Priceline Hotel: 4* NYC (ESB) W New York The Tuscany

[Thoandjen]

I won W the Tuscany for 05/28 -06/01 at $180 in late March/Early April. I then learned the hotel had been sold and my reservation was transferred to the new hotel, the St. Giles Tuscany. PRICELINE never contacted me to let me know about the change of hands, and I don't see how they can say they've booked me in a 4 star hotel when the St. Giles has not been independently rated by them or anyone else. Does anyone think I have any recourse? I did enter into a frustrating email exchange with a number of different customer service reps, but they never did seem to "get" what my concern was. Is it worth pursuing? :)

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

It sounds like you have already tried to pursue this but have thus far been unsuccessful. If you choose to continue, i wouldn't take the approach that the hotel has not yet been "independently rated" as hotels are assigned star rating even before opening day. I would take the approach that you were happy with the W Tuscany because it was worthy of the 4* rating, but the hotel is of lower quality at the moment now that it has been taken over by new management who is trying to "get the kinks out" and based upon reviews by recent guests.

I'm not sure you'll be successful with the above approach, but that is the position i would take. The other option is that perhaps the new owners, management and staff are just getting used to the property and reviews will greatly improve in a few weeks... or maybe if feedback is poor PRICELINE themselves will downgrade the property.

Lastly, have you found what you will do if you are able to book a replacement property, for if you are successful with PRICELINE and they allow you to cancel, you'll have to find a replacement on your own, don't expect them to offer a different 4* property in lieu of the above hotel.

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

Let us know if you decide to pursue this and if necessary, if we can be of help with a replacement bid.

Good luck.

[Thoandjen]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

It sounds like you have already tried to pursue this but have thus far been unsuccessful. If you choose to continue, i wouldn't take the approach that the hotel has not yet been "independently rated" as hotels are assigned star rating even before opening day. I would take the approach that you were happy with the W Tuscany because it was worthy of the 4* rating, but the hotel is of lower quality at the moment now that it has been taken over by new management who is trying to "get the kinks out" and based upon reviews by recent guests.

I'm not sure you'll be successful with the above approach, but that is the position i would take. The other option is that perhaps the new owners, management and staff are just getting used to the property and reviews will greatly improve in a few weeks... or maybe if feedback is poor PRICELINE themselves will downgrade the property.

Lastly, have you found what you will do if you are able to book a replacement property, for if you are successful with PRICELINE and they allow you to cancel, you'll have to find a replacement on your own, don't expect them to offer a different 4* property in lieu of the above hotel.

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

Let us know if you decide to pursue this and if necessary, if we can be of help with a replacement bid.

Good luck.

[Thoandjen]

Thanks. I'll probably just take my chances with the hotel under new ownership. It just felt a little underhanded to me. But, $180 still seems like a good deal compared to the new hotels posted prices.