vbarks

Was watching the activity for this late March week as it is spring break for many colleges (my daughter's included) and wondering if we could do something in Midtown for less than our current cancellable backup (the Belvedere for $165/night). We see several plays while in town so were focusing on MTW but also like MTE due to proximity to shopping and trips downtown. ID'd 4* on Hotwire which appeared to be Grand Hyatt for $187/night. Also saw that Intercontinental Barclay had been coming up but I liked the Hyatt's location next to Grand Central because we'll be coming in on the bus from Newark. I bid like this - MTW 4* 120, rejected UWS 4* 130, rejected UEW 4* 140, rejected MTE 4* 150, accepted at the Grand Hyatt. Total for 3 nights is $533.91. Total at Belvedere would have been $577. We really love the Belvedere so would have been happy with it, but wanted to try for a 4*. Whether this was the correct method, I don't know, but I am happy with the result. Rate on their website for internet specials - lowest $329, so I am quite pleased.

Thought of purchasing AND thought others should know of deal. Since there are possibly others traveling with us, I'll be probably holding off on it myself. However, I guess I thought if someone chimed in that it was too good to pass up, I'd reconsider that! :) Our dates would be March 28-31 of 06, still a long way out there. Guess I posted mostly because I wondered if there was any recent feedback on the hotel itself. The amenities were as described on earlier posts of the Sheraton Manhattan, to a T.

Pretty sure I've ID'd this Hotwire hotel correctly - it comes up at $98/night (yes, that's what I said) for March 06 stay. Reviews on tripadvisor and TOBB are mixed but generally favorable. Cannot find any reviews here but there are various posts inquiring about it, nothing recent though. Usually stay at the Belvedere on W. 8th and love the place but their rate for same dates is $165/night. Any recent stays at the Sheraton Manhattan that anybody can tell me about? Thanks. PS to thereuare - still can't get the map feature to work and have monkeyed with settings, etc. May try to reach you "live" as suggested when I get a chance. Thanks!

This is all I get when I try to open the maps link: This Page Is Not Endorsed nor Authorized by Google in any way, but acts an extension of their own Google Maps service. Any information not copyrighted or licensed by Google is copyrighted by BetterBidding.com. All information contained herein is believed accurate, but not guaranteed, and no warrantees are granted, either explicit or implied. Users should double check all information and are responsible for their own actions and use. We Can Be Contacted thru the 'Email Administrator' link at BetterBidding. It works this way both with my Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox (which is my preferred browser).

Good Monday morning to you. Here's a question that tripped me up - I'm doing the bidding for friends for these 7 rooms - in whose name should I put all these rooms? Mine? Which would mean I would have to be with everyone at check-in time, am I right? (Which I don't think is a problem). Or should I put a room in each couple's name? Thanks!

Okay, followed the strategy exactly as written ... but no luck. :) I know it's very early out yet so am not at all concerned, will keep trying. I may book a few more cancellable rooms though, but perhaps at the Comfort Inn as friends have a smaller budget than the Embassy where my other 2 rooms are booked. Thanks for your help - since there is so much availability (at least showing per the websites), should I re-check the numbers each time I rebid and run them by you, or use the same numbers for awhile? Thanks.

Thank you so much for the detailed strategy. As soon as I get a chance to read it carefully and be sure of my rebids, I will give it a try and then let you know how it turned out.

Well, since it's not entirely my money, I'd prefer to keep the bidding closer to $60 rather than $100 if given the choice, but if you think that period of time is going to be tough to begin with, I'm open to all suggestions. And yes, I know (and have told my friends) that there is a CHANCE that two separate bids could have us in two different hotels and they are fine with that. Thanks for your help!

sorry! Left that detail out - January 13, 2006.

Thanks. Well, in checking the hotels showing up in the DT and Beach areas of Fort Lauderdale with Priceline, there appears to be plenty of availability. The only hotel showing no availability is the 3* Marriott Marina downtown. This is Martin Luther King weekend (did I already tell you that?) so I'm concerned about eventual availability. I know the Embassy Suites is sitting at $220 for our dates but I read that it wasn't participating in PL because the cruise companies were using it as their pre and post-cruise option. The 4* Renaissance downtown is coming in at $249. All the 3 star hotels in the Beach category are ranging between $199 (Radisson Bahia) and $299 (Doubletree Galleria). The 4 star Hyatt Pier 66 is available at $235. The only Resort - the Marriott Harbor - comes in at $429. So ... we don't care if we are downtown or at the beach - doubt we'd get rooms with the Resort at $400/night, but would like to try for 3 and 4 star at the beach, and the same downtown (although it doesn't seem there would be availability if one is sold out and the other is used by the cruise companies). I think it would be fun for my group to stay at least a 3* level so didn't check the Amerisuites at this time. Would love your advice. I don't mind bidding this far ahead and understand that inventory may or may not change much this far out. I wouldn't necessarily bid every 72 hours in that case. We currently have two cancellable rooms held at the Embassy Suites for $259/night with all taxes, fees, etc. At that rate, we'd probably have two, or even three couples, share a room (there are three beds in their rooms, but sharing a bathroom with 6 might be a drag). Of course, we'd all prefer our own rooms. My budget isn't an issue, but the others who are traveling with us may feel different - I would think if they could get something around $100/night, they'd be very happy. What do you think?

I am pretty comfortable bidding for hotels with Priceline (and have also successfully used Hotwire). My question is this: is it entirely too early to be attempting to bid in Fort Lauderdale for a January holiday weekend? (Martin Luther King holiday). We need 4-7 rooms one night pre-cruise, a Friday night. Please advise if you think it is simply too early. We have three rooms (balance of our group hasn't committed to their travel dates yet) reserved at the Embassy Suites but of course the price is quite high and we think we can do better with Priceline or Hotwire. What do you think? Great board, by the way.