Phaelon56

This was my girlfiend's bid and win - I can't recall whether she said 2.5* or 3*. She couldn't reach me on the phone to consult about a bidding tactic so just went ahead with a $45 bid and won on first try.

It's a moot point for now. The location in question (Latham NY) is now sold out for that weekend. I need three rooms and decided to just reserve at the nearby Microtel - I've stayed there before and it's in about the same quality league as HIE or just a notch lower. At $59.49 per room it's a good deal for that area on a weekend. Thanks for the tip - I'll try that for a future trip. Will be in Seattle in early July for several days and may try that tactic there if PL doesn't yield the right deal.

I was always skeptical of the Entertainment Book hotel deals because they're usually based on 50% off of the rack rate - usually not a bargain. Planning one night on the Albany area on June 25th and I'd like a back out ootion as we're there to attend Jazz Fest in Saratoga with outdoor seats - if rain is predicted we'll cancel. I saw mention in here of someone getting a rate of $49 or $50 at Holiday Inn Express in that same area. Sooo.... I go to the entertainment.com web site and call the number they supply for people who want the Entertainment rate at that brand of properties. I'm quoted $82 and decline. Today, a day or two later, I visit Expedia and find it for $78! What gives? Is there a different way that I should be going about this? (e.g. call the property directly adn aks for the Entertainment rate).

I ate at Sokhothai on only one occasion and although the atmosphere/ambiance was really nice, the food was only fair and the serv ice was downright incompetent. Repeated requests for more water went ignored, I had to get up and wander around to find someone to bring us the extra cutlery we'd requested etc.. It wasn't unfriendly - just totally indifferent. YMMV! I've eaten at Pam's Real Thai twice - first time was very good by NYC midtown standards and the second was hot or miss. Out of four entrees two were really good and two were mediocre. I've eaten at Royal Siam (I think that's the name) on 8th or 9th in the lower 40's or the high 30's - - it's on the east side of the astreet. Had a pretty good meal and it was nice atmopshere - small, quiet and tastefully decorated. No one has mentioned Pong Sri in the theater district - their downtown location is said to be a bit better but I've eaten at the one in theter distrcit and it was fairly good but not too spicy enough when I requested things that way.

A friend of a friend has informed me that he's bid on pricelin three separate times. always for 1* and always in Midtown South. On all three occasions he was upgraded to 2* and won the Murray Hill Suites. His winning bids ranged from $35 to $45 per night but it's sure as heck not going that cheap at this time of year. I'm still working on getting a room for June 11 - 12 and had no luck with 1* and 2* in NYC at $40-45 per night. I've even struck out with the NJ choices this far but will start rebidding in a few days.

Bidding for a friend on a budget. Started at $40 for 4* and moved up with free rebids in $5 increments to $60. His limit is $70 - $75 with all taxes and fees. Stopped at this point. Opened new screen and started bid at 3* level. Expected I might have to do one rebid (there are two free rebids in Cleveland if bidding for 3*). Got it on first try at $35 not incl taxes and fees. Will ask him to provide feedback and will post review as none is listed at present.

Okay... driving directions to follow. The self park at the Jersey City Waterfront Hyatt is safe for both you and your car. You wont' find anything cheaper or closer in the area for parking so just go ahead and park there. It's really just a short city block from the garage to the hotel. For getting to the Passenger Ship Terminal, I suggest driving up to Port Arthur in Weehawken and parking your car there for the long term parking while you're on the cruise - it's outdoors and about $10 per day but again, it is safe - have never heard of problems there - it's highly visible, well monitored and the ferry ride over to the city is quick. I think the ferry will drop you further down than the Passenger Ship Terminal but they might even have a ferry that goes there. If not, there should be a free NY Waterways shuttle bus to get you up there. To get from the Jersey City Hyatt to the Port Arthur Ferry terminal is all done on local streets, more or less just heading north parallel to the river through Hoboken and up towards the Lincoln Tunnel entrance. Shouldn't be much a of a traffic hassle in the morning as the tunnel traffic splits off towards the left just north of Hoboken but you'll stay to the right in the "through lane". Just past where you can see the tunnel entrance turn right to get on River Road and the ferry terminal is a few hundred yards down. The hotel can advise you of the best route. If you stay in the Meadowlands - Secaucus area you may find the Rte 3 / Rte 495 Lincoln Tunnel approach backed way up in the morning. The trick is to take the North Bergen exit, turn right at the end of that ramp and then follow the Union Turnpike signs. You'll cross Rtes 1 & 9and begin heading up a hill in Union City - this is the back way to reach the Weehawken ferry terminal. It's easier than it sounds and way faster than Rte 495/3 approach. I'm in Syracuse myself but lived down there until recently - PM me for my phone number and I'll explain that route to you over the phone if you need the directions. Syracuse to Newark: this is a no brainer - I've tried every possible route and after making this trip about 200 times in the past five years, can assure you that Rte 81 South to Scranton and Rt 380 South from there to Rte 80 East is the fastest route. Continue on Rte 80 about 8 miles past the Rte 280 split and take Rte 46 East (exit 52 - Clifton/Lincoln Tunnel). Follow that for five miles and stay in the right lane going up the long hill - it then splits into Rte 3 and Rte 46 - stay to the right on Rte 3. If you're going to Newark itself (downtown Newark) you could just take Rte 280 instead of Rte 3 but I prefer staying on Rte 3. About five miles after you get on Rte 3 look for the Rte 21 South - Newark signs. This is the McCarter Highway. Takes you straight to downtown, ending up behind the NJPAC space. If you're going to Jersey City straight from Syracuse you should get on Rte 280 at the split but it gets a bit trickier after that - you'll stay on rte 280 following signs for the NJ Turnpike Extension but just before 280 hits the extension, you get off and head towards Jersey City - just follow the Holland Tunnel signs.

