Hotwire for Hotels - Pittsburgh???

[markel]

Taking daughter to Pittsburgh next week to look at Univ. of Pitt and have a room on hold in the area. I was thinking of trying Hotwire to save a few bucks but have never used them before. I've used Priceline for rental cars many times, tried a few offers for a room that were not accepted. I've tried to look at the star system to TRY to get an idea of what hotel I might get. Anyone have success with them in Pittsburgh? I'm looking at either downtown or the Oakland area, 3 star hotels. Thanks in advance.

Mark

 

[AwayWeGo]

The PriceLine Game.

Taking daughter to Pittsburgh next week to look at Univ. of Pitt and have a room on hold in the area. I was thinking of trying Hotwire to save a few bucks but have never used them before. I've used Priceline for rental cars many times, tried a few offers for a room that were not accepted. I've tried to look at the star system to TRY to get an idea of what hotel I might get. Anyone have success with them in Pittsburgh? I'm looking at either downtown or the Oakland area, 3 star hotels. Thanks in advance.

Mark

We play the PriceLine game just about anytime we're taking a non-timeshare trip. Usually, we look on HotWire to see what their discount rates are, then we see if we can beat those via PriceLine.

Conventional wisdom -- & we agree based on experience -- is that the PriceLine & HotWire star-rating levels aren't exactly the same. That is, we expect a 3-star HotWire room to be more like 2 or maybe 2½ stars in PriceLine. Just a consideration to factor in when you're playing the PriceLine game.

Also, we learned the hard way never to bid below 2 stars on PriceLine -- even for a 1-night overnighter with late check-in & early check-out.

Good luck.

Full Disclosure: We have not (yet) tried PriceLine or HotWire for Pittsburgh PA.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[Nickfromct]

Taking daughter to Pittsburgh next week to look at Univ. of Pitt and have a room on hold in the area. I was thinking of trying Hotwire to save a few bucks but have never used them before. I've used Priceline for rental cars many times, tried a few offers for a room that were not accepted. I've tried to look at the star system to TRY to get an idea of what hotel I might get. Anyone have success with them in Pittsburgh? I'm looking at either downtown or the Oakland area, 3 star hotels. Thanks in advance.

Mark

These two forums should be of some use

for Hotwire and priceline

http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?act=idx


for priceline only.

http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/

 

[glypnirsgirl]

My inlaws lived in pittsburgh and I frequently priceline. I bid for 4 star hotels or better. Ended up either in the Westin downtown or the Hyatt at the airport. Both good hotels. I loved the Westin when we did not fly in late on Fridays. When we did, the Hyatt was great. I think that I could get them for $89 usually. Won't work if there is a convention in town.

I love Pittsburgh. It is a lovely city with the hills, rivers and bridges. It is EXTREMELY difficult to navigate for the same reasons. Sometimes, you just can't get there from here.

Hope you have a great trip!

elaine

 

[markel]

Thank you Alan, Nick, and Elaine. Very useful information !!!

 

[Mosca]

That's my hometown, I went to Pitt; if she decides to go there, she'll love it! Our friends sent two of theirs to Pitt, the first one visited on our suggestion and decided to go there, and the second went because the first one loved it there. They put on a really great tour, and 'da Burgh is an awesome town... far more sophisticated and artsy than one might think. And you might be surprised to find that it is shockingly beautiful.

I took this from the top of Mt Washington:

If you enjoy dining, you should have breakfast at Pamela's in Shadyside, often voted among the best breakfasts in America (the Prez had Pamela flown in to make pancakes for the troops at the White House); and you should have a burger at Tessaro's in Bloomfield, one of the best burgers in the US.

(edit: When we visited we stayed at Courtyard Marriot in Shadyside, but didn't use Priceline or Hotwire; there was something going on that weekend and we were lucky to get a room at all!)

 

[markel]

Mosca,

Very nice picture.

Well, I'm still doing my homework. I have a room on hold in the Parkway Center area. Good rate and good reviews. I just called to check on travel time from the hotel to the City (to get to the Univ. of Pitt). The program starts at 8:30 am and I figured there would be traffic. The girl at the front desk said YES there would and to figure 45 minutes to get there. I guess not too terribly bad but with that short of a distance to go it must be bumper to bumper !!!! (I've never driven in Pittsburgh, but am familar with the traffic in Baltimore, Washington, Harrisburg, etc.) I'm still thinking of the option of Hotwire, but it looks like parking will be an added expense if I choose the University Park area. I appreciate all of the input so far and if anyone knows of anywhere close to the college to stay, let me know.

