Online Travel Booking and Bidding Agencies - Another Priceline warning!

We bid on a 5 star hotel in the Riverwalk district of San Antonio for a recent family vacation. What we were 'awarded', however, was the Marriott Plaza, an old, run down, smelly hotel with poor service, small rooms, uncomfortable beds, no amenities (come on.. even a flippin' Clarion has a refer in the room), we had to pay $15 a day for wi-fi.. it was blocks from anything.. including the Riverwalk.. in a dicey area where my wife would not go out unaccompanied. Under no ones definition would this be considered a 4 or 5 star hotel. And we were stuck there for five days with no options, as once your bid is accepted, you are out of luck. So far Priceline has done nothing but say, "Hey, we think it's a 4 star hotel". Well, if their rating system is this messed up, I will NEVER use Priceline again. They completely mis-represented what I was buying...a classic Bait and Switch... and you should be well aware of this when you book with them.:td:

Welcome to Flyertalk. I just found your similarly-worded review at the top of the TripAdvisor.com page for this hotel, so it looks like you've decided to tear 'em a new one on the Internet because your expectations were unmet.

First, it sounds like you bid with imperfect information in hand. Did you understand what hotels are typically awarded for PL 5* bids in San Antonio? This information is freely available on www.biddingfortravel.com and www.betterbidding.com. The wise bidder sees what he'll probably get, and whether the PL price advantage is worth a little game of roulette, before putting his money down.

Second, the current promo rate at this hotel is as low as $149, per the Marriott website, which should signal you this is more like a 4* than a 5*.

Third, the Marriott Plaza is rated #13 out of 318 San Antonio properties by the TripAdvisor reviewers, so it's not appalling everybody the way it appalled you.

Fourth, it's always fraught when you use PL for family vacations because you have very little leverage re: room type, location, etc. All you're guaranteed is a room that will sleep two -- maybe a king, maybe two queens. You're not guaranteed a pool or minimum room size or any other particular amenity. That's why it's so cheap. I never use PL for family travel, only solo business travel. If you are more focused on amenities than low prices, you should not use PL.

Fifth, star ratings are notoriously squishy and subjective and arguing about whether this place deserves 3*+, 4* or 5* is like a Norm-and-Cliff debate at Cheers. It'll go on forever with no resolution. I've never been there but it looks like a strong 4* to me on the website. I wouldn't put a lot of mid-line Marriotts in the 5* category, not even the ones overseas.

Sixth, obviously there is risk with PL because they've got your money before you know what the setup is going to be, and you can't do anything about it. Anyone who uses PL more than once is aware of that.

Finally, sorry they apparently called you out as a PL guest, implying you got second-class citizen treatment, as you report in your other review. That happens at some properties and it shouldn't. I've been upgraded on PL stays, and I've been stashed in the smallest, saddest rooms in the house, and when the latter happened I didn't utter a peep because I was paying about 35% of the proper rate. All part of the game... which perhaps you should not play when family and emotion are involved.

Cheers

Priceline's method for determining a "star level" is strictly by offered amenities. Refrigerator and free wi-fi aren't on the list. Unfortunately, free wi-fi is only found at the low-end properties -- Hiltons, Marriots, Hyatts, etc., all charge. You said "5" but Priceline classifies this as a 4* property. They don't offer any 5*s in San Antonio.
4 Star hotels will have the following amenities:
Remote Control TV with Premium Channels
Telephone with Voicemail
Radio Alarm Clock
Iron and Ironing Board
Hairdryer
Business Services
24 Hour Front Desk
Full Service Restaurant
Room Service
Bellman
Concierge
Fitness Center Access

If there was anything missing from that list, you can challenge them on that point.

The hotel was within the area you bid on, so you don't have a claim there. You have to be prepared to accept any hotel in the zone on the map.

If the property itself was subpar, you should talk to the hotel manager or Marriott.