It looks as if NYC hotel prices are rising again for the oncoming summer season. Started a bid process for 3* at $80 and bid up to $110, eventually trying all zones - no success. Started a new bid process for 2.5* and got to the point where I had only UES, UWS and lower Manhattan remaining. Finally hit with the Club Quarters at $100 - I've heard mixed reviews of this place in the past but it will have to do. Expedia showed Club Quarters at $139 for this date but elsewhere in NYC, prices are high - even the notorious Hotel Pennsylvania was $149.

A betterbidding get-together. Hmmmm.... that woudl eb cool. I coudl prpbably even be coaxed into taking another cruise with an incentive like that :)

Note to all: making progress - I found a Staybridge Suites in Columbia MD, about a 30 minute drive from Baltimore - $159 per night for 2 BR unit. She just realized that she has a bunch of Marriott points to use up and there's a Residence Inn near BWI with a 2 BR / 2bath unit for $189. If she can pay for all or most of it with points that's probably the route we'll go - thanks for the suggestions!

MY former GF's son is graduating from UM Baltimore Campus in May. She'll be up from NC for the event, I plan to attend and her sister from memphis may also arrive with spouse. Total numbers of people are uncertain but she'd like flexibility. She's asked me to help her find a suites style hotel with two bedrooms and also a sleep sofa in the living rom area. The thought is that this will provide the flxibility needed for her plans. I doubt that Hotwire is an option unless she pays for multiple rooms and I'm not inclined to suggest pricewire at all as she'd need to buy even more rooms in advance and plans could change. Any suggestions for names of chains that might have 2 BR units and best bets for lowest price booking options?

I've traveled on Amtrak many times - they wil NOT pay attention to where you get off - only where you get back on.

FWIW, I'll mention that I've stayed at Klimpton group porperties on two occasions - once at the Triton on San Francisco and once at the Vintage Park in Seattle. In both cases they were wonderful properties and I received excellent and friendly customer service. Thanks for the tip on RoomsForLess - I'll check them out when planning some fuiture travel.

I have just returned from a two night stay - March 05 and 06 of 2004 at $100 per night on a PL bid. Having seen some mildly negative reviews on TOBB, I was a bit concerned but my fears were unnjustified. The closet was a bit date and needed a fresh coat of paint and the bathroom ceiling had a spot or two of flaking paint but the room was really nice. Modern decor and a large room by NYC standards. The desk clerk was very friendly and gave me a room on the top - 38th floor facing uptown with an unobstructed view of 1st Avenue, the Manhattan Bridge, the Triborough etc. It's a bit out of the way - about a 7 to 10 minute walk to GCT but really a nice property. It is just a trifle dated but my room was certainly 3.5* quality and worth the price. I think it is a stretch to call it 4* but I'd stay here again.

I'm just back from the city and couldn't have used these due to the predetermined dining choices but will check back here for such bargains when planning my next trip to NY. We ate on Friday night at Etas-Unis, a very small place up around 2nd Avenue on 82nd Street. It was absolutely delightful. Really friendly service, very low key atmosphere with low noise levels and the food was wonderful. We shared a salad, shared an entree and had the chocolate souffle for two. The souffle is killer - better than what they serve at Danube and quite possibly the best dessert I have ever eaten. They offered to plate the split items voluntarily in a cheerful way and the portiosn were large enough that we did not leave feelign hungry, despite splitting everythign but dessert (which is shared but is a portion intended for two). Total bill with tax including two glasses of wine and a tonic water was about $83 - call it $100 with a tip. Highly recommended - it was partly the company that made it so good but this was one of the best dinners I've ever had in NYC.

Just back and it worked out great. I had to meet a friend at GCT for a dinner date at 8 PM and got to MTE area at about 7 PM. There were spaces opening up in the 40's but many had restrictions on Saturday parking and others were reserved for diplomatic plates. I dropped down to my favorite east to west cross street of 31st and headed west until a spot opened up just east of Park Ave South (across from Hotel 31). perfect - $4 w/tip for a quick ride to the hotel, showered and changed and even had time for a shoe shine before my date. No muni-meters on 31st - very easy.

