djkbooks

Note that Trump has a mandatory $15/day "resort" fee not included in the PRICELINE or HOTWIRE rates. Also, it's a 5-10 minute walk from the Strip along a busy road with no sidewalks, though you can cut through the mall across the street when it's open. Wynn does not allow strollers. You can check in with one, but cannot use it throughout the property.

I agree that the location is a bit inconvenient. You can go down the strip or to Downtown on the Deuce economically enough, but Deuce service can be very slow (due to the traffic) and sporadic (often more than 30 minutes between buses). And, it's quite a way around to cross Las Vegas boulevard to/from stops on the other side. Taxi fares would really add up. We had a dinner reservation there for Top of the World, which we ended up cancelling because of the "distant" location from mid-strip. We had been there a few days prior, following a visit to Sahara, and the next Deuce was about 45 minutes and very crowded (with a long, long line waiting to board by that time) and it was a very slow ride back to mid-strip, with waits at traffic signals through many cycles.

(I did remember to use the link. And, thank you for the edit.) It definitely will be interesting to see what happens, especially when the new W opens. We very much enjoyed many stays at the Hyatt, and, as mentioned, it was my "hope for" hotel when I bid. But, I'm thrilled to have booked the Westin. From there, you can take the NJ Path to either 33rd Street or World Trade Center, as opposed to only the latter from Hyatt (unless you backtrack and transfer). (Even so, from our room at the Hyatt, we arrived at our midtown theatre via WTC in only 45 minutes.) There also seems to be a better selection of dining near the Westin, along with the food court at the close by shopping mall. While we had a magnificent (if pricey) dinner at the Hyatt, breakfast was positively exhorbitant, even coffee. I would agree that you probably can't go wrong with any of these places. I used to be one of those who urged visitors to pay the extra and stay in Manhattan, both for the convenience of waking up in the city and no "long trip home late at night". But, transporation is so convenient from the Jersey City hotels, along with the NJ Transit HBLR that runs along the river, that we really enjoy staying there - especially for the peace and quiet, and those views of the skyline!

I bid $90 for a 3.5* in Jersey City (hoping for the Hyatt, the only 3.5* reported in this area). HOTWIRE listed what appeared to be either the Hyatt or Westin for $112. So, I was quite amazed when that bid was accepted immediately with "Congratulations, we've upgraded your hotel quality to 4-star hotel". Lowest rate at Westin website is $196, and Trip Advisor reviews are raves, so I'm thrilled.

I didn't even think to try "refresh". Next time, I'll know. Thank you!

You have to click on "Continue" to see the TripAdvisor ratings. Although, I have noticed that sometimes they appear and sometimes they do not. (It's probably nothing to do with cookies, as I've never cleared mine and have seen the TripAdvisor ratings appear on subsequent searches.) On 2/24, for April 10-14, I saw a 5* Central Strip for $114 (Casino, Restaurant(s), Tennis Nearby, Fitness, Business Center, Spa Services, Pool(s), Golf Nearby - though perhaps not in that order - I've listed them from columns on my confirmation). When I clicked on "Continue" the TripAdvisor rating did appear: 4.0/5.0 with 1580+ reviews, which I presumed to be the Wynn. I booked it and it was, indeed, the Wynn. There may be no significance, but when I used the link here, the TA rating did not appear on the next page, but when I fired up a new IE Tab and went to Hotwire.com, the TA rating did appear, so (sorry) I booked from that screen.

We stayed at the Hilton Paris last September with HOTWIRE. You will definitely get a room adequate for two people. Our room was enormous with a King bed and had a large balcony overlooking a beautiful garden with what looked like apartment buildings on both sides (all with lush plants on the balconies). Service was very friendly and efficient throughout our stay. We were very pleased with the Hilton.

