Judy, maybe it won't be so bad! I love the location of the Russell Hotel. I usually stay at Bloom's Hotel near there (but closer to the British Museum). The price you're paying is really cheap for London. And as others have said, maybe they will upgrade you if your room is really bad. Try to think positively, and don't let this spoil your trip - or your anticipation!

I've only used Priceline once, and the experience was great. I got the Marriott Courtyard at CDG, and the room was absolutely beautiful, as was the hotel. That hotel is new and probably doens't have any bad rooms,though. I understand Priceline has now added 2 bad hotels for the Paris CDG 3-stars, so I won't take a chance again. I had considered using Priceline for my next trip to London, but don't think I will, as I particularly don't like the No-Cancellation policy.

Don't despair, fellow Judy! I hardly ever take the first room I look at in any hotel--I always "room shop." If you're unhappy about the first room you see, just be your sweet, humorous self and I'll bet they'll have something better for you.

Good luck!

Judy,
I just wanted to let you know that I actually stayed at the Le Meridien Russell last November. We actally acquired the room through Expedia for $79 a night plus taxes. They too toted it as a 4* hotel. We figured it was probably too good to be true and knowing that something was going to be "off" we booked it anyway since it was so cheap.

Basically, it was beautiful on the outside and in the lobby area. The regular double rooms are equivalent to motel 6. It was rather spacious though, both the room and the bathroom, and very clean. For the money paid, we had no complaints. We loved the location, just around the corner from the tube and a few blocks from the British Museum.

They have art/tech rooms that are supposed to be fabulous, but you won't be getting those with special rates. But like I said, it was fine for us and very convenient.

Cristiana, thanks for the info. I sort of figured it would be a Motel Six like room. But as you said it was cheap and it has a good location. I have already scouted out some good restaurants. Did you find any nearby? Judy :-)

Judyrem - what restaurants have you scouted?

One that I remember that was really good was a French restaurant called Townhouse Brasserie. It was inexpensive and tasty with good service. If I remember correctly, it was closer to the British Museum than the hotel, but still easily within walking distance. I'm having trouble remembering the other places we ate. There was a chain pizza place that was good, but nothing special. We ate at a chinese food place that was good, but obviously not particularly memorable. All of these were in the same area as the first restaurant I mentioned. There was an Indian (or was it Greek???) food place that looked tempting, but we never got around to it. It was down the street and across the way from the french place. Sorry for all the non-specifics!

Barbara: Italian Kitchen, got very good reviews in Hardens guides and on London eats..it is on New Oxford st. Il Soriso/ 95 Charlotte, Porchetti Pizzeria /35 Bosewll st, Sardo/ 45 Grafton Way, and Indigo and Axis/ One Aldwich Way for pre theater All our located near Bloomsbury except Axis and Indigo. Indigo has a pre theater deal...anything off the menu PLUS drinks ordered before 7pm 25% off total bill. cristiana: I heard of the Townhouse,,,it now goes on my list too! Judy :-)

Thanks Judyrem - I look forward to your trip report.

I have to tell you that it isn't only PL and discount sites that you have to worry about. Quite a few years ago I was in San Francisco on business. I don't usually let the company make the reservations, but I was in a rush. I told them to make the reservation at a specific luxury hotel that I loved. At the time $200 was a lot for a room. When I arrived I thought the room was dark. I opened the curtains and there was a brick wall. Mind you, the hotel was on Union Square so to have a view of a brick wall was horrendous. I called the desk and said the room was unacceptable. After a little cajoling I received a room with a view. So now when I make reservations, I state specifically not to have a view of a wall. I know that can't be done on PL, but be careful whenever you make reservations.

I'm through with Priceline after a hellish experience this summer in London. A frequent traveler, I had heard from friends that Priceline, although risky for air travel, was pretty reliable for booking hotels. Wrong. Highlights of my ordeal:

I arrive via taxi at Thistle Charing Cross late PM June 28, struggling with two bags and the cast on my newly-broken arm. Supposedly booked for three nights.
My guaranteed pre-paid, non-changeable, non-refundable room was non-existent. Very kindly they say they're going to walk me to the Horse Guards hotel instead. But wait, that's only for 1 night; then I have to come back to Charing Cross for the remaining two nights. "It's a Priceline room" was whispered several times by the front desk staff. The manager took a look at me in my sling and sailed right by me without a word.
I say no, I'm not moving twice in a three day stay. But since it was "Priceline", the only place they could get to take me for the three nights was Thistle Piccadilly, a definite NON 4-star. As it was closing on midnight, what was my choice?

They send me to Piccadilly via taxi, for which I had to pay 4 British pounds above what the hotel had paid the driver. I get a second floor front room with smoke-slimy walls, non functioning AC and no window that opens, in the actual glare of neon signs directly overlooking the Hard Rock Casino and Planet Hollywood. Mind you, it's Saturday night. This area on weekends is like the third ring of Dante's Inferno. Had it been twenty or thirty years ago, I'm sure I might even have enjoyed it. Between the police sirens, crowd noise and nightclub beats keeping time with my throbbing broken limb, I was too hot, exhausted and angry to sleep, so I didn't.

Next morning I immediately go to a pay phone, use my credit card to try and contact Priceline Customer Service, which turns out to be an oxymoron. Surprise - nobody's there. Nothing in the voice-mail labyrinth can or will respond to my problem, i.e. what do I do when I find myself in a hellish hotel situation? Of course, there is NO WAY to talk to an actual human at, I use the term loosely, Customer Service.
God knows what the three attempts to call Priceline will cost my Amex card - of course the 800# is only free in the U.S. So, add that to unexpected cab fare for extra expenses of my "bargain" hotel room, and I could have stayed at a decent place booked by myself. Never mind that I later fell sound asleep in Regent's Park and was mistaken for a homeless person.