Thanks, Mark

 

[wackymother]

DD went to a summer program at Carnegie-Mellon a few years ago. We got a decent room at a Holiday Inn on that main street, three stars, for about $40. I'm sorry I can't remember any other details. Near a hospital maybe? The airport shuttle stopped right in front of the hotel, if that helps.

 

[ttt]

I just booked through Hotwire the Doubletree City Center, 3 1/2 stars for Aug.28, 2 nights, $79. per night+

 

[Mosca]

Parkway Center West? If it's by Greentree Rd, that is far at that time of day. You want to be in between the rivers, not on the other side.

Quality Inn University Center is $112 without Priceline, and it would be worth $50 to not have to drive from Greentree to Oakland in the morning. I'm a time-and-convenience-over-money person, though; not everyone is wired that way, I know. But still, that notwithstanding, Greentree to Oakland is NOT recommended.

Edit: that Quality Inn is $89 on Sundays and Mondays in August, $99 on all other nights except Aug 24th. Even if parking is $20, you'll be ahead of the game, figuring that you can walk to Pitt and avoid gas, driving time, and paying parking in Oakland at the underground garage.

 

[markel]

Mosca,

It was the Best Western Greentree Rd. I took you advice on staying in Oakland and just took the plunge on Hotwire and landed the Holiday Inn @ University Center, right next to the University of Pitt. I got it for $73 (just checked website and it lists for $161) !!! First time using Hotwire so I hope that when I get there they don't laugh me away !! Anyway, even throwing in $20 for parking, it's a wash AND I don't have to deal with any traffic that Friday morning. Thanks to you and everyone else who posted here.

By the way, I'm a big fan of Primanti Bros. in Ft. Lauderdale (and I realized the first time I walked in there years ago they are from Pittsburgh) so I figure I should pay a visit when I'm there. Good idea???

Mark

Parkway Center West? If it's by Greentree Rd, that is far at that time of day. You want to be in between the rivers, not on the other side.

Quality Inn University Center is $112 without Priceline, and it would be worth $50 to not have to drive from Greentree to Oakland in the morning. I'm a time-and-convenience-over-money person, though; not everyone is wired that way, I know. But still, that notwithstanding, Greentree to Oakland is NOT recommended.

Edit: that Quality Inn is $89 on Sundays and Mondays in August, $99 on all other nights except Aug 24th. Even if parking is $20, you'll be ahead of the game, figuring that you can walk to Pitt and avoid gas, driving time, and paying parking in Oakland at the underground garage.

 

[Mosca]

I lost track of this one; great snag Mark, and you were DEFINITELY ahead of the game staying in Oakland! How was Primanti Bros? How did you like Pitt? How did you like Pittsburgh?

 

[Carol C]

That's my hometown, I went to Pitt; if she decides to go there, she'll love it! Our friends sent two of theirs to Pitt, the first one visited on our suggestion and decided to go there, and the second went because the first one loved it there. They put on a really great tour, and 'da Burgh is an awesome town... far more sophisticated and artsy than one might think. And you might be surprised to find that it is shockingly beautiful.

I took this from the top of Mt Washington:

If you enjoy dining, you should have breakfast at Pamela's in Shadyside, often voted among the best breakfasts in America (the Prez had Pamela flown in to make pancakes for the troops at the White House); and you should have a burger at Tessaro's in Bloomfield, one of the best burgers in the US.

(edit: When we visited we stayed at Courtyard Marriot in Shadyside, but didn't use Priceline or Hotwire; there was something going on that weekend and we were lucky to get a room at all!)

Ahhh...beautiful pikchur yinz took a da Burgh n'at. My hometahn is photogenic! Just got back from a week dere...$52/night for Marriott Courtyard dahntahn on Penn Ave...via Priceline bid. It's close ta Sammy's 'n' da Strip n'at. Go Stillers!

 

[markel]

I lost track of this one; great snag Mark, and you were DEFINITELY ahead of the game staying in Oakland! How was Primanti Bros? How did you like Pitt? How did you like Pittsburgh?