We bid on a 5 star hotel in the Riverwalk district of San Antonio for a recent family vacation. What we were 'awarded', however, was the Marriott Plaza, an old, run down, smelly hotel with poor service, small rooms, uncomfortable beds, no amenities (come on.. even a flippin' Clarion has a refer in the room), we had to pay $15 a day for wi-fi.. it was blocks from anything.. including the Riverwalk.. in a dicey area where my wife would not go out unaccompanied. Under no ones definition would this be considered a 4 or 5 star hotel. And we were stuck there for five days with no options, as once your bid is accepted, you are out of luck. So far Priceline has done nothing but say, "Hey, we think it's a 4 star hotel". Well, if their rating system is this messed up, I will NEVER use Priceline again. They completely mis-represented what I was buying...a classic Bait and Switch... and you should be well aware of this when you book with them.:td:

Agree with the other posts on buyer beware on priceline. That said, if you really bid 5 star and got a 4 star, you have a valid complaint. If you bid 4 start and the hotel didnt perform, your complaint is with the hotel. Send them a non-inflammatory letter and see what happens. once your stay is over, however, you'll get much less love.

When I stayed in San Antonio on priceline about 10 years ago, I bid 4 stars and paid about $100 for the Fairmont Hotel for 2 rooms (100 each). One had a balcony overlooking the park and almost the Alamo (down the street) and one I think had a jacuzzi. You win some, and you lose some...

Though I suspect Greendevil74 created an account here for this one rant, I'll extend the usual "Welcome to FT".

Having said that, I'm sorry you had problems, but 1) There's no such thing as a 5* hotel to bid on in the Riverwalk area, as pointed out above, and 2) I've stayed at the Marriott Plaza twice, once within the last year, and it certainly meets the requirements for 4*. While not a luxury hotel, it has triple sheeting and premium linens, marble fixtures in the bath, and decent furnishings. The rooms, while not huge, are by no means small. As to the location, it is at the intersection of two major streets about 2 blocks south of the Riverwalk. There are few people walking the area at night (the Hemisfair park, across the street to the east, is closed at night), but that does not make it unsafe. My wife and I enjoyed several excellent Mexican restaurants in the area (El Mirador is a 2 minute walk SW, Rosario's is 5 minute walk S).

Were you looking for a room large enough to accommodate a large family? Your fault if you didn't know that Priceline only guarantees sleeping accommodations for 2. You should read the rules. And what, exactly, are the "amenities" you were missing? There is a concierge, a bellman, room service, and all the shampoos, soaps, and shoe cloths any normal couple could use. You were expecting the Four Seasons, maybe? And BTW, as for free wireless, it has been my experience that the moderate business and extended stay hotels offer this, but it is almost never free at high-end hotels.

Welcome to FT.

I am sorry for your experience but you apparently did not do enough research before you bid.

Not only do most 3*, 4* and 5* hotels not have free wifi, they often don't have free parking or free breakfast. But many 2* and 2.5* hotels do offer these amenities for free. You give up your selection of these bennies when using priceline.

So you have two choices now - learn from your mistakes and do advance research before bidding again on PL. Or just walk away from PL and just use conventional sources for future hotel bookings. You will pay 30-75% more, but you won't get any more surprises.

I have almost always been satisfied with my priceline bidding. And I have bid on dozens and dozens of hotels.

Assuming that a "refer" means a refrigerator (not a combustible substance) ;), in-room refrigerators are not a common amenity in 4*, city-center major-chain hotels.

Welcome to FT.

I am sorry for your experience but you apparently did not do enough research before you bid.

So you have two choices now - learn from your mistakes and do advance research before bidding again on PL. Or just walk away from PL and just use conventional sources for future hotel bookings. You will pay 30-75% more, but you won't get any more surprises.



Actually, although you may never return here, please learn that you actually have only one choice. That is do advance research before staying at any hotel. Trip advisor reports have to be read with skepticism.

Reports complaining about lack of refrigerator, no free internet or free parking are are on my routine ignore list. Geographic location of the poster of the review also colors my "relevance factor". Certain cities, states and countries of residence have completely different expectations, either positive or negative in terms of my acceptance of the facts presented and my eventual booking of the property.

