Priceline Hotel: 3* NYC (MTE) Radisson Lexington

[Seiha]

Howdy all,

I'm new to the board and was hoping for some input, if any. I've done some research on how to "best" use priceline and I'm trying to get a hotel for NYC from 6/03 - 6/07 (4 nights). I'm ideally looking for a 2.5* but would settle for a 2* since I'm trying to keep the hotel budget low. This is my first trip to NYC and I will be doing touristy things and would ideally like to stay in the following area's (Ranked in preference):

1. Times Square/Theater District

2. Midtown East

3. Midtown West

4. Madison Square Garden

5. Empire State Building

Midtown seemed like the ideal tourist area and I later added MSG and ESB after unsuccessful bids for Midtown.

My first bidding session was for 2.5* and I had 2 Re-bid zones (Coney Island & Hell's Kitchen) and here were the results:

1. Times Square: $100 -> $110 -> $115 -> All Rejected

2. Midtown East: $100 -> $110 -> $115 -> All Rejected

3. Midtown West: $110 -> $115 -> $120 -> All Rejected

4. Madison Square Garden: $110 -> $115 -> $120 -> All Rejected

5. Empire State Building: $110 -> $115 -> $120 -> All Rejected

Then I figured I'd try for a final 2* "shotgun" bid of Times Square, MTE, MTW for $100 and was Rejected. :)

I would appreciate any tips or input. Am I on the right track? Can I do anything better? Are these prices typical for NYC during the summer months? My friend used PRICELINE and said she got the 2.5* Fairfield Inn @ Times Square for ~$200 for 3 nights. This was in October so I figured prices are lower then. But she also bid 3 weeks away from the date. Would it help at all to wait a week? I figured I'm close enough being a month away.

Thanks for any suggestions. :)

Oh and I will be using the PRICELINE link from the forum.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

As far as when to bid see the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.

We don't see much 2* and 2.5* bidding in NYC as we generally don't recommend it.... while there may be 2.5* and lesser rated hotels which you'll find acceptable, there might be others which are not, and with PRICELINE / HOTWIRE you don't get to choose which type you will get. :)

Based upon current prices for these dates, I'm guessing you may need $135-$155 for a 2.5* rated property, whereas you may be able to get a 3* or 3.5* for not much more, say $145-$165. You may also want to consider SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID, as weekend nites in NYC are often cheaper than midweek, so you may be able to do better if you're willing to stay in one hotel for Thursday nite and then move to a different property Friday-Monday.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your bidding.

[Seiha]

Oh I didn't know that bidding on less than 3* is that risky. I figured that the 2.5* will be decent enough since they're rated as 2.5*. Does the quality level of less than 3* hotel vary that much more?

I would consider 3* then if I have a possibility of getting one for not too much more than a 2.5* or 2*. I think I would rank the areas the same way and would like to stay at the same place for the trip. Thanks for your help!

[thereuare]

Quick question before moving forward... at less than 4*, the MTE has some hotels which are less convenient than others, would a 15 minute walk to the subway be an acceptable location? Also, note that at the 3.5* level in the CPS is the Hudson Hotel, which overall gets good reviews, the one prevalent issue is that the rooms are notoriously small (even by NYC standards); for some this is an issue, white for others they don't care... would a very small room be an issue?

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

[Seiha]

I think I'd be fine if it's a little bit of a walk to the subway. I don't think I'll include CPS into the list unless that's an area that you would recommend. But I should be fine as long as it's a pretty good hotel. I think I'll try my luck at 2.5* again while trying to get the 3* as well.

[Seiha]

Update: After unsuccessful bids on 2.5* in the previous areas for $140. I started bidding on 3* in TS, MTE, MTW, ESB, MSG and ended up with the Radisson Lexington Hotel for $145. Seems like a pretty sweet deal! I was starting to get worried too.

I have one final question though: Is there a "Priceline" room that these hotels usually give to Priceline customers? After reading some reviews, it would seem that way for this hotel. However, it seems like they can place you in any room when you check in. Are you able to make requests as to where you're placed? (ie. as high as possible? certain views?)

I am pretty happy with the room, but I am starting to feel like I jumped the gun with bidding. The unsuccessful 2.5* bids made me worried and start going for the 3*. Any input is appreciated.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

This hotel was built long before PRICELINE ever existing... so i don't think they intentionally included 'priceline rooms' in their construction plans :) With this noted, there are some rooms which are better/worse than others, and while you can make requests, it is up to the hotel to decide if they are willing/able to accommodate these requests. Experiences on getting your preferences honored can vary greatly from hotel to hotel... and even from one person to the next at the same hotel. Most hotels will try to accommodate your needs, but a lot depends upon hotel occupancy during your stay, mood of the clerk upon check-in, etc, etc.

I'm not sure what reviews you have read or how old they are, but this hotel has markedly improved over the last few years... it used to get fairly poor reviews but has gotten much better.

I'll also mention my often recommended Ess-A-Bagel for breakfast one morning which is just a few block walk from this hotel (on Third Ave at 51st)... one of the best bagels in the city and makes for a nice, relatively inexpensive, breakfast among locals.

Thank you for sharing your win and using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay.

[llh58]

We got a Priceline room there a few years ago, and the room was quite small but nice......you are in a great location...they do what they can for you...we had 3 people and were able to get 2 beds! Enjoy!