jscout

I just wanted to follow-up on my stay. I arrived before 11AM but told the receptionist that I knew I was a bit early and would understand if a room wasn't available yet. After taking my ID and credit card she mentioned that since I booked through Priceline, my room type wasn't guaranteed. After typing something on the keyboard told me I would get a king bed and they would send me a text message when it was ready. I asked if I could have a double instead and she reminded me that since I booked through Priceline, my room type wasn't guaranteed. But she offered to make a note of it for me. I thought to myself, "Yes, I know, I'm a low life for not letting you rip me off." But I just smiled, thanked her and went downstairs to the luggage storage. While the room was nice, it was dated and relatively small, even by NYC standards. I've stayed in 3.5* hotels in NYC that were better and for less money. It was certainly not worth the $450 they were charging for it through their website. At almost $200/night after taxes and fees, I'd say it was just an ok value, relative to comparable properties in the 3.5-4* range. Inroom wifi was expensive at $19, but that's probably because each room had its own wireless access point. A bit of an overkill, but I guess people with money to burn or expense accounts want that. I passed and used the free wifi in the lobby. Now that I've stayed there, I'll be a lot less enthusiastic the next time I win this property.

I didn't really care what part of Midtown I was staying at, but preferred MTE and it had to be at least 3.5*. I started bidding (with the link from this site) yesterday at $100 for MTE and worked through the zones $5 at a time: MTE, TS, MSG, Chelsea, MTW, ESB, LE, UE, LIC. Finished at $145. Picked it up today from the beginning but started at $150 and winning at $160. Not bad for a 4*.

Followed the same basic strategy as this Priceline Millenium Broadway thread. Thanks for all the help, especially thereyouare. Hotel Name: Millennium Broadway Hotel 145 West 44th Street New York, New York 10036-4012 212-768-4400 for 1 rooms $220 per night Check-In Date: Saturday, October 4, 2008 Check-Out Date: Sunday, October 5, 2008 I've stayed at this Millenium before, but that was over 10 years ago when it was relatively new.

Lucky you. I'm still trying for this hotel for 11/28-11/30. Hotwire is still $199. Now I'm wondering if it'll ever go down. I do realize that it is Thanksgiving weekend, so they're probably holding out.

My plans for FLL are 2 nights pre-cruise 11/28 and 11/29. I hope the only boat I'll be shown is the Celebrity Millenium. Ok, maybe a yacht or two in the marina. :) Oh since I'm on the subject of cruises, I highly recommend the "guarantee" or "run-of-the-ship" rate when booking a cruise. What's that? That's the rate where you are guaranteed a cabin on the ship, but you just don't know what it is at the time of booking. The cruise line will assign you a cabin within a couple of weeks to one month before the cruise and then notify you. The price is usually equal to or less than (more often than not) the price of the lowest class on the ship. The cruise line will give you this great rate for being flexible. Most of the time (for me EVERYTIME), you will get a cabin that is better than the lowest class. It's like flying on standby but getting upgraded to first class, only in this case, you are not standby. You will definitey be booked for the cruise. You can often get these rates through both a travel agent and from the cruise line directly. In the case of a travel agent, you usually have to ask for it. You can also get this rate on Hotwire, but for some reason, it's a little higher ($25-$50). I know this has nothing to do with New York City hotels, but I just thought I'd share a tip for those who followed this thead.

Rejected via Priceline for this high demand weekend. You can see the failed Priceline attempts HERE. Decided to go with Hotwire's offering: The Roosevelt Hotel 45th and Madison Avenue New York City, NY 10017 (212) 661-9600 Amenities: Restaurant(s), Fitness Center, Business Center Price Per Night: $118.00 Subtotal: $354.00 Taxes / Booking Fees: $61.95 Total Price: $415.95 One of the "official" discounted hotels on the NYRRC's marathon web site. This hotel is listed there for $210/nt plus taxes. The "rack" rate for a double/king through their web site is $237.