To reiterate, do the research, be skeptical and you have a better chance of a decent (by your perception) property. Having stayed over 100 nights in many properties each year over a number of years, you can get bad ones with or without Priceline. You can also some great ones.

What we were 'awarded', however, was the Marriott Plaza, an old, run down, smelly hotel with poor service, small rooms, uncomfortable beds, no amenities (come on.. even a flippin' Clarion has a refer in the room)

Do you have any photos you can share to highlight the areas they let you down? What did you pay on priceline? Could you have booked a better hotel at a similar price?

we had to pay $15 a day for wi-fi

I have to wonder how many hotels you have stayed in. I've done Hyatt, Fairmont, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and Westin just in the last few months. Not a one of them offered free wi-fi. Hyatt does offer wi-fi to their elite members, as does Fairmont. The Westin was $16.95 if I wanted it this past weekend in Seattle. The Crowne Plaza was $9.99. Free wi-fi does exist at some properties such at Hyatt Place and Hampton Inn, but it is still not common to see that across the board at all hotels. It's an unrealistic expectation.

Welcome,but gotta agree with others here.
Stars are a strange thing. PL actually lowered a 4 star 2 three a few years ago 2 make it harder to get a property.

Thanks for all of the op-ed here.. but I am not some neophite who travels once every five years. My wife and I have worked for a major airline for over 30 years and travel extensively. I am well aware of what a 4 or 5 star hotel is and is not. My beef is not with the hotel.. it is what it is and if you like dumpy hotels and don't mind being stuck blocks from anything, fine by me. But when you bid on a 5 star hotel and end up in a dump with no options, that is wrong no matter how you slice it. If there are no 5 star hotels in the area, as claimed, then why did they let me bid on one? Why did the accept my bid ON A 5 STAR HOTEL?? But you are correct, I have never used Priceline before and thought I should give it a try. Hell, I love William Shatner. So yes, I guess I should have read the 85 reports about Priceline and all of their practices prior to using them to become more savvy as to how they operate. But having used every other on-line reservation service and not once having a problem, I had no way of knowing Pricelines ridiculous policies and that I could bid on a 5 Star hotel and end up in this dump. Obviously if I had, I would never have used them and now armed with this knowledge, never will again. And while clearly some here feel that a pig with lipstick makes it something other than a pig, I do not. Having stayed at the Hilton Palacio del Rio and the Marriott Rivercenter in the past, anyone else having done so and then staying at the Plaza knows what I am talking about. So live and learn.. my point in posting my 'rant' is so that others thinking about using Priceline are aware of the potential pit falls so that they don't make the same mistake I did. Seems like a worthy cause, no? And if you take the time to Google Priceline complaints, there are a lot of folks who could have used this advice prior to booking their travel plans.

Gee thanks for the warm and fuzzy greeting, all!

Greendevil,

First welcome... sorry you did not like the warm fuzzies.... :)

The reason I think some of us are having a tough time with your story... is that there is no way to bid a 5* hotel in the Downtown - Riverwalk district on Priceline. The highest star level you can bid on is a 4*. In fact, there is no zone in the San Antonio area that has a 5* hotel available.

I am curious... on your confirmation from Priceline, what star level does it show by your hotel name? I am guessing it is not a 5*.

Oh and all of this crap about unrealistic expectations with regards to free wi-fi? Having just stayed at the Pan Pacific in Seattle and the Sheraton Desert Oasis in Scottsdale, BOTH had free wi-fi. Not a big deal in and of itself and I certainly don't use just that as a reason to rip any hotel I have ever stayed at (some do / some don't), but if the rest of your hotel is a dump.. filthy pool, rude help, etc.. the least you would think a 5 Star Hotel could do is offer it.

