Ok so i retried with this aproach to find the cheapest 3.5* hotel Select ESB @ 125$ Select ESB, coney island @ 130$ Select ESB, coney island, long island @ 130$ Select ESB, coney island, long island, morning side heights @ 135$ Select ESB, coney island, long island, morning side heights, queens @ 140$ Select ESB, coney island, long island, morning side heights, queens, upper east side @ 145$ Now i used all zones that dont contain 3.5* hotel or higher, so I add my preferred zones to the selection: MSG, @ 150$ MSG, MTE @ 155$ MSG, MTE, TS @ 160$ MSG, MTE, TS, MTW @ 165$ Finally got Ramada Plaza New Yorker Hotel 4* @ 165$/night A priceline express deal @ 164$/night in MSG zone is also available so i believe its the same hotel