BGarcia

Was wanting to plan a small trip in NYC or Philly, but couldn't budge for anything that was affordable... I've been to DC a few times in the past 2 years. Happy with what I got, I enjoy Hyatt's :).

You can use the subway to get around quite easily, I believe you can get a day pass for $8. Taxi's are quite cheap too, I found they are a bit hard to find if you aren't in a busy area.

Amenities: Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Spa Though, I do think the name changed to Capital Hilton. I couldn't find a "Hilton Capital Hill" on Google..

Originally had the Hyatt Grand Washington at $99 a night but waited to long and the total price was $500. SO, I used Hotwire and found the Hilton Capital (using the info here) for $88. It got good reviews and it seemed it was recently updated. Total price for 3 nights $313.00. More money to spend on parking and dining :). This will be my weekend gateway for my girlfriend's birthday.

As summer approaches, where would you recommend to travel for cheap? I would want to stay away from places like Arizona, or Florida where the temperatures could get extreme (save those places for winter). What places are considered off season in the summer? I was looking at Colorado Springs and looked quite lovely to visit. I am not really looking for a city type vacation but more adventurous / scenic. Share places you like to visit during the summer :).

A little off topic but I saw the Biltmore last year and it was a pretty cool experience. Asheville is very lovely if you go downtown you can go to all the little shops that they have and the art museum.

Lombardi's in Little Italy was decent to pretty good though it is a place to go and tell people you ate there because its suppose to be the first pizza place. Ruby Foo's in Timesquare was also good. Suggestion though is to google map your hotel then search places near it and look at the reviews. Some places are over hyped and you may find a hidden gem.

I didn't do the name your own price bidding, because I want to make sure I knew what hotel I was going to get. But I will share my deal regardless. May 10 - May 16th at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. Total price was $685 per person it included round trip from Newark International to Orlando International. It was well worth the money, I will try and use the bidding to score this resort for less. One of the workers there was telling me how people who stayed for $65 a night here... If I could get it that cheap I would come every 6 months. Beautiful resort, and beautiful weather. Check out my hotel review on the hotel :).

Stayed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. I stayed 6 days at this resort and must say it is pretty top notch. Being used to New York hotels I am shocked when I see all the staff from the bell service to securities guards being friendly. The in room dining is very good I must say. If you ask for something special like extra hot sauce they will bring you that extra hot sauce. The pool is gorgeous, and I loved the water slide as well. The free shuttles are pretty decent but we found going to universal from 9am to 6PM was just a bit too long for us, took a taxi home instead. Tips: We ordered take out to be delivered from a local establishment. They wouldn't let the people in to the resort. We had to take a shuttle to the front gate, by then my phone was exploding with calls from the delivery man. Don't take the town car they provide, it will cost you an arm and a leg. I called the yellow cab company and scheduled a pick up. Also, beware when they take you to universal it should be around $22 but the drivers take you the long way which ends up being $36...

It is a nice hotel, stayed there for 2 nights! Best thing is you are a few blocks away from Grand Central Station and right near 5th ave. Found the location to be wonderful.

What are your favorite places to eat in NYC? I am always looking for new places to try. I would recommend: John's Pizza Virgil BBQ - Very good BBQ Havana Central - Loved this place, went to the one in Union Square. I also ate at Carmines, and wasn't too impressed. It seemed like a very popular place though.

Very awesome, will have to give that a try :)

Don't remember the bidding, since I won it on the 12th of Dec. The Warwick Hotel in Midtown West won at $145/night. Staying for one night (Jan 29th-Jan 30th). Very good location it seems.

Got the Kitano hotel on 38th St. & Park Ave in the Empire State Building area. Was an unintentional win. Turned out to be a good thing. Took the girlfriend along with me. First bid: $80 declined Second bid: $190 won Just got back from this today. Stayed from 1/3-1/5. Overall was a good experience. Check out my hotel review for more info.

Stayed at The Kitano which is in the Empire State Building area. I would recommend it. Things I like: -Service was pretty good. Doorman held our bags for us since we were early for check-in. Room service was prompt when we needed some sugar and lemons for our tea. Also, housekeeping was prompt when we needed an iron delivered to our room. -Bathroom was pretty big, had marble tiles, and towel warmers. -Close to Grand Central Station (only a few blocks). This helped us take the 42nd Street Time Square Shuttle. -Very quiet rooms. -Big soft beds & pillows -NY Times at door -Complimentary robe, slippers, umbrella, etc What I didn't like: -Room was tiny -No mini-fridge -No iron, had to call in for one -Had Fiji water but was charging $5 to drink it. -Only had basic cable TV We take the ferry from Hoboken 14th street, then take a taxi from pier 9 to the hotel only cost about $8-9 . Overall good experience, nothing fancy, but we were out most of the day so it met our needs.

It was an accidental win, for $190 at the Kitano :) . Also, have the Warwick at the end of January for a night for $145. Will post info on that one tho.

I know this is very popular in Vegas, but I am giving it a go in NYC.

Then you are out $20, but if they know how it works, then most will return the $20. There are a few occasions where the $20 was taken, but under rare circumstances.

Just curious to see if this has worked for anyone? I am willing to give it a go when I go on my trip January 3rd.

Thanks, I am very pleased. I may give it as a Christmas gift and let the person I gave the gift think I spent $200 a night on this :).

Got on my 3rd offer. Looks like a pretty nice hotel. First bid was for $65... rejected Second bid was $75... reject Third was $80... accepted.