Summary of Winning Bids on Priceline, Hotwire, etc.

[sadie8]

The resort fee is not included in the price you pay to Priceline. The hotel will charge the fee when you checkout. The fee at the Intercontinental was a percentage of the cost of the room - so when you get a better price with Priceline your resort fee is less. A good thing, I guess!

[Lady Librarian]

Thankful to have a friend who works with Marriott as I was able to get the Friends and Family rate at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino for just over $200/night including taxes. Saved about $130. :)

[ravenjls]

For those who might want to stay at the Radisson Ambassador, start your bid at 75.00. Four of us got it for that price for Oct 27 months ago and another family member got it for that price this week.

Edited June 27, 2012 by ravenjls

[martyap]

Thankful to have a friend who works with Marriott as I was able to get the Friends and Family rate at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino for just over $200/night including taxes. Saved about $130. :)

We have won the Marriott Stellaris the last two years, both in March, for $110 to $115 on Priceline.....last March we stayed there for four nights. They might offer an upgrade to partial OV for an extra $25 + taxes....if you want. Keep in mind that they will add a mandatory 16% to your $200+ MFF rate for their resort fee.....no exceptions......Priceline winners get the resort fee tacked on at the end as well......Marty

[Lady Librarian]

We have won the Marriott Stellaris the last two years, both in March, for $110 to $115 on Priceline.....last March we stayed there for four nights. They might offer an upgrade to partial OV for an extra $25 + taxes....if you want. Keep in mind that they will add a mandatory 16% to your $200+ MFF rate for their resort fee.....no exceptions......Priceline winners get the resort fee tacked on at the end as well......Marty

The $200 is including the taxes and fees.

[kitkat9438]

Hi Kathy,

 

I'm hoping you or someone else might reply. Following up on your Marriot Stellaris example. I need 2 rooms 1-2 thru 1-6-2013. I would love to win the Marriot also. If I should bid zone 8 , resorts, would I be better off starting low at possible $130 and work up, isnt there a chance one of the resorts will accept the bid before the marriot. Will bidding $150+ at the start give better odds on winning the Marriot. I understand the crap shoot priceline is but am trying to narrow down before bidding.

 

thx

 

As someone else mentioned, it is really hard to predict or guarantee what hotel you will get. I also use this thread as a guide to see what hotels are winning bids around the time I want to book. See this example from Llaker:

 

I wanted a resort hotel in zone 8 (San Juan), so I started my bidding there at $90. Then one at a time I added zone 1, 2 and 3 (as they have no resorts) for a total of 4 bids per day adding $2 to each bid. The next day I did the same thing, starting a at $98 for zone 8 resort and then added zone 1, 2 and 3 for a total of 4 bids again that day (again at $2 increments). The 3rd day I bid 110.00 for zone 8 resort and my bid was accepted. Total cost 253.94 including fees and taxes.:)

 

Your chances at a Resort are the Marriott, Caribe Hilton and Conrad in the Zone 8 San Juan area. I would NOT start out bidding at $150 UNLESS you have seen a recent winning bid for $150 for the Marriott for the time you want to stay. This also depends on what is available.

[wecruztheworld]

What if i wanted a hotel with no resort fee, how will i bid for this? say a for star or 3 star hotel? What hotels would that be in San Juan?

[Jules7226]

Used biddingtraveler.com and got the Caribe Hilton thru Priceline for $74 + tax for a pre-cruise 1 night stay in September. Chose resort, zone 8, low ball of $68 and maximum of $80. I know that there is a resort fee to pay still, but I will more than likely still be under $100 for a resort so I'm excited. :)

[cherylroslyn]

Used biddingtraveler.com and got the Caribe Hilton thru Priceline for $74 + tax for a pre-cruise 1 night stay in September. Chose resort, zone 8, low ball of $68 and maximum of $80. I know that there is a resort fee to pay still, but I will more than likely still be under $100 for a resort so I'm excited. :)

Great deal!!!!!!!!

[lah66]

If anyone wants a great resort by El Yunque, there is an awesome Priceline July Express Sale for $95 a night that appears to be the Gran Melia! that price worked for April dates, Feb dates were $97. Super resort!

[cherylroslyn]

If anyone wants a great resort by El Yunque, there is an awesome Priceline July Express Sale for $95 a night that appears to be the Gran Melia! that price worked for April dates, Feb dates were $97. Super resort!

