Originally Posted By LuLu On the evening of the 7th, I decided I need to stay at DL either the 9th or 10th, with basically no budget. Needed to be super cheap! Cheapest thing on lastminutetravel.com was around $50, but since location was unknown, I might have to pay to park at DL in addition. Too high. No Entertainment rate at HoJo's for either night (I was willing to "splurge" at $59 to get a "sure thing," and walking distance from DL). So, on to "name your own price" at Priceline. I had 3 nights to try for Saturday, and if I got frustrated by the second night of trying, I could also try for a Friday night stay. I gave $30 2-star a shot. No dice. I'd seen a few posts at biddingfortravel.com about getting Extended Stay America for $26 or so, so I bid $26 1-star. Success! And I did get the ESA on Clementine, which I knew I could walk as it's right by Garden Walk, which I've walked before.Yay! $36.33 with taxes and fees. I even had an opportunity to add nights at the same rate, which I declined. So, this was for Saturday, a notoriously hard night to get on Priceline. AND a super-busy weekend! The confirmation email did say I get only 1 bed at that price, and an upgrade to 2 beds (if available) would cost extra. Important to know if you have a family. Generally ESA's are mostly 1-bed for business travelers. It turned out tho, that they booked me into a 1-bed that was not made up. And it was probably the last one that didn't have a guest in it, so I did get a 2-bed at no charge. Not that I cared! It was after midnight and I just wanted to get to bed. They told me I could leave my car there during the day, and check in after I was done at DL, which worked fine. There's no early check-in here. It's not exactly like a hotel, so it does have a few differences. But the price was amazing and my stay (all 8 1/2 hrs of it) was fine. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs! Can't say that you'll get this hotel when bidding for a 1-star in DL/Anaheim, but if it's for a weekend, I'd bet the odds are good (as a business hotel, it's probably uncrowded on the weekends, as opposed to the other places nearby). There's also ART here, and it's near a couple other lines' pickup spots as well, so it seems like it'd be pretty convenient to get around that way. If you have any questions, I'll try to answer. Oh, there isn't daily maid service (just once a week). But supposedly you can exchange towels at the front desk. And pick up toiletries (soap only in the rooms). Good luck and happy bidding!
Originally Posted By retlawfan Wow. That was a great deal. You're braver than I am when it come to priceine.com, and I love it. I would probably never try a 1*. I had a really bad experience once with a 2*. I never got over it. Glad it all worked out for you though.
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x I wish I'd known it was a 1*, because we were looking for a room on Saturday night!! I'll have to try it next time I'm going to have an 'extended stay.' They have kitchens, too, right?
Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney I have to agree. I use Priceline all the time and have stayed many times at that ESA and the one over in Anaheim Hills. I can get the one in Anaheim Hills for as low as $21! (But since I am driving from Temecula I don't care if it is within driving distance) The ESA next to the garden walk is fairly nice. All ESA hotels have a microwave, apartment size fridge, even a small stove top. Since I usually bringing the two year old with me, this works out especially well. It allows me to eat breakfast in the room before leaving for the parks. Keep in mind that ESA is a one star hotel, so most of the conveniences (continental breakfast and such) are not available. But for decent cheap place, they are completly work. Not too mention I have had hotel rooms there for less then $30 a night, during holiday periods. My last holiday stay was this year. I stayed two nights, July 3rd and 4th for less then $25 a night! And I booked it on July 2nd.
Originally Posted By LuLu Cool! I love getting insider info like that. I *always* check biddingfortravel.com before Priceline. Nothing's guaranteed, but I feel like I have a pretty good idea of what I'm likely to get. retlaw, I've never bid below 3 stars before! And probably wouldn't where I didn't know the area. Since this was only 1 night, I figured how bad could it be? My main concerns were cleanliness and no bugs, and it was great on those counts. The bed was quite firm but OK. And there was more noise than HoJo's, but sometimes that just depends on your neighbors! One thing I noticed was, this is a "couples" hotel more than families (on the weekends), so people came in late (even tho I went to bed at 12:45, I was still awakened) but didn't get up early. BTW Anaheim Hills, as mentioned above, and Katella ESA's are in different zones, so you won't get those if bidding DL/Anaheim. I read that the DL zone has been split, more info here: <a href="http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/sreply/142030/t/Hotels---added---Hotel-List-Priceline-Hotel--ratings.html" target="_blank">http://biddingfortravel.yuku.c...ngs.html</a>
Originally Posted By crazycroc Something to think about if you have children, ESA's and the like can "sometimes" be havens for sexual perps or those who cannot rent an apartment. Not trying to scare anyone. Just passing on something I learned at work.
Originally Posted By oredisneyfan I used priceline for my last visit to DLR and it worked out great. I want to try it again for my next trip....dates are very flexible so I am hoping for a really good deal. what is the best price/star rating to start with? I think I bid to high for a 2 star last time. it was fine but would like to do better this time. either nicer hotel or cheaper price. walking distance is not an issue since i will be driving from Oregon. we found that using the ART for 5 people cost more than parking and was not that reliable so probably will just drive to Parking structure. last time I became obsessed with getting my bid accepted it was sort of addicting. Is it best to wait until the last minute to bid?
Originally Posted By Ursula Lulu, by them having housekeeping once a week, that means that if you stay a week, you get your room cleaned once right? It doesn't mean..gasp...that the room is cleaned once a week regardless, right?
Originally Posted By LuLu OMG Ursula, no... I sure hope not! oredisneyfan, lots of tips are at biddingfortravel.com. I don't use Priceline much any more, I just plan my trips around HoJo's Entertainment rate
Originally Posted By MickeyMommy I have only bid on the highest star level for the Disneyland area, I think it is 3.5 stars. I have never bid more than $60, and I got accepted several times for the $42-$46 range on gotten places such as the O.C. Hyatt, Marriott Suites, Coast Anaheim (now the Sheraton Park), and the Hilton.