Many thanks to all, especially thereuare. I bit the bullet and went through with the $118 hotel on Hotwire and guess what? It was indeed the Roosevelt. All in all I'm pretty satisfied with the results. I probably could have saved a few more bucks, but I figure that since it was marathon weekend, the peace of mind that securing a "reasonable" reservation brings was well worth it. The marathon website had this hotel listed for $210/nt. I will post my results over at the Hotwire thread. Now onto my Ft. Lauderdale PL plans.

Great tip, TravelGuy! I tried it and was just rejected, no counter. This is great! I feel like I have a whole team of strategists behind me. Here's a question. I saw the Grand Hyatt mentioned recently in the Hotwire thread as also being a 3.5* in MTE. If that's the case, that could mean that the $118 offer could be that hotel too. I'm thinking I should just bite the bullet. Can anyone tell me what the approximate net cost will for this $118 room? Thanks!

OK, tried rebidding again. I decided to fo up a little bit on each of the 4* and 3* strategies. Here's what I did. 4*MTE $85 - rejected added MTW $95 - rejected added MTS $105 - rejected added UM/CPS $115 - rejected added rebid zone $120 - rejected (don't ask me why I didn't just bid $125) No 4*, no problem. So I tried the 3* strategy to $110 as you described above and all were rejected. Just to repeat it, this is what I did. 3* MTS $80 - rejected added MTW $85 - rejected added MTE $95 - rejected added UM/CPS $100 - rejected added rebid zone $110 - rejected At no point did I receive a counter offer. Maybe I should just grab the 3.5* room on Hotwire for $118 and call it quits. Any recommendations? If not, I'll just do it all again in a few days. If I bid on a 2* or 2.5*, then should I definitely stay below $100? I'm fine with the Courtyard. I'm also considering "cancellable" options. Anyone have any feedback on the following hotels? The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Tribeca, Gershwin Hotel in the Flatiron District, West Park Hotel on Columbus Circle, Comfort Inn on W36th and the Tribeca Grand Hotel in SoHo? All are available through my corporate travel agent for between $119 and $139 per night. Thanks in advance!

Thanks for the suggestion though. Keep it coming, I'm wide open.

According to the marathon's web site, we have until 10/1 to submit reservations for the "Headquarter" hotels (Hilton@$265 and Sheraton@$255). Here's the Link to their hotel page. The list also includes "official" discount hotels. All of the rates require at least a two night stay. I'm in the process of searching for a cancellable backup. For this search, I'll probable use my corporate travel agent's web site for corporate rates and the internet. The cancellable reservation will likely be at a 2* or lower due to the budget limitations, but that's OK. Maybe we'll only book for Friday and Saturday nights, and make the drive back to Boston on Sunday night. Worse comes to worse, we can stay with a friend in Brooklyn. The only drawback here is that the train runs past his back yard. Unfortunately, my wife is a light sleeper. Otherwise, this would have been our plan. If we had to go this route, then I suppose we could get a room for just the night before the marathon. But at least we won't be stranded.

No luck. I guess I'm going to have to try it all over again in a few days. As always, thank you.

I struck out. I'd like to try the 3* strategy. I have to admit, this is some pretty slick stuff. Thanks.

Thanks, WDR. I have stayed at the Sheraton Russell in the past (twice), so I know it well (kinda). I also remember that their staff was excellent and that neighborhood seemed to be relatively quiet (by NYC standards) on the weekends. My wife's training is going well. I never appreciated how hard a marathon is until my wife ran Boston (that's where we're live). Now I have utmost respect for all marathoners. Come to think of it, I wonder if I'll be able to treat her to a stay at the Waldorf? She deserves it. :)

Thanks, thereuare. I was just reviewing the PL zones and noticed that there is no MTC. It looks like their MTW is similar to MTC on Hotwire. So, based on the PL zones, here are my preferences: MTW, MTS, MTE and UMCPS (since that's near the finish line). Generally, I'd like to stay at or under $100/nt. If we can get 4* at that price it's a no-brainer. Any of the 3* hotels listed on this web site would also be acceptable at $100. We're not that picky, but a private bath is a must (and it looks like all the ones listed have that). If we had to try 4*, then I'd say we could bump it to $125/nt for 4* and up (I know I'm pushing it, but what the heck). I get the feeling that I'm not telling you enough info, but it's kind of hard, because I don't really know what's available (dang newbie syndrome). I feel like a deer in the headlights. How should I bid? We're not too greedy. If you recommend that I should go for that 3.5* MTE first, because in you experience that's a great deal, then we'll try it. Especially if it or something like it can be had for well under $100. I'd rather lock it in now and not sweat it, because like you said, I can make cancellable reservations elsewhere. Thanks!