I saw that too and I figured out the location as well based on the description of the 520 Sq. Ft size.

 

 

Have you ever stayed there precruise?

 

Place looks great and it will be a change because I always go to Condado or Isla Verde

 

 

I am thinking of doing it because I am wanting to try to go to the jungle this time and on a snorkeling trip over on that side of the island. Is it really far away and is it something you would do if you had two days precruise?

[cruzbound]

Hi all,

This information is very helpful but I do have one question. We are going to bid for two rooms in San Juan (Resort level) - in one room there will be two people and the other room will have four people in it. I don't want to get two rooms with just one bed in each room, is there any way to make sure one of the rooms has two beds in it?

 

Thanks, cruzbound

[Host Faith]

Hi all,

This information is very helpful but I do have one question. We are going to bid for two rooms in San Juan (Resort level) - in one room there will be two people and the other room will have four people in it. I don't want to get two rooms with just one bed in each room, is there any way to make sure one of the rooms has two beds in it?

 

Thanks, cruzbound

 

With Priceline, there's no way to guarantee the room configurations. You would have to email the hotel before you arrived to make special requests for the beds. They don't have to honor your requests, but it couldn't hurt to try. We did this back in 2010. I won the Caribe Hilton (3 rooms). I needed two rooms with king beds, and one with two double beds, and wanted to stay in the newer Tower. I sent a really nice email with my reservation number, Hilton Hhonors number, and some details about why we were coming to San Juan. I got a response in a few days that stated that, while it wasn't guaranteed, they said they would do their best to accommodate us when we arrived. Got everything we wanted. So, it's possible.

[lah66]

We have stayed at the Gran Melia...last March...and we both agree it is the most gorgeous hotel we have ever stayed at...If you go to the thread on Favorite San Juan photos, you will see a few photos that I posted that will give you a feel for the hotel. We rented a car from Charlies and found driving to be a piece of cake. We brought a GPS from home. We loved our time at El Yunque, luquillo Beach and the Biobay. Make sure to go to Juan Diego Falls (find directions on Puertoricodaytrips.com) while at El Yunque...They are beautiful.. And always deserted!

[cruzbound]

Thanks Host Faith for the information on the two beds.

 

I have another questions for all you Priceline experts. We are going to bid on two rooms but we are arriving into San Juan at different times - one couple early afternoon and the other not until 9:30 pm. If the 9:30 couple bids on the two rooms and the bid is accepted, does that mean the reservations are in their name or does Priceline allow you to put in a different name for each room? If they do not allow this and the reservation is in the late arrival couple's name, will the other couple be able to check in when they arrive in early afternoon - if they have the confirmation number?

 

Thanks for all the help everyone.

[BoyntonBeth]

Thanks Host Faith for the information on the two beds.

 

I have another questions for all you Priceline experts. We are going to bid on two rooms but we are arriving into San Juan at different times - one couple early afternoon and the other not until 9:30 pm. If the 9:30 couple bids on the two rooms and the bid is accepted, does that mean the reservations are in their name or does Priceline allow you to put in a different name for each room? If they do not allow this and the reservation is in the late arrival couple's name, will the other couple be able to check in when they arrive in early afternoon - if they have the confirmation number?

 

Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

I suspect it depends on the hotel's policy.

 

I booked 2 rooms last year and I was the first to arrive. I told the desk to allow the others to check in but they had to use their on credit card for incidentals. Worked out ok.

[cruzbound]

Thanks BoytonBeth!

 

Anyone else out there that has had any experience with my question as I am the one bidding and will be part of the later arriving couple - so I want to make sure the other couple who would be arriving earlier could get into one of the rooms. I don't want them to have to wait for 9 hours plus for us to get there before they could get in to a room.

 

I have never used Priceline for this so I am a little nervous about running into problems - from everyone experiences, does it seem like most of the hotels will work with you on these types of things?

 

Lastly, if we can't get a resort for a price we want - should we go down to a four star (if that is an option, don't know) in Zone 8? We only need rooms for one night before our cruise. If we did a four star - anyone have any knowledge from experience what are some of the hotels we may get? I am not asking for concrete answers because I know one never knows with Priceline but was hoping to get a general idea.

 

Thanks, cruzbound

[khm1]

Thanks BoytonBeth!

 

Anyone else out there that has had any experience with my question as I am the one bidding and will be part of the later arriving couple - so I want to make sure the other couple who would be arriving earlier could get into one of the rooms. I don't want them to have to wait for 9 hours plus for us to get there before they could get in to a room.

