"hotels routinely overbook just like airlines and sometimes your bedding preference is not available even if you reserve it and guarantee the room. I've booked well over a hundred rooms on priceline and I've only been denied my bedding preference less than 5% of the time, especially if I check in early. The smoking preference has never been a problem since Pricelines biggest contracts are with Marriott and Starwood (Sheraton) and nearly all of their properties are non smoking. I never bid below a 2* on properties that way I avoid the Super 8 type properties. "
I had booked with the CC.com "favorite" hotel in New Cumberland last year....got there at 8pm and they had given my room away altogether and just said "sorry".....I lucked out and got into a room next door at the Rodeway Inn for the same rate, but just barely, and it took a good hour to do so....so I know what you say is true....
By reserving ahead thru the hotel, at least I have the option at the beginning to get two queen beds in a room....I have never had many issues with the desired pre-booked room not being available aside from last year....so better than a 90% chance of getting the room I want, albeit more money..........With priceline, you cant specify at all....so you are 50/50 going in......and you dont know WHAT you will get. You also cant specify what property you want to try for, right? You get what they get you.....do you have the option of backing out once you find out what the property is?
For a single traveler, its an awesome deal I guess. For a family of 4 (with kids), I need a bit more of a guarantee, even if that guarantee isnt 100%.
Bidding for two rooms could be an option....but I would need rooms that connect (two kids), and not all places have that. Plus, if the idea is saving money, that wouldnt necessarily save much.
Funny you mention Super 8. I actually specifically look for those types......motels versus hotels....mostly due to rate, but also because frankly I prefer to be able to park right outside my door.....with those hi-rise or multi floor internal-entry hotels, thats not possible.....I would probablty sleep right thru someone messing with my car anyways....LOL...but it makes me feel better knowing I am close to it.
I have stayed at some nice properties in NY....at $400-500 a night....and frankly , aside from the bathrooms having marble, etc and a large LCD TV versus a tube type, the rooms arent really all that different...once you are asleep you dont care about he marble. LOL. I dont need fancy....just clean and relatively comfortable. I saw the room at the "better" quality inn in new cumberland last year and frankly I liked the Rodeway Inn room better.
Anyways, after walking all day at Carlisle in the heat I am ready to pass out at the end of the day.....I could probably sleep in a storage shed just fine....wife wouldnt care for that...the kids would think it was like camping...LOL
