Cruz12 Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Hi, first time priceline bidder, Visiting NY tue. June 16-sat. June 20. I'll be bidding on two rooms. Very keen on CPS area as we will be doing the Times Square/Broadway scene and visiting museum mile on the east side. We felt like CPS would be farely central. Also we want to walk as much as possible and avoid subways, so we felt upper east side would be out because it has the possibility of being farther away from Central Park. Been doing some research on possible hotels in CPS but don't know if it's legitimate. We really like the Wellington hotel, and park central. We do NOT want the Hudson. and sort of worried about the 6 hotel with the pod rooms, do no want a pod room. I noticed Wellington on Hot.wire only though....I don't even know which site would be better, PRICELINE or HOTWIRE, all of my family uses Priceline. I saw someone has booked park central for a stay in march for $107. Not sure what peak seasons are in NY. BUDGET- ideally as low as possible since we need two rooms, $107-$125/room. Any suggestions for bidding or guesses about hotels are sincerely appreciated. Thanks! Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Welcome to BetterBidding! Few comments... I would suggest changing your mindset about trying to avoid the subway as much as possible, as it's often the quickest way from PointA to PointB and is relative inexpensive (although with 4 people, as it appears you may be, taxis become an affordable alternative as well... but sometimes the subway is still quicker) Your budget is not likely realistic for a 3.5* or better hotel for these dates. If you go to our sister sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com and search for '1 mile from Times Square NYC' you can then use the filters and remove any hotels that are less than 3.5* rated. Then click the PRICE heading on top of the list of hotels and you'll see the least expensive 3.5* or better hotel for these dates starts at $247/nite, making an accepted bid in the range of $100-$125/nite a very low probability. At current rates i think you're likely looking in the $150-$175 to be successful in a centrally located zone. Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Cruz12 Posted February 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Thanks. I didn't know about that sister site either. That's very helpful. Ok we could do $150-$175 for the budget. Any suggestions for avoiding the Hudson or 6 hotel?? :-) thanks! Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 There is no way to target, or avoid, a specific property when bidding on PRICELINE, so you either have to be willing to accept the Hudson OR not bid the CPS zone. Alternately you could use HOTWIRE and/or PRICELINE EXPRESS if you're able to reasonably guess the hotel being offer OR at least know that it's not the hotel you're trying to avoid (ie- if the hotel shows that is has a Pool, and the hotel you're trying to avoid doesn't have a pool, you know that you can safely buy that offer and avoid the hotel you don't want to stay in). However, the issue here is that the least expensive 3.5* or better in Manhattan on PRICELINE EXPRESS or HOTWIRE is priced at $176/nite and in the ESB zone, which as per my comment below, is something you may or may not want to consider. I'm local to the area, and my advice would be to skip CPS, and if you're OK with the subway, focus more on a location that is centrally located which will cover you both in terms of walking places and easily getting places (that are further away) via subway. If you're open to other areas all of the following typically work well for the average visitor and are close to mass transit: MTW, TS, MSG, ESB Often bid with some caveats: Cheslea - most hotels are well located, but a few can be up to a 10 minute walk to the subway, but this is a 'hot' area right now with lots of restaurants, cafes, boutiques, clubs, etc. that is still considered to be very desireable MTE - most 4* hotels are well located, but a few can be up to a 15 minute walk to the subway Let us know your thoughts/questions and we'll take it from there. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Cruz12 Posted February 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Well I really love the CPS area (had friends who stayed CPS at salisbury hotel through priceline and said location was perfect) so I guess I'll just have to take my chances with the Hudson or 6, we don't plan on hanging out in the hotel so I guess it's not a big deal.CPS would be my first choice, but I would be willing to take your suggestions and try for MTW and TS. Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 To confirm... Did you want to first try for a 4* hotel and then if rejected try for a 3.5*... OR is the goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this stay? I assume at whatever star level you bid, the least expensive within CPS, MTW, and TS is the desired goal? It's OK to start with a $175 maximum bid? (although my previous comments of $150-$175 were if you included other centrally located zones, i think these 3 zones may take closer to $200, but we can start with $175 and take it from there if you'd like, i'm just preparing you should your $175 bid be rejected) Please confirm i have the above correct and we will outline a strategy for you to follow. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Cruz12 Posted February 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Goal is least expensive 3.5* or better. actually let's do 3* or better, and yes we can start at $175 in those areas. Thanks Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 When bidding 3* in NYC you have ONE re-bid zone. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding. Select 3* CPS... Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 3* MTW... Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 3* TS... Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 3* CPS and MTW... Bid $153, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 3* CPS and TS... Bid $153, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 3* CPS, MTW, TS... Bid $158, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $160 If the above is rejected wait 2 hours (the waiting times has recently been reduced from 24 hours to just to hours) and try again: Select 3* CPS... Bid $163, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $165, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 3* MTW... Bid $163, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $165, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 3* TS... Bid $163, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $165, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 3* CPS and MTW... Bid $168, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 3* CPS and TS... Bid $168, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 3* CPS, MTW, TS... Bid $173, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $175 Any questions feel free to ask. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Cruz12 Posted February 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Our bids have been rejected, but we're taking our time, and still trying. Also keeping an eye on the express deals through priceline. Can you help ID hotel :Used biddinghelper.com4*$146/nightCentral Park South Rated 7.0 out of 10 (or higher)Pets AllowedRestaurantBusiness CenterWhen I clicked on it, it also had a bed choice $146per night Guest Room $168per night 1 Bed + Sofabed - Suite $189per night 1 Bedroom Suite - 1 Bed + SofabedI am thinking the renaissance?? I think it's the only one I saw on your list that allowed pets. Thanks in advance, and I'll close the thread when we finally book something. Link to comment
thereuare Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Best guess for this PRICELINE EXPRESS offer would be The Shoreham Hotel. However, if you have already bid previously for a 3* hotel up to $175/nite, and this 4* is now offered at $146/nite, i would jump on it. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Cruz12 Posted March 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Hesitated on the 4* for $146 and missed out. Regretting it, seems like prices are climbing. I've been checking hotwire a lot more. Any ideas on what this may be-June 16-20 2015 stay used biddinghelper.com3.5* $142 midtown centralPet friendly, boutique hotel, fitness center, restaurant, business center, self service laundry, internet access, spa services Link to comment
thereuare Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 The Hudson Hotel or the Shoreham New York would be my guess for this one. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Cruz12 Posted March 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 We are looking more at priceline express deals with bed choice available or Hotwire secret deals as we are 4 adults and 1 teenager. We will be booking two rooms. We are also exploring more areas to try to get the most for our budget-Times Square, Midtown west, east-...we would like to keep it close to $200. I would like your guesses for the following hotels:HotwireMidtown east4*$19685% recommendedBoutique hotel fitness center Restaurant(s) Business center Internet access Accessible for visually impaired Accessible for hearing impaired Accessible path of travel In-room accessibility Accessible bathroom Roll-in showerLast person booked OneUNHotwireTimes Square3*$18570% recommended Free Internet Smoke-free rooms Fitness center Restaurant(s) Self-service laundry Internet accessLast person booked EdisonHotwireMidtown central3*$185Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet accessAlso- in Hotwire, if I am putting that I need 2 rooms for 4 adults and 1 teenager, and they show me bookings..... They will accommodate one of the rooms for the teen correct? I get a little weary when they don't have bed choice available. I know priceline only does double occupancy unless you have the bed choice.I would also like your suggestions on the following-*is it better to book ahead like we are trying to do now? Or try to wait until closer to our travel time? It seems the better deals are gotten by people booking a month or less before travel.* we are driving and will need to pay to park our car for the time we are in the city. It doesn't appear to save much by staying in NJ as some sites suggest, and taking the train everyday back and forth, but am I missing something? Would it save money to stay in jersey or elsewhere and take the train for 5 people twice a day for four days?Thanks in advance! Link to comment
Cruz12 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 This one pleaseHotwireUpper west side 3.5*$19690% recommendedSmoke-free roomsFitness centerRestaurant(s)Business centerInternet accessWheelchair accessibleLast person booked excelsior Thank you Link to comment
thereuare Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 *is it better to book ahead like we are trying to do now? Or try to wait until closer to our travel time?Nobody can say (not even the hotels) as it all depends how actual demand (new reservations/cancellations) come in relative to expected demand... if the hotel gets more new reservations/fewer cancellations than they currently expect then rates will likely rise, and vise versa. However, keep in mind that this is still considered high-season for NYC and that one of your rooms requires more than double occupancy, which in NYC, will often raise your rate and limit the available inventory. * we are driving and will need to pay to park our car for the time we are in the city. It doesn't appear to save much by staying in NJ as some sites suggest, and taking the train everyday back and forth, but am I missing something? Would it save money to stay in jersey or elsewhere and take the train for 5 people twice a day for four days?It depends how far out you are willing to stay and the difference in room rate. If you're looking at Hoboken/Jersey City you'll still likely need to pay for parking but it will be about $10/day less than parking in Manhattan, so if the room rates are the same, this would not save you much/any money... but if the room rate is $50 cheaper, then almost all of this would equate to extra savings in your pocket (save $100 per nite in room rate and the savings are that much more). If you stay further out in an area such as Secaucus where parking will likely be free, and the room rate cheaper than Manhattan, and more likely to not have to 'pay up' as much for a 3rd guest in the room, then the savings can star to add up rather quickly... but this comes