LA + Vegas, need tips and recommendations!

fatboyonadiet

It's this one: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g32655-d223044-Reviews-Vagabond_Inn_Executive_Hollywood-Los_Angeles_California.html the last 3 reviews looked OK but the most recent one doesn't...

blindman

Not sure I'd stay there for a week:eek:

Tripadvisor Residence Inn review.

Pictures of the place, bathroom is a little dated but OK.

Have a look at this map, which shows the likely Hotels you get using Priceline in LA and how much they were won for and also reviews.

fatboyonadiet

Blindman think I will give it some serious consideration later, what's the area itself like?

Also what's my best policy with Priceline? Should I bid now or nearer the time? I noticed people seem to be getting it for around $60 more recently.

fatboyonadiet

Also should I bid via the US or UK site?

blindman

If your reservation with Vagabond is cancellable (for free or minimum cost) then I'd still hold onto that but do some investigation into Priceline.

Lots of threads on here, this one for example.

You can use either UK or US site, prices tend to be the same. As a beginner I'd stick with the UK site.

Once your bid has been accepted with PL then there are NO REFUNDS so best to decide if this is the route you want to take.
You can leave it as late as the same day to bid for hotels:eek:

There is also NO GUARANTEE you'll get the Residence Inn, you need to research to see what else you may get and make sure you're happy with that.

Look at the two sites in the link for info and I'd suggest you ask any questions to the betterbidding site (friendlier!) or this board of course.:rolleyes:

It will take a few hours of research at those sites, but the pay off can be worth it as you can $ave load$

Area around the hotel was fine, you do need a car though.

fatboyonadiet

blindman wrote:

If your reservation with Vagabond is cancellable (for free or minimum cost) then I'd still hold onto that but do some investigation into Priceline.

Lots of threads on here, this one for example.

You can use either UK or US site, prices tend to be the same. As a beginner I'd stick with the UK site.

Once your bid has been accepted with PL then there are NO REFUNDS so best to decide if this is the route you want to take.
You can leave it as late as the same day to bid for hotels:eek:

There is also NO GUARANTEE you'll get the Residence Inn, you need to research to see what else you may get and make sure you're happy with that.

Look at the two sites in the link for info and I'd suggest you ask any questions to the betterbidding site (friendlier!) or this board of course.:rolleyes:

It will take a few hours of research at those sites, but the pay off can be worth it as you can $ave load$

Area around the hotel was fine, you do need a car though.

Got a car so not a problem, can I specify that hotel? Or do I have to take whatever they offer? I've used Priceline before but a long time ago for a flight.

blindman

can I specify that hotel?

No

Or do I have to take whatever they offer?

Yes

fatboyonadiet

I guess some research to be done then. Thanks for your help.

fatboyonadiet

Blindman does the Residence Inn come under the uth Beach area when looking under Priceline? I take it I can specify my hotel class too? Most of the 2* look OK but will have a detailed investigation when I have time.

Would my best tactic be to offer $40 or is the chance of me getting a 'worse' hotel greater then? I noticed on better bidding that people recently got it for $60, if I was to offer this would this increase my chances?

Thanks.

blindman

Residence Inn is in the Redondo Manhattan Beaches area on Priceline.
(links time out on PL so can't link)

List of hotels that have been won before

Another similar list

Map of the hotels with links to reviews etc (works now:rolleyes:)

Read how Priceline works
Simple FAQ's

Comprehensive FAQ !

Lenghty Blog Look further down for Bidding for the Timid.

Bidding Strategy.
Rebidding explained- VERY important
also in this lenghtly post with some other tips

One IMPORTANT Tip

When choosing your star level of Hotel with PL, this is the MINIMUM level you will get.
PL will (and does) 'upgrade' you to the higher level.

So if you bid for a minimum of 2.5 star it is VERY likely that you will get a 3*
Most times this is a worse deal as the 3* may charge for parking, will not have free breakfast etc.
So when researching the likely hotels you MUST remember to look at the next star rating higher especially when bidding for 2.5 star and to some extent 2* properties.

Other TIP
If you get a "Counter Offer" when you bid then you can usually rebid (using a free bid) at about half the difference between your original bid and the PL offer.


How Much to bid?
Do a search at this page using 2.5* as the Search Words and UNCHECK the Case Sensitive Option and choose the Entire Message.
Look through the results for the Residence Inn and you'll see the winning bids over time, gives a rough idea of likely wins.

This link also gives winning bids for the Residence Inn

Would my best tactic be to offer $40 or is the chance of me getting a 'worse' hotel greater then?

$40 is probably a good bid and NO.

I noticed on better bidding that people recently got it for $60, if I was to offer this would this increase my chances?

NO, you'd overbid and waste money:eek:

Finally :rolleyes:
Remember once you win there are no refunds or changes:cool:

Did I say this would take some hours to understand:D