Priceline Hotel: 4.5* New York City (Midtown East) Waldorf Astoria New York

[thebakers8]

I am planning a trip with my daughter for her birthday for 4/19-4/25. I would like to stay in Midtown East. My budget is $200, but would obviously like to pay less if possible. Times square or Midtown West are options, as well. I would like a 4 1/2* hotel. Is this a reasonable price range? I tried one bid in MTE for $185 and it was declined. Nervous about re-bidding. I've never done that before and don't want to end up in Brooklyn. :) Any help would be wonderful. Looking at re-bidding the zones that are 4* or less are Brooklyn, Coney Island, Hell's Kitchen, Long Island City, Lower East Side, Madison Square Garden, Morningside Heights, Queensborough Bridge, Union Square and Upper West Side. So, is it correct that if I select 4 1/2*, but use these as re-bidding zones, that I am safe? Thanks for the help.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Yes, you have your re-bid zones correct, but always double check just before bidding to make sure that nothing has changed since you last checked. (you can simply click all TEN re-bid zones, look to see that the highest star rating is 4* or less, then uncheck all to start your bidding)

There is often a very significant jump in price between 4.5* and 4* hotels... at current rates for the 4.5* level i think you're likely looking at $225-$250 whereas a 4* hotel can probably be had in the $150-$170 area.

Are you willing to pay more to stay in the MTE zone OR is the goal the least expensive hotel in the MTE, TS, or MTW zones? Also, have you considered Chelsea? While a few hotels in Chelsea can be up to a 10 minute walk to the subway, this is a 'hot' area right now with lots of restaurants, cafes, boutiques, clubs, etc. which may potentially be another area that will work well for you and your daughter.

Let us know your thoughts on the above and we can suggest a bidding strategy for you to follow.

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.

[thebakers8]

I think I was thinking of going more with a 4.5*, just because I felt like it was more of a guarantee that I would be happy with the hotel we ended up getting. I would like to stay closer to Times Square, because that is the area I believe we will be frequenting the most. I said MTE just because that is where I have stayed in the past. CPS was another area I was considering, but wasn't sure what it was like.

So that all being said, I would prefer 4.5* in either MTE, TS or possibly CPS. If you really think that I can't get that at all, though, I am willing to go with a 4*. I guess the bidding and not knowing the hotel makes me nervous. Which I'm sure is the case for every newbie.

I am also somewhat flexible with my dates. My main goal is for it to be mid to late April. I did notice a lower price, in my own research last night, when I changed it to April 12. So, if moving the date up would also help in securing a nicer hotel at the $200 range, that is also an option. My daughter is a big theatre fan, so we are wanting to be sure to see Ken Watanabe in "The King and I"(which previews the middle of March), along with catching a couple of other shows.

I can go up a little in price, maybe up to $225, but if it isn't worth it and I can still get a very nice hotel paying less, then maybe I should go with that. Any thoughts from your experiences or others on this site are definitely appreciated.

Thank you for helping in any way you can. I've tried to do as much research on my own, based on this sites suggestions. Since I'm new to this, though, that only gets me so far. :)

[Romelle]

Think of not knowing the hotel ahead of time when bidding as more of a happy surprise - finding an Easter egg, opening a gift.  

 

I've bid on at least dozens of hotels and have never been actively unhappy with one.  My results have ranged from at least neutral (safe convenient warm place to stay at a good price) to "wow did I score this time!"  

 

The only warning I could offer is that bidding can be a little addictive.  When hooked, one keeps looking for another trip so as to bid again.

 

If you haven't found the area yet, clear at the end of this site is Hotel Reviews.  You could browse the New York area results and see how others are feeling about their bidding results.

 

Romelle

[thereuare]

Given your dates are flexible, are you able to include weekend dates, as Friday-Monday is usually a little cheaper in NYC than Monday-Friday.

Is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option? For example, you could success for a 4.5* in NYC from 4/17-4/20 for under $200/nite... then switch hotels to a different property (likely a 4* one) for the more expensive remaining nites of your trip. This allows you to stay in and experience two different areas of the city, as well as spreads the risk/pressure of the experience of the hotel... but the downside is of course that you need to change hotels mid-trip (which some people are happy to to in order to save $5... others won't do it even if it's $100 savings)

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Your thoughts?

[thebakers8]

Yes, I am able to add weekend dates. I can move the date up earlier in April, also, as I stated earlier. I would prefer not to split up the bidding. The savings isn't worth it to me. I did that my very first trip to NYC and it was a pain. Like I said, I am willing to pay a little more for a touch more comfort and convenience.

I looked for hotel reviews on this site, but haven't been able to find them. I tried to go to winning bids, but it asks me for the area I am looking into and it just ends up bringing me back to this board. Maybe I am doing something wrong.

[Romelle]

I looked for hotel reviews on this site, but haven't been able to find them. I tried to go to winning bids, but it asks me for the area I am looking into and it just ends up bringing me back to this board. Maybe I am doing something wrong.

 

When you first come on to this site, just scroll to the very end for the Hotel Reviews.   They are organized alphabetically by state.  

 

When you reach the end, click on the green Pinned "Hotel Reviews by Letter", and then "N" for New York.  

 

If you already are into some area of the site, just click on the Better Bidding logo up in the header to get you back to the home page.  Then do your scrolling to the end.

 

Romelle

[thebakers8]

Well, I'm very excited. I decided to pursue getting a 4.5*, knowing that I was looking at least paying $225. I took the re-bidding advice and slowly went up in price and just kept adjusting dates by a day. I was VERY happy when my bid was accepted. Thank you for all of the advice.

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Terrific win for this classic New York City property. Glad you are excited about the stay.

 

Thank you for sharing your win and using the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

 

Enjoy your stay.

[thereuare]

I'll add that you're also near my often recommended Ess-A-Bagel (Third Ave at 51st St) which has one of the best bagels in the city, makes for a nice, and relatively inexpensive, breakfast among local NYers.

Have a great time in NYC and let us know if you have any questions regarding the city that we can help with.

[thebakers8]

Thank you both. We are really looking forward to the trip. We will definitely check out Ess-A-Bagel. Thanks for the suggestion.

[lucky131313]

Hi

 

I'm just about to do the same also for a 4.5* in the same areas which hotel did you get and what price did you get ?

 

Thanks

[thereuare]

All the information is in the topic title... the OP received the Waldorf Astoria New York for $218/nite.

However, note that rates and inventory are date specific and the OP's dates are different than your own, so what is required for your own stay may be more or less than what was needed for the OP to win, and you may win a different property.

For help with, or to report a win for, your own stay please continue yoru existing Priceline NYC hotel thread.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Thanks.

[lucky131313]

thanks sorry I missed that also when people list how much they acquired the hotel per night for are they including all taxes  ?

[thereuare]

Room rate per nite.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.