I started bidding for 2.5* and 2* in the Mahwah, then Secaucus, and finally the Meadowlands-Rutherford areas, where I scored this hotel. Submitted a total of about 8 different bids by adding different zones and lowering my star ratings. From this little experiment, I assume there is no way to get a cheaper hotel room north of Newark than $45 or so (I'm flexible with my hotel location, as long as it's north of Newark). Does anybody else have other (recent) experiences?