Priceline has added a new layer of hotels under their "name your own price" product. There is now 3.5 bidding available in many, many zones across the board. At first glance, I'm seeing former 3-star rated Marriotts, Hyatts and Hiltons now upgraded to 3.5 stars. Holiday Inns and Radissons formerly rated 3 stars remaining at the 3 star. IMO this is a good thing as I personally believe most all Marriotts, for example, are better than Holiday Inns. Speaking in general terms, of course, as there are always exceptions. What strikes me as odd, however, is the fact I'm seeing many former 2.5 Marriott Courtyards now upgraded to 3 stars, making them the same level as Holiday Inns, Radissons, etc. IMO Courtyards don't compare to Holidays Inns from the standpoint of full service restaurants, room service, etc. Priceline used to require restaurant and room service to qualify for 3 stars, so perhaps the rules have been changed -- I haven't researched that yet.
There are two handy ways to determine star rating changes:
1. Surf the Priceline vacation package product.
2. Log into your Priceline account and click on both future and past hotel bids. I just accessed a number of my former 3-star Marriott bids and each of them are now displaying as 3.5 stars.
What strikes me as odd, however, is the fact I'm seeing many former 2.5 Marriott Courtyards now upgraded to 3 stars, making them the same level as Holiday Inns, Radissons, etc. IMO Courtyards don't compare to Holidays Inns from the standpoint of full service restaurants, room service, etc. Priceline used to require restaurant and room service to qualify for 3 stars, so perhaps the rules have been changed -- I haven't researched that yet.
Here is Priceline's description of 3.5 hotel as well as a revised description of 3 star properites:
3.5 Hotels:
The most recognized name brands and quality independent hotels in the industry, these hotels feature high quality hotel rooms and well-decorated public spaces. Along with all of the amenities of 3 star hotel, 3½ star hotels offer a higher level of guest service. In addition, hotels will offer a full service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and in-room dining. A fitness center may also be available.
3½ Star hotel examples:
The hotel brands shown below are for example only and may not be partnered with priceline.com. You may get another name-brand or independent hotel of equivalent quality.
3½ 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
3 Star Hotels:
The most recognized name brands and quality independent hotels in the industry, these hotels feature high quality hotel rooms and well-decorated public spaces. On-site dining is offered but may not be available for all three meals. A fitness room may also be available
3 Star hotel examples:
The hotel brands shown below are for example only and may not be partnered with priceline.com. You may get another name-brand or independent hotel of equivalent quality.
• Marriott Courtyard • Hyatt Place • Holiday Inn
• Doubletree Club • Four Points • Indigo
3 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
On-Site Dining
Yes, but you've got to be careful and do your homework before bidding. Many zones that previously went only as high as 2.5 stars now go to 3 stars. (Marriott Courtyard types being upgraded, for example).
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They got it right as far as the brands and star levels. Now we will have to see what happens as far as the 2.5* to 3* upgrade: what brands remain in 2.5*? Do you get upgraded to a 3* i.e. Courtyard, or does the upgrade go all the way up to the pay-for-parking 3.5*? Where do the former 2.5* properties such as Residence Inn enter into all this? Will we see star inflation, i.e. La Quinta, Days Inn or Fairfield being called 2.5*?
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I just reviewed a bunch of my 2.5 accepted bids and all of the Courtyards and Hyatt Place establishments are now at 3*, while Crowne Plaza and full-service Marriotts show as 3.5*. I had one Residence Inn win a couple of months ago, but that one is missing from my list of bids, so hopefully someone else will be able to verify where RI will fall under the new rankings
I had one Residence Inn win a couple of months ago, but that one is missing from my list of bids, so hopefully someone else will be able to verify where RI will fall under the new rankings
Residence Inn (SLC Airport) is now a 3-star, up from 2.5-star.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thenewbie
Residence Inn (SLC Airport) is now a 3-star, up from 2.5-star.
thanks for confirming this!
Also, I did have two 2.5* wins in two differen cities in the last three months which were independent, non-chain properties. Interestingly enough, both of these remained at 2.5*.
What I wonder about is what now constitutes 1 and 2 star properties?
"The most recognized name brands and quality independent hotels in the industry, these hotels feature high quality hotel rooms and well-decorated public spaces. On-site dining is offered but may not be available for all three meals. A fitness room may also be available"
That could apply to a Day's Inn. I'm staying at a "3 Star" Hyatt Place from a PL booking right now, and they don't have a restaurant at all, as such. They do have some kind of Continental Breakfast, but so do every property from a Red Roof Inn on down the line.
What I wonder about is what now constitutes 1 and 2 star properties?
"The most recognized name brands and quality independent hotels in the industry, these hotels feature high quality hotel rooms and well-decorated public spaces. On-site dining is offered but may not be available for all three meals. A fitness room may also be available"
That could apply to a Day's Inn. I'm staying at a "3 Star" Hyatt Place from a PL booking right now, and they don't have a restaurant at all, as such. They do have some kind of Continental Breakfast, but so do every property from a Red Roof Inn on down the line.
I just got back from a Hyatt place. Unless you really got unlucky, I think you'll find it's way better than a red roof inn. Interior corrirors, big flatscreen TV, nice furnishings.....
In a zone near me, two full-service Marriott properties were upgraded 3 to 3.5 stars last month under the restructuring. Now, just one month later, they're both back to 3 stars again.
So in the Pleasanton/San Ramon, CA area (Oakland East Bay) you have Courtyards, Residence Inns, Hyatt Place, Hyatt Summerfield Suites and full-service Marriotts all common rated at 3 stars. Since Priceline ratings are determined by amenities offered, I see no reason why full-service Marriotts are lumped together with limited-service brands. No offense to those who like Courtyards, Residence Inns, etc. It's just that they're different from full-service hotels and should be rated/grouped accordingly.
Now we will have to see what happens as far as the 2.5* to 3* upgrade: what brands remain in 2.5*? Do you get upgraded to a 3* i.e. Courtyard, or does the upgrade go all the way up to the pay-for-parking 3.5*?
I am pretty sure you can get upgraded to any higher quality level. As far as I have seen in the past, this is nothing new. It doesn't happen often from a 2.5* to a 4* but I have seen it in the case of an overbid (read online, not personal experience).
Since Priceline ratings are determined by amenities offered, I see no reason why full-service Marriotts are lumped together with limited-service brands. No offense to those who like Courtyards, Residence Inns, etc. It's just that they're different from full-service hotels and should be rated/grouped accordingly.
Though I really like Residence Inns, I totally agree with you - they are not in the same level as full-service Marriotts.
