Judyrem

FYI, got the Cumberland hotel for 90$ a night...vowed I would not use Priceline again, but tried it one last time(did not think I would get an acceptance on the first bid) and am very pleased with the hotel and location....I don't think any web site could give me such a good value. BTW I am not a big bkfst fan anyhow.

jan22lland

I have bought packages on both Priceline and Expedia. The better prices were with Priceline, breakfast was with Expedia. It is easy to get a fairly cheap breakfast in London, but not usually in your hotel and there are exceptions in every case. Go with the best overall value. Always call or email the hotel when making the deal.
I usually ask for specific things in a room, non-smoking, good view, bathtub, quiet part of hotel, etc. and have always been accomodated.

rkkwan

One should always look at as many deals as possible if one wants to get the best deal. I'm 100% with WillTravel. If others have great sources for booking hotels in London, then just tell us.

You don't need to dismiss Priceline or biddingfortravel.com. And what's the relevance about paying for breakfast anyways? As I said in my earlier post, you can eat there or you can NOT eat there. And I would bet that if you survey the actual rooms among the reported Priceline 3* and 4* hotels in London, the rooms and amenities will be better in general for the 4*.

Anyways, what if I love 5* hotel rooms and I don't eat breakfast?

Having said that, the best price difference between Priceline and other source is in the 4* and 5* categories, esp 5*. Many people have got one for under $200. Now, tell us where else can we find one.

And regardless of the quality of Thistle properties, there are many recent bids for around $52. That's under 30 pounds, in London, at a real hotel. I don't care if it's 4*, 3* or 2. If Londonsue or others have better deals than that, then please let us know.

Andrew

Priceline certainly isn't for everyone, but I have yet to see anyone post a better deal for the Thistle hotels (at least, the Thistle Marble Arch) . Sure, there are some other sites that offer good deals on Thistle hotels with the ability to pick the location beforehand, but they still aren't as cheap as Priceline. Where else can you get the Thistle MA for $55/night right now?

Priceline involves a small element of risk, though the worst that can really happen is that you don't get the property you were hoping for (most likely, still a decent place). You see all the successful bids for the Thistle MA for example and assume you will get it too but you get some other place. You simply have to understand that before doing a Priceline bid. I have done very very well with Priceline all over Europe and the states, but I do know how to bid with help from BFT. Those of us who are savy and want to get the best hotel deals are willing to deal with all of this.

Sure, hotels like the Thistle most likely do make their money on Priceline bids from the extras. So what? Do you think the non-Priceline customers don't buy the extras too? I don't see how this fact should somehow dissuade people from using Priceline, just because the hotel wants you to buy these extras. You can buy them or not - irrelevant to whether you used Priceline or booked on Thistle's website.

Andrew

LondonSue

Good discussion, there seems to be consensus falling out of this at the end.

i.e. Priceline is a great tool for the independent traveller but only one of many and has to be used with some discipline.

I too look forward to an end to the many 'Your answer is Priceline' slogan posts prevalent on the board of late. Independent travellers I like to think are independent thinkers too.

Andrew

I haven't seen a single post (except yours) suggesting Priceline was the only answer to anything. I often suggest it to people who say they are looking for a "good deal" or "cheap hotel." Why not? It has saved me tons of money and/or gotten me a much nicer place for the same money as I would have paid for a 1-star hotel. Why wouldn't I want to pass on this information to everyone?

Anyone considering Priceline needs to understand the potential drawbacks of using it. It's easy to bid too high if you don't know what you are doing, thus negating any savings you might have achieved (and locking you in to a non-refundable hotel). Also, some people apparently do not get that Priceline reservations are non-changeable, non-refundable.

I would never recommend Priceline to anyone who says saving money is not a consideration. It doesn't always give you a great deal. On my last trip to Europe, I used it in Prague, London, and Vienna but came up empty in Budapest (at least, up to my bidding limit), so I used Orbitz. Sometimes I see from BFT that Priceline isn't a good idea for certain cities due to the way the zones are setup or something, so I don't use it in every case.

Hotels are so expensive in London that it seems to me one of the very best places to recommend Priceline, though. If someone is trying to save money, I can't understand why they'd be unhappy paying $55/night for a hotel like the Thistle Marble Arch through Priceline.

Andrew

handfordr

" I can't understand why they'd be unhappy paying $55/night for a hotel like the Thistle Marble Arch through Priceline."

See: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...n_England.html

rkkwan

The actual reviews on Tripadvisor is not that bad. It ranked #249 out of 970, and readers rate it 3.5 out of 5. So, while not a top hotel, it's alright, especially for $52-55.

LondonSue

"I haven't seen a single post (except yours) suggesting Priceline was the only answer to anything."