Update: this offer is now only for "spend $50 and get $50 off on your birthday". I didn't register and download the coupon as my b'day is nearly a year away but it apears to specifically limit it to that day.

I'm in NYC this weekend - March 5 to 7. Staying at The UN Plaza Millenium about four blocks east of GCT. I usually park ina garage out between 10th and 11th on 43rd Street when I'm in the city overnight but on a weekend I'm hoping to find on street parking closer to the hotel. What area of midtown east has non-metered parkign? Starting at what cross street heading north and east of what avenue? I know it's a bit of a long shot but due to schedule would already be planning to cab it from the west side garage over. I dont' mind a cab ride down to the 40's if I must go further uptown to search for a space - I just want to start my prowl in the right general area. I expect to hit midtwon at about 7 or 7:30 PM so timing should be good I think.

Can't I just go skinny-dipping and tell them that the admin from TOBB said it was okay? :)

I have worked in a number of jobs over the years where I dealt with the public and prefer to give the benefit of the doubt when it's an isolated incident (which this appeared to have been). I had the Gold card in my briefcase but was just too tired to dig it out and deal with it. If he had been overtly rude I would complain and follow through but service personnel don't derserve to be hung out to dry on the basis of a small incident such as this. I guess I just need to vent and this is a better place than any. I am curious to know if others have experienced this on occasion and at what properties. The room was fine apart from one burned out light bulb. It was just the principle of the whole thing that was a bit irritating - all guests deserve equally courteous treatment regardless of their mode of dress (within reason) and the price they paid for the room.

Bid History Failed: 5* MTE at $100 add 4* drop to $80 Add MTS bump to $90 Add MTW stay at $90 Add UES bump to $95 Add UM-CPS stay at $95 Successful: Add UWS bump to $100 Awarded the Millenium UN Plaza - I hear that it's a bit out of the way but very nice - works for me. I was ready to start a new rebid process with $75 or $80 for a 3* or even wait 72 hours but this is just fine as is.

Another factor to consider is the fact that there is a real tangible cost per room associated with maintaining a hotel of any type in NYC. 1* and often 2* properties as well tend to be smaller hotels in many cases. They have lower rates to begin with and less flexibility in giving discoutns on programs like Priceline if they do choose to participate. When I visited NYC this past December and occupancy rates were very high, I totally struck out on 2.5* and higher. Out of curoisity I tried "fishing the bottom" and bidding on 1* and 2* properties. It was likely due to the busy season but even at bids as high as $80 per night I got nothing. I ended up staying at the Hotel Madison for about $65 - $70 per night including all taxes and fees. It's a clean, safe and conveneintly located property but is a cheesy old SRO hotel that has been converted to a budget class tourist hotel. No bugs, no drugs, no rodents. Just students and foreign travelers and a few older budget minded folks like myself. I would not stay there again unless I had to as it's a bit depressing but it very well secured - only hotel guests are allowed past the lobby and they have 24 hour per day security on watch.

Stayed one night here on a Priceline win earlier this week. It was a very last minute business trip - I left the office, threw a change of clothes into a canvas tote bag and drove the four hours to Jersey City. There was a very small crowd at the lobby bar and the parkign garage was close to empty - both indications that the occupancy rate was probably low. The desk clerk gave me a quick up and down visual inspection and a sour look as I approached the counter with my very casual clothes (which I had been in since 6:30 AM and it was now 11 PM) and my worn out canvas tote (not to mention my overstuffed computer bag that had some extra hardware in it for my client). I was immediately informed that "the ONLY room we have available has two double beds". I was in no mood to negotiate or call that dubious statement into question but not only was I assigned a room with two doubles rather than a king (I'm 6' 2" tall and can obviously benefit from the extra length).... he gave me Room 666. I couldn't give a hoot about the religious implications of that number as I'm not overly religious nor am I superstitious but it seemed intentional. Sure enough.... when I arose early the next morning and walked down the hall, there were only a half dozen or so rooms that had newspapers on the floor outside the door - a sure sign that most of the remaining rooms were empty and had been so all night. I should probably complain but it hardly seems worth the effort. I can state that of all my Priceline stays (likely close to 50 nights at this point).... this is the only time I've ever had such an experience.

Last minute bid for an overnight business trip and there was no time to play around with strategies. First bid was $50 and got the Exchange Place Hyatt (the one on Christopher Columbus Drive). Total was $63 and change with taxes and fees. I received rather shabby treatment from the desk but I'll post the details of that encounter in the review section or elsewhere.

As usual... most of the best cool and free stuff is right here on BB. This tool really makes it soooooo much easier to research - thank you!