Byron

Last minute booking. Had been watching for a couple of weeks, looking for something near Grand Central. My backup was a 3.5* hotel nearby that would have been about the same price. Got this for $115, with taxes and fees was $146.73 Amenities listed were Boutique Hotel, Business Center

The New Haven Hotel is now listed as a 3* Hotel with the following amenities. Smoke Free Rooms, Fitness Center, Business Center, High-Speed Internet Access. On the Hotwire list, it currently listed as a 2.5* Hotel without the smoke free rooms designation. The Hotwire price was $73 per night. With tax recovery charges and fee, it came out to $86.06 per night. Their rack rate on the website and calling the hotel directly was $109 plus tax.

So I decided to attend the Coachella Festival on Friday only (it's very tough to find a deal for the weekend.) Was looking for a hotel for the night before. Booked this through HOTWIRE although the price was down to $102 but it wouldn't allow me to book it for that rate. Only when it went up to $117 was I able to get get - $136.42 with tax and fees. This is pretty close to the festival site and has a Noon checkout. I expect to stay in the air-conditioned hotel until just before checkout. The Wyndham near the Palm Springs Convention Center shows up as $86 for a 3.5 Star selection but it has gotten some pretty bad reviews on TripAdvisor. I'd rather pay a few bucks more, be closer, and get the breakfast at Embassy Suites

I'm looking to book a single night in New York City in April (A Thursday and a Sunday). Right I think I can get a better deal if I wait a week or two ahead of time. It's worked for me in the past but its been several years since I've done so. Is there a rule of thumb as to when additional or discounted inventory is released? I have a friend in the hospitality industry and I know that they look at occupancy rates and yields and will try and move rooms and I'd like to know if you have a feel for what the New York market will do. Thanks in advance

Booked on 12/10 Fitness Center, Restaurants, Business Center, High Speed Internet Access - also listed as a customer favorite

Paramount Hotel, Saturday 2/25 to Thursday 3/2. I've stayed at the Paramount twice in the past five years and it's actually what I was shooting for. I know the rooms are micro small but that's okay with me. I began with $100, 3 Star, MTW - rejected Added Upper West Side, up to $105 - rejected. Closed browser and clicked back through on savingsbarn.com Bid $110, 3 Star, MTW - accepted. With taxes and fees, $651.07 ($130.21 per night) Comparisons: Rack Rate through SolMedia website: $190 Hotwire - pretty sure it was the Paramount - $160

I have stayed at the Paramount twice in the past four years, the last time a year ago. Some of the rooms are micro small - and the others are very small. You will be bumping into each other. That being said, the location is great. If you're just there to sleep, it's a decent bargain. Staying there for eight days in such a small room may get to them.

I wanted to post this before I forgot. I was travellling through Colorado right before Christmas and was looking for a place to stay in Vail for one day of skiing. I was looking for one night, Thursday, December 22nd. About a week before, I went through the normal searching and a 4 star hotel came up on Hotwire at $125 plus tax. I ended up booking it on 12/18 and it turned out to be the Vail Cascade Resort. With tax, it ended up being $150.97. The rack rate was $299 on up. It is a true ski in/ski out lodge with what amounts to a private lift up on the mountain - check the Vail maps and it is the farthest lift to the West (right hand side of the map). The Christmas crowds had yet to arrive which was why it was heavily discounted. A true 4 star hotel with lots of staff and attention to customer service. It is away from the village but there are shuttles. Complimentary covered parking for hotel guests which is normally $16. High quality furnishings in the room. Outdoor heated pool as well as two outdoor hot tubs. The key on this are the designation of Resort, Ski In/Ski Out, Pool, and Fitness Center. I wouldn't hesitate to stay at this place again, especially at the price given.