My expectations of a 5 Star Hotel are based on 30 years of travel and staying at them all over the world. They are not 'unrealistic', in fact this is one of the few times I have ever stayed at one where I was so completely disappointed. Normally when this happens you can just check out and go somewhere else. With Priceline, however, this is not an option. You are stuck. As I said, Live and Learn.

I just went to Priceline to prove you wrong about the 5 Star rating... and of course... you are right. 4 Star is the highest. Not sure how I got that messed up but I clearly did. While this hotel is not a 4 star either, it is certainly closer than it is to a 5 Star.

I guess I'm more than a tad embarrassed....:rolleyes:

I just went to Priceline to prove you wrong about the 5 Star rating... and of course... you are right. 4 Star is the highest. Not sure how I got that messed up but I clearly did. While this hotel is not a 4 star either, it is certainly closer than it is to a 5 Star.

I guess I'm more than a tad embarrassed....:rolleyes:

That's the beauty of Flyertalk. No need to be embarrassed at all. In fact, I, for one hope you stick around. The amount of useful information available on this site far surpasses that of any other single travel site.

So welcome, and you actually got a warm fuzzy reception.;)

Embarrasment is ok.... :)

Can I ask? Priceline details what you can expect from a 4* hotel. Did this hotel not provide what Priceline says it should? If so, you have a valid complaint to Priceline.

Remember, you have to look at what Priceline says a 4* is, not your own expectation or what other rating sites might say. That gets lots of people in trouble.

William

I just went to Priceline to prove you wrong about the 5 Star rating... and of course... you are right. 4 Star is the highest. Not sure how I got that messed up but I clearly did. While this hotel is not a 4 star either, it is certainly closer than it is to a 5 Star.

I guess I'm more than a tad embarrassed....:rolleyes:

Taking out your displeasure with FT members who are trying to give you advice, instead of with the hotel or PL, isn't so good. Priceline can be hit or miss. I used to book 10-15 rooms a year through them. I got genuine 5 star hotels in Asia for $55 a night. Deals haven't been so prevalent the last few years, and most hotel loyalty programs don't give credit or benefits for PL stays, so not so much, lately.

For someone in the Airline Biz for 30 years, you'd figure that you could get an airline employee discount. or at least research it before you bought. Caveat emptor.

Priceline can be hit or miss. I used to book 10-15 rooms a year through them. I got genuine 5 star hotels in Asia for $55 a night. Deals haven't been so prevalent the last few years... Sure. In the past I've scored a Hyatt for < $30 or the nicest Marriott in Toronto for $40, during distressed periods... but now we're in a seriously distressed period and the PL deals are nowhere near as good.

To the OP: welcome, again, and I think you'll find this is a terrific community to contribute to and learn from if you refrain from lobbing harsh rhetoric at people who are trying to understand and help you. I would like to know what your winning bid was for a 4* in San Antonio / Riverwalk. The spread between your bid and the lowest prices posted for 4* hotels on Sidestep or Hotels.com is the price you pay for uncertainty. As I said earlier, when I'm traveling alone I don't mind paying that price... but not when I'm with family, when amenities and room configurations and a sense of pride in your choice all matter.

As for wi-fi surcharges at 4* and 5* properties, I'm afraid you WILL find they are generally customary.

Cheers

Greendevil,
I appreciate your apology. An honest mistake. I hope your next experience is better.

Priceline's method for determining a "star level" is strictly by offered amenities. Refrigerator and free wi-fi aren't on the list. Unfortunately, free wi-fi is only found at the low-end properties -- Hiltons, Marriots, Hyatts, etc., all charge. You said "5" but Priceline classifies this as a 4* property. They don't offer any 5*s in San Antonio.


If there was anything missing from that list, you can challenge them on that point.

The hotel was within the area you bid on, so you don't have a claim there. You have to be prepared to accept any hotel in the zone on the map.

If the property itself was subpar, you should talk to the hotel manager or Marriott.

alanh:

Thanks, very interesting. BTW, I could NOT find this list on priceline.com.

