Hashkafah.com: Betterbidding.com for hotel - would you do it? written by LoveToLaugh

So in my searches for hotels in Toronto (thanks to all those who have been very helpful in the matter), I stumbled across this site, Betterbidding.com. The forum reminds me of another site I've seen once or twice....Anyway, the site is basically that people come back after they purchased a hotel on Priceline / Hotwire, and gives people tips for what they can do in the future. For instance 'I bid $50 on Priceline for a 2 star Lakewood, NJ hotel. Was not accepted. Than I bid $60, and it was accepted by the Courtyard by Marriott'. or 'I booked a 3 start hotel with a laundary service, pool and free internet on Hotwire for $70, in Orlando, FL. The hotel was Disney Resort.' This way people kind of have a clue to what they might get in the future.

This is good if you want a specific hotel, though it's not certain you will get what you want.

So first of all, would you use this? Do you feel like there is something wrong and backward with this site? Priceline and Hotwire don't seem to mind, and even put their website links on this site.

Secondly, should I use it? There's a very good chance that if I try to book a 3 star hotel in North York, Toronto, I will get the Novotel which is one of the few hotels we are considering. We could get if half price through priceline which would really help because its a few rooms for a couple of nights. There's only one other 3 star hotel there, and from this site, it seems it hasn't been booked as often recently. Here's the specific forum on North York

Advice?

LoveToLaugh, on Jul 22 2008, 09:17 PM, said:

I know that Novotel in North York and I think it's actually quite nice for a 3 star hotel and is in a very central part of North York. It's right off of Yonge Street, which is the main street in Toronto and is also right by the subway station. I haven't stayed there myself, but I have seen the rooms (since some of our relatives stayed there for family weddings). I think you'd be pretty happy with that choice.

I know that part of the city fairly well, so feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

LoveToLaugh, on Jul 22 2008, 09:17 PM, said:

Check hotels' websites first. I've found that these days these supposed cheap sites don't get you any special deals.

Rachel, on Jul 22 2008, 09:53 PM, said:

Thanks Rachel. We also need to be fairly close to shuls and Kosher food which I believe we can find within a 10 minute drive. Does the subway nearby take you on a straight ride to the Royal York in Downtown Toronto?

Goldfish, on Jul 22 2008, 09:58 PM, said:

Really. When did 'these days' start?

LoveToLaugh, on Jul 22 2008, 10:28 PM, said:

A while ago, really.

I just read an article..... hmm, let me see if I can dig it up. Please hold.

Goldfish, on Jul 22 2008, 10:29 PM, said:

Holding, dear operator.

Supposedly, someone was able to get a Priceline hotel as recent as 3 months ago, so I'm wondering if this hotel could still be gotten on Priceline.

LoveToLaugh, on Jul 22 2008, 10:28 PM, said:

Yes, you can definitely find lots of kosher restaurants, food stores and shuls within a 10 minute drive.

Yes, you can take the subway Southbound from the North York Centre station (right by your hotel) to Union Station, (which hapens to connect underground to the Royal York hotel, via Royal Bank Plaza). The subway ride shouldn't take you more than 25-30 minutes.

LoveToLaugh, on Jul 22 2008, 10:32 PM, said:

This is the article I was thinking of and it only says what I said about flights, but I'm fairly certain I saw the same thing about hotels.
http://www.usaweeken...save-money.html

Quote

But I just compared a hotel on Travelocity versus the hotel's own site. The difference? Twenty dollars cheaper on Travelocity for three nights. Another place? Exactly the same price.

All I"m saying is don't assume that you're always getting the best deals on these travel sites. Especially since not all hotels are listed with them.

LoveToLaugh, on Jul 22 2008, 08:17 PM, said:

A 2 star hotel in lkwd didn't accept 50 bucks? why? Did they feel guilty overcharging you that much? Or were they concerned you'd make the dresser "treif" by eating non-chalav Yisroel pizza on it.

hmm... 2 star hotel in lkwd.... the Capitol?

ETA: I just found a customer review of the Capitol that says, "very erliche place, great for attending simchos". roflmao

Goldfish, on Jul 22 2008, 10:45 PM, said:

Goldfish, Priceline and Hotwire are QUITE different than Expedia, Travelocity and the other sites. Do you know about those two sites? Have you used them?

krumlikeapretzel, on Jul 23 2008, 01:47 AM, said:

These were just random examples that I threw out, I never needed a hotel in Lakewood. But I have gotten good Priceline hotels in Orlando, Miami, Stamford and Virginia Beach. And was quite happy with the quality of them.

LoveToLaugh, on Jul 23 2008, 11:20 AM, said:

Oh so you were just messing with our heads... :bigcry:I knew there was something fishy about the whole Lakewood thing... 

LoveToLaugh, on Jul 23 2008, 12:20 PM, said:

Yes, I have, and I stand by what I said: Do research first by looking at specific hotels' websites.

Goldfish, on Jul 23 2008, 12:25 PM, said:

Yes, I did research. The prices they are quoting on the hotel's website and the regular travel sites are around $150. It seems like people on betterbidding are saying they recently got it on Priceline or Hotwire for under $80. What more research do you need, the numbers absolutely speak for themselves.

In the article you quoted, I didn't see anywhere that 'Priceline and/or Hotwire weren't geting you any special deals anymore'. Which is what you seemed to imply in your first post. In fact the article you quoted recommeded looking at the other big travel sites in case they had a special deal. So you really gave no proof for what you originally said, if anything, you showed that the opposite was true.

I'd appreciate it if someone who has used Priceline or Hotwire a number of times and really understand how those sites work would weigh in on this.

I was surprised the first time I considered going directly to the airline/hotel website-they were cheaper than the cheap sites I got pricing on.

Cassandra, on Jul 23 2008, 12:45 PM, said:

Which cheap site did you get pricing on?

Very often the cheap site charges an extra fee so it comes out to more. But other times to cheap sites do have some special deal.

LoveToLaugh, on Jul 23 2008, 12:38 PM, said:

Just keep in mind that you might not get pricing as low as you saw on the forum you linked to, as those low prices were during the low season and August is the high season for travel in Toronto.

Rachel, on Jul 23 2008, 12:54 PM, said:

Interesting, thanks. I figured we wouldn't get $50, $60 as they were quoting. But since it's going to be during the week, I was hopeful I'd get something under $90.

LoveToLaugh, on Jul 23 2008, 12:58 PM, said:

What dates are you looking for?

Rachel, on Jul 23 2008, 01:02 PM, said:

Aug 20-22, Wed- Fri

LoveToLaugh, on Jul 23 2008, 01:13 PM, said:

Thanks. I'll take a look at let you know if I find anything decent.