lwitchel

Two that will be close to your hotel: San Domenico is on 58/CPS and is a rather chic and urbane Northern Italian place with a very reasonable prix fixe lunch (and it's even on idine!). A reasonably priced luxury meal that's more expensive for dinner. Puttanesca on 56th & 9th is a neighborhood Italian bistro that's a cut above its prices. A very good buy. You meant that Nirvana is Indian, right? If you go there looking for Italian food you're in for a shock. . . :)

Someone had asked for suggestions on Indian restaurants in NYC, I thought I'd place my response on the forum so it didn't get lost, along with adding a few more suggestiosn. Indian Food - Nirvana on Central Park South has decent food and a great view. It isn't particularly dressy, but it is slightly pricey. It's a good place to go for visitors because the view overlooking Central Park is so marvelous. Also nearby is an Indian fusion restaurant, Bay Leaf, that is on 56th between 5/6. There are a few other Indian restaurants on that block that would be more reasonably priced than Nirvana. Jewel of India on 44th between 5/6 is another upscale Indian restaurant with good Northern Indian food, but without the view. The $13.95 lunch buffet is rather good. For the more adventurous (and those with more time) there are two separate areas of Indian restaurants in concentration: On the East Side in the high 20's on 3rd Avenue and downtown in the East Village on 6th Street. I've eaten at Annapurna and Kebab and Curry among others in the E. 20s, they're all good, but not worth a special trip. The East 6th restaurants are very inexpensive but also not worth a special trip, except perhaps for Rose of India, less for the mediocre Indian food and more for the stupefying kitsch value of the place. It's decorated entirely in Christmas lights, thousands and thousands, which they set blinking along with blaring a Bollywood song when anyone has a birthday. This happens at least once or twice every meal. I don't know if that's what people had in mind! A neighborhood worth exploring for ethnic cuisine is 9th Avenue in the 40s-50s (my neighborhood!) There's decent cheap Indian there (Bengal Express, which makes very good breads), Vietnamese (Saigon Fun), Thai (Wondee Siam I and II - II is prettier, I has a marginally better kitchen) and Pam Real Thai. There's also a dirt cheap and very good Chinese noodle house, Mee. Most of these places are between 51-54th on 9th, Pam Real Thai is right off the SW corner of 49th & 9th. None of them is worth changing your plans to go to but they're all tasty. The main TKTS booth is on 47th/Broadway and it opens at 2pm for evening shows, I think and noon for matinees. You can't miss it. Be prepared by bringing sufficient cash (no credit cards) and having 20 mins. to an hour to wait on line. The most beautiful small museum in the city is probably the Frick on 70th & 5th, which can be visited in a bit over an hour and has a phenomenal old masters collection including three Vermeers (a big deal when there are only 60 some extant.) Another small overlooked museum is the Morgan Library on 38th and Madison, but that may be undergoing renovations, so check. Like the Frick, it's another mansion turned museum. Frick and Morgan may have been Robber Barons, but they had great taste. A culture bargain in the city are the offerings at the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center. The 2900 seat house is built so even the cheap seats are good, and standing room is sold even if the house isn't sold out at around $15. Be prepared to stand if the house is sold out, but otherwise when the lights go down, follow the other standees as they head to available seats. You can see either the New York City Opera or the New York City Ballet, both major companies, and NYCB is celebrating the Balanchine Centennial this year (which may make standing room on the weekends a bit harder to come by) For NYC residents, NYCB's "Fourth Ring Society" is one of the best bargains in the city. Pay $15 before the beginning of the season in November, get a card to purchase $30 Fourth Ring tickets for $12 - 2 per show for the entire winter and spring seasons. Best culture deal in town for cheapskates! Across the plaza are also great companies (the Metropolitan Opera and American Ballet Theatre) but the Opera House is a barn (4500 seats) and decent seating costs a good deal more. Standing room is available for around $20, but the Met is much more strict about forcing you to stand. They rope the area off. Enjoy your stay and go see some culture!