I second your two statements:

"If there was anything missing from that list, you can challenge them on that point."
and "If the property itself was subpar, you should talk to the hotel manager or Marriott"

I will use your advise the next time I run in a bad Hotel.
I use Priceline a lot, always, mostly 4* hotels. I have had very good results, some very nice hotels, some not so nice, but OK ... for the low price that is
At two occasions I had two lousy hotels:
1. Novotel Paris Les Halles****. Complained to Priceline. They contacted Novotel and I got my money back, which I never expected. I never tried this area again.
2. Maritime Reichshof**** in Hamburg, which was really run down, even the door could not be locked properly ... door was opened in the morning from outside (cleaning people?). Complained to Priceline. They contacted the hotel. I got nothing. I wish I would have made some photos and would have contacted the hotel or Maritime.

alanh, thanks again^ ... are you in the hotel business?

I have generally found PL star levels appropriate for the hotel awarded. PL does do follow up surveys after each of my hotel stays, including whether the star level was consumerate with the property and allows for a comment section. Front desk personnel are suppose to say pre paid and not PL or Hotwire. Again, there is room on the follow up form to make comments such as rude or inappropriate by front desk clerks. Hopefully, sending these surveys out after each stay means that PL is serious about customer service not just giving you a dirt cheap place for the night.

Also, the PL reservation typically does not include extras such as Wi-FI, pool entrance, morning newspapers, etc. Often you will get these, including free breakfast buffett, but you should not count on it. Rooms are suppose to be for two adults only. I do a lot of one or two night personal trips where a PL hotel is perfect. I usually bid a three star and often end up in Holiday Inn, Doubletree, or Ramada, which suits my needs for a short term stay.

The only bad experience I had was with a hotel in Spain on Hotwire. The hotel itself was beautiful. But it was not by any means an airport hotel (my primary reason wanting to be near the airport for an early flight) and the front desk was beyond a joke. I may have done better sleeping on a bench at BCN airport.

To the OP: Please don't feel personally picked on. People posting disagreement with your findings are questioning and commenting on the hotel policies that you are bringing up for discussion, not your integrity. Many of us hate them just as much as you do (if not more).

As you may already know, all major hotel chains have "brand standards" which include mandates that hotels carrying a given brand must adhere to. Taking just a couple of examples: Free wi-fi is a brand standard at the Hilton-owned chains Hampton and Hilton Garden Inn, but not at full service Hiltons, Embassy Suites, Conrad or Waldorf=Astoria. Hyatt mandates free wi-fi at Hyatt Place, but does not at Regency, Grand and Park Hyatts. And Marriott mandates free wi-fi at Courtyard, Fairfield and Residence Inn, but not at full-service or JW Marriott locations.

An individual location of a major-chain hotel that is not bound by a brand standard is free to decide whether or not to charge. Most, unfortunately, choose to charge, in order to increase their revenue. Exceptions certainly exist, such as the Sheraton in Arizona that you pointed out. Another full-service Sheraton that does not charge is the Sheraton Portland Airport, where I stayed last spring. Near my home, the full-service Ft. Lauderdale Marriott North has free wi-fi for all guests. So, there are exceptions.

....I usually bid a three star and often end up in Holiday Inn, Doubletree, or Ramada, which suits my needs for a short term stay....

I am OK with a three star hotel too.
Those are the reasons I prefer four star hotels:
1. They are mostly not much cheaper than the four star hotels.
2. With four star hotels I have often some (plenty of) "free bids".
For Brussels I was so desperate getting a hotel, so I finally bid for a three star and got a very nice Hilton on Place Rogier.

Thank you... I actually joined (contrary to popular belief) to give a little information I may have learned along the way...as well as pick up tips from other travellers... not just to post my rant about Priceline. My wife and I are fortunate to be able to travel frequently and love learning about cool, out of the way spots that others have found. I belong to several travel boards and thought I would give this one a go, too.

Thanks again!

For someone in the Airline Biz for 30 years, you'd figure that you could get an airline employee discount. or at least research it before you bought. Caveat emptor.

