RonanL

Tried the bidding as per your strategy this morning. It all worked fine but none were accepted. Do you think I should leave it until next week before trying again? As for booking backup, will probably book the Embassy Suites today. Just want to make sure first that I won't be charged anthing for cancellation. The booking page says: "If you wish to cancel, please do so 24 hours before arrival to avoid cancellation penalties." From your experience should I be fine (presumably they'd have to explicitly state any cancellation penalties before this)?

Hi there. Thanks for this. It looks excellent. Now I see how important it is to have a proper strategy. On my own it would probably have taken me a week to work my way up from $120/130 to $200. I have a few questions though (and yes I have read the link you gave me): (i) When you say add rebid zone do you mean that I should add UES or UWS (there being no 4* hotels available in these zones?) or is it something else completely that I'm not getting? (ii) Can I follow this same strategy every 24 hours if unsuccessful today? (iii) Would you recommend possibly considering increasing beyond $200 or going down to 3* if I'm getting nowhere for a few days or should I be just be patient? I know time is on my side but at the same time I know its a busy and expensive time of year in NY so I want to be realistic. (iv) Finally I'm considering getting a backup cancellable hotel just in case. Was thinking of booking the Embassy Suites in downtown (has very good reviews on tripadvisor and can book direct for $270 a night cancellable). If there is anywhere else you think might be better you can let me know. Thanks again for your help :)

Okay I'd be happy enough with the UM/CPS. Can I just ask on the reported wins list is the "Intercontinental" the Intercontinental Barclay? Ready to start bidding again. Willing to go up to $200 eventually for downtown, MTW, MTE, MTS and UM/CPS. Would ideally like 4* but would consider going down to 3* in certain areas if I was getting nowhere. Could you advise a bidding strategy?

Thanks. Didn't realise how it was divided and thought that UES/UWS included upper midtown / Central Park area. As I said I'll have a look at UM/CPS and get back to you. Ya I lived in Queens and worked in Midtown Manhattan for a year so am well used to the subways so should be ok. Obviously somewhere in midtown would be handier but don't want to rule out downtown. As for the bids being rejected I hadn't really expected them to get accepted was just doing it more to get used to the system (though obviously would have been happy to get an offer accepted).

Sorry but with the time difference (I'm 5 hrs ahead of you) I wanted to give bidding a try last night (didn't expect to get anything anyway but just wanted to see how it works). Did so before I got the link but will use it in future. I bid $130 in MTE, then in MTE and MTW and then in MTS. Bid $140 in MTW and then MTE,MTW and MTS. No takers. Called it a night at that stage. Haven't had a chance to look at UES and UWS yet but will. When I've had a look at them (which will probably be over lunch) I'll get back to you for a proper bidding strategy. Still want to consider downtown. I know its a bit away from the action but on the subway its only 15 mins from Midtown. Also near Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge etc. Hotels there seem better value and is I said I'd be happy with any on the reported wins list. As for maximum price ya I'd still be willing to go up to $200 a night. Need to get time to have a look at the hotels in UES and UWS but busy at work. Will let you know when I do.

Oh and by the way if there's a link you want me to use for priceline let me know.

No the last comment from dahammer put me off quite a bit (seemed to be suggesting that there was a pretty good chance that I could get a random hotel that's not on the list). Will try bidding tonight or tomorrow morning. Was thinking of trying at $130 to start in MTE, MTW and MTS. Do you think this is a reasonable price to start with?

That's what I've been asking earlier. Went through the list to see what most people get but if there's a pretty good chance that I could get some random other hotel I'd probably be happier to stick with hotwire. Although part of why I was doing this was to have a look at the standard of the usual hotels people get on priceline.

Okay I've had a good look through the priceline list and here's what I think: Downtown: Pretty much all of the hotels here seem fine (even down to the Exchange Hotel at 2.5*). MTE: The W New York has some awful reviews. I gather that the rooms are pretty small and that it's not exactly luxurious. But it seems to be mainly those who paid high prices (and expect a lot more) that complained. Those who got a good deal seem to think its ok. I think I'd certainly live with it for a few days. MTW: A lot of very nice hotels at 4*. The Sheraton seems to be the only very dodgy one on the list. Seems to be a lot of complaints of dirty rooms. Again though while I'd like to avoid I think I'd live with it if the price was right. MTS: Only two 4* hotels. Both seem fine. A lot of 3* hotels listed. Would be a little concerned that one of these would be bumped up to a 4*. To summarise I would ideally like to avoid the Sheraton and less so the W New York. I know that there is no guarantee unless I avoid both areas altogether. Location wise I would most like: (i) MTE (ii) MTW (iii) Downtown (iv) MTS Would consider placing Downtown higher than this though? The hotels seem very nice there and it would be a little more relaxed and peaceful after hectic days (and nights) out and about. On the other hand its a bit away from the action. What do you think on this? As i said above even the 3* and 2.5* hotels here seem nice. Would appreciate your opinion on location and then maybe a bidding strategy. (Not much on hotwire for below $250 for those dates so would be willing to go to $200 on priceline).