I totally agree with the above advice to call the Royalton. Some hotels are more flexible with Priceline bookings than others. But, you should try. Ask for the front desk manager. You may be able to get a room with two beds, or upgrade to a room that will accomodate all of you more economically than booking another hotel conventionally. However, whenever a hotel says you have to call Priceline, they are just brushing you off, as Priceline guarantees a room for only two people and states specifically that any special requests (such as two beds) must be requested directly from the hotel. Even when hotels have rooms with two beds, they are not obligated to accomodate you with a Priceline reservation. If that is, indeed, the Royalton on Hotwire, your rate would average $272 per room per night, which is probably more economical that you could do otherwise, and a lot safer that rebidding for another room with Priceline that may be more than a block or two away, as the Midtown West zone is oddly shaped. Or, you could try just the Times Square/Theater District zone. If you want to check rates, the Algonquin, Club Quarters, Iroqois, Sofitel are all in the same block, and the Roosevelt is right around the corner. I think it's better to start new bids in a different zone, than to keep adding zones as you increase your bid. For one thing, it's easier to cross reference pinned hotel lists as you're bidding. And, you can start a new bid with a different area for the same amount. Note also that Quikbook has rooms for two (one bed) at the Royalton for $348 8/7 and $280 8/9, within a few dollars of Hotwire, but you'd know the hotel for certain. As for the night of 8/6, you might definitely want to use Hotwire and book a room for four. Philadelphia is a good place to spend the night. I've often booked the Hyatt Regency (which is very nice) with Hotwire or Priceline. And, the Comfort Inn gets good reviews and has reasonable rates. Recently, we've stayed at the Hyatt Jersey City several times with Priceline. Also a very nice hotel, with spectacular views of the skyline from a very large waterside terrace. We've come to enjoy staying there more than in the city. The Path station is right across from the hotel entrance. It's a four minute ride to the WTC station, where all the subway lines are within a block or two. The restaurant within is very expensive, but there are economical alternatives (including a nice food court) nearby. Another place we really enjoy is the Holiday Inn Fort Lee. Very nice. Excellent (low prices) restaurant within. The breakfast buffet (under $10) is fantastic. And, it really is only a 20 minute drive into Midtown. Lastly, the Travel Inn on 42nd Street has rooms with two beds. Rate for 8/6 is $300, but free parking is included.

I totally agree that using Priceline for three adults and a child is very risky. Some hotels will tell you they "cannot touch that reservation". Others will do their best to accomodate you (Hyatt, for one) but only if that type of room is available on check-in. I once observed a family camped out at the check-in desk at the Hilton New York who were refused check-in (too many people for room available) and were trying to hold their ground. Something must definitely be going on 7/20. I was able to book the Hyatt Jersey city for 7/17 (overnight parking is $32 there), but have gone up to $140 (the highest reported accepted bid for that hotel in recent history) for 7/20 without success bidding that area and using Elizabeth for free re-bid, and it doesn't appear to be available on HOTWIRE. My recommendation would be to book something ASAP that you can cancel and keep watching HOTWIRE (where you can book a room for three adults plus one child). When rates are high, our preferred hotel is the Holiday Inn GW Bridge in Fort Lee. It's a very nice property with excellent rooms, free parking, and a nice dining room with very good food at very low prices (especially the breakfast buffet for under $10). It truly is a 20 minute drive to/from Midtown (though an $8 toll for the GW Bridge each round trip). I check www.iconparking.com for the most convenient parking at the most economical price near our Manhattan destination(s) for the day. For me, it's more convenient to drive into the city than take a chance on a hotel with awkward public transportation. You really have to pay attention to ferry and Path schedules/routes/parking, which vary depending on day of week and time of day. And, some Path/ferry lots fill early in the day on weekdays with commuters, so you have to find another. You might also want to check hotel reviews for potential HOTWIRE/PRICELINE hotels. You may find some/many unacceptable for one reason or another.

I can't help with the hotel, but can verify that Fort Lee is definitely not a convenient location for getting to/from Manhattan by public transportation. You can take a bus to the subway station in Washington Heights (an area not recommended after dark) and return that way. But, depending on which side of the highway the hotel is located, you must take a taxi (expensive, $25 I think, involves crossing GW Bridge) to the station in one direction or the other because it is absolutely impossible to cross the highway to/from the bus stop on the other side. That said, we often stay at the Holiday Inn Fort Lee (an excellent place with free parking), but we drive. It is truly only about 20 minutes to/from Midtown driving. Even leaving from the Theater District one day at rush hour took only a bit longer. I always find a parking garage with www.iconparking.com for the most reasonable rate close to our planned activities in Manhattan. Again, the GW Bridge toll ($8) is involved. Believe me, we hear a lot of grumbling in the dining room at breakfast from people going into the city and back with public transportation. Worst is trying to find a taxi from the subway station late at night, even with taxi company numbers to phone.