with a trade-off in terms of less convenience and a different experience than staying directly in Manhattan. Another option to consider (and I don't recall if you mentioned above from which direction you are traveling from) is to park at a train station that allows free (or low cost) overnite parking, then take the train into the city for the last leg of your journey, although the cost of the train tickets is more difficult to make up when there are 5 people traveling vs. 2 people traveling, so this may not necessarily be an option (although it comes with the added benefit of not having to pay the Tunnel toll (now about $14 i think) and not having to drive in Manhattan. As it takes quite a bit of time to research hotels, please first decide if: 1) you want to consider staying in NJ as an alternative 2) you are ready to move forward at this point in time at the current prices. As you have already seen firsthand that the hotels offered/prices can change quickly, and the hotels/prices currently offered may not be the same hotels/prices offered once you're ready to move forward (or the prices for the ones offered may never drop in price)... you already saw the $146/nite disappear as you weren't yet comfortable committing at that time. Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Let us know once you decide how you'd like to proceed and we will weight your available options at that time. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Cruz12 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Thanks for the info. We are going to keep looking in the city until it gets closer, maybe may. And if we don't find anything suitable we will book something in jersey. Link to comment
thereuare Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 I'm not currently seeing the hotels/prices you listed above... did you include 2rooms/4adults/1child in your search? I'm only seeing one Manhattan hotel priced at less than $200/nite and that is a 3* in the MTC zone for $198/nite (Smoke Free, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Kitchenette, Deaf Accessible, Travel Accessible, Room Accessible, Bathroom Accessible, Roll-in Shower) which i'm guessing is the Salisbury Hotel. Are you currently seeing the previous properties OR anything under $200/nite within Manhattan that offers two beds (either thru the PRICELINE EXPRESS 'Bed Choice' where the room type of two beds is under $200/nite or by searching HOTWIRE for the correct number of rooms/guests)? Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Cruz12 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 These are the properties I'm seeing now....PRICELINE EXPRESS:Midtown east3*$197 (215 for double bed suite)Guaranteed Amenities: Pets AllowedFree InternetBusiness CenterTimes Square 3*$193(Says room assigned at check in ) under 'choose bed' - but I did search with five people and two roomsNo amenities listedCentral Park south3*$183($214 for double private bath, hair dryer, ironing board)Guaranteed Amenities: RestaurantBusiness CenterHOTWIRE- searched two rooms 4 adults 1 childMidtown central3*$209Smoke-free roomsBusiness centerInternet accessKitchenetteAccessible for hearing impairedAccessible path of travelIn-room accessibilityAccessible bathroomRoll-in showerThank you for all your help Link to comment
thereuare Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 (Says room assigned at check in ) under 'choose bed' - but I did search with five people and two roomsThe number of guests is ignored by PRICELINE, so it doesn't matter what you included in your search, PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy... HOTWIRE allows you to indicate the number of adult/children. (there is more than one message indicating this on the BiddingHelper.com page... if you search PRICELINE EXPRESS directly there is no place to enter the number of guests) You stated your current budget is $200 and all of the above that ensure two beds in the room are over $200/nite (which is more than your original $125/nite goal for a 3.5* property)... are you willing to pay $200+ at this time for a 3 star hotel, or will you wait it out and hope for lower rates in the weeks ahead? HOTWIRE- searched two rooms 4 adults 1 child Midtown central 3* $209 Smoke-free roomsBusiness centerInternet accessKitchenetteAccessible for hearing impairedAccessible path of travelIn-room accessibilityAccessible bathroomRoll-in showerAs per my previous post above, i believe this one to be the Salisbury, but again, are you willing to commit to $200/nite at this point in time?? Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Cruz12 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 We would PREFER $200 a night including all fees but are not willing to go below 3* and would prefer 3.5*. However, With prices the way they are, does not look like we have any other options than to raise our budget.After pricing other hotels in NJ with train fare for five people both ways for four days, we would prefer to tack that money spent onto our hotel room budget and use the money there. So yes, right now we are considering express deals/hotwire secret deals hotels around $200 and I know that does not include taxes and fees. No guesses on the other hotels inquired about? The priceline midtown east and priceline Central Park south? Link to comment
thereuare Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 No guesses on the other hotels inquired about?It's better than 20+ minutes of work to research the above, so i first wanted to make sure that you're ready to commit at the lower star rating and higher prices... Best guess/comments for each: Midtown east 3* --> Roger Smith Times Square 3* --> difficult to have confidence in any guess with no amenities, but a shot in the dark would be the Hotel Edison Central Park south 3* $183 --> Hotel Wellington, or a less likely but still possible, Holiday Inn Midtown New York Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases. Let us know your thoughts and what you decide or how we can be of further help. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Register now, we have a huge community of travel enthusiasts to answer any questions you might have.
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountAlready have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now