skwiltjer Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 I am looking for a hotel in Times Square or nearby vicinity for two nights in July - July 29 and July 30. I would ideally like to spend no more than $150 per night (including taxes and fees) but could go a bit higher. I could also go down to a 3* hotel if needed. Do you think that my budget is appropriate for the time of year and location? What other zones would you recommend and what should my starting bid be? Thanks in advance. Link to comment
skwiltjer Posted June 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 I forgot to mention, I have already had two bids rejected today - the first one was for 3.5* Times Square 7/29-7/31 $125. The second one was for 3* Times Square + Midtown West 7/29-7/31 $125. Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 If you're willing to expand your zones beyond Times Square and MTW I think you'll more likely need to be in the $125-$145 area (before taxes/fees) to be successful at a 3* or higher (although you can likely get a 3.5* or 4* for this price)... are you willing to increase your budget 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. Let us know your thoughts and we'll advise accordingly. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
skwiltjer Posted June 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 I can expand my zones but I don't know which ones I should choose. Can you suggest a couple others? Since you think I can possibly get a 3.5* or 4* at the $125-$145 price, should I NOT include 3* in my bid? Since I still have a bit of time, I thought I might continue bidding $125-$130 before taxes for another week or so, then bump up the price a little. 3.5* and 4* are nicer/more expensive than 3*, correct? Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 3.5* and 4* are nicer/more expensive than 3*, correct?This is logical and usually the case... but not always. There are instances where a 3.5* hotel in the zone can be less expensive than a 3* OR a 4* being cheaper than a 3.5*. Since I still have a bit of time, I thought I might continue bidding $125-$130 before taxes for another week or so, then bump up the price a little.The risk in this approach is what if rates go up between now and then? Right now i believe you can be successful for a 4* hotel at $145 or less... what if over the next few weeks you're still unsuccessful but rates for the 4* hotel i'm currently seeing (in the Lower East Side zone) go up and/or that offer is pulled? Also, i'm seeing a few other hotels on PRICELINE EXPRESS in this price range (3* UWS for $149, 3.5* LES for $149, 3* TS for $151, etc, etc)... no 3* hotels for under $150/nite, so this be one of those instances where a higher rated 4* hotel is less expensive than any other 3* or 3.5* properties. 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
skwiltjer Posted June 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 I added more zones and upped my price and got rejected twice more today. The first unsuccessful bid was 3.5* for TS, MW, ME, ESBA, and LES for $130 - dates are still July 28 and 29. The second unsuccessful bid I added CPS and upped the price to $135. Any suggestions? Keep increasing the price? Link to comment
AaronJB Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 At this point, I'd continue to slowly increase the price. As noted, there's always the possibility that rates could move higher in the meantime so while I don't think you need to go too much higher I would try to lock something in. 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. Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 The first unsuccessful bid was 3.5* for TS, MW, ME, ESBA, and LES for $130 - dates are still July 28 and 29. The second unsuccessful bid I added CPS and upped the price to $135. You can substantially improve your bidding strategy... if you let us know your desired star rating and maximum bid we will suggest a strategy for you to follow. Also, note that in the CPS is the Hudson Hotel which has notoriously small rooms... would this be an acceptable outcome? Lastly, given your rejection(s) at the 3.5* level up to $135/nite, would it be worth up to an extra $10/nite for a 4* property? 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
skwiltjer Posted June 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 I would be willing to bid a maximum of $145 for a 4* hotel. My preference would be Times Square but would be willing to stay in the other zones I have already mentioned. Let me know your suggested strategy. Thank you!! Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 ...bid was 3.5* for TS, MW, ME, ESBA, and LES... I assume these are the zones you were referring to that you're now willing to bid up to $145 at the 4 star level? If so... When bidding 4* in NYC you have TWO re-bid zones. 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 4* TS, MTE, ESB... Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* TS, ESB, LES... Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* MTW, MTE, ESB... Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* TS, MTW, MTE, ESB... Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $128, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* TS, MTW, MTE, LES... Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $128, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* ESB, LES, TS, MTW... Bid $133, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $138, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* ESB, LES, TS, MTE... Bid $133, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $138, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Select 4* TS, MTW, MTE, ESB, LES... Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $143, if rejected add re-bid zone... Bid $145 Any questions feel free to ask (especially regarding re-bidding if you're new to the subject) 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