Andrew, you misunderstand me.
I am suggesting that of late "Priceline is the answer" is commonly appearing as the answer to questions whre clearly "Priceline isn't the answer"

e.g.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34716038

Q . Anyone familiar with the Kensington Close, Bayswater Inn, or Westminster Hotel (NOT Thistle Westminster). Which is best value?
A. janisj - For budget travelers, Priceline is absolutely wonderful for London.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34717663
Q. LONDONTOWN HAS THESE HOTELS ATE MY PRICE RANGE. Any preferences?
Hotel at Chelsea
Thistle Lancaster Gate
HILTON kENSINGTON
THE RUBENS AT THE PALACE
RYDGES kENSINGTON pLAZA
thistle victoria or any other on Londontown.com Staying for 6 nights
A. travelgirl2 - I'm going to London and I checked www.biddingfortravel.com to get info on making a bid on Priceline. People seem to be getting good deals. I'm going to try it. Good luck.

A- Andrew Yeah, I got the Thistle Marble Arch for $75 in September through Priceline and was thrilled with it; off-season, people are getting it for $20 less even. Next time I go to London I would definitely do it the same way.
Clark55 I got the Meridien Piccadilly for $145 through priceline & for my next London visit I'll certainly be booking through them again.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34706469

Q. Looking for a recommendation for a small hotel in Bloomsbury.
A. cmcfong - I would suggest you consider using Priceline.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34704513

Q. Has anyone been to the Regent Palace Hotel in London? I'd like to know what I can expect
A. janisj - For London you really can't beat Priceline.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34701684
Q. Which B&B/Hotel for London, nice sized rooms w/ bath?
A. floydvic - You might want to check out recent reports on priceline sales in London on www.biddingfortravel.com.

kswl

I confess to being puzzled by some of the replies on this thread. No one has ever (to my knowledge) stated that Priceline is always the answer to inexpensive lodgings. However, it is always the first reply I give someone, mainly because there are many people out there who either don't understand how inexpensive it is, or don't understand bidding strategy. I, too, refer them to biddingfortravel. That's the purpose of this board----disseminating information, isn't it?

I've stayed in London in Priceline rooms at 4* and 5* hotels, and at 3* hotels that were a bit better located but twice the price. I'll almost always take the cheaper room, and bet that most people would at least consider that option.

Perhaps posters who aren't interested in Priceline could simply notate their original question with, "no priceline advice, thanks." I'm sure no one would feel compelled to offer it under those circumstances, and under any other it would at least be a welcome option.

Andrew

Gee, handfordr, I thought the Thistle Marble Arch was terrific when I stayed there in September, but maybe if someone on Trip Advisor didn't like it, I should change my opinion! Ya think?

Andrew

BigH

kwsl/andrew - you seem to be falling into the same trap that is antagonising a few people - some would say an arrogant background assumption of the superiority of the Priceline product.

Sure its an easy option to go down especially for US based people like us. But easy is not necesarily 'informed dissemination of information'

Most Londoners wouldn't dream of using Priceline because they know the market better than us.
In the same way we have an uninformed tendency to go for Priceline, UK people unthinkingly will go for what they call Travel Lodges when they are unsure of the market and are making an uninformed purchasing decision.

I used to use Priceline for London until I took the trouble to ensure I received better value.
There are wonderful independent 3 star hotels in Central London for around $100 - $120 with a good breakfast. I don't mean the Holiday Inn style chain hotels either.

I fully admit there is a substantial market for a 'mystery 4 star hotel' for $60-$80 in London.

But a balanced dissemination of information isn't 'Try Priceline' full stop.
It should be something like:

It is possible to get a $70 room in a 4 star hotel in London with Priceline. You cannot choose the hotel, facilities justifying the 4 star hotel rating will differ from hotel to hotel and in most cases the facilities justifying 4 star status will be charged as extras. You will not normally get breakfast and can only indicate a broad indication of the hotel district preferred.
Online discounters will normally have the same hotels as Priceline on offer for about $20-$30 more with the crucial difference that you can select your hotel.

Alternative independent 3 star hotels are about $30-$40 more expensive than Pricelines lowest bids but you can select a designated hotel with assured levels of excellent service and rooms and location, but none of the frills of a 4 star hotel.

I would suggest you take the trouble to familiarise yourself with these hotels before disseminating your expertise. My personal favourite is the Darlington Hyde Park Hotel in Paddington, but there are many others.

I don't expect the world to agree with my personal preference for these independent hotels. I am pretty certain however I have a reasoned argument that stands up to scrutiny that different people have different interpretations to value and cheapness.

Andrew I'm glad you as an individual enjoyed the Thistle Marble Arch, I have stayed there and don't agree.
Nothing you have input though helps anybody to make a valid judgement whether it is right for their individual needs.

Andrew

BigH, who here attempts to post completely "balanced dissemination of information?" Did you take the time to list any potential pitfalls of the hotels you recommended? Shouldn't you have mentioned that a TripAdvisor reviewer noted of Darlington Hyde Park Hotel that it was "unimaginative, lacking in personality and distinctly average" in the interest of "balanced dissemination of information?"

