HotelChatter

Last week we spoke with Doug Aley, CEO and Co-Founder of Off & Away, who explained that Off & Away uses a bid to auction model. He then walked us through the bidding process but not before telling us that Off & Away is not like Luxury Link and it's "decidedly not a private sale site."

Here's how it works: Customers register at Off & Away and purchase bids increments of one dollar. Each bid raises the price $0.25 and puts an extra 30 seconds on the clock. (Typically, the auctions last for a day.) The person who places the last bid when the auction clock expires, will win an amazing hotel stay for up to 90 percent off normal rates (But still expect to pay a hefty amount, like in the thousands. Also you will have to pay for the suite on top of the bids you purchased.)

The folks who don't win the auction can still use their bids to a hotel stay in any of the 50,000 hotels in the Off & Away network. You would also get the best deal that's being served up on other booking sites. And if you use your bids for the hotel featured in the auction (in a standard room, not a suite), you will get an extra 10 percent off.

Yes, we know it's a little confusing but the site has a explicit "How it Works" page that you should study before you buy your bids. Still, the worst that you come away with in using Off & Away is a hotel room that you would have booked anyways. Or as Aley says:

"It's a no-lose proposition. It's super fun and exciting, it has a game-like atmosphere and it's that type of excitement that we're trying to harness."

The window of availability is typically two to three months and will begin as close to the auction date as possible. Aley says the availability will typically start within two to four weeks of when the auction takes place.

As for terms and conditions, the hotel stay is pre-paid and nonrefundable. Aley says that's the trade-off in getting an amazing deal but Off & Away would try to work with guests on any changes and cancellations. Similarly, used bids expire in seven days and multiple bids from different auctions cannot be combined.

Off & Away, which is backed by the Madrona Venture Group (the capital firm behind Amazon.com, Farecast.com and VacationSpot.com), has been testing in beta for about a month and a half but is officially live today. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Aley says in one year they hope to have branched out to new experiences like chef's tables a top restaurants, show packages and sporting events. But for now, Aley says O&A is focusing on sweet...er...suite experiences in major cities.

We say give this site a try now while it's still relatively new as more users might push up the bid price. Currently up for sale is that Presidential Suite at The Pierre valued at $40,000. It's currently going for $7. Go!

You know us, we'll be giving Off & Away a shot for our next hotel stay--provided we have the funds--but if you give it a try before we do, please let us know what you thought!