rhennosy

I have never been, so I guess downtown since I want to be able to walk popular tourist destinations. Any zone that would allow this is ok.

My wife and I are making our first trip to DC. We would like to park the car and walk or taxi/tour bus. I would like to stay in 3* or better for under $100 a night. Lower Valet fees would be nice since we are parking. Trip is June 30, July 1 and July 2. Three nights. Thanks in advance.

We just got back from the Affinia in Manhattan. The hotel is right across the street from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. We were able to take the subway from JFK pretty much right to the hotel. $14 instead of $45 cab fare. The hotel was great for the price. The room was clean and spacious. We had a kitchen too, even though we didn't really need one. I think all the rooms have kitchens. The bed was King size and very comfortable. Everyone who works there says "enjoy the beds". I guess they are new. They are pet friendly. They charge for internet. We did not get a view. Our window faced another window with a roof below. I recommend this hotel to anyone who wants to be within walking distance to Times Square, Madison Square Garden and the theatres. 15 min walk. I think $130 a night was a great deal. I would stay here again.

Thanks for the help. I got Affinia Manhattan on 7th for $130 per night 3/3 3/4. I followed your plan and picked up at the $125 price and all zones were declined. I was declined again at $130 for Central Park and MTE, then accepted at MTS. We are looking forward to the trip. Great price from Jet Blue ($100 roundtrip each) from Columbus to JFK puts our total travel and hotel expenses at $515 for the weekend. Rich

Yes I did. I followed the strategy.

MTE would be fine, however, I prefer to pay less and get a 3*. Should I just re-use the previous strategy and substitute MTE for one of the others? Thanks, Rich

I looked at the Afina 50 thru Quickbook. It is coming in at $189 per nite. That is a little more than I want to spend. I think $150 + tax is my max. I don't have a problem with the zone though. Thanks, Rich

Jersey City is tempting, but it is my wife's first visit to NYC and I think it will be worth it to put her in the city. Maybe for future visits I will look into Jersey. I am thinking about booking Hotel 373 on 5th avenue as a backup. It is across from the Empire State Building. Travelocity has it for $147 a night. It is recently refurbished and is listed as 3*. In the photos it looks comparable to the W on Lexington, but I think that one is 4*, so maybe not. I guess that would put my new limit at $150 per night. Do you have a revised strategy? Thanks, I love the site and tell everyone I know about it. Rich

This is a very neat system you have for getting hotel rooms. It takes a few minutes to learn and some patience, but I think it can pay off. I bid up to $125 with no luck. I will have to think about my limit. I wonder if there is some big event in town driving up the price or maybe my expectations are out of line. Thanks for your help.

Lets rate all 3 zones as equals and try to find the lowest price in those three zones. I would like a 3* if possible. Sorry for the confusion.

Yes, the least expensive in the Central Park area, then MTE, etc.

I have read some other posts and actually think the Central Park area would be my first choice. Then MTE, MTW, MTS. I stayed at the St. Moritz about 15 years ago and liked that area too. Thanks, Rich

125 as a bid amount.

I updated Ft. Lauderdale post today. Thanks

You were right. It was safer to go outside of Priceline because of my criteria. I ended up at the Holiday Inn on the Beach. The hotel was a little dingy, but it was fine for what we wanted. $185 per night.

Can you advise me on bidding for NYC March 3 and 4. I would like to spend $100-$125 per night. Can I expect a 3* for that? What strategy do you suggest. Thanks, this is a great board.

I want to stay in Midtown West zone March 3-5. What hotels can I expect to get for $100 a night bid. Am I looking at 2* or can I possibly get a 3*? thanks, Rich

I am looking for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale area, beachfront, pool and a restaurant. Ideally we will be able to walk from the pool to the beach and back again. I want to rent a beach chair with an umbrella and lay there all day sipping an alcoholic beverage. I would like to pay no more than $125 a night including all taxes and resort fees. What is a good strategy and what hotels might I get using this strategy? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks, Rich

I also stayed at this hotel (12/3/06). It would have been great, however it is under construction and this presents one problem. When someone takes a shower on your floor, the pipes vibrate causing a sound like a city bus is trying to stop within 6" of your ear. It is loud and makes sleeping difficult early in the morning. They really should stay closed until the renovation is complete. They really couldn't have cared less that the situation is going on. I got the room for $35 + tax = $50 via Priceline, so I don't know how much I can complain.

I ended up bidding $65 for 3* in Flagstaff(3/25-3/27). bid was accepted right off and I got the Radisson Woodlands Hotel. I will take it. Seems like a lot of rooms are booked in this area. They show $94 a night on their website. I will include review when I get back. Thanks for the help.

OK, I went priceline crazy. I kept bidding until I ended up with a resort in Scottsdale. I am at the Scottsdale Conference Resort for $130. I bid in $10 increments from $100 until I got it, kept adding zones without resorts. It is more than I wanted to spend, but I think a lot of hotels are booked for this week since it is spring break, Easter, sunny, etc. I will post a review of the hotel when I get back since I haven't seen one here. Now I need to book my two days in Sedona. I am going to start at $75, resort (march 25,26). I hope to stay under $100. I don't see any 3 stars in this zone, or I would bid on that. I will let you know how it goes. I love this better bidding. It has been so helpful.

2 nites, March 23 and 24 I bid 65 for Tempe, Resort only; Rejected 70 for Tempe, Scottsdale, Resort only; Rejected 75 for Tempe, Scottsdale, downtown, Resort only; Rejected 80 for Tempe, Scottsdale, downtown, metrocenter,Resort only; Rejected 85 for Tempe, Scottsdale, downtown, metrocenter, carefree, Resort only; Rejected That is about as much as I wanted to spend with tax and fees added to it. I have also stayed at Resort suites and liked the pool there. Any suggestions on how I can get a hotel with a nice pool for these two nites? Wyndham Buttes in Tempe would be ideal, but I can't seem to get in their price range. Would a 3* hotel have a nice pool like Wyndham or Resort Suites. I don't really care where I stay, as long as the pool is nice and the room is clean. On-site restaurant would be good too. Thanks in advance.

I ended up going with Hotwire at $99. It was for the Sheraton at Biscayne Bay. Other pricing I had seen for hotels in the area were in the $140 range, so I was happy with this. Restaurant, Pool, Golf, Tennis Rich

I got anxious on the Miami trip and booked the Sheraton on Hotire at $99. That was my budget, so I am ok with that. I am going to Phoenix on March 23, returning on March 27. I would like to stay at the Wyndham Butte Resort (stayed there before and liked it) on Wed and Thursday, then stay at Sedona on Friday and Saturday. Any suggestions? My main aim is to get some sunshine and relax by the pool. Maybe hike around a little. Thanks, rich

I am planning a trip to Sedona to lounge by the pool and I would like a hotel with an outdoor poolside bar. Any suggestions? Strategy for winning a hotel like this?