jbhall - there's plenty of good Indian in NYC. Alas, my most recent favorite, Kishti, just closed. Suggestions - Nirvana on Central Park South has decent food and a great view. It isn't particularly dressy, but it is slightly pricey. It's a good place to go for visitors because the view overlooking Central Park is so marvelous, and it is close to your hotel. Also near to you would be an Indian fusion restaurant, Bay Leaf, that is on 56th between 5/6. There are a few other Indian restaurants on that block that would be more reasonably priced than Nirvana. Jewel of India on 44th between 5/6 is another upscale Indian restaurant with good Northern Indian food, but without the view. The $13.95 lunch buffet is rather good. For the more adventurous (and those with more time) there are two separate areas of Indian restaurants in concentration: On the East Side in the high 20's on 3rd Avenue and downtown in the East Village on 6th Street. I've eaten at Annapurna and Kebab and Curry among others in the E. 20s, they're all good, but not worth a special trip. The East 6th restaurants are very inexpensive but also not worth a special trip, except perhaps for Rose of India, less for the mediocre Indian food and more for the stupefying kitsch value of the place. It's decorated entirely in Christmas lights, thousands and thousands, which they set blinking along with blaring a Bollywood song when anyone has a birthday. This happens at least once or twice every meal. I don't know if that's what you had in mind :) A neighborhood close to where you are staying worth exploring for ethnic cuisine is 9th Avenue in the 40s-50s (my neighborhood!) There's decent cheap Indian there (Bengal Express, which makes very good breads), Vietnamese (Saigon Fun), Thai (Wondee Siam I and II - II is prettier, I has a marginally better kitchen) and Pam Real Thai. There's also a dirt cheap and very good Chinese noodle house, Mee. Most of these places are between 51-54th on 9th, Pam Real Thai is right off the SW corner of 49th & 9th. None of them is worth changing your plans to go to but they're all tasty. In my opinion Carmine's is not worth a visit, but I haven't been there in a long while. It always looked touristy to me. The main TKTS booth is on 47th/Broadway and it opens at 2pm for evening shows, I think and noon for matinees. You can't miss it. Be prepared by bringing sufficient cash (no credit cards) and having 20 mins. to an hour to wait on line. For other cultural events, a friend recommended the Byantium exhbit at the Metropolitan Museum, but warned it was packed. The most beautiful small museum in the city is probably the Frick on 70th & 5th, which can be visited in a bit over an hour and has a phenomenal old masters collection including three Vermeers (a big deal when there are only 60 some extant.) Enjoy your stay!

Hey Suzanne - if the need to bid in this zone ever presents itself again, I got the Residence Inn that's right down the hill about a week ago (my bid's listed here) as a 2.5* bid in Plymouth Meeting for $45. Don't know if they had the inventory on the dates that you needed, but it's always helpful to know what might come up, and that would have suited her situation (another suite-hotel)

Updates - Paris - lastminute.com had an excellent rate on a basic 3* in the 3eme (the Plat d'Etain for 49 Euros, and it was only at that rate on the night I needed it!) So that's prepaid and done. No more Priceline bidding needed there. Amsterdam - Bid 4* City Ctr/MQ $77. $95 was rejected 3 days ago, this time I got a counteroffer for $108. Could that have been the Renaissance? I did not take it - my back is about $112/night exclusive of taxes and breakfast. I will bid again and work up. If $108 would have nailed it, halfway between the two is $93. I probably will try in the 80s first. I have the time to rebid. Bruges - Bid 4* 75, 3* 65. Rejected. I will stay at this level until I get into the 21 day window for ratestogo.com More dithering as it happens :)

If this is of any use, the common 2.5*for the UWS on Priceline was the Empire, right next to Lincoln Center, which used to go as low as $65-$70 for perfectly acceptable rooms, but alas, closed to be converted into condominiums in late January. (I got it at $70 in early Jan. it for my brother's stay to visit) I'm not sure what winning bids will get in the UWS now.

