Priceline Hotel: 4* NYC (MTW) Sheraton New York and Towers

[AlliCat]

I've been to Times Square a few times and used Priceline successfully in the past, typically staying at a 4 star for $150 to $175 per night. For the past two weeks I've bid in the range of $135 to $180 without success. I'm wondering whether the prices have gone up or if I'm having difficulty due to the length of my stay (8 nights).

There aren't any wins shown on the calendar for a 4 star in Times Square for my dates. How much should I expect to pay for a 4 star or even a 3 1/2 star in Times Square on these dates?

Also, what are thoughts on staying in a different zone? The purpose of my visit is just to see Broadway shows, so I will be spending almost all my time in the Theatre District and want to have easy access to my hotel before and after shows. Are the Midtown East and Midtown West zones within reasonable walking distance (w/in 1/2 mile)? If so, what should I expect to pay for a 3 1/2 or 4 star in those zones?

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Your problem is tri-fold...

• rates for these dates are high
  
• the length of your stay
  
• your only bidding one zone
  

I'd encourage you to consider other areas, as it would likely be better to pay for a $10 cab ride at the end of the nite to get home from the theater than to spend an extra $50/nite to be within walking distance :) As well, see our thoughts/comments in this Hotels Near Times Square thread.

At the 4* level MTW and MTE would both be convenient, but at the 3.5* level some hotels in the MTE get a bit far each would would make for a longer walk (ie- 30 minutes for a 'far east' 3.5* property vs. 15 minutes for any of the 'known' 4* hotels).

If taking a taxi home from the theater (you can always take the bus or subway to the theater during the earlier evening hours) then i'd also consider adding ESB and CPS.

For any of the above i'm guessing you're likely looking at about $200-$225/nite, but of course we'll start low and gradually go higher with a systematic bidding strategy.

Let us know your thoughts and which zone(s) and star levels you're willing to accept and we'll take it from there.

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

[AlliCat]

Thanks for the response. My husband and I will be in NYC 5/29 thru 6/6. My mom will be joining us 5/30 thru 6/3. It looks like I can get the Doubletree Guest Suites Time Square for 5/30 to 6/3 for $300-$350 per night, which will accomodate all of us I'm assuming, and it sounds like that's a better rate than anything I'll get by bidding. That means my husband and I will need a hotel for 5/29 and 6/3 thru 6/6. We've decided we're up for 3 different hotels if necessary - we'll consider it part of our NY experience. So...after reading your feedback, these are my options:

4* Times Square, MTW, MTE

3.5* Times Square, MTW

I have from today until next Friday 5/28 to bid (7 days). What price do you recommend I start bidding and what should I be prepared to have to go up to? I want to have a somewhat sure thing (winning amount) in my back pocket to bail myself out on Friday if need be. I can have my husband bid also for more opportunities.

Thanks

[thereuare]

It looks like I can get the Doubletree Guest Suites Time Square for 5/30 to 6/3 for $300-$350 per night, which will accomodate all of us I'm assuming

Is this if booked directly with the hotel? Not sure of your needs for this portion of the trip, but for that amount of money you could probably get TWO ROOMS at something like the New Yorker (which has had good reviews since their renovation)... although the Doubletree is a perfectly fine choice if you prefer everyone together in one room (please use this Doubletree link, or the one in our support page if you choose to book this property direct)

That means my husband and I will need a hotel for 5/29 and 6/3 thru 6/6...I want to have a somewhat sure thing (winning amount) in my back pocket to bail myself out on Friday if need be.

Can't give you a "sure thing" number as rates change often, and what is available at this moment may prove to be too high or too low a few days from now. Currently for 5/29 HOTWIRE has a 4* hotel in the MTC zone for $159 so i think that would be your "price to beat"... everything else offered at the 4* level is priced higher. Please start a NEW TOPIC for the 6/3-6/6 leg of your stay, but to give you a ballpark, i think a 3.5* at the moment is ~$200 and a 4* ~$225-$250.

Let us know if you're thoughts regarding 2 rooms at the New Yorker vs. 1 room at the Doubletree ... if you go for the New Yorker there is a chance you may be able to target the same property for at least some of the other nite(s) of your stay, avoiding the need to change hotels. If you decide you want to segment the stay with everyone at the Doubletree together, then i would bid sooner rather than later for at least 5/29 given the current 4* HOTWIRE offering.

Let know your thoughts and we'll take it from there.

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

[AlliCat]

I bid $150 for a 4* in Times Square without success, then added 4* MTW for $150 (2 rooms) and was accepted by Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers. Success!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Hope you're happy with the results and this property works well for your plans.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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

Enjoy your stay.

[AlliCat]

In addition, I bid $200 for a 4* in Times Square for two rooms, two nights, 6/1 to 6/3 without success. I was then able to purchase a room through Priceline's reqular hotel listings at City Club Hotel (MTW) for $171/nt for a petite room and $212/nt for a queen room. I can cancel these reservations without penalty if I'm able to get a better deal through bidding.

[AaronJB]

The City Club is $186 average for these two nights on Orbitz, but coupon code FABSAVE10 takes another 10% off that price.

Were there any HOTWIRE listings of interest for these dates?

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE, PRICELINE or Orbitz.com links to start your purchases and searches.

[AlliCat]

Good to know - thanks. The lowest I saw yesterday on Hotwire was a 3.5* in MTC for $186 on 6/1 and $203 on 6/2. A 4* in MTC was listed at $237 for 6/1 and $288 for 6/2. We're breaking our trip into segments, so I'm still looking for a 3.5* or 4* in MTW or Times Square for 5/29 and 6/3 - 6/5. I bid $185 for a 3.5* and $200 for a 4* in Times Square for those dates today with no success.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for keeping us updated, and please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

For help with the remaining nites of your stay please start a NEW TOPIC.

Thanks!