antlori

Thanks. I was so happy to get 2 good hotels within my budget. When the Grand Hyatt/Intercontinental came up on Hotwire today at $220 I almost grabbed it but decided to give Priceline a try first. Now I'm glad I did. I also purchased tickets to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels today so the trip is really starting to come together. Thanks everyone for your help. I'll certainly remember not to take a chance on a Priceline 3* hotel in New York.

Yes, it's the Hilton NY on Avenue of the Americas.

Started bidding for the weekend of Oct.29-30 but couldn't get anything in my price range. Checked Hotwire and found Sat. Oct.29th was very high but Sun. Oct.30th looked much better so I decided to split my bid. Started bidding at $100 for MTW, then added UES at $110, then UWS at $120 and got the Hilton. I couldn't get anything for Sat. Oct.29 so had to wait my 72 hours and try again. Did that today and got the Grand Hyatt (MTE) for $180 which I've posted separately. Together they average out at $150/night whereas I couldn't get anything under $240/night without splitting them.

Luck was with me today. My 72 hours was up so I went back to try again. I checked Hotwire first and saw a 4* MTE for $220 which I thought was the Grand Hyatt or the Intercontinental so I figured I would take that if nothing came up lower on Priceline. I started with MTW at $190 and went up to $210 with no luck. Closed browser and started again with MTE at $180 and got the Grand Hyatt right off the bat. Considering I had been trying off and on for 2 weeks and bidding up to $215 with no luck, I am very happy with $180.

We thought about New Jersey but we're coming in for a weekend of theatre and feel the back-and-forth travel would be too much. My health isn't good right now and we just want to be somewhere close to the theatre area. I see the Sheraton on Hotwire for $245 so I might just do that. I always use the Savings Barn link when I bid.

I've been bidding for a 4* hotel in NYC for one night, Oct.29, up to $215 without success. I'm thinking of lowering to a 3* level but a little concerned about the quality of 3* hotels. Any "bidder beware" hotels on the Priceline 3* list? I've checked Tripadvisor but it's hard to tell as reviews are mixed.

I didn't ever think I would need the Super 8 either, but I was desperate. I'd searched everywhere and this was the only thing I could find under $400 in the Times Square area so I grabbed it. New York is almost impossible this Fall. I've never seen it this tough. I don't know anything about the Super 8 other than what I've seen on their website. They have a free continental breakfast and parking is $20. It looks modest and clean and we probably won't be in the room too much anyway. I didn't know they were owned by Ramada.

I was able to get the Super 8 Times Square for $189 on the Applecore website for 2 nights (Sept.13 & 14), with $10 off the first night for filling out their survey. But there just doesn't seem to be anything in that area for Thurs. Sept.15. On Hotwire I saw the Candlewood Suites Jersey City for $114 but that's really far for commuting back and forth to the Times Square area. I was willing to try it but my husband said no way. So I think we'll just do the 2 nights and then leave early Thursday afternoon. I may give Priceline a try anyway as the Super 8 reservation is cancellable up to 24 hours before, but I doubt I'll be able to do any better. Hotwire isn't even showing anything for Times Square for those dates.

I'm looking for a 4* hotel in Times Square area for 3 nights, Sept.13-16 for under $150. Does this seem possible? I was see a few Hilton Times Square won at $140 but things really seem to be tight for my dates. We really like the Times Square area as we're coming strictly for the theater. I haven't tried bidding yet because I didn't want to use up my bids by starting too low and then have to wait another 72 hours. Hotwire prices are ridiculous for those dates too. Any suggestions?

Just wanted to say thanks, thereuare, for the help with our NY trip. The Beekman turned out great. We didn't really use the kitchen too much but it was nice to have the refrigerator. We picked up water and pop at the corner grocery store across the street and we really appreciated it as the weather was so hot. I was also able to pick up fresh fruit there for breakfast each day. We only had one problem with transportation. We couldn't pick up the bus pass at the convenience store the hotel sent us to as they no longer carry the passes. Had to walk to the subway to get them.

Thanks, angelbaby and shammes, for the help. I'll check out the Paniolo Greens Resort on the web and see what it looks like. I'm leaning towards taking a chance on the "unknown condo". We're only there for 2 nights so I think it's worth trying. It would be nice to have a 2-bedroom condo so everyone has more space. I'll let you know what it turns out to be.

I'm looking for 2 rooms for 4 adults and 3 kids (2 adults & 2 kids in one room, 2 adults and 1 kid in the other room). I ran my dates, 2 nights, in Jan.4 and out Jan.6 and come up with 3 that look good. I think I might have identified 2 of them but the 3rd is a mystery. Here's what I think I have: Kailua-Kona: 3-1/2 *'s - Hotel, Oceanfront, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness Center, Golf & Tennis Nearby - $124/night -- I think this may be the O'Hana Keauhou Beach Resort (did this use to be the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort)? Kailua-Kona: 3-1/2 *'s - Condo, Near Beach, 1-Bedroom Suite, Fully Equipped Kitchen, Pool, Air Conditioned, Washer/Dryer in room, Free Parking, Front Desk, Golf & Tennis Nearby, Laundry Facilities (self service) - $157/night -- I think this may be the Aston Shores at Waikoloa. I like the condo aspect and the free parking here but the first one is oceanfront. Kohala Coast: 3-1/2 *'s - Condo, 2-Bedroom Suite, Fully Equipped Kitchen, Kitchenette, Pool, Air Conditioned, Washer/Dryer in room, Fitness Center, Free Parking, Front Desk, Golf & Tennis nearby, Laundry Facilities (self service) - $148/night. I have no idea what this one might be but I think it looks very good for $148/night. Anyone have any ideas what it might be? Is it worth taking a chance on? Is the Kailua-Kona area better than the Kohala Coast area? I like the idea of 2 bedrooms and the free parking is a plus. What do you think they mean by Fully Equipped Kitchen and Kitchenette? Are there 2 kitchens in the unit? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as to the best choice from these 3. I'm really torn. I've used Hotwire a few times before and never been disappointed, and it's only for 2 nights, but these 3 properties all look pretty good. I think the prices look okay. Can't take a chance on Priceline as we definitely need 2 beds in each room.