 

I have never used Priceline for this so I am a little nervous about running into problems - from everyone experiences, does it seem like most of the hotels will work with you on these types of things?

 

Lastly, if we can't get a resort for a price we want - should we go down to a four star (if that is an option, don't know) in Zone 8? We only need rooms for one night before our cruise. If we did a four star - anyone have any knowledge from experience what are some of the hotels we may get? I am not asking for concrete answers because I know one never knows with Priceline but was hoping to get a general idea.

 

Thanks, cruzbound

 

I won 6 rooms in 5 different names last year on Priceline. I won the Marriott Stellaris. We all arrived at different times and everyone was able to access their rooms. When I entered the info on Priceline, I was able to give the name of the party in each room. I don't think that you will have a problem.

 

I won 2 rooms this year at the Conrad. Again, I put different names on each room. The other party was able to check in without me. All of the credit card I information was taken from each party, respectively. I was not stuck with any of the other rooms on my credit card in either case.

 

I sent a print out of each reservation to each party. I don't know if they showed it to the hotel staff. If the other couple had a print out of your reservation, I can't imagine that they would have a problem.

 

Both times I bid zone 8 resort. I love Priceline. It has saved me a ton of money on hotels. Good luck!

[Missus Makkem]

I saw that too and I figured out the location as well based on the description of the 520 Sq. Ft size.

 

 

Have you ever stayed there precruise?

 

Place looks great and it will be a change because I always go to Condado or Isla Verde

 

 

I am thinking of doing it because I am wanting to try to go to the jungle this time and on a snorkeling trip over on that side of the island. Is it really far away and is it something you would do if you had two days precruise?

what resort? & star did you book for the Gran Melia.

 

we are going in April13

[Macconeill]

I am looking at trying out Priceline for a one night per-cruise stay in January but hoping someone can answer a few questions.

Are you able to book one room for four adults? If not, it appears there is no problem bidding on two rooms at once. Correct??

If I choose zone 8 resort, what would the hotels be?

Does the Priceline amount include the resort fees?

 

Anyone who could help me out, I'd greatly appreciate it!!

[landlockedTexan]

Just won thru Priceline the Raddison in San Juan, 1 night, 4 rooms for $75 for Dec 7th. Anyone know how much extra the taxes and fees are for this hotel? Took 4 bids over 5 days to win. First time on Priceline, so I'm nervous I made a mistake!

[frito58]

I just got the Radisson Ambassador for next April 5-7 on Hotwire for $84 a night . Have stayed in that area before . love that area . Lots to do great places to eat. Great beach. Hotel looks fine for that price. Was up to $125 on 4 star and no luck on Priceline so this was a sure thing. Knew what I was getting had it pegged by going to betterbidding.

[Lois R]

I am looking at trying out Priceline for a one night per-cruise stay in January but hoping someone can answer a few questions.

Are you able to book one room for four adults? If not, it appears there is no problem bidding on two rooms at once. Correct??

If I choose zone 8 resort, what would the hotels be?

Does the Priceline amount include the resort fees?

 

Anyone who could help me out, I'd greatly appreciate it!!

 

Hi, I can't help with what hotels are in that zone but I can tell you

that the resort fee is extra....in other words it is not included in

your bid price but the hotel will collect it from from you in person.

[landlockedTexan]

I just got the Radisson Ambassador for next April 5-7 on Hotwire for $84 a night . Have stayed in that area before . love that area . Lots to do great places to eat. Great beach. Hotel looks fine for that price. Was up to $125 on 4 star and no luck on Priceline so this was a sure thing. Knew what I was getting had it pegged by going to betterbidding.

Since you've stayed in this area before, where would you recommend eating breakfast on Saturday morning pre-cruise? We will get in after 8pm on Friday night so we will be looking for a light dinner close by, any ideas on that too?

[frito58]

Since you've stayed in this area before, where would you recommend eating breakfast on Saturday morning pre-cruise? We will get in after 8pm on Friday night so we will be looking for a light dinner close by, any ideas on that too?

 

There is a Starbucks nearby also and I just found this out my self . Dannys Cafe serves Breakfast.....And a WONDERFUL pizza :D Now we have had the pizza we ate there before , was looking at the website and relized they served breakfats and it looks great and not a bad price. Its right next to the Radisson.

 

http://dannysinternationalcafe.com/