Go figure. A $95 bid for 4* Center City A'dam 4/30-5/2 was rejected with a counter offer of $168. The Renaissance does show availability, with Internet Saver rates (199 EUR for a double, less for singles) I won't go higher; my backup (the Jan Luyken) is 90 EUR. For two nights at $95, I only save about $20-30 total. It isn't worth the risk to up the bid. The reason may be that 4/30 is a holiday in Amsterdam, Queen's Day. I'm glad I have a decent backup! Brugge - tried $70 4*, $60 3*. Rejected. I work up to $80 4* $70 3*. Paris - the Sofitel in La Defense is now showing availability, the Renaissance still is not. Historically, the Sofitel (a downgraded 5*) has gone for more that the Renaissance. I tried a bid only in that zone for $70. No surprise, it was rejected. I think I will see what happens when I get within the 21 day window (April 5) on ratestogo.com, hrs, etc. P.S. Willtravel - I got the lowestfares screen again. I wonder if Priceline also takes into account the bidder's customer history when making counteroffers.

I got this for $45 and am staying here tonight. The location works for me (I'm visiting friends in Norristown) but it would be not be a convenient option for someone visiting Philadelphia, or someone without a car. This is a standard Residence Inn. Big spacious room with kitchen/dinette area, sitting area with sofabed and sleeping area with a queen size bed. It's larger (and neater) than my New York apartment. My friends have an infant, so instead of fighting with a cranky kid to go to a restaurant, we had food delivered, and we were able to eat it normally at the dinette and there's dishes and cutlery here. There's free high speed Internet Access via Ethernet cable. hot buffet breakfast is served from 6:30 to 9 and included. This place really worked for my situation. I'm beginning to feel 2.5* hotels in the US suit me better than some 3* because I find the comfort in a Residence Inn or Courtyard just fine, and there are many fewer incidental charges.

Evidently I'm stalking you, iahphx. First Harrisburg, next Europe! I was there last night, and as you might have thought, got the room at $39. I have a mixed bag to report. The hotel is very convenient for business in central Harrisburg. I had to spend the weekend at the Whitaker Center for Science & Arts; it's two short blocks. The bus and train stations are four blocks. I agree with you on the hotel decor, it's stylish. Not far away on Third Street is the state capitol, which I finally walked around. Quite pretty. I arrived at 12:45 pm for a 3:00 stated check-in. At that point they didn

Thank you WillTravel - I searched on tripadvisor, but put "Pavillon" in, and couldn't find that so I thought it was unreviewed. Well, it sounds like a very bad option. I bid for a single zone (La Defense) to start. I got the Lowestfares screen. The last time I bid for Paris (OQW in December) I only got the counteroffers screen when I was within "striking" distance at $95, and it was for $112. Added OQE, bid $100, snagged the Meridien. There is a Deal seeker rate at both Montparnasse (155 EUR) and Etoile (165). My guess is I could get it at $110; $100 hasn't worked for people for a few months - probably the low dollar. If I can save a few bucks over that here, I'd like to, but not if it means being in a hole.