Yeah gee thanks. Never thought of that. See the thing is few hotels offer airline discounts any longer, certainly not 5 star hotels. There was a time when United was a partner with Westin hotels and we got terrific deals. Those days are loooong gone. Research what exactly? Priceline? Yes I guess so but since I have used everything from Orbitz to Expedia to Travelocity over the years I guess I just assumed that Priceline wouldn't be a ripoff. Caveat emptor, indeed.

Sometimes it's nice to stay at a small, comfortable hotel or motel.. sometimes its nice to stay at a small pensione or hostel.. just depends on the type of vacation you are taking and more importantly .. WHERE you are going. Some places a hut on the beach is the best you can get. And that's great. I learned a valuable lesson on this trip and I won't use Priceline again. I would much rather pay more and get the hotel I want then pay less and end up god only knows where.

[I] Yes I guess so but since I have used everything from Orbitz to Expedia to Travelocity over the years I guess I just assumed that Priceline wouldn't be a ripoff.

And on this point you were right, PL is not a ripoff. I have scored some great deals. I plan to keep using PL.

When I want something specific (location, service ect) I book thru normal channels.

Powerplantop... you are correct. If you don't care about the hotel you stay in and cost is the overriding factor, then PL is for you. That isn't how I normally travel and for me, it was a ripoff. But I learned a lesson and will go back to booking hotels, condo's etc the way I always have in the past. I tried PL and it wasn't right for me.

Based on the large amount of anti-PL posts I have read in the past couple of days (Google Price Line Complaints), I think it would be fair to say, however, that booking your hotel with PL comes with many potential hazards that unless you do your homework, could ruin a vacation for someone.

My intent here and at other boards was to let folks know of one of those potential issues so that they can be better informed when choosing which site to use for booking hotels.

I think the vast majority of PL complaints come from people who don't understand the nature of the deal they're making. It is not for everyone, nor for every circumstance, nor for the uninformed or inflexible. It's a specialty channel.

I think this is exactly the issue....

People do not understand what Priceline and Hotwire's business model is... all they hear is the deals that people are able to get... and do not understand the homework that we do to ensure we are not disappointed.

I can honestly say I have used Priceline and Hotwire over a hundred times for myself and friends over the years.... and have honestly never been surprised with any hotel I got. I may have been disappointed with hotel services... but that was not a Priceline issue.

I do get a chuckle at the people who come here to complain... and when you ask some questions... find out that their assumptions were wrong and the complaint was not valid. :D

I can only imagine the amount of money I saved over the years... just this week I stayed at a Hampton Inn and Suites for $37 a night when it was going for $109 a night on their website.

I will even take a few bad hotels for deals like that. :)

I think the vast majority of PL complaints come from people who don't understand the nature of the deal they're making. It is not for everyone, nor for every circumstance, nor for the uninformed or inflexible. It's a specialty channel.

I think the vast majority of PL complaints come from people who don't understand the nature of the deal they're making. It is not for everyone, nor for every circumstance, nor for the uninformed or inflexible. It's a specialty channel.

+1
Lesson here: Priceline "name your own price" is not for everyone.

Opaque sites are wonderful for those with a bit of tolerance and flexibility.
I LOVE Priceline bidding option, but I also know not to plan on room upgrades, stay credit, two beds, the complimentary breakfast, etc. If it happens, then great - but no expectations.

I also realize that regardless the star rating of a hotel, someone always has a problem with something. Had I looked at the hotel reviews first, then made an informed decision, I could avoid booking at the wrong hotel. That luxury doesn't really exist using the "name your own price" option. Unless i'm booking for my family or other individuals who need specific concrete details up front, I can handle the risk.

Opaque sites are wonderful for those with a bit of tolerance and flexibility.I've gotten to the point that, for lower-star one-night bids in certain areas, I'm prepared to "eat" the winning bid and stay elsewhere if the result is a true slag heap or otherwise really horrendous.

