Maybe I’m a bit behind the times, but when I came across the website “Off and Away” on Paloma’s wonderful blog La Dolce Vita, I was intrigued. The concept is a little confusing—you purchase bids for $1 each, in groups of 10, 25, and so on. The website auctions off suites at hotels and resorts around the world. Auctions last a day or two, but the real action happens during the last minute. Or what you think is the last minute. I ended up spending about 45 minutes of my day on that nominal last minute. Each bid you place is worth 10 cents, and when you get down to the final minutes of the auction, each bid adds 15 seconds to the timer. So the final 15 seconds can end up taking hours—the clock ticks down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, “GOING” and then you or one of your many faceless competitors clicks the big yellow “Bid” button and the clock is back at 15 seconds. And so on. For HOURS. But if you’re the lucky winner, man is it worth it. 
My first experience with Off and Away was educational. I was bidding on two nights at the incredible Gramercy Park Hotel here in my home city (talk about “staycationing” in style!). When I arrived at the auction, the price was set at $1.90. Off and Away helpfully informs you that the retail cost of two nights at a Loft Suite at this boutique hotel is $1,900. Unbelievable. Anyway, I spent $20 on 20 bids, and came close several times, but after twenty minutes spent watching the clock get down to zero and then tick back up to fifteen seconds, I decided this could last awhile and took a little break. Excruciatingly, it was during these few minutes that a winner was crowned—“Adam”, the lucky bugger, won the weekend stay for a mere $86.
The whole bidding process is definitely a risk—today I paid $20 and have nothing to show for it. But, I did learn that bidding when it gets to 30 seconds for the first time may seem like a last ditch effort, but really you’re only in the first mile of the marathon countdown. The key is to have your finger on the button non-stop for the final 15 seconds, no matter how long those seconds are dragged out for. All wasn’t lost for me today though—the money you spend bidding on auctions you don’t end up winning goes into a pot you can later use for a “book now” option—the deals aren’t close to as mind blowing, but at least they make you feel like you weren’t just robbed blind.
The site itself is pretty spiffy and well-run, and the hotels they feature are INCREDIBLY stylish and drool-worthy. I have a feeling today’s little experiment may turn into a full-blown addiction if I’m not careful!
Enjoy these images of the sumptious, velvety amazingness I'm missing out on
 |
| Lobby |
 |
| Lobby |
 |
| Pink-hued Rose Bar |
 |
| Green-hued Jade Bar |
 |
| Bedroom |
 |
| Gramercy Suite |
 |
| Roof Club |
 |
| Penthouse with incredible light fixture |
Images: screenshot of Off and Away, all others from Gramercy Park Hotel website
No comments:
Post a Comment