Thanks for the reply. I had looked at that FAQ before and while it was a little ambiguous I got the message which was "book as soon as your plans are concrete". Was just trying to confirm that inventory changes all the time and that new stuff will pop up as time goes by (which I think you did). Will probably give Priceline a go. Will have a look through the hotel list some more then let you know what I'm looking for and then maybe you can help me with a bidding strategy?

Ok think I understand thanks. One thing I'm a little concerned about with HOTWIRE is that all the prices seem to have gone up over the weekend for my dates (by varying levels). A hotel that I'm pretty sure is the Millenium UN Plaza was available on Friday at approx $1100 (incl taxes) for 4 nights but now its gone up to almost $1300. There also doesn't appear to be any new deals. Do new deals pop up all the time or is the earlier you move the better the options? Also still considering priceline and I'm going through the list like you suggested to work out whether there's any 4* hotels I'd like to avoid. Guess what I'm wondering is if there was an area where I'd be happy to stay in any 4* hotels on the list what would the chances be that it would be one of them I get (presuming my bid was eventually accepted) - i.e. 50/50, 80%, 95%. Know its not an exact science and I'm trying to work out generally how much of a risk I'm taking with priceline.

Ok thanks that's good to know. I kind of guessed about the star ratings but the retail price thing is interesting. Will know better in future. Based on that is it fair to say that I shouldn't necessariy trust what hotwire calls the "best value" hotels as it could well be based on a completely inaccurate retail price?

No worries I'll use the link if I am buying. Actually now is a good time to ask how accurate the descriptions they give you on hotwire are? I was thinking the Paramount over the Crowne Plaza because of: (i) it said that there were 420+ reviews on tripadvisor. The Paramount has 440 while the Crowne Plaza 198. (ii) on tripadvisor the hotel class for Pmt is 3* while the CP is 4* (iii) the retail price on hotwire is $305. The average price on Tripadvisor (again) or the Pmt is $306 while the CP is $444. By the way I know you guys have a lot more experience on this than me so sorry if this comes across wrong but I'm just asking how much you can trust the information given on hotwire. Can I use this rationale for trying to work out the hotels? Also thanks very much for the warning re the Paramount. I've seen what you're talking about and they seem insanely small. Will probably give it a skip.

By the way just to check to see if my skills at working out the hotels are improving, the other "best value" hotel on hotwire for those dates is: 3 star hotel in Times Square - Theatre District $179 a night This midscale establishment offers more than just the basics in style, comfort and customer service. Amenities: Fitness Centre, Business Center, Restaurant, High Speed Internet Access Trip advisor rating 3/5 from 420+ reviews I was looking and I'm thinking the Paramount Hotel. Do you think this is correct? This almost seems a better option than the Chandler?

Thanks yes the Hotel Chandler does definitely seem to fit the bill. Not 100% on it to be honest. Presuming that time is on my side and that there will be a lot more offers in the coming weeks. In general is it fair to say that priceline would be riskier than hotwire but the discounts greater. Still considering using priceline as well. Still need to go through the hotel lists in detail!

Hi can someone help me identify this hotel for $212 a night in October: 3.5 star hotel in Midtown South This distinctive establishment offers comfortable rooms, personal service and some upscale features. Amenities: Boutique hotel, fitness centre, business center, high-speed internet access Tripadvisor rating 4/5; 80+ reviews Thanks Ronan Also my dates are October 25th - 29th (4 nights). Don't know if it helps but they say the retail price is $330.65 per night.

Ok looks like I've a bit of work to do before I can start bidding. Will get back to you tomorrow. Thanks for the help. :)

Hi Looking for somewhere pretty central (my girlfriend has never been to NY before so will be hitting all the usual tourist spots). Probably Midtown, though also considering downtown as probably better value and a bit more relaxed. Probably want to avoid Times Square. From what I remember its overpriced and not the best place to relax and sleep at night (not that I intend having a relaxing holiday but would like to have a chance to sleep when I need to). Lived in NYC for a year in 2003 and haven't been back since. Hadn't realised how expensive NY hotels are. Thanks for your help

By the way I probably should have added that the prices I've been looking at through normal channels is about $400 a night (after tax) for the Affinia Manhattan. From what I've heard its meant to be pretty nice. For the risk of bidding blind I'd be hoping for around $200 a night. Is this reasonable??

Hi I've never used Priceline before but it seems to be a good way to save serious cash on NY hotels. I'm going for 4 nights at the end of October (25th to 29th) with my girlfriend. Looking to stay somewhere nice without completely blowing the budget. Can someone let me know how much approx I should expect to bid for a 3* or 4*. Also wondering is there a huge difference in the various hotels at each range (i.e. can you end up staying in a dump if bidding at 3*). It all seems pretty risky given the number of dodgy overpriced hotels in NY. Am tempted to just pay up for somewhere I know will be nice if it is very risky. Also wondering whether anyone could advise whether I should bid for a 3* or 4*.