. Maybe it is because of the weekend/weekday combo. Looks very nice though.

Andeesue

nini, why not go with the Regency? Sounds like a good deal since it includes taxes and breakfast. With Priceline, you don't get breakfast (from my experience) and pay fees on top of the price bid,so the ending total can be higher. Fitness center and whirlpool....sounds nice.