KatiesMom

Is Avenue Q too mature for a 16 year old girl...?

I've been daytripping to NYC for many years. For a long time I was stuck overpaying for meals at ripoff places because that's all I knew about. But the internet has really changed all that. Here are a few places visitors who bid on travel might enjoy because they are near many of their frequented hotels. Across from the Hilton NY Towers in the CBS Building: China Grill 60 W. 53rd Street This classy but casual place is popular with visitors and natives alike so reservations are recommended. Interesting and delicious Chinese-fusion food like plum and sesame spiced spareribs, szechuan beef marinated in sake, tall salads and lobster mashed potatoes. Desserts are creative and include bananas in a box and a replica of a chinese dinner - in chocolate. Large portions are meant for sharing. Not inexpensive, but definitely good food. (P.S. This is my mom's favorite NYC restaurant.) Rockefeller Plaza: There is an affordable food court in the basement (take the escalators down) of the NBC building. A lot of people don't know it's there. It's a great refuge in bad weather. Also in the Rock is a branch of La Maison du Chocolat. If you want to sample some of the most elite chocolate available in the U.S.A. here is your chance. It's expensive but very special. Times Square: Trattoria Trecolori 133 W. 45th Street I may as well admit it... after the first hundred visits, I no longer care for Times Square. I view it as a necessary evil to get to the TKTS Booth to score half price tickets for Broadway Shows. So it was great to be guided by chow minded NY'ers to a good, non-touristy, reasonably priced italian restaurant in the midst of the tempest. Trecolori has solid, dependable food, outstanding service and is easy on your pocketbook. NY'ers like it too so best to make a reservation. Becco 355 W.46th Street If you watch public tv you might have come across Lidia Bastianich's cooking show. Becco is one of her restaurants, located on restaurant row in the heart of the theater district. For the budget conscious, they have a good and affordable all-you-can eat 3 variety pasta special. In addition, all bottles of wine on their extensive list only cost $20. The remaining menu is not bargain priced and includes good italian food, especially an oustanding veal chop. Pass on the veal parmigiana though, this is not the place for it. When Becco gets crowded the front room is extremely noisy, when making a reservation, I would ask for a table in the back room. Grand Hyatt area: Grand Central Station - Food Court Lot of various food choices here, many well prepared. At certain times of the year some interesting product/gift vendors as well. More than once I've done a good deal of Christmas shopping here. Le Parker Meridien: Burger joint (name uncertain) in Le Parker Meridien Hotel: If you're lucky enough to stay here you'll find a hidden jewel lunch spot (follow your nose). Mostly frequented by locals and those in the know, this place has decent greasy burgers at bargain prices.

Thanks bbbb and squeegee!!! :)

Thanks, Will, sounds like everything is going to be fine... and btw, I did click through savingsbarn.

After getting the bid I went to Hyatt.com and filled out (for free) a membership in their "Gold Passport" program. It lists some perks so I figured it would be good to have. Priceline stays count towards points. This morning I called the hotel directly, confirmed my reservation, and requested a non-smoking room with 2 double beds, knowing that it is up to the hotel to choose the room at their discretion. I mentioned I had a "Gold Passport." The reservationist told me that my reservation came through for an "Executive Queen Room" which has one queen bed. She said she would note my request on the reservation and told me to make the request again at check-in. I think this is a fair policy (the Hilton told me the same thing last year). When you book through priceline for a Manhattan hotel you might get a room with one bed. For the price, I accept that stipulation... so we shall see how it goes at check-in. :) I asked if the renovations were complete. She said all guest room renovations are done, but they are still renovating the 14th floor which has meeting rooms and the ballroom. Since I don't plan on conferencing or waltzing.... not a problem. Thereuare, thanks for the Ess-a-Bagel rec. I have heard good things about it and will definitely go there. Dining out in NYC is so much fun. Can't wait!

