webapalooza Posted May 12, 2010 Report Posted May 12, 2010 A while back I secured a cancelable back-up hotel for our travel dates (5/27-5/31), with the idea being that I would later bid on Priceline for a better value. I booked Gild Hall in the Financial District for $173/night (closer to $200/night with taxes and fees), using Hotels.com. This is a 4-star boutique property with a very high 92% recommended rating on TripAdvisor. It's actually right around the corner from Club Quarters, which we've stayed at before, so we're familiar with the area. But now I'm wondering if I should just stick with that reservation, as Memorial Day weekend seems to be booking up in NYC and hotel prices are rising fast. Point in fact, Gild Hall is currently going for $224/night on Hotels.com. I see from the board that others are still getting decent deals on 4-star hotels, and I'm sure I could too since I'm already familiar with the Priceline bidding strategy. But do you think it's worth risking a highly rated "sure thing" to save maybe $20-$40 a night on a gamble? If it were only for a night or two I wouldn't hesitate, but spending 4 nights in a hotel you don't like can ruin an otherwise perfect trip. Thanks for your advice!
thereuare Posted May 12, 2010 Report Posted May 12, 2010 Welcome to BetterBidding!The Gild Hall gets very good reviews, with the 'downside' for some being it's Downtown location... how does this location work for your plans? Would you be willing to pay more than your back-up reservation for a more centrally located property?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. (and please note for future reference we're also an affiliate of Hotels.com, please check our support page for future hotel direct purchases too)Let us know what you decide and/or how we can be of further help. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
webapalooza Posted May 12, 2010 Author Report Posted May 12, 2010 The Gild Hall gets very good reviews, with the 'downside' for some being it's Downtown location... how does this location work for your plans?That works fine for us -- we've been to NYC numerous times, so we know our way around and we're comfortable both walking and using the subway system. Would you be willing to pay more than your back-up reservation for a more centrally located property?No -- I would only bid on Priceline if I was sure to save at least $25 per night over what I've already paid ($100 total savings over 4 nights). So in order for me to be willing to take the risk, I would either need to successfully bid on a 4-star hotel for under $150, or else a 3.5-star for under $135. I see that the Grand Hyatt and Roosevelt (both MTE) have both been getting successful bids in the $120-$140 range for my travel dates. I've stayed at the Roosevelt before and would be willing to stay there again at that price range. I've never stayed at the Grand Hyatt, but I might be willing to take a chance on it if the price was right. That said, some of the recent reviews for both properties concern me. Thanks for any advice you can offer!
thereuare Posted May 13, 2010 Report Posted May 13, 2010 Based upon current prices (things could always change) I don't think you'll be successful for a 4* up to $150 or a 3.5* up to $135, but if you wan to try, let us know which zone(s) you're willing to accept at each star level and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.Please click this PRICELINE link before replying.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
webapalooza Posted May 13, 2010 Author Report Posted May 13, 2010 Thanks for the offer to help. Since you asked, here is my zone "wish list":3.5* = CPS, ESB, MSG, MTW, TSTD4.0* = CPS, ESB, MSG, MTW, TSTD, MTEIn case you're wondering why I booked a cancelable hotel in the SoHo zone but I didn't list it above, it's because I don't want the Millenium Hilton due to construction noise at Ground Zero. Thanks for the assistance!
thereuare Posted May 14, 2010 Report Posted May 14, 2010 Just to confirm before bidding... you're aware that there is a 3.5* hotel in the MTE zone which is about a 15 minute walk to the subway and there is a 3.5* in the CPS which has notoriously small rooms (even by NYC standards). Would both of these scenarios be acceptable?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
webapalooza Posted May 14, 2010 Author Report Posted May 14, 2010 Yes, I'm aware of those issues. I believe you're referring to Millennium UN Plaza Hotel (MTE) and The Hudson (CPS). My wife has stayed at the Hudson before on a business trip, and she said the rooms were small but not unbearably so. The nearest subway station to the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel is Grand Central, which according to Google Maps is only a 1/2-mile, 10-minute walk down 42nd St. from the hotel. We generally leave our hotel in the morning and are out and about all day until we're ready for bed, so a 10 or even 15 minute walk to or from the subway is perfectly reasonable to us.
thereuare Posted May 14, 2010 Report Posted May 14, 2010 OK then, so we're tying for:4.0* = CPS, ESB, MSG, MTW, TSTD, MTE up to $150, if that is rejected...3.5* = CPS, ESB, MSG, MTW, TSTD up to $135At the 4* level you have SIX re-bid zones... at the 3.5* level you have FOUR re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.Select 4* CPS, ESB, MSG, MTW, TSTD, MTE...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* CPS, ESB, MSG, MTW, TSTD... (i notice you didn't include MTE here, feel free to add it if you are interested in this zone at this star level, as per your comments above, i think you might be)Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135If the above is rejected i'll also point out HOTWIRE has a 4* hotel in the ESB zone for $173/nite, for which my best guess is the Roger Williams. While this would be just a tad more than your current reservation at the Gild Hall, i mention it just in case the location works well for your plans this trip.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
webapalooza Posted May 17, 2010 Author Report Posted May 17, 2010 Thanks for the guidance, and I'll let you know how it goes. And of course I'll use your PRICELINE links to start my bidding. :)
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