Mike Honeycutt

I'm about to bid on Priceline for a hotel room in Providence. How many five-star hotels are in the downtown area?

Thanks
Mike Honeycutt

Jen

None. In all of the US, there are only about 5 or 6 hotels that meet Priceline's 5-star criteria. Go to www.biddingfortravel.com for more information about hotels that Priceline has awarded in any state/city.

Jim

According to biddingfortravel.com, these are the hotels that have been reported to them in downtown Providence:


4 Star
Providence Westin

3 Star
Providence Marriott
Providence Radisson

2 Star
Holiday Inn

Cindy

Westin is the 4* that shows up on Priceline all the time, the other hotel of that quality is the Biltmore, a classic old hotel.

I booked a 3* and got like most other people the Radisson. It's a nice hotel and was well worth the amount I paid but it is an out of the way location, away from downtown (an easy drive but not really walkable)

Mike Honeycutt

Thanks for the replies.

I checked biddingfortravel first but didn't find much.

I'm planning to attend a conference at the Westin and wanted a good deal. Can anyone recommend a hotel/motel close to the Westin with good rates?

Mike Honeycutt

JD

Courtyard by Marriott is a few blocks away from the Westin and is bound to be cheaper. It's a highrise hotel--not like the suburban locations-- and looks very nice.
Priceline is still a good options--are you still trying that route? You might want to book one of the others as a backup, but if you get Priceline, you will probably end up with the Westin (if you bid 4 stars) at the same or lower rate than the regular price at the lesser hotels.

Mike Honeycutt

Thanks JD -

Obviously I want the Westin (with a good price from Priceline .

Since Priceline doesn't let you know what hotel you're getting until the end of the process, I'm worried I'll end-up 5 miles away from the conference.

Mike

Leslie

Since the Westin is the only 4 star hotel that Priceline offers in Providence, if you bid at the 4 star level, then the only hotel that you could get is the Westin. If you bid at the 3 star level then that would include all of the 3 star and 4 star hotels in Priceline's inventory for Providence.

Mike, therefore, this is a no brainer and almost as easy as shooting into a barrel of fish. It's either the Westin or nothing if you bid at the 4 star level -- of course, you'd have to have your bid accepted.

Jen

I basically agree with Leslie, but we must remember that those hotel lists on biddingfortravel (BFT) are not provided by Priceline, they're based on what people have reported to BFT. Therefore, there's always a small chance of inaccuracy, from omitted hotels to hotels changing star rating or neighborhood , etc.

Don

Like Jen, I basically agree with Leslie. There's also a chance that Priceline has added another 4* hotel in that zone since the last time someone reported getting it on BFT--which, by my scanning, happened in March of this year.

Just because the Westin's the only 4* that's been reported as showing up for Priceline bidding in Providence in the past doesn't mean a future winning bid will get you the same hotel. The chances are great or at least good, but not a guarantee.

Mike Honeycutt

Thanks again to everyone.

The bidding has begun on Priceline.

Initial offer of $53 a night was
rejected - no surprise. I'll post a
follow-up when/if my bid is accepted.

Mike Honeycutt

Mike Honeycutt

I forgot to ask ...

If the Priceline route doesn't work, doesn't anyone know of a cheap hotel/motel within walking distance of the Westin in Providence?

I'll obviously stay at a 4 star hotel if the price is right but may have to go with a second choice.

Mike Honeycutt

Donna F

Good luck, we stay at the Westin at convention rates ($155) but those who don't want to pay that much stay in Seekonk or Warwick. They say it's only a 10 minute drive. I think for convenience's sake, you should bid 3 star. The convention rate for the Holiday Inn down the block is almost the same. I like the heavenly beds at the Westin plus not having to go outdoors to get to the convention center but I don't think the hotel is all that different from the other downtown hotels. The lobby is very beautiful but the rooms are pretty much the same.

Mike Honeycutt

Thanks Donna - my convention rate is $149 a night. As a state employee, the State of North Carolina would appreciate it if I could find a better rate

I've already started bidding at Priceline. I'll post a reply if they agree to a lower rate.

Thanks for your reply.
Mike Honeycutt

Bob

Mike, the Radisson, while not the most convenient, is what many people got on Priceline using 3 stars. I only paid $55 per night (it was a weekend, which is cheaper, but still was less than half the posted discount rates for that day) , cheap enough to pay for a cab to and from the Westin--shouldn't be more than about $5 each way (a 5-10 minute ride). The Radisson also has a complimentary shuttle van to take you places downtown, based on availability, of course--it could be out picking up people at the airport and you would have to go with a cab.
If you get another hotel as a 3 star on Priceline(Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott? Holiday Inn ?)it should be within walking distance of the Westin

Mike Honeycutt

Thanks Bob - location is important. I'm planning to work with Priceline for the month of October. If they can't meet my price, I'll investigate your suggestions.

Mike Honeycutt