Priceline Hotel: NYC - 05/29 - 06/05

[anarchy]

I'm looking to travel to NYC for the first time with my girlfriend. We will be flying there on May 29th and leaving June 5th.

We have never been to the area and not sure where it's best to stay but we're thinking near Times Square would be best. We'd love to stay in a 4* hotel but would settle for 3.5* or 3* if necessary.

We don't want to spend more than 120/night if possible.

Any suggestions?

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

I'd strongly suggest reading this thread regarding hotels near TS. Expanding your search to other areas in and around Midtown will increase your chances of getting a bid accepted - and these dates do appear busy (Spring/Summer rates in general have crept higher over recent weeks.)

Would your budget be $120 "all-in" (w/taxes/fees) or $120 + taxes/fees.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[anarchy]

Oh we're open to any area, we just want to stay fairly central but Midtown and Upper East side would be fine. Even Financial District as well. Like I said, we've never been there, but we hear it's fairly easy to get around so anything is fine.

We'd just like to get a 4* for $120 or less ideally. I assume that bid on PRICELINE doesn't include taxes/fees, which is fine.

[thereuare]

The areas you mention (UES, Midtown, and the Fincanical District) are all very different. While it is fairly easy to get around NYC via mass transit, there are certainly some areas which are more convenient then others. Unless most of your planned activities are located Downtown, i'd recommend staying in midtown (unless the savings make staying Downtown worthwhile)

At the 4* level i'd recommend CPS, ESB, MTE, MTW, and TS... however, i don't think you're budget is going to be enough for a 4* hotel in any of these zones. We'll suggest a strategy for you to try, but please confirm if you want to include/exclude these zones or if there are others you want to include. Also, if you're rejected up to $120 at the 4* level, what is your gameplan... would you increase your budget or lower your star rating?

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

PS- please read your messages

[anarchy]

Thanks for your response.

I just want to be near Times Square. I dont know what CPS and ESB stand for but we've tried $120 for 4* and no go. We're okay with lowering our star rating to 3 1/2 and 3 stars. Our budget would be as high as $140 if needed but we really don't want to be paying that much for a 3 star.

Is it true that it's best if we wait until within a week before we fly? So in this case, after the 22nd?

Ps. I checked my msgs :)

[thereuare]

I just want to be near Times Square.

If you look at the PRICELINE maps and zone boundaries, is the Times Square

zone the only one which gets you "close" enough for your needs... or are there other nearby zones which will be "close" enough for your needs?

I dont know what CPS and ESB stand for...

Central Park South and Empire State Building... two other PRICELINE zones.

but we've tried $120 for 4* and no go.

I assume you only selected the Times Square zone when you bid?

We're okay with lowering our star rating to 3 1/2 and 3 stars. Our budget would be as high as $140 if needed but we really don't want to be paying that much for a 3 star.

You may very well end up paying $140 (or more) for a 3* hotels... especially if you restrict yourself to only one zone/area of NYC. Have you checked rates thru traditional booking channels for these dates... I imagine you don't find anything close to $140 for a 3* hotel in Times Square.

Is it true that it's best if we wait until within a week before we fly? So in this case, after the 22nd?

See the related "bid early or close to check-in" link in our PRICELINE FAQ. You're only 10 days out as it is, and given the length of your stay i wouldn't recommend waiting until the last minute.

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

Let us know regarding the zones (if Times Square is the only zone you're willing to accept) as asked about and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

[anarchy]

Times Square was not the only area we tried. We tried Central Park South, Downtown/Soho/Financial District, Empire State, Madison Square Garden, Midtown East, Midtown West, Times Square, Upper East Side, Upper West Side.

We're open to 3* and up, and paying upwards of $180. We'd like to stay in or near Times Square as much as possible but are open to other areas as well. As for our "needs", it's our first time in NY so we have no idea what would work best for us. We've just been told we'll mostly be in Times Square so that's where we've been looking. We're your typical tourists looking to check out all the main attractions.

Thanks for your help!

[thereuare]

We've just been told we'll mostly be in Times Square...

I sure hope not!!! :)

NYC has so much more to offer, and i'm sure you have a Red Lobster and Applebees in your own home town :) If you didn't read it when linked previously, this thread, Hotels Near Times Square, will hopefully encourage you to see Times Square and then explore other parts of the city and enjoy the local, family owned establishments you can't get anyplace else.

To clarify your previous bidding and preferences going forward...

Your bids in the zones you mentioned (Central Park South, Downtown/Soho/Financial District, Empire State, Madison Square Garden, Midtown East, Midtown West, Times Square, Upper East Side, Upper West Side) were only at the 4* level and you bid up to $120, correct?

Do you prefer paying more for a higher rated hotel OR a lower rated hotel for less? In other words, would your next play be for a 4* hotel up to your $180 limit, then if rejected try for a 3.5* for less, then if rejected try for a 3*... or do you prefer the least expensive 3* or better up to your limit? (or first try for the least expensive 3.5* or better up to your limit?)

Let us know your thoughts in this regard and we'll take it from there. Once you reply i'll also have some thoughts on which zones to target and are better/worse than others.

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

[anarchy]

I made bids in the zones mentioned but I bid at the 4*, 3.5* and 3* levels at $120 with no luck. I'm open to 3* or higher.

As for my preference, we are starting to realize that we may need to pay up to $200 for a decent hotel which we're willing to do. To answer your question, our next play will be for a 4* hotel up to $180 limit (maybe even $200 if really need be), then try 3.5*up to our limit, then 3* up to our limit.

We're open to any areas but strongly prefer staying in the Times Square area. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we'll only stay in that area, but there's a lot to do around there that we'll be able to walk to easily so would prefer to stick around that area.

Thanks

[thereuare]

We're open to any areas but strongly prefer staying in the Times Square area.

... but ultimately price wins out and you're willing to include all acceptable zones in your bidding, correct?

Please confirm 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.