Yes, the Roosevelt would definitely be a good option (it's on the marathon list @ $210/nt). I know nothing is guaranteed, but a bidding strategy would definitely be appreciated. Would the strategy be targeted to this hotel? Or should I start with MTC first, for example, knowing that I could eventually "settle" for MTE? Even if it weren't the Roosevelt, how bad could a 3.5 star hotel in NYC be? What are the chances that MTE would put me all the way over by the UN (nice area, but not as convenient)? Thanks! BTW, I didn't go to Michigan, but I'm a huge fan! Arguably the best college fight song.

Thanks again, thereuare. That's what I suspected. I figured it would be tough if not impossible to get a great deal. Other than hitting the Javits center to pickup her number, we'll just be hanging around town, so generally speaking, it doesn't really matter where we stay. The main reason we were considering MT area is because according to the marathon web site, the "official" shuttle leaves from the library. I think the only public transportation method from the Wall Street area is the Staten Island Ferry. I discussed this briefly with my wife and she'd actually prefer the shuttle. She used the shuttle service in Boston when she ran it two years ago felt it was the best option for relatively care-free transportation. I think i did see that 3.5* MTE hotel on Hotwire that you noted. Although I think it was $118. I tried to guess which hotel that might be and the closest I could come up with is the Sheraton Russell or possibly the Roosevelt (based on those listed on this web site). Does that sound about right? If so, I've stayed at the Sheraton before and would gladly stay there again. It's a great hotel. Don't know much about the Roosevelt though. Any insights?

My wife is running the NY Marathon on November 2. We'd like to arrive 10/31 (Fri) and leave 11/3 (Mon). Any chance I can get a decent rate that weekend? Based on a tip from thereuare that I received for another city, I checked Hotwire,and it doesn't look good for MTC and Theater District ($200-$300). I can get the similar rates through the Marathon agreements. Any insights or recommendations from previous experiences bidding on rooms during marathon weekend? Would it even be possible to get a 2 star room for around $100/night? Thanks in advance.

Thanks a ton, thereuare. That's exactly the kind of tip I was looking for. bturner13, also thank you. I did and will continue to go through savingsbarn.com. :)

First off, kudos to all the people who keep this service going. EXCELLENT content! First time poster here and based on stuff I've learned here, I got bold and made my first bids last Thursday. I need a room for two nights pre-cruise (11/28 & 11/29). Sailing Celebrity Millenium on 11/30 (my wife's birthday) out of FLL. Having done some research, I think I like the Embassy Suites but would "settle" for the Marriott Marina, so this is what I did. First bid, FLL-Downtown, 3 stars, $41 (I know, lowball, I learn quick) - REJECTED (big surprise) Second bid, added Miramar (since I know they have no 3 star or higher hotels listed), $46 - REJECTED again So now that my 72 hours are up, I want to rebid again. I was going to repeat the two steps above but begin at $51. But I read the recent post about Amerisuites so now I'm not sure anymore. Maybe I should consider this 2.5 star hotel. Few questions: 1. Do all the hotels I mentioned (Amerisuites, Embassy Suites and Marriott Marina) offer both a free shuttle from the airport and to Port Everglades? I know ES has it both ways and now I know Amerisuites at least has it to Port Everglades. 2. Did I bid correctly as described above? Are my bids even reasonable? Any other tips or recommendations? 3. Would the FLL-Beach area be a reasonable alternative? Any recommendations there? Sorry for the long post, but I figure I'd squeeze in as much as possible so that all those volunteering assistance can be as informed as possible. Thanks to all in advance.