Shoob

My work life is not making it easy for me to respond or go through the process as I used to do! Really, we wouldn't mind taking the subway in as a commuter if that's the best option. More important is the relative safety of the area. I don't know NYC and it associated city nuances. As a native Chicagoan, I know (for instance) I'm not going to get a hotel or AirBnB near Englewood -- I don't know the same about NYC. 150 bucks per night is simply for the room rate only. I have some wiggle room... but minimal overall. 3-star tends to give you decent options I have found in my experience... 2.5* always seems to give you varied places.

Hey guys! It has been a long time since I've gotten on here. We haven't been on a proper trip in a couple years where a hotel was required (PL even deleted my past trips it seems!). I had not realized that the NYOP on Priceline is being hidden so effectively by PL! It was a much more straightforward thing before. Well, I'm taking my wife on a 2 day trip to NY; I've only been once before, and this is her first time. I want to show her parts around Times Square, and Lower Manhattan; possibly Astoria-Queens. We're coming in from JFK. Now we need help finding a safe, nice place... Thereuare -- If i remember correctly, you're from NYC, right? Maybe you can help? I'm thinking 3 or 4 star place, any of the places you think are appropriate to bid (I trust you guys), arrival 9/16 evening, depart 9/19 early morn. I'd like to keep nightly price to 150 if possible (I can't tell what's appropriate out there in this star range). Please Help! Oh, and as always, I've clicked through your link.

Thanks Aaron! I'll try and see if I can get a 4* in that area without the PRICELINE EXPRESS Deal. Plenty of re-bids available there! I'll update here with my results.

Hey guys, Quick help... looking at a hotel for 01/17 - 01/21 in French Quarter on PRICELINE EXPRESS deals. I can't figure out what it is (none on PL's regular list has a 4* there with a 7+ rating; all are 8+ or more) 4* (7+ guest rating) French Quarter - Canal Street area hotel $73/nt Amenities: Free Internet, Indoor/Outdoor Swimming Pool, Fitness center, Restaurant, Business center Already used your link to access PL. Thanks in advance for the help!

Last minute change of plan by my wife and I... Beautiful weather in Niagara = trip to Niagara. Couldn't bid and win. So, I had to get the Priceline.Express Deal (and I used your link).. I guessed it would be the Marriott Fallsview. $123 + 5% off deal. we'll try for Toronto stay while we enjoy the falls. Here are the amenities: Guaranteed Amenities: Free Internet in public areas Indoor Swimming Pool Restaurant Business Center Fitness Center

Thanks for the help so far. Unfortunately, I didn't win by going up to $100. The Express Deal at 4* in North York I'm sure is the Westin... but the deal is $125... which stinks. Not sure exactly what to do.

I can nearly guarantee that the Express Deal at 4* was The Dearborn Inn, which has a 8.0/10 rating. Well, after bidding, I won at $80 for this night! But not The Dearborn Inn... I won The Henry, Autograph Collection! It looks like people love this hotel, so if it's even half as good as people claim, I'm sure we'll be happy with this stay! Thanks again Thereuare!

Crud... I wrote a response earlier, but apparently it didn't post (I think it's my internet). But basically... I was saying that for 6/22-6/23, we would like North York area 4* under $100. I know I'm cutting it close... basically have a single shot at this, I think. Thanks again!

I wish I had seen this earlier today to get moving on it. Thanks for the input. So... our thought was to split the bid and stay in two different hotels; the reason we wouldn't do both nights by the airport is because our plans for the first day are near the Downtown area for the most part. The plans for the last day are around the Mississauga area, so Airport East would be better for that. So, yes, we don't mind changing hotels.

I just wanted to update this... looking at how high prices are for these dates... we were thinking of splitting the nights. So that means doing 6/22-6/23 in 4* in either North York, or Downtown Southwest, Downtown Southeast. Then on 6/23-6/24, doing a 3.5* by Toronto Airport East, or near Mississauga. Sorry if this is getting complicated, but I think I can save a bit and accommodate all of our planned visits with this split stay (i.e. doing two separate hotels). What do you think?

I went ahead and followed-up on that. Sorry about that. So... for Toronto, honestly, I'd like the North York East area; if that doesn't work out, then try the Downtown areas (North Yorkville first, then Southwest, then Southeast). I hope I can manage something good. As I said in the last post, I was able to get the Westin in North York East last year for $82, so I'd like to try for it again. Hope to hear back very soon!

I apologize for not having wrapped this one up. I decided not to book a hotel for this night and drove to the place instead. Thanks for all your help, guys. As always, it's much appreciated.

Hey guys, Looking for two nights in the Toronto area. I managed to get the Westin in North York for $82/night last year at the start of June. Well... of course I'd really hope for the same. But I'm willing to go up to $100/night (given that it is June) for a 4*. If that's not doable, I guess we could bump down to 3.5* and try at a lower price range. I'm a bit lost when it comes to Toronto or most of Canada's hotel bit... so please, any help with bidding strategy would be great. If it helps, I want to be as close as possible to Downtown (we plan to eat in that area a few times; as well as in the suburbs). Thanks!

