$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.