I started bidding last night - lowballed 'em all and lost, so I'll bid again after Monday. Here's how my strategy is evolving - input is welcome. Paris - Tried for 4* in La Defense. I regard all zones as a quasi-free bid because historically La Defense is the cheapest zone (and the rest are farther in, and I'd be fine in them). Went up to $70 (I saw someone get the Renaissance at this price in March), no dice. However, I've checked inventory. BOTH the Sofitel and the Renaissance show no availability on their site. I think I need to think about other options. I have the Ibis in Republique, but if I can do better I should. Another Paris last minute bid possibility - www.leshotelsdeparis.com offers 20% off their chain 48 hours before a stay. The Pavillon Porte de Versailles seems like a good bargain at 65 EUR, but it is VERY far from where I need to be and at the end of a metro line (No. 12) not near an RER. Closer to the time I will check laterooms and lastminute.com. The Ibis at 79 EUR comes to $98. Maybe I should consider bidding targetting OQW for the Meridien Etoile? It's not much more. Antwerp - Got my hotel on bookings.be - the Keyserlei. 3*, 50 EUR. I'm cheap :) Rotterdam - No Priceline bidding here either, though they list it. If you attempt to bid they will give you the Lowestfares page before you even get to pick zones. Got my hotel on Orbitz. The Top Eurohotel Centrum, 50 EUR. See? I'm cheap! Amsterdam - I lowballed a 4* at $75, and it was summarily rejected. I'd be very happy with the Renaissance at $95. I'd be somewhat peeved with the Jolly Carlton at $95, especially as I have a 4* backup at a good price - 90 EUR. Both have inventory my nights, and it's discounted (169-199 EUR at the Renaissance, 150-200 at the Carlton.) What to do? Should I just go for $95 on Monday and hope, or slowly head up? I have the time. Bruges - tried lowballing a 4* at $65 and 3* at $55. Rejected. I have a 4* backup at 90 EUR. Brussels - I won't bid on this until Bruges is more conclusive. Here's a new monkey wrench - I just got an offer from American Airlines for complimentary gold Starwood membership, and I also just got a Starwood Amex. The Sheraton Four Points in Brussels has a special 77 EUR rate, which would be about $95. I think I'd get 2000 AAdvantage bonus miles (and?) 1000 bonus Starpoints for the stay, but I need to check - it may be either/or. So I need to do the math and see if that is worth the extra $30-$40 (I'd only be there one night anyway). The problem is that I love strategizing like this so much that I spend hours at it. Other people would reserve the whole damn thing in an hour and be done with it. Well, everyone needs a hobby!

Apologies, I mis-typed. This bid was won for 3/27 (Sat eve.) I just looked and the Internet Saver rate for tomorrow is $80.50. I don't know what kind of a rule of thumb this is, but they seem to be discounting 50% off their lowest rate. Not bad, considering the hotel is exactly two blocks from where I arrive and one block from where I need to be!

I've got Brussels planned at least partially because the Priceline rates are good. One night at the end of a trip to see the Grand Place and go home the next am. I may stay in Brussels an extra night if Priceline doesn't come through for Bruges. Places where Priceline looks very tempting for me include Bangkok (which I would not have though of otherwise), and Vienna/Budapest/Prague (which I would have.) Why don't they do St. Petersburg Russia? :) ? You either spend $300/night for a Sheraton or $40/night for a hole. I'm also getting tempted by Buenos Aires, where rates on luxury hotels seem low enough without Priceline! (Airfare courtesy of American Airlines "Fly Two from NYC" get a free ticket. Now let's see if there's availability. . .) If only the Teatro Colon would put out its 2005 schedule. . . I'm also coming up on enough miles on United for Aus or NZ. How's Priceline for there? Disclaimer: I don't always travel this much! I'm helping to write a book, and I figure I can either pay the government tax on the added income, or I can take some legitimately deductible business travel. Given the choice, guess which I picked?

WillTravel - I know music less well, but ballet is a subject I know a little about. The URL for the Opera's website is www.opera-de-paris.fr I checked the calendar, they are active until about July 15, and doing Pierre Lacotte's La Sylphide (a romantic story ballet) and Capriccio by Richard Strauss at the Salle Garnier in the 9th and Otello and The Magic Flute at the Bastille. The Garnier is worth a visit, even if you're not attending a performance for the overblown second empire architecture and the Chagall ceiling. Inexpensive tickets there will have difficult or partial views, but you can probably get full views from 20 EUR. I can find out more if you'd like about the ins and outs of buying tickets and if the cheap seats are all right (I usually have press seats). The Bastille is a modern house that's less atmospheric, but with better sightlines. The "inside baseball" perspective: I don't prefer the POB's production of La Sylphide to, say, the Royal Danish Ballet's, but I'd sure go. Casting wouldn't go up until about a month before, but if she has not yet retired, I'd try to see Elisabeth Maurin as the Sylph. Another to watch for in that role (they're all good, honestly) would be Delphine Moussin. It is one of the best-trained companies in the world, so I'd take the opportunity to see them, even if it were a mediocre ballet. Sorry for getting so off-topic. I'd be happy to answer any other questions I can privately if that's more appropriate. Iahphx - It's the "hosed" part I'm leery of. I don't mind the Jolly Carlton, especially not for $75, but I don't want to get it for $100 when I could have a hotel I chose for about $115. I don't think there is a free rebid in A'dam, but I'll check.