First of all you are 100% correct that staying in Oakland was the thing to do. The Holiday Inn is right next to Alumni Hall, which is where we had to meet for the session. We were able to park our car in the garage and leave it until we left to go home. Couldn't have asked for anything better. Primanti Bros was very good & very cheap !! Especially the beer. 20 oz. draft beer = $2.75. After we ate my wife and daughter wanted to walk across the street to go in RUE 21. I was more than happy to stay in Primanti's and enjoy a few more cold ones. Univ. of Pitt was very nice. My daughter liked it the best of the five other colleges we have visited (including Juniata College and IUP which we visited on the way to Pittsburgh) Pitt is very competitive though. I am praying for some scholarships and I don't think it will happen here. You have to score a minimum 1400 on the SAT (math/reading) and have a high GPA and class rank. She is ranked 3rd in her class with a 3.99 GPA, BUT her SAT's are what's hurting her. Decent scores, just not 1400. As for Pittsburgh, we never made it downtown but did walk around Oakland a bit. I thought it to be a nice atmosphere and would feel comfortable if she decided to go there. All in all a very nice visit. Once I finally made it to the turnpike it was clear sailing home !! Thanks for suggesting staying where we did. That made a huge difference.

 

[Mosca]

Pitt is very competitive though. I am praying for some scholarships and I don't think it will happen here. You have to score a minimum 1400 on the SAT (math/reading) and have a high GPA and class rank. She is ranked 3rd in her class with a 3.99 GPA, BUT her SAT's are what's hurting her. Decent scores, just not 1400. As for Pittsburgh, we never made it downtown but did walk around Oakland a bit. I thought it to be a nice atmosphere and would feel comfortable if she decided to go there. All in all a very nice visit. Once I finally made it to the turnpike it was clear sailing home !! Thanks for suggesting staying where we did. That made a huge difference.

You're welcome! 30 years in Pgh, I should know something... hehe.

I dunno, man. She should apply to the Pitt Honors College. You might be surprised. The thing hurting Pitt right now is that they got burned in one of those investment scams. But they are actively seeking out quality students to raise their profile. I would think they'd make it worth her while. I've heard that often they will negotiate; if you tell them that she wants to go there but you're having trouble making the numbers fit, they'll dig a little deeper.

 

[markel]

You're welcome! 30 years in Pgh, I should know something... hehe.

I dunno, man. She should apply to the Pitt Honors College. You might be surprised. The thing hurting Pitt right now is that they got burned in one of those investment scams. But they are actively seeking out quality students to raise their profile. I would think they'd make it worth her while. I've heard that often they will negotiate; if you tell them that she wants to go there but you're having trouble making the numbers fit, they'll dig a little deeper.

I never gave thought in trying to negotiate (with Pitt or any of the others) I know there are kids with better numbers out there, but we are very proud of her and having the high GPA and class rank (combined with a heavy course load) that she does should make her attractive to colleges. Should be interesting how this whole thing plays out.

 

[Mosca]

I know people who have done it successfully, not with Pitt but with others; Rensselaer and Villanova are the two I know of.

FWIW, Pitt's scholarship money for my daughter was the least of all. Because the tuition there was lower, the overall cost was still lowest of all her choices, but it was third on her list and the other schools she wanted to go to weren't that much more. I would have wanted her to go to Pitt... It would have made football weekends simple, that's for sure!

 

[pwrshift]

My fav hotel in Pittsburgh is the Renaissance, an easy walk across the bridge to baseball and football stadiums...but don't know if you can get that hotel that way. We were there July 10 and the streets were plugged with people and the river full with rafted boats...found out it was the Dave Matthews Band and sold out, so we walked across the bridge and heard some of the open air concert maybe even better than the boats. Back at the hotel we could still hear it going on quite late. Great city, nice people.

Brian

 

[Carol C]

I know people who have done it successfully, not with Pitt but with others; Rensselaer and Villanova are the two I know of.

FWIW, Pitt's scholarship money for my daughter was the least of all. Because the tuition there was lower, the overall cost was still lowest of all her choices, but it was third on her list and the other schools she wanted to go to weren't that much more. I would have wanted her to go to Pitt... It would have made football weekends simple, that's for sure!

I was accepted at Pitt, CMU, Duquene & Chatham...and Chatham offered me the best fin aid package...so I went there. Fantastic private, all-women's undergrad program. Gorgeous, resort-like campus. And I was able to take classes at the other local colleges/univs via "cross registration"...just so long as the courses were not offered at Chatham. Gooo Cougars! (Chatham's team name, LOL)