Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Hotwire or Priceline? Which...why?

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- - Hotwire or Priceline? Which...why? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/hotwire-or-priceline-which-why-219365/)

$133.25 includes the tax.

Whether Le Meridian is a 4+ or a 5 star hotel, I can't imagine that there are enough differences to even notice. I think the location is what ultimately wins out. It sounds from the remarks that you'll be very pleased with both the hotel and it's location. We stayed at the Westin (also on Michigan Ave.) and it was just fine and a great location and it was only a 3 star according to Mobile ratings! (If Priceline or Hotwire.com gives that Westin a 4 star, I wouldn't disagree)I will add that we got lucky and were upgraded to a large executive room that was about 30% larger than their standard rooms, this is probably why it seemed more like a 4 star hotel to me! Candy

Deb, Re your comment about hoping to get a 5* Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton hotel via Priceline. I'm not a user of Priceline (knowing which hotel I'm staying at before paying is important to me), but I don't believe either the Ritz or Four Seasons hotels are part of the Priceline program. I'm sure a Priceline user will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure this is accurate. Just FYI in case you wish to use Priceline again with the thought of getting a Ritz or 4 Seasons.

To the best of my knowledge there are no 5* hotels available through Priceline. There are a limited number of 5* hotels in the world and they are very concerned about maintaining their excusivity and cachet. I'd be truly surprised if any real 5* properties ever opted to sell through a service such as Priceline. The BFT website has a list of properties that have appeared in the past year or two through Priceline. It's not a complete list nor is it a guarantee that you'll get one of these hotels. Interesting to note that some of the 4* hotels are really what many of us would consider to be 3*. Despite that, I have used PL for 4* hotel bidding (as well as for 3*, 2 1/2* and Boutique) and have always gotten what I considered to be an excellent value. I have read a limited number of posts in BFT's Hotel Reviews sections from folks who were not pleased with their hotel but they seem to be the exception. Here's a short list LA 4 Star Beverly Hills Hilton Le Meridien Beverly Hills Sofitel Los Angeles W Westwood Westin Century Plaza Park Hyatt San Fran 4 Star Westin St. Francis Park Hyatt San Francisco (St. Regis) Palace Hotel Argent Hotel Marriott San Francisco Hilton San Francisco Marriott Renaissance Parc 55 Hotel W San Francisco Hotel Nikko San Francisco Renaissance Stanford Court Hotel Mark Hopkins Inter-continental Hotel Palomar Pan Pacific NYC Midtown West 4 Star Intercontinental Central Park South Warwick Hotel LeParkerMeridien Hilton and Towers Marriott New York Marquis Westin Essex House Renaissance New York Sheraton Hotel and Towers Millennium Broadway The Shoreham The Mansfield City Club Hotel Hilton Times Square NYC Midtown East 4 Star W New York Waldorf Astoria (managed by Hilton) Intercontinental The Barclay New York) Drake Swissotel Grand Hyatt New York Millennium UN New York Plaza (formerly a Regal Hotel)

Owen, I'm sure you have your own idea of what a "real 5-star hotel" is, but as long as there is no standardized rating system, a 5-star hotel on Priceline is whatever Priceline says it is. They do rate Le Meridien in Chicago as 5-star, though as far as I know this is the only 5-star hotel on Priceline, even according to their own ratings..

Deb H: Why are you crying about getting a 4 star hotel? When you put things into perspective, you're still getting a luxury hotel at a discount price. And count your blessings that this is your biggest worry, you spoiled brat.

I've never used Hotwire, but I've been successful in winning hotel bids on Priceline a number of times. The posts on Biddingfortravel have been a useful guideline for me me. I agree with the poster that said that Sheryl can be on the blunt side, but since she is like that with everyone, I wouldn't take it personally. She genuinely does try to be helpful, and offers useful advice for the most part. Also, most of the other mods there are more "gentle".

Don't limit yourself to either one. Use both, along with checking prices at travelocity, quikbook, etc. Priceline also rates the Venetian in Las Vegas as 5*

I suggest checking the prices on Hotwire and then bidding lower for the same rated hotel on Priceline. It works for me every time.