Citylover, Priceline needs to have inventory at your bid price for the entire length of your stay. If the 27th is the rough day and there would be a great discrepancy in price between it and the other days, bid in two sections, the 28-30th and the 27th alone. That would be splitting the bid. Just be aware you may need to move hotels. Good luck!

Gracias! iahphx and willtravel - I know Paris reasonably well, if there's anything I can add to the discussion, please ask. The other cities except Amsterdam are new to me (it's a busman's holiday, I'm doing an article on performances in Paris, Rotterdam and The Hague). I've stayed in the Meridien Etoile, but not the Montparnasse. I got the Etoile on a $100 P'line bid. The good point is it's clean, very comfortable and decent, certainly more comfortable than anything I've found at that price. I got a lot of work done in the hotel room, something I couldn't say about the 3* Hotel des Victoires, which was $75/night on P'line and to my mind represented no savings. The bad point for me is that I want to be on the other side of town, or at least closer to the Opera. The Metro and RER are both fast and cheap, though. I think I will bid on Brugge before Brussels. If I snag Brugge at a good price then great, otherwise I may consider making it a day trip from Brussels. I have a 90 EUR Weekend rate at the Golden Tulip de Medici, which isn't too bad in all honesty, but I'd like to go cheaper there if I can. I saw a succesful bid at the Mercure for $70.

Thanks for asking BBBB - I do understand the concept. I had exhausted my potential rebids at those numbers for the 4* bid, and there is no rebid zone in SF for 2.5*

Thank you for the information! I kinda realized the Ibis chain was basic motel material, but I can cope with that. Believe it or not, what I can't cope with are "charming" places with "lots of character". That usually translates in my experience to "cramped and dark" (if they really are charming with lots of character and bright and spacious, that's another matter. . .) It is so helpful to be able to discuss Priceline bidding as part of a larger, mixed strategy. Sometimes it isn't the best answer even if it's the cheapest. DeltaPurser, your recommendation of HRS.com on another thread is a good one. I see a few alternatives to the Ibis in Paris. The perfect hotel for me is clean, bright and in the 4th or 9th arrondisement. (I love the 4th, but I'm going to the ballet in the 9th). There are a few choices. If I get it low enough, a Renaissance at $70-$80 in La Defense may not beat it for convenience. (Do try hotelres in San Francisco, though. They may have some places HRS doesn't; I'm a believer in more information!) As for Amsterdam, I'd have to win on a lowball bid to dump the reservation I have.

Most of their reservations are cancellable and they have very competitive rates - The Chancellor Hotel in Union Square was $69/nightly there. It gives you a good floor for Priceline bidding. www.hotelres.com

This was won on the second attempt - a bid of $45 was not accepted the previous week. I attempted to lowball a 4* in the downtown area (going to $55) but no dice there. Ramada Plaza Civic Center Check-In Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 Check-Out Date: Monday, March 22, 2004 Civic Center Area 1231 Market Street San Francisco, California 94103 415 626 8000 Reservation Information: Check-In Date: Wed, Mar 17, 2004 Check-In Time: After 03:00 PM Check-Out Date: Mon, Mar 22, 2004 Check-Out Time: 12:00 PM Your Offer Price: $45.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 5 Subtotal: $225.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $39.30 Total Charges: $264.30