Thanks. I decided not to take a chance. I've booked a condo directly, the Waikiki Banyan.

I'm looking for a Waikiki hotel for 7 days, Dec.31-Jan.7. I'm getting a 3* in Waikiki Central for $103 with following amenities: Near Beach, Restaurant(s), Tennis Nearby, Laundry Facilities (self-service). It's also listed as a Best Value. Any ideas what this might be? Is it worth taking a chance on a 3* in Waikiki? What are the chances of getting a dump? I need 2 rooms: 1 for 2 adults and 2 children and the other for 2 adults and 1 child so I can't take a chance on Priceline and getting only 1 bed per room.

I did book the Beekman last night. Thanks for your help. It looks like a good area, and a lot of what we want to do is along the 42nd Street area. The website looks good and the reviews are excellent. I don't think we can go wrong, especially since everything else in NYC seems to be over $200 a night.

I'm going to try the Beekman. I checked the link you provided and it looks like there is a 72-hour cancellation policy. Is that correct? I just want to make sure I won't lose my money if something happens that we can't go, e.g. if my sister and her son don't get their passports in time.

Thanks for the recommendations. They both have great reviews. Do you have a preference one over the other, or would you just choose the Beekman because it's cheaper? The Eastgate seemed closer to the subway but we don't mind taking the bus. I really didn't want to go over $200 but all the cheaper hotels are booked (e.g. Apple Core). I didn't want to skimp and get a really small room, but sometimes you can pay a lot and still get a small room. I will definitely check them out and let you know what we decide. Thanks again for your help.

I'm looking for a hotel in NY, preferably Midtown area, for July 29-Aug.1. I've got it narrowed down to 2 but can't decide. The Inter-Continental (I think) came up on Hotwire for $215/night and the Grand Hyatt (probably) at $265/night. I can't do Priceline as there are 3 of us--2 adults and my 13-year-old nephew. The Grand Hyatt room seems a little small at 266 sq.ft. but I couldn't find out the size of the Inter-Continental rooms. (We don't need a kitchen as we won't be preparing any food. The adults are on vacation too!) They appear to be in the same area so I think we're okay with that--close to Times Square, Madison Square Garden, United Nations. I think we'll have a little jaunt to Central Park and the Museum of Natural History but I think we can handle that by bus. We'll probably get a bus pass. Do you have any recommendations for us?

Just won the Sheraton Chicago Hotel Tower for $74/night, 3 nights, Aug.11-14: 3 x $74 = $222 + taxes/fees $41.42 = $263.42 Don't know much about it but I'll look it up on the reviews.

Omni Ambassador East was a good hotel. We enjoyed our stay. Staff was pleasant and helpful, neighborhood was "homey" with a lot of people walking their dogs, also lots of restaurant choices nearby, Red Line stop nearby. We were able to check in early, around 10:00 a.m. which was greatly appreciated. Room was good but not as large or new as the Hilton Towers. Bed was huge, bathroom was fine. We would have been totally satisfied if we hadn't stayed at the Hilton first. The Omni is just a little bit worn around the edges, nothing terrible (white curtains a little grey, paint a little chipped, toilet seat broken). Certainly was a good deal for $81 a night.

The Hilton Towers was great! Location was good, right across from Grant Park and the Taste of Chicago. Room was large, bathroom was huge. We were allowed to check in at 9:00 a.m. when we arrived. For $66 we wished we had of gotten this hotel for our entire stay. When we come back to Chicago, we'll try to get this hotel again.

It just says Hilton Chicago so I believe it isn't the Palmer House. The address is 720 South Michigan Avenue.

Got this one on the first bid. Thought I would try starting this one at $66 rather than $65 as I usually do. Had been trying for about a week and a half to get a 4* in the NMA or Loop area for under $100. Kept getting rejected and retrying. Finally, success!

Omni Ambassador East - 3-1/2 *, North Michigan-Water Tower-Gold Coast area Restaurant, Fitness, Business Center June 27-30, 3 nights, $81/night = $243 + taxes & fees $40.95 = $283.95 total This hotel seems to have pretty good reviews. Thanks for your help.

I went to Hotwire today (was out of commission over the weekend as my computer was in for repair) and found what looked like the Inter-Continental for $92/night and decided to grab it as it was under my $100 criteria. But when I clicked "Purchase" it came back saying that selection was no longer available. I went back and ran my selection again and sure enough, the Inter-Continental was no longer there. I then ran the June 27-30 dates and found what looked like the Omni Ambassor East at $81. I have stayed at this hotel before and it was okay + it is a "customer favorite" so I decided to take it before it disappeared too. It was, indeed, the Omni Ambassador East. Now I just have to get a hotel for the 26th of June. I think I'll look at a map to see what other hotels are near the Omni Ambassador East.