Sorry, one night only 7/17-7/18/08. I've booked the Holiday Inn Fort Lee ($135 Senior rate, up from $103 some months ago, when I should have booked) for 7/20, but will keep watching HOTWIRE and bidding on PRICELINE. We're not planning to go into the city - just breaking up a trip home from Maryland (high school reunion). This place is just fine and has an excellent dining room with very good food and very low prices, and parking is free. We really enjoyed the Hyatt Regency on the Hudson last Sunday! Views were amazing, especially from the outdoor terrace on the water. And, we had a very nice dinner in the dining room (and not too pricey for the quality of the food). So, I'll keep trying...

(Remembered to use the PRICELINE link!) First bid of $90 was accepted, so may have bid too high. Extra night (day prior) was rejected, even though text indicated same rate would be available (not "may"). I have e-mailed Priceline about this. Tried also for Sunday, 7/20/08. Started at $90, raised to $100 and added Elizabeth, raised to $110 and added Short Hills-Summit. Looks like date is available on Hotwire for $226 (down from $336 a few hours earlier). Lowest rate on hotel website is $359. Will keep trying. Since there is actually only one free re-bid zone, how high do you think it will be necessary to go to be successful? (Lowest rate on hotel website for 7/17 was $299.)

Thank you so much for this tip! We just returned from a stay, and wish I had known that this morning - as breakfast prices in the dining room were "you must be kidding"!

So sorry, forgot to use the PRICELINE link...will remember next time (it was very late!). No excuse, but thought it better to post than not. Bid $75 for 3* Jersey City, rejected. Bid $85 and added only free re-bid zone Elizabeth, rejected. Thought about it a while and re-checked pinned hotel list. Then, checked rates/reviews for Grand Summit in Short Hills/Grand Summit and figured probably wouldn't get and okay if did (despite TA reviews). So, bid $100 and added that zone. Bid accepted for Hyatt Regency. May have been successful somewhere between $85 and $100, but didn't want to stay up that late again tonight and start another bid, and we're leaving Sunday. (No counter offers during bidding process.) Note: A few days ago, when I set out to bid, the "Name your own price" page had a statement near the top "Not all star levels available in all areas", or something like that. And, after selecting an area, the list of star ratings did not change (for areas I know should have), nor did it change when de-selecting an area and re-selecting another. So, I did not continue or bid. I thought Priceline had changed...but last night, everything worked as before.

So sorry I forgot to use the HOTWIRE link...will remember next time. (I figured it was better to post than not.) I watched the rate fluctuate (this is the only 4* reported in this area) for several weeks and grabbed it yesterday 6/10. Today, it's back up there at $159. Fitness, Pool, Restaurant, Business, Hi-Speed Internet (in that order) We stayed here previously with Hotwire and were given a King Corner room. We were very pleased throughout our stay. Service was a bit odd in the dining room (probably because of so few diners on a Saturday night). But, the food was excellent (if pricey). We opted to dine at the hotel because we just didn't have a better idea worth venturing out for, as we were tired and it was bitter cold out. Concierge was fantastic. The entire staff was the friendliest and most helpful we've experienced anywhere in a long time.

Hotel features: Complimentary Breakfast, Fitness Center, Business Center, Laundry Facilities, High-speed Internet Access Total with taxes/fees $54.41 Note: Parking additional $13/day NOT to be confused with Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Downtown (in same Hotwire area, but over by the airport) also a 2-1/2* with same features plus pool (free parking). I narrowed this down by shopping the packages and matching up the amenity icons. I was actually booked at the very same property for $75 AAA rate through their website. I remembered to use the HOTWIRE link here.

Sorry...I can never remember what goes on the second line... $58...2/10/08-2/11/08 Can you fix this please?

Initial bid $45. Notice on next page that bid was unlikely to be accepted unless I raised to $120. Bid was rejected with counter-offer of $58. Four free re-bid zones, but it was late, and I was pretty sure of Holiday Inn (with rates on their website at $109) or maybe Best Western Cristata ($120), and I was just trying to do better than the Microtel for $77 (beds are not that comfortable), and wanted to be done with it. (I know, I know...) But, I'm thrilled. (Also, offer to add additional nights for same price on acceptance page.) Hotel is 5.2 miles from Mohegan Sun with complimentary shuttle. Note: Reviews on TripAdvisor advise that shuttle must be reserved in advance, or it may be "booked for the entire evening". Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $58.00 Subtotal: $58.00 Taxes & Service Fees: $14.81 Total Charges*: $72.81

Total $566.87 Fitness, Pool, Restaurant, Business Center, Hi-Speed Internet, Spa - Best Value I was thrilled to find this. I've been looking off and on for months, hoping to spend a few days in DC on a trip for my niece's wedding rather than commute from College Park or Greenbelt. Rate at Omni website (and others) for same dates was $439! Rate was curiously unbelievable compared to the other Hotwire offerings with fewer stars. Hotel is newly renovated and receives very favorable reviews on TripAdvisor, especially since the renovations were completed.