All we do here is post our personal opinions and recommendations. As you might have guessed, many of us like Priceline and swear by them. We are merely trying to spread the word, just as if someone had a great vacation and wanted to rave about it. What's wrong with that?

Most often people here are pointed to BiddingForTravel which has detailed explanations of the benefits as well as pitfalls of using Priceline, for the people patient enough to read them. New people come here every day wondering how they can save money on hotels - why not mention Priceline? That's how I learned about Priceline a few years ago: by a satisfied customer recommending them on some forum or website.

I'm not quite sure I understand why people are opposed to Priceline. Don't like 'em? Great, don't use them, it's certainly not something I would try to talk you out of. Priceline isn't for everyone, as I've pointed out numerous times on this forum. But I get the idea that some of you won't be happy until we stop recommending Priceline altogether, because you have some sort of pet peeve with them. Can't you be content to chime in with your own recommendations without running down Priceline.com?

So you didn't like the Thistle MA and I did. Great - name any hotel in the world and we can dig up negative reviews of it (e.g. Darlington Hyde Park). You'll find plenty of positive reviews of the Thistle MA. It's obviously not a bad place in many people's eyes.

Andrew

rkkwan

BigH, Londonsue or whoever -

Whenever someone posts an inquiry about hotels in London, just jump ahead and tell them where to book the good values. Then those posters can decide if that's better than using Priceline.

Meanwhile, you can try, but you can't stop us Priceliners for giving out valid information.

kswl

Sorry, BigH, I've read and re-read your post twice and still don't have a clue what you're talking about.

If you're saying what I think you are---and that is, simply, that I am cheap, well---you aren't the first and are not likely the last.

I do not consider my role as a member of the fodor's travel community to be an expert on London hotels. (Would that I were!) I do have some experience with hotels in London, however, and freely share both my experiences and opinions when the question seems to solicit that information.

Funny, I have never seen a post from someone seeking information on low-cost London (or anywhere else) hotels who complains that Priceline information is unwelcome. That only seems to come from people who--for whatever reason---don't like to use it themselves.

handfordr

There seems to be a Transatlantic language barrier here. I've read and reread the various posts on this thread and I can't see any overtly anti-priceline line being taken here at all.

Personally I have said more than once that Priceline is an option to be explored if bidding is attractive to a person.
The only point I and others are making is the lack of balance and information in the simple "I used Priceline once and it worked for me" contributions.

I don't see any good reason to continue this exchange - best wait until the next London hotel post comes in and take it from there with a real example.

Geordie

<<Most Londoners wouldn't dream of using Priceline because they know the market better than us.>>

What a load of böllöcks, the reason Londoners don't use Priceline is because they've never heard of it. As an English person I have never seen an advert for it anywhere and none of my friends or family have ever heard of it.

When I have introduced it to them, and colleagues at work they have thought its great. If you think information that a person can get a comfortable room for $55 (32 GBP) per night at Thistle Marble should not be passed on to visitors to London, then you are a prime ....

I use a variety of internet bookings & search engines i.e. Traveljungle, Priceline, Hotwire (London now included), Expedia, but Priceline will always be the first option, and I'm yet to get a hotel that was a mystery, if you do your homework.

Geordie

enfieldian

Couldn't resist coming in on this "discussion". I live in London and I havn't got a clue of the relative merits of the Thistle Marble Arch or Priceline.

Seems to me there is room for all of you to be right in what you're saying but none of you seem to be listening to what the others are saying. Whats the point of a board if you don't listen.

Only thing I would add is that I normally prefer to look at TripAdvisor than Fodor's. I would advise you guys to do the same, you might learn something in answering posts.
There are 3 people over there Adam Hornets, handfordr and artgirl who really know what they're talking about. They're part of the London tourist industry and actually routinely visit all the hotels on a daily basis as part of their work as well as using the transport, theatre etc.
I assume handfordr on this post is the same handfordr as on TA and is too modest to tell you about his background.

TA gets many times the traffic than Fodors on their London site, until you get a more balanced and knowledgable in your answers it'll stay that way

LondonSue

Geordie.

"What a load of böllöcks, the reason Londoners don't use Priceline is because they've never heard of it. As an English person I have never seen an advert for it anywhere and none of my friends or family have ever heard of it.

When I have introduced it to them, and colleagues at work they have thought its great. If you think information that a person can get a comfortable room for $55 (32 GBP) per night at Thistle Marble should not be passed on to visitors to London, then you are a prime ....

I use a variety of internet bookings & search engines i.e. Traveljungle, Priceline, Hotwire (London now included), Expedia, but Priceline will always be the first option, and I'm yet to get a hotel that was a mystery, if you do your homework.

LondonSue

Geordie

If you really are a Geordie you'll know about Irish and "Blonde" jokes - I'm beginning to think 'Priceliners' are equally worthy of such banter