Priceline Hotel: 3.5* NYC (MSG-Convention) Affinia Manhattan

[ralphaello]

I'm traveling all across the world to one of my bucket-list cities, prices are epic expensive in NYC in comparison to my home in Eastern Europe and I was told that Priceline is the way to go, heard that people have gotten high star hotels for even less than a 100$ a day. I don't have my hopes that high, but since the trip is still some time away, I have a bit of time to plan yet.

Is the chance of getting a lower price better the closer you get to the trip date? I don't want to end up getting stuck early on by lowering my expectations too soon and ending up paying most of my budget for a mere bed. When is the right time to bid and how busy a time is the second half of August in NYC anyway? What should I expect? Aka, the worst and best case scenario?

I would love a 3 star hotel and above personally, but in reality I need a place to sleep and an internet connection. I don't want the hotel to get in the way of my enjoyment of the trip. Midtown and Times Square and perhaps southern parts of Central Park would be best I think. First time for me really, so apologies for not knowing that much more about the place.

I checked the regular prices and there's a Hotel Riverside Studios that is in a decent-enough location, though 2 stars and no direct internet access except with a nearby coffee shop, for 562$ the entire seven nights, that would be my fallback plan if I can't get anything better.

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

Sounds like a fun trip! NYC can be very expensive, and under $100 in NYC is generally mainly possible within the slowest months (Jan-Mar)

August is somewhat slower, but rates can still be pricey. While