skwiltjer Posted June 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Okay, great, I'll try this. I understand the rebidding strategy. Just to be clear, when you say, for example: Select 4* TS, MTE, ESB...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Do you mean: Select 4* TSBid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone MTE (so now I am bidding both TS and MTE)Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone ESB (so now I am bidding TS, MTE, and ESB)Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Link to comment
skwiltjer Posted June 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Okay, I think what I just typed is wrong. I looked at the boards and found that Chinatown, Harlem, Bronx, and LGA have no 4* or 5* hotels. So, maybe those are the rebid zones I need to use in each of your scenarios? So when you say,Select 4* TS, MTE, ESB...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... You really do mean that I should start my bid with TS, MTE, ESB, correct? Then when I rebid, I can either add in others that I would be okay with, OR, add in one of the zones that doesn't have any 4* or 5* hotels. So, I could do this for the first go-round:Select 4* TS, MTE, ESBBid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone CTBid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone HarlemBid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE... Is this what you mean? Sorry I'm being so dense. I don't want to do it wrong. Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 We encourage questions... better to ask then to get it wrong. :) You have the right idea (in your second post) but the wrong method. Try the following: 1) Use the PRICELINE search box on the upper right of this page, enter your city and dates, and click "GO". 2) List each zone that is offered in this region. 3) Next to each zone list the highest star rating offered in the zone. The way to determine the highest star rating offered in the zone is by selecting the first zone i the list, then scrolling down to see the highest star rating selectable (ie- not greyed out). NEXT UNcheck the selected zone, place a checkmark in the next zone, and repeat the process for each zone in the region. Each time you take note of the highest star rating in the zone, make sure that only ONE zone is selected above. 4) post your findings 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
skwiltjer Posted June 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Brooklyn – 4*Central Park South – 5*Chelsea Area – 4.5*Coney Island – 2*Downtown - Financial District – 5*Empire State Building Area – 5*Greenpoint - Williamsburg – 4*Greenwich Village – 4*Hell's Kitchen – 4*Long Island City – 4*Lower East Side – 4.5*Madison Square Garden - Convention Area – 4*Midtown East – 5*Midtown West – 4.5*Morningside Heights - Harlem – 3.5*Queensborough Bridge – 4*SoHo - Tribeca – 5*Times Square - Theatre District – 5*Union Square - East Village – 4*Upper East Side – 5*Upper West Side – 4* Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 So using the information you posted above, do you see how if you bid for a 4* in the (for example) Coney Island and Times Square zones, and were successful, that the hotel would have to be in the Times Square zone? (since Coney Island doesn't offer any hotels at the 4* or higher level) Does that make sense? If so, do you see your other re-bid zone? 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
skwiltjer Posted June 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 Yes, it makes perfect sense. My other rebid zone is Harlem. I will try this using the strategy you outlined. Thanks for the help. I'll let you know if I am successful and I will use the link from this site. Link to comment
skwiltjer Posted June 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 Success! 4* hotel in NYC lower east side. Holiday Inn NYC-lower east side for $143. Link to comment
yellowdog Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 Congratulations on your success!Thanks for using the PRICE.LINE links on the board.We hope you're satisfied with the outcome and will like the Holiday Inn.Enjoy your stay.Yellowdog. Link to comment
thereuare Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 Some suggestions near this area: Old Time Candy Store: Economy Candy (108 Rivington) --> historic candy store with all your favorites from yesterday and today Sushi Jin Suhi (252 Broome St) --> from noon-7pm in weekends and 4-7pm midweek, they have a '$3.50 menu' where a large assortment of rolls, appetizers, beers, wines, and sake are all priced at $3.50. The sushi rolls are not huge, but the sushi is good/fresh, and at $3.50 you can add an extra one to what you normally order to make a filling meal. Kossar's Bialy's --> if you don't know what a bialy is feel free to google it, but this place is worth a stop for a quick and inexpensive take-out breakfast. If the bialies are hot grab a bag full... if not, look elsewhere. Doughnut Plant --> if you like cupcakes, this place has a large variety (as well as large cupcakes) all baked fresh thoughout the day Essex Street Market 120 Essex St --> i've only been once or twice, but probably worth a walk-thru to see where/how some of the locals do their shopping and perhaps pick-up a snack from one of the local specialty vendors Have a great trip and have fun in NYC. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
skwiltjer Posted June 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 These suggestions sound great! We will definitely check them out. Thank you! Link to comment
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