I really appreciate the feedback. I've never been to La Defense, but I have stayed at the Meridien Etoile on the Boul. Peripherique - and it's not that expensive (I got it at $100 last year, I think it goes more for $110 now) but you're far enough out that I wondered if I might as well save another $30 and try for La Defense. In a perfect world I'd rather be in the Marais. For Brugge, I'll keep looking at Accor - it's also what shows up on Priceline. The Stopera isn't showing availability for my dates, alas. Believe it or not, I think the Jan Luyken is the lowest priced hotel around besides Priceline. It may be worth the splurge. I've heard a lot of people grousing about Amsterdam bidding, almost as much as Paris. I had my best luck so far in London. (Marriott Marble Arch for $75/night, and it was wonderful!) I'll look at the Deals forum as well. Thanks for all the good information there.

I hope I'm placing this in the right forum; it's less a question of what to bid than one of general strategy. I've got a European trip at the end of April and I'm trying to lay out a strategy for accomodations and where to bid on Priceline and where to try other options. I'm wondering what others think: Paris: I have a cancellable backup (Ibis Republique, 79 EUR) I'm here on my first day, and the one thing I seem to like most on my first travelling day is a comfortable, business type hotel rather than one with character. Call me a wimp. At the same time, I'd like to get the best deal possible. I'm thinking of bidding on Priceline in La Defense and hoping the Rennaissance comes up at around $70-$80. If not, stick with the Ibis. Does that sound realistic? In a perfect world, I'd want a business hotel in the Marais but at Priceline rates! We can all dream. . . Antwerp - no Priceline bidding. I found my hotel on www.bookings.nl - mentioned in the "Deals" forum. Rotterdam - Priceline lists them, but when you try to bid, you get a page of Lowestfare.com deals. I found my hotel on Orbitz. Amsterdam - I found a rather nice cancellable backup, the 4* Bilderberg Jan Luyken for 90EUR (plus taxes, no breakfast). That's a very good deal, I think, if a splurge for me. How satisfied have people been with Priceline in Amsterdam? I'm thinking I either need to really undercut the price (say around $75-$80 night) or it isn't worth the risks in Amsterdam bidding. Again, is that realistic? Bruges - Bruges is EXPENSIVE! I think it's worth it to stay there to avoid schlepping my luggage, but do I just want to do it as a day trip from Brussels instead - where the Sheraton is way cheap on Priceline? The Novotel has come up in Bruges for $70, I'll try to do better. Brussels - Priceline has very good deals here, it seems! If anyone's been through this, I'd appreciate any information or opinions you'd like to share!

Ramada Plaza

So far, I've not seen this property come up. http://marriott.com/property/propertyPage....arshaCode=PHLCN This was a rough day to get a hotel in Philadelphia! Both the Wyndham and the Hilton Garden were sold out. I bid in downtown Philadelphia up to $45 for 3* and $50 for 4*, both failed and I opted to try Valley Forge/Plymouth Meeting which is close to friends. Bids to $45 failed for 3*, as did $40 for 2.5. A new bid of $45 for 2.5 got this hotel, which is actually one town over from Plymouth Meeting. Thanks for the kind welcome in the other thread. I hope this is useful! [Edited to add apologies - I realized I was using a different format for thread titles, but I don't think I can change it.] Residence Inn Conshohocken Check-In Date: Sunday, March 28, 2004 Check-Out Date: Monday, March 29, 2004 Plymouth Meeting Norristown 191 Washington Street Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428 610-828-8800 Reservation Information: Your Offer Price: $45.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $45.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $10.48 Total Charges: $55.48

I bid up from $32 adding in free rebids - Carlisle at $35 Harrisburg-Hershey at $37 Added in Harrisburg West, got it at $39, which seems to be their magic number given previous winning bids. It's the hotel I wanted. From the amenities described, I think Hotwire also offers this at $49 less fees.