The boundaries of the "new" Times Square area are very clear on the Priceline map - any hotel on/between 6th and 8th Avenues and also on/between 42nd and 50th Streets. So, the Marriott Marquis and Millennium would definitely be within the Times Square area.

We stayed at the Beekman Tower for two nights in October (with HOTWIRE) and loved it! Service was friendly and efficient throughout. We were given room 22D, which is a corner room on the highest floor with a (large) balcony (so nothing above us). We had a beautiful 180 degree view of the river, the 59th St Bridge, Midtown...Room was beautiful, nicely appointed, and housekeeping was meticulous. We appreciated having a kitchen and a dining table. There are many places nearby that deliver and/or have very good take-away food. Our favorite was Elite Food Bar (325 East 48th, between 1st and 2nd) for the amazing wraps, salads, desserts (and low prices). There's a small cocktail lounge (with views!) on the top floor of the hotel with a wonderful piano player. (We did not dine in the restaurant, but have previously and it's just fine.) As for the location, it's a bit of a hike (.4 mile) to the nearest subway station at 51st/Lexington, but we prefer the buses and the #50 (goes west on 49th, east on 50th) was convenient for getting to Midtown for our theater tickets. A taxi back from 42nd/9th was about $7 one night. Travelzoo has special rates for the Beekman for some January/February dates if you book by December 10th. With a one-bedroom suite, you receive a $25 credit toward incidentals or the restaurant (wonder if this includes cocktails?).

<<Can you please add the amenities shown before your purchase... >> Sorry... Customer Favorite, Fitness, Pool, Restaurant, Business Center, Hi-Speed Internet Access

Thanks to thereuare and all who participate! I was able to "identify" this hotel and am thrilled with the rate (having shopped diligently). Parking is an additional $25, but still excellent overall for Philadelphia that date.

After checking Priceline's rates, star ratings, areas, etc., for our dates, there were rooms offered at three 3* properties, lowest being the Sheraton for $169. Started at $85 (50%) and immediately received a counteroffer for $103. I accepted that, even though I had two free rebid zones available, because I was weary of shopping rates and reading reviews and very happy with that rate. I want to thank thereuare and everyone who participates in this forum!

"Customer Favorite" Fitness, Pool, Restaurant, Business, Hi-Speed Internet, Tennis Nearby Booked this room on 6/26/07. Total $122.94 with taxes, charges, fees. Lowest rate at Hyatt Regency Cambridge website was $159 ($179 with taxes). Curiously, $159 rate was available with prepayment (room only) or with breakfast included (prepayment not required). Note that there is a fee for overnight parking ($30 self-park, $32 valet). Garage is adjacent to hotel. Over my years of experience with Hotwire, this probably should be rated a 4*. We were given a room (spacious with two queen beds) on the 12th floor with a river view and sliding glass doors to a huge terrace (awesome for evening cocktails and morning coffee) with nice patio furniture. Our room was not on the riverside with the view to the Boston skyline, but a beautiful view. Tons of plush pillows, snow white linens (thick, large towels, too), meticulous housekeeping (spotless bathroom). Decor was fine (if a bit drab). Superb climate control (though the weather was so pleasant during our visit we turned off the air conditioning and opened the door). Service throughout the hotel was friendly and efficient. Nice bar (Zephyr) overlooking the river. (Didn't notice breakfast prices.) Excellent gift shop within (large selection of magazines, paperbacks, sundries, also snacks, beverages, souvenirs.) Pepsi (rather than Coca Cola). There is a bus stop near the hotel entrance, but the nearest subway station is .6 mile walking (1.5 miles to Harvard Square). The hotel does offer shuttle service to various Cambridge locations, 7:00am-6:30pm weekdays 9:00am-6:30pm on the weekends. Website recommends arranging in advance with Concierge. (We drove, and did not use the shuttle service.) If you plan to visit/dine in Boston, best to use the MBTA to get as close as you can to the hotel evenings and taxi the rest of the way. No restaurants, convenience stores, Starbucks, etc., within walking distance. For those familiar with the property, note that the Spinnaker (revolving room at the top) restaurant/lounge is no longer open, and the restaurant on the floor below that is now use only for functions.