We stayed at the Novotel once over Thanksgiving weekend because we had small children and wanted a hotel overlooking the parade route in case the weather was inclement. Turned out the weather was fine but having the hotel right on the route meant we didn't need to rush down to get a spot on the stree because we could see when it was starting to fill up... It also allowed for quick rest breaks during the parade (working shifts to hold our spots). It was also in excellent proximity to Radio City Music Hall where we had show tickets for Thanksgiving night...again... all purchased waaaay in advance. Thereuare is correct -- Thanksgiving may be the absolute busiest time in Manhattan because of the thousands of parade participants and visitors. That said, I strongly advise you to read newspaper columnist Dave Barry's article about the Hotel Penn. It came out a year or two ago and perhaps can be found on the web... after reading it you may think twice about staying there at any price.

Like a long-awaited passionate roll in the hay with a first time lover...Sometimes good things are over much too quickly... At least that's how it seems the only two times I have bid on Priceline. Both times my very first bid was accepted (In 2003 a $90 bid for the NY Hilton).... and now this.... 4* Grand Hyatt, MTE Check In: Friday, August 6, 2004 Check Out: Sunday August 8, 2004 Your Offer Price: $100.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 2 Subtotal: $200.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $36.72 Total Charges: $236.72 Never stayed here before, but from the reviews, I am fine with this hotel for the price. I understand the Hyatt is undergoing a renovation and that the old rooms are bad but the renovated rooms on the upper floors are very good. The Hyatt's in a good location for us because we are traveling by train to Grand Central Station. I thought I might call the hotel tomorrow just to touch base with them about room preferences. Even though there are no guarantees I always like to ask anyway. Any other tips and suggestions about this hotel are appreciated. Thank you Thereuare for your assistance!

I want to stay within the 4* range, and I will go up to $160 for a a fine spot. I just don't want to go $160 for the Hilton....I think I have time on my side that's why I'm researching various hotels being offered, even 3.5* because the star system does vary a little. Thanks about the tripadvisor rec...i'll use that to get reviews!

Today this popped up on Hotwire for my travel dates to NYC: 3 1/2* MC $139 Amenities: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi Speed Internet, Business. I am assuming this is the Sheraton Manhattan. Hotwire says their standard room can be one queen or two double beds... So wondering if anyone has stayed here, what are the rooms like... etc.... Thanks! Katiesmom

While doing research for my trip, I plugged your dates into Hotwire and got a 3.5* UWS for $164 a night. From the amenities listed (Restaurant, Fitness, Business) it seems to fit the description of the Hudson Hotel.

Thank you... It appears from what others are getting I may have an outside chance for a 4* between $110 and $120 which is fine with me.... I am going to wait one more day to start bidding just so I can finish my research. I will follow your strategy to the T.

I haven't booked anything yet. I would like to start with Priceline first and if that doesn't pan out I can go to plan B and pick a known entity from Hotwire. If from what we've discussed you have a PL bidding strategy for me I'd love to give it a shot. You are correct, it was a 4* MTC not MTE...which I assumed was The Sheraton. Also, I could swear Michelangelo was $179... But when I went back to Expedia I saw him at $195... Maybe he needs more money to paint the Sistene Chapel... And yes, on Hotwire I did see what appears to be the Inter-Continental Barclay for $176/night. I am assuming this is a good hotel from your reaction, so I'll keep that in mind. And you are further correct, I would like to limit my PL 4* bidding to around $100 (Give or take a few dollars). For a 5* I'm willing to bid higher. Thanks! :)

Thank you Thereuare, I read the reviews about The Michelangelo from the site you recommended and it sounds pretty nice in many aspects (has some negatives but most places do). In my first post I mentioned I saw the $179 rate on Expedia. I don't have my heart set on any specific hotel so I do feel comfortable bidding Priceline. The bed situation... we would prefer 2 doubles of course....but a king for the two of us wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.... one queen or one full would not be good at all. I understand that room selection is ultimately up to the hotel, that's why I'm not bidding lower than 4*. Hoping that weeds out places with only one queen bed, i.e. The Paramount. I just did some research on Hotwire, throwing in the dates: check-in 8/6 and check- out 8/8. They list a 4* MTE, $147/night. I can't figure out what hotel it is from your NYC Hotwire list. Amenities: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness Center, Business Center, Tennis nearby. Any ideas? (A 4* MTE Customer Favorite is listed at $139. I think it's The Sheraton and that doesn't overly excite me.) For $176/night Hotwire lists a 4.5* MTE, Restaurant, Fitness, Business, Tennis... (I'm guessing that's Inter Continental-Barclay...don't know anything about it.) I think my limit would be $160 for 4.5* - 5*, $100 for 4* if it's likely to be a Hilton/Sheraton/Marriott type place. Thanks for all your help.