In all these years, it's only happened once, a 2.5* bid for $38, where a non-chain dump that wasn't on the BB or BFT lists suddenly appeared. I considered it a lesson learned.

I've gotten to the point that, for lower-star one-night bids in certain areas, I'm prepared to "eat" the winning bid and stay elsewhere if the result is a true slag heap or otherwise really horrendous. In dozens of PL stays I've only felt really burned one time. Got booked into a Howard Johnsons Motor Lodge in San Diego on a 2.5* bid for about $80, and it was grim. But SAN is a tough town for cheap lodging, and over my whole PL history the pleasant surprises far outweigh the nasty ones. Can't say that for my whole Holiday Inn history. :)

I have generally found PL star levels appropriate for the hotel awarded. PL does do follow up surveys after each of my hotel stays, including whether the star level was consumerate with the property and allows for a comment section. Front desk personnel are suppose to say pre paid and not PL or Hotwire. Again, there is room on the follow up form to make comments such as rude or inappropriate by front desk clerks. Hopefully, sending these surveys out after each stay means that PL is serious about customer service not just giving you a dirt cheap place for the night.

Personally, I have had one bad Priceline experience at an Extended Stay in Edina, MN.

The last two or three Priceline surveys where I made *ANY* negative comments have resulted in a call from the Priceline customer service.

As for the mention of Priceline, more often than not, when a front desk clerk mentions Priceline, they are asking me what I paid.

The deals are phenomenal - been staying at Staybridge Suites and Residence Inns for $30-40 all summer long. In general, I am getting 3-4* hotels for roughly the price of the local Motel 6.

I think that anyone using Priceline should be aware is that older "tired" hotels will often use Priceline to drive traffic. Another favorite is during construction. That said, that is not always the case, and the prices can be pretty good nonetheless. I find that the star ratings on Priceline are pretty reasonable, whereas the star ratings on Hotwire seem a bit inflated.

If Marriott themselves list it as a 5 Star property, then the OP has no beef. However, it seems that even Marriott lists it as a 4 star property. If that is true, I think the OP has a valid complaint

If Marriott themselves list it as a 5 Star property, then the OP has no beef. However, it seems that even Marriott lists it as a 4 star property. If that is true, I think the OP has a valid complaint

Have you read this thread? The OP was mistaken. It was not listed as a 5*, but a 4*.

Have you read this thread? The OP was mistaken. It was not listed as a 5*, but a 4*.

You are correct!^
I checked San Antonio at Priceline ... they don't even show/offer a 5* hotel on their website/list for San Antonio. Actually, I have no idea why the OP got this all wrong and posted a "Priceline warning!":confused:

Actually, although you may never return here, please learn that you actually have only one choice. That is do advance research before staying at any hotel. Trip advisor reports have to be read with skepticism.

I totally agree with you. In fact, I routinely ignore any Trip Advisor hotel reviews by people who have less than 4 contributions. It is a known fact that hotel reviews are manipulated on both sides - by those intimately involved with the property and by their competitors. I use any such reviews just for factual information. As a Destination Expert on TA, I have tried without success to get TA to limit hotel reviews by people who have X number of contributions, something along the line of Coupon Connection. But advertisers pays big $$ for the number of hits on their site so they don't deal with the bogus reviews.

John

IAs a Destination Expert on TA, I have tried without success to get TA to limit hotel reviews by people who have X number of contributions, something along the line of Coupon Connection.

I appreciate your point, but how is a reviewer supposed to build a credible number of contributions if you want to ban all contributions from people who have less than X contributions? :confused:

I appreciate your point, but how is a reviewer supposed to build a credible number of contributions if you want to ban all contributions from people who have less than X contributions? :confused:

It would be based on forum contributions, not review contributions. Or they can submit reviews and none of their reviews will be posted publicly until they have X number of reviews. Seems relatively simple to me. But TA will never do anything like that because of the revenue stream they get from advertisers. Most casual users of the TA hotel reviews believe everything they read online as gospel truth, unfortunately.