I go back into the hotel and state that I want to return to Thistle Charing Cross, which at least has a doorman. To his credit, the duty manager, Philip somebody, sees my plight and offers to move me to the back of this hotel, to a better room. To minimize further inconvenience, I agree. I stay there the last two nights, and although the hotel is nowhere near where I need to be for my business meeting or the shopping I wanted to do, I manage to step over the drunk in the doorway next door (I am not making this up), avoid the pimps and drug dealers working in the street right outside, and soldier on until, mercifully, it's time to go home.

I've been upgrade to a suite/comcierge level as a Priceline customer on 3 occasions. Have received a "bad rom" once in about 30 stays. I think check in staff has a lot to do with it. I've still received bad rooms when paying rack rate at a hotel.

I have a question. I've been reading this thread with a lot of interest as I thought about using Priceline for our upcoming trip. Did the people who are sastified with the rooms they've had from Priceline traveling off season?
And did the people that got stuck with the less appealing rooms travel at the height of the season?
We are going to Prague, Vienna and Budapest in April. Thanks

I've never traveled with Priceline, but a friend of mine, got airfare from them from San Francisco to Rome. Yes, they got a good deal, but they had to fly all over the country for a couple of connections with long layovers and it took them probably 8 hours more to get to Rome than it would with regular airlines. I guess it comes to whether your time is more valuable. I personally would rather pay more and get to my destination. As far as rooms are concerned, I would expect nothing else but to get the runts of the hotel rooms, unless the hotel is almost vacant, why would they give out their best rooms for a cheap price when they can get the maximum for it. Isn't that common business sense?

McGeezer, Have used PL for 5* accomodations 4 times in London during the months of May and September and have never been disappointed. I agree with the above comment that many new travelers to Europe don't understand that a 4* in Europe is more like a 3*in the US. Many people expect brand new accomodations and conveniences in 100 year old buildings.

You can read the Eastern European hotel reviews in biddingfortravel.com's hotel reviews section, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

My big question is: IF the hotel is half empty and there are NO upcoming reservations, why do hotels insist on putting you in a bad room? I would think the subsequently bad reviews shared on this forum and elsewhere, would make them more aware. But that is my rant for the day! I am going to e-mail this page to Priceline and Le Meridien Russell Square, just to see if there is any type of reaction. Probably not!

I am always shocked when I read these priceline horror stories b/c I've always had such great luck with them. In June, 03, my husband and I stayed at the Marriott Maide Vale (London) through priceline for $80.00 (yes, dollars) a night. We were put on the concierge floor, which meant free breakfast on weekday mornings, drinks and snacks throughout the day, and free internet service. It was a great hotel.

Our only bad experience with priceline was a hotel room in Alexandria, Louisiana. And, if you've ever been to Alexandria, you know that the whole town is nasty and our hotel room was a reflection of that town, rather than priceline. That is really a shame if there are hotel empolyees/managers out there putting priceline customers in bad rooms just b/c of the way the room was purchased.

i am a new priceline user and so far i am completely satisfied....the only case of segregation that i have experienced was two weeks ago at the marriott courtyard at la guardia in nyc...they put me in the last room down the corridor....the room was fine in every way otherwise...in fact it was away from other potential noisy areas...
in the last six months i have used them in london (heathrow), prague, and frankfurt and berlin, germany---all with complete success...to the person inquiring about prague...we got the savoy---5*, $110 per nite instead of $325 and we received a free garage, free mini bar, free welcoming drink and free breakfast...just like any other full fare guest....i'm sold for now....my philosphe is however...bid for top notch places...there are fewer of them...they treat people better and what difference does it make where you stay if you pick a 4 or 5 * hotel in a certain area of the city....some areas are large however...

right now i am thinking about bangkok...in the riverside category there are some nice hotels at 4*, but one bad one---the holiday inn...it is a 3* for sure but priceline has it as four and is awarding it all the time...this may keep me from bidding...when i really want the marriott or the sheraton or some other true 4* place...

Something you must keep in mind when using Priceline or any other site for booking european hotels. their ratings are NOT equivalent to those in the US. A euopean 4* is similar to a US3* They have somethig called 4* deluxe which is similar to our 4*. And while many of their 5* (especially if called Palace hotels) properties are in fact world class top notch hotels they also give a 5* rating to a lot of hotels that we would consider good quality 4* business hotels (better sheraton, hyatts etc.). So, before bidding, look at some hotel web sites to understand what you're getting for your stars.

jmathers,
Thanks for the tip. I went to BFT and I feeling more optimistic about PL. I don't mind doing the research and taking a gamble.

Mcgeezer -- you've broken the priceline code! I believe that those who are most unhappy 1) don't do their homework (research) and 2) don't realize that it is a gamble. If you realize that you do have to research in advance and be willing to gamble on what you get, I think you'll be okay.

I used Priceline in London in October for two hotel reservations. The first one, I made in advance, over a month prior to my trip. I got the Thistle Kensington Palace for $50/night for three nights. It wasn't a great hotel but it was okay. (I've paid more and gotten less in London.) I knew in advance that this hotel had received some negative reviews and that it was a possibility when I bid a 3 star in that zone. After I arrived in London, my plans changed and I needed a hotel for three more nights. So, the second day of my stay, I again bid for same zone and star level at $50, fully expecting to get the same hotel -- which was okay by me. I got a different hotel (slightly disappointed that I would have to change hotels since I really expected to get the mediocre Thistle Kensington Palace again). The second hotel was the Holiday Inn Kensington Forum -- a hotel which was great at $50 and would have been worth much more. I was very pleased.