I was wondering if anyone could offer some thoughts for my situation. I am coming from Connecticut and planning a trip to NYC in August for 2 nights, most likely August 6 & 7 (Friday and Saturday). There is some flexibility if those dates are not available. I am an occaisional visitor to NYC but usually just day trips. On Expedia I saw the Michelangelo Hotel listed for $179.00. There will just be 2 of us -- my daughter and I.... Does anyone know anything about this hotel? I am wondering if it is a really nice place -- if so I will check to see what other deals for it may be out there. On another thread I mentioned that The Plaza is offering a deal in July for $249 with $100 food/gift credit. I would have chosen this if it were available in August becuase Tea at the Plaza would have been a nice mom and daughter thing...but it's moot... It seems like rates have really gone up in a year for NYC hotels. I liked staying at the Hilton Towers at $90 a night last year and would do it again for that price, but if I have to pay $150 for the Hilton this year I may as well pay a little more for something more special. (My vacation time is extremely limited so I don't mind splurging a little for a couple nights' stay). Thank you for your assistance! Katiesmom

I agree the $100 credit may only buy 4 drinks...but what the heck...4 drinks at the Plaza... is kinda nice... There is something intoxicating (and I don't just mean the cocktails) about staying at a wowee place at bargain prices. Too bad I have to pass on this one. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears... I'm still finalizing the date for my trip but I think it will be Friday 8/13 and Saturday 8/14.

When I called the Hilton after my bid was accepted I was told to make the request at check in. Fair enough. I figured by checking-in early that I had a good chance of getting my request honored at a hotel with over 1,000 rooms.

I stayed at the NY Hilton on February 1, 2003. I remember the date because it was the day of the Columbia space shuttle disaster (we even watched it on the tv set in the elevator) . My sister and I both got reservations for rooms through Priceline for $90 a night plus tax. After confirmation of our winning bids I called the hotel and asked if we could reserve non-smoking rooms (one with 2 doubles and one with 1 king bed) near each other and was told we would have to make this request at check in. At check-in (huge line--waited about a half hour) was told by a staff member that there were no non-smoking rooms available and that they cleaned their rooms very well so they didn't smell like smoke. I told her in the nicest possible way that this was unacceptable and was a medical issue for us (The medical issue was that my husband would kill me if we ended up in a smoking room... but I digress). She scoured her computer and at last said she did have 2 non-smoking rooms with the bed configurations we requested. I don't recall the floor. The rooms were fine spacewise. I have stayed in much smaller rooms in NYC (The Holiday Inn in Times Square for example). Everything was fine, our view was of the building next door. Was it posh? No. But it was clean, quiet and I felt comfortable there. And the location was absolutely perfect for a Broadway bound weekend. Near Times Square but not in it. I think it's important to make it known when checking in what is and isn't acceptable to you. For us the deal breaker was the "non-smoking"....if we had to deal with separate floors for the 2 rooms so be it... So our experience was positive with Hilton via Priceline. Edited to add: I posted the same time as Theruare and totally agree about attitude. We treated the staff member as we would like to be treated, politely and with respect.

Hi all, This is my first post here, love the site so far. I am planning a trip to NYC for sometime in August (dates not definite yet), and plan on bidding via priceline...however, I noticed these deals from travelzoo.... One for the Plaza Hotel which is only good through July 4, 2004 so it wouldn't work for me.... but there is another for Swissotel The Drake which might be a possibility but at $179 a night seems a little pricey. I have stayed at the NY Hilton before (which I got from priceline and will detail in another post). So this first post is just a sharing of info.