Priceline Hotel: Help for NYC 24-28 Jun 10

[nel1]

Hi, I'm looking at NYC accommodation 24 - 28 Jun 10 (4 nights) for 2 adults and 1 baby (1 yr old). Hoping not to exceed $120 or even $110 (including taxes) per night. Price and location are both important, since travelling with a baby is not easy, hoping to stay somewhere convenient with public transportation. Additionally, it would be good if public transportation to greyhound station at port authority (at close to midnight hours) is also available. Currently looking at MTE and MTW, but also open to other areas / suggestion. No particular stars rating in mind (of course higher is better) since I'm limited by budget, just need a clean room for my baby. Would appreciate advice / help on bidding strategy, thanks in advance.

Additionally, have following questions:

1. I saw that the room when bidding is for 2 adults. Seem like it is possible that I need to pay extra for the baby. How can I avoid that?

2. There are some unrated hotels under Priceline. Will these hotels be offered in the bid?

3. The bidding is only for hotels? How about hostels? I'm asking this because I'm not sure if the bid would be successful for $110.

Thanks again.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

What star rating are you expecting for a maximum $100 bid (comes to ~$120 after fees and taxes) as i don't think this is likely realistic for these dates (unless you're seeking the lower star ratings, which i don't necessarily recommend)

1. I saw that the room when bidding is for 2 adults. Seem like it is possible that I need to pay extra for the baby. How can I avoid that?

This could be an issue. Not only could there be an additional fee, but there are some hotels rooms in NYC which only contain one bed and don't even have enough room for a crib (if the hotel has them) or a pak n' play. At least with HOTWIRE once the hotel is known you could call to find out the details of the room type and if it can't accommodate two adults and your child, you could work it out with HOTWIRE since they only require you to 'declare' children age 2 and above. However, when searching HOTWIRE for your dates, nothing appears within (or close to) your budget. While i'm doubtful most hotels would charge a fee for a 1 year old, i think the bigger concern is a hotel with only one bed and no room for a crib.

2. There are some unrated hotels under Priceline. Will these hotels be offered in the bid?

Don't use the 'retail' version of PRICELINE to determine what you will get thru the 'bidding' side of their service. See the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.

3. The bidding is only for hotels? How about hostels? I'm asking this because I'm not sure if the bid would be successful for $110.

There is no hostel bidding available.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[nel1]

Hi, thanks for the reply. For Point 1, I'm fine with only one bed and no crib.

Seems like I have to use HOTWIRE. Is $130 inclusive of taxes realistic for 3 stars during my period? I'm assuming the lower star ratings which is not recommended refer to below 3 stars?

Thanks.

[thereuare]

If you're OK with only one bed and no crib, i'm not sure i follow... why would you have to use HOTWIRE (and not PRICELINE)?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[nel1]

Hi, to clarify, since HOTWIRE only asks to declare children above 2 years old, I would understand it as children below 2 stays free. But because PRICELINE states that the room is only for 2 adults, this could result in additional costs if the hotel does not allow children age 1 to stay free. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks.

[thereuare]

Yes, the above is correct, but i'll add that while we don't typically recommend using PRICELINE when needing more than double occupancy in NYC, i don't think a hotel is likely to 'make a case' for an infant in the room. As well this could easily be handed by just having one adult (or one adult and the baby) going up to the desk at check-in time.

So i would say it's a minimal risk, one that i would likely be willing to accept (again, with the caveat that you're OK if you receive a room which only has one bed), but ultimately you and your family will need to decide if you're willing to accept.

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[nel1]

Hi, I'm now re-looking back at PRICELINE. However when I query via this url to see the hotels, I still see unrated hotels. Are they supposed to be there? Will the unrated hotels be offered?

Any reason why the lower star hotels are not recommended? The three 1-star hotels (Hotel Deauville, Latham Hotel, Ramada Eastside) seem not too bad.

Regards

[nel1]

Hi, would like to clarify that my second point on three 1-star hotels is queried using MTE option.

If the reason for not recommending is that the hotels list are a different list and we do not know what we will get, what then is the recommended min star rating and price range I should be looking at? Thanks.

p/s: I'm looking at bid up to $110 (come to ~$130 inclusive taxes) for now.

[thereuare]

With PRICELINE you never know what you will get, and the point being is that while there may be some 1* hotels which are fin for your needs, there may be some which are not... given you are buying an 'opaque' product, you are taking a risk at the lower star levels since you could ultimately end up with something which you might find unacceptable. As well, since you're actually 2adults plus a baby, you may be more likely to find "just a room and one bed" at some of the lowest rated properties.

I would recommend sticking with 3* and above in NYC, if you're a "budget traveler" and are accustomed to dealing with adverse situations and your personality allows that you can remain quite flexible in your needs/wants, then perhaps a 2.5* will do.

I think your budget may be tough, so you could try for a 3* up to your limit, then if rejected try for a 2.5* up to your limit, etc, etc... or if you decide you want to bid at the 2.5* level in hopes for a cheaper price, you can do that as well.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[nel1]

Hi, we've decided not to book NYC hotel via bidding approach. Thanks very much for the advice given! Best regards

[yellowdog]

nel1

Thanks for the follow-up and closing this thread.

Please check and use our links (if possible) in the support page for your hotel direct purchases.

Yellowdog.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.