You might consider using the name your own price feature of Priceline. The three 4 star hotels that have been reported as sold by Priceline in the downtown Houston zone are the Hyatt, the Hilton and Inn by the Ballpark. The Hyatt is probably the most commonly reported as being sold by Priceline and the Inn at the Ballpark the least commonly reported. Often (not always) the Hyatt (or the Hilton) will sell for a bid around $60, sometimes less. A very good place to research Priceline bidding as reported by users is www.biddingfortravel.com. I gave this same response to a similar question a couple of years ago and I believe that person nailed (on a 3 star bid) the Crowne Plaza which cost him about the same as the Hyatt was going for that year. Keep in mind when using Priceline that it is nonrefundable and one usually gets the very basic model room for two people at a particular hotel.