I skimmed this thread again to see how much the OP paid Priceline for this hotel but didn't see any price mentioned. Did I overlook the price? It annoyed me as a novice bidder when I found that I had carelessly bid too much and maybe that is what happened here. If the OP had succeeded at $35 his comments might have been different.

I skimmed this thread again to see how much the OP paid Priceline for this hotel but didn't see any price mentioned. Did I overlook the price? It annoyed me as a novice bidder when I found that I had carelessly bid too much and maybe that is what happened here. If the OP had succeeded at $35 his comments might have been different.

In most markets, Priceline has a minimum bid per star level. I know it used to be $55 was the lowest you could get a 5 star for. I think it was $40 or $45 for a 4 star.

Looking on a successful bidding site, like www.betterbidding.com is important to make sure you see what some recent good bids are.

I skimmed this thread again to see how much the OP paid Priceline for this hotel but didn't see any price mentioned. The OP did not reveal his bid price. It's plausible that if he didn't research probable hotels and winning bids beforehand, he overbid and came in not much lower than the deal rates available via non-opaque sites. If so, that's a lot of stress he went through to save not very many bucks.

In most markets, Priceline has a minimum bid per star level. I know it used to be $55 was the lowest you could get a 5 star for. I think it was $40 or $45 for a 4 star.

Looking on a successful bidding site, like www.betterbidding.com is important to make sure you see what some recent good bids are.

I believe the minimum for 4 stars is still $40, and $25 for 3 star properties.

I've stopped using PL lately because of the asinine lack of warning about resort fees; it would be easy for them to categorzie them. What's the point of getting a 3.5 or 4* for $70 when you're going to get slammed with an extra $25 per day?

Oh and all of this crap about unrealistic expectations with regards to free wi-fi? Having just stayed at the Pan Pacific in Seattle and the Sheraton Desert Oasis in Scottsdale, BOTH had free wi-fi. Not a big deal in and of itself and I certainly don't use just that as a reason to rip any hotel I have ever stayed at (some do / some don't), but if the rest of your hotel is a dump.. filthy pool, rude help, etc.. the least you would think a 5 Star Hotel could do is offer it.

My expectations of a 5 Star Hotel are based on 30 years of travel and staying at them all over the world. They are not 'unrealistic', in fact this is one of the few times I have ever stayed at one where I was so completely disappointed. Normally when this happens you can just check out and go somewhere else. With Priceline, however, this is not an option. You are stuck. As I said, Live and Learn.


Sorry, but anyone who reads any of the travel blogs even occasionally knows that the number one complaint about hotels in this segment is the lack of free internet. If you got it at the Pan Pacific and a Sheraton those were exceptions to the rule.

The big thing with priceline is that you ARE stuck - that's what you get for booking a cheap room. I won't use PL for this very reason. I have used Hotwire, but only since I could pinpoint which hotel I would be getting - they seemed to have tightened up on their reviews and other information (it used to be common to see something like "restaurant xxx is right in the lobby) and it is harder and harder to figure it out, so I don't use them much anymore.

I believe the minimum for 4 stars is still $40, and $25 for 3 star properties.

I forgot about that - you are absolutely right. So he couldn't have gotten that hotel at $35.

I forgot about that - you are absolutely right. So he couldn't have gotten that hotel at $35.

Technically, he could have won a 4 star hotel for $35. A 4* hotel can set their Priceline rate below $40, however Priceline will reject any bid under $40 when bidding at the 4* level.

A few years ago, the La Quinta Resort (Waldorf-Astoria property) in La Quinta, CA (rated Resort level on Priceline) had a "mistake" rate of $25 on Priceline. People who bid 4* got it for $40 a night, however those who bid $25 at the 3 star level won and were upgraded to the La Quinta Resort. (Long thread on this over in the Hotel Deals forum).

So while the chances are slim and few and far between, there are those times when you can get a 4* property for under $40. The catch is you can't bid 4 stars, but rather a lower category and get upgraded.