mtbscott

I'm done. After continuing to go up to as high as $135 for 2.5's, I perused Priceline's listed 2* hotels and decided for my purposes that would work. Just got a winning bid of $120 a night for the Days(Inn)Hotel Broadway on W.94th at Broadway in the Upper West Side. Their current "buy it" rate is $159 so a savings of $117. I've never stayed in the Upper West Side before but looks like a good location by Google streetview with a subway station literally right across the street. Its guest reviews are the mixed bag that is always NYC. I think lots of people have unrealistic expectations, I just want a good location, good price, clean and safe room, and I think I'll get it there. The hotel seems to be under renovation which also seems to be a never ending thing in Manhattan. Thanks for the help here, see ya'll next time I'm bidding for a room. Hope I'm satisfied.

Went up to $135 for 3* using all Manhattan zones except Harlem(too far north for me)and still no luck. Dropped to 2.5 stars and $125 and did no better. I looked through Priceline's list of 2.5 star hotels in Manhattan and think I could live with them, will have to decide on price tomorrow when I try again.

This far in advance, you're seeing rack rates when you go to either a hotel's site or travel site. In my opinion, you're way too early to get an accurate quote for a room, much less expect a PRICELINE bargain. If you must have something reserved for your comfort level, book a cancellable room within your budget now, and start looking for bargains around January/February.

Tried again this morning bumping up to a max of $130, still no offers accepted. I'll keep trying this every few days, then might consider dropping my star level as it gets closer. I've still got plenty of time and my current backup reservation is totally acceptable if I can't find a better bargain.

Don't want to start a storm here, but on some travel forums, Queens (especially the LIC neighborhood), and Brooklyn are usually touted as alternatives to Manhattan much more than New Jersey for the simple fact they are still IN NYC. I have stayed often in LIC and once in the Sunset Park area of Brooklyn and the subways were still safe and crowded way past 11PM. That said, in general I think the routine prices in the outer boroughs are reasonable enough that using PRICELINE isn't as useful as it is in Manhattan. If you do include Brooklyn and Queens in your PRICELINE bids, I would make double sure you peruse the known hotels that might take your bid. There's a huge difference in close in Queens and Brooklyn, versus the much less desirable airport area hotels.

Thanks very much for the replies, especially the verification that a private room/bath is assured. This is my related thread about my hotel search/bid: Priceline New York City I will keep updating that one. I'm continuing to stay at the 3* level for now, but I'm speculating if I went down to 2-2.5 I could get in for my current bid which seems to be very close to accepted 3*'s.

I just did a quick search for your dates from the HOTWIRE link, and also checked Choicehotels.com (Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn, Quality Inn, etc) and can't find anything for less than $160ish a night in Brooklyn or lower Manhattan. The problem is occupancy restrictions as AaronJB mentioned. If you put on the query that you have two children, it's only going to offer rooms that allow that many people. You could try to just book a single bed room and take your chances of getting caught, but I think NYC is pretty strict about their hotel laws.

If your relatives are in lower Manhattan, consider Brooklyn. Even at normal "rack rates" you'll be much cheaper in general there than in Manhattan, and you can get a two bed room for sure. I think Priceline is a great option for singles and couples, not so much for family travelling.

I've never heard of any "no-kid" hotels in New York, in fact I just got through reading some family friendly reviews of the Andaz Wall Street on TripAdvisor. I would think that aside from "shared" facilities like hostels possibly having age restrictions, laws against discrimination would preclude "no kids."

Thanks for that info. I joined up with the free code after seeing your notes yesterday but did not yet give a CC number since I haven't booked anything. I DO NOT like any entities that automatically renew you, I will use LMT only with great caution.

I ask this question in general, but most specifically for the NYC area. When I look across various booking and travel sites, certain hotels will sometimes be rated with a different number of stars amongst them. TripAdvisor's rating might not be the same as Priceline's, who's isn't the same as Expedia's, etc. I generally start my Priceline bids (from the links here) with 3*'s but am wondering aloud how much "luxury" I'm giving up in Manhattan if I were to go to 2 or 2.5 stars. Most rooms are small there, I'm not picky, all I really want is a private room with at least a double-sized bed and private bath. Am I assured that with a 2* rating in Manhattan via Priceline?

Be aware that Priceline gives you no option to ask for or bid for a room with two beds, it's single occupancy only. A hotel that takes your big "might" negotiate with you for a double room but there's no guarantee. Hotwire is going to be a better bet for you or contact the area hotels direct for any deals.

Depends on your plans for your visit. The Marco-Lexington LaGuardia looks to be pretty close to a 7 train subway station, but it's going to be a 30 minute trip or more into Manhattan from it. Not really good from a tourist standpoint.

Still no luck with my original wants/needs using the PRICELINE links here. I've been looking over the 2.5 * rating hotels in the various Manhattan zones and am considering them. I guess it's a relative call, but is there that much difference in a 2.5 and 3.0 in NY? The only particular one that worries me is Hotel 41 in the TS zone, recent reviews say it has become more or less a hostel and at the very minimum I want a private room with private bath. Can I be assured that via Priceline at 2.5 stars?

A little after the fact, but I won a Priceline bid for the Helmsley back on June 2-3 of this year for $100 a night! I found the ongoing renovations to be a non-issue, my 20th floor room was all new and the biggest I've ever had in NYC. Might never get it that low again, but it was a nice weekend.

If you're still looking, thought I'd point out that your weekend is the dates for the NYC Marathon, one of the biggest crowds of the year. Hotel prices are generally ramped up for that, and many "central" hotels will already be full. If you can't change your dates, prepare to pay more and/or be less picky about location.

September is an expensive month for New York, but I think your $200 max is probably doable. There is no "central" area to most tourist attractions so the most important thing is just to be near a subway stop, which you can do almost anywhere in Manhattan. I suggest you use the links here and start your bidding at a lower price and gradually include more zones.

Review the "Priceline list of New York Hotels" for an idea of what 4 start hotels might be included in different areas. You WILL get a 4 start hotel if that's what you bid for, but no way you're getting one for even close to $50 in October, one of the most expensive months for NYC. Not sure what screen you're referring to. If you start by clicking through one of the PRICELINE links on this site, you'll get their homepage. Then click on the Name Your Price link and start going from there. You'll get to pick your zones, pick your star rating, and your price, then you'll get a preview page with the price. You'll then have to give credit card info and authorization, initial it, then submit your bid. If they find you a hotel that accepts your offer, you're charged immediately and you'll get the hotel info. If you're refused, you'll get a message telling you so and inviting you to rebid by adding zones, changing dates, upping your price, etc. You can only make the exact same bid once in 24 hours.

That's the big question. I usually stay somewhere in LIC and understand its appeal. Never been to the Verve before but have stayed very near it, and like the fact that it's close to three subway stations. It is fun to stay in the city although I could get something potentially further from a subway stop. I think I'll keep working the $120 and might consider a bit more as it gets closer. I'm going on kind of a weird weekend. It's right before the airline rush for Thanksgiving and I would think not a super busy week in NYC so I'm hoping for a bargain. I have been clicking through the PRICELINE links on this forum.

New to the forum. I've only used Priceline once before and got what I thought was a smokin' deal back in early June, two nights at the Helmsley NYC for $100 a night. I'm returning to the city for three nights November 16-19. I know the fall is more expensive but I've started bidding for a 3* at $100 a night. Following the strategies here I gradually go up to a max of $120 and include all of the Manhattan zones, but so far no luck. I've got the Verve in LIC for $125 a night as cancellable backup but would love a "surprise" 3* in Manhattan as an alternative. If I keep trying, do you think my target amount is doable as it gets closer?