Hey guys, Need help getting a deal via Price.line, again. I'd like a 4* preferably; in Dearborn itself (next choice would be Southfield or Romulus) hopefully in the $70-80 range. If that's not happening, then drop down to 3.5*. I have limited time to bid this week, so I have to make it high yield. You'll see other posts for the rest of the trip in the corresponding cities! Hope to hear back soon!

LOL... yes, I do see the near contradiction. And yes... you're right the "big picture" or the grand scheme of things. Regardless, I appreciate all the advice, as always. I'll update you guys ASAP. I'll look at the sister-site for options. I was just thinking... I've been soliciting help from you all for the last 3 years; intermittently, of course. But still, hard to believe!

Thanks for the awesome info, and sorry for the late response. Again... so busy w/ prep for boards. Honestly, I don't live too far from the testing location (if I wanted to get a hotel in Northbrook, I might as well leave from home!). It's just one of those things that any possibility of having something go wrong the morning of the exam, I want to avoid. The test means too much to my career to potentially be late; think about it like this... my wife says "get the hotel for $159... no risks". Still too steep IMO, so I'm going to hold off. But yes, I am going to try along Lake Cook road itself; luckily I've got a bit of time, so I will keep any eye on that place and others in the area. Beat the Traffic looks like a really nice app... using that starting today! You guys are always so helpful! Thanks... I'll keep you all updated regardless of what I choose.

Thanks so much! Luckily, you're from around here and can give some sound advice on this. Yea, my concern was with the construction on Lake Cook... it's always been so hellish, and I really cannot have that on that morning (board exam day!)... I'm going to hold off for just a bit and see if maybe... just maybe... the prices come down. I'll keep you guys updated. I might just end up going with that Courtyard due to convenience and nothing else. If I do end up doing that... what do you guys suggest? Book straight with them or otherwise? Oh, and Thereuare, sorry, I hadn't bid because I was awaiting advice. In any case... I'm going to need all your guys' help soon with booking a long road trip... again (very similar to last year's).

I had no idea there was another Courtyard near there. Yes, I was talking about the one at 800 Lake Cook; I need to be at the testing center next door in the morning. My biggest concern is morning traffic. I know that Lake Cook, for whatever reason, has some of the nastiest traffic, and Murphy's Law is something I'm very familiar with :P Hmm... I was really hoping to spend less than $100; I guess I could go to a lower star level too.

I should have been more clear, sorry. I really want this particular hotel... but another hotel within a mile or two would work. I just checked the PL NYOP, and from what I see, Deerfield zone is much larger than a couple miles. If I don't think I can get one very nearby that hotel, I might just drive to the location in the morning and forgo the hotel. Not ideal, but better than spending a lot for not much. What are your thoughts?

Hey guys, You'll be hearing from me quite a bit in the next month or so... planning a trip again for the summer! But before that... need to book 6/11 in Deerfield. I made a mistake and waited... I think the Courtyard by Marriott in Deerfield was well under $100 when I checked a couple months ago... well, definitely not the case now. It's $159 on that date! So now, I need to figure out how to get a much lesser price. Suggestions? The primary reason I picked that hotel: I need to go to the building next door in the morning for something important! Anyways, any help is appreciated, as usual. Thanks!

Absolutely, Yellowdog. The amenities included Free Parking, Free Wi-Fi, "Pets Allowed" and "Bed Choice available". Hope that helps! And thanks for the wishing us a nice stay! It's a short one, but should be fun. Tons of great food out there!

Alright guys. Got the $65 PRICELINE EXPRESS Deal. Adoba Hotel in Dearborn. Should be a nice hotel!

I'm starting to bid right now. Very quick though... I notice that the express deal states "Bed Choice Available". If that is the case, and I bid instead, do you know whether I could still have the "Bed choice" option? We'd really like two doubles instead of a single queen/king. Please let me know ASAP so that do what's best. Thanks!

I suppose the Adoba is an acceptable hotel. It seems to be somewhat popular. I would go up to 60 @ the 3.5* level. In fact, that Adoba deal at $65 looks enticing... and it's still available. And I think staying in Dearborn itself is looking better and better to us. I'll await a reply from someone before bidding or buying through Express. Supposedly there are only 4 rooms left at that hotel (per PL's list view). Is that right?

I guess I've been spoiled! Most of the places I ended up in before have had breakfast. I stayed in the Embassy Suites by the airport twice, and they had a nice full breakfast. But I completely understand that we probably won't get a place with that amenity. Honestly, I'm sure the least expensive 3.5* would be fine, but if the price difference between the 4* & 3.5* levels is a $5-10, I'd go 4*. In fact, if we could stay in Dearborn itself, that would be preferable, so I'd like to bid there first. So maybe we could try 3.5*, least expensive in Dearborn, and go from there.I currently see a 4* in Dearborn for $87 and a 3.5* in Dearborn for $65... Maybe that's the Adoba? Not sure about how nice that place is. Anyways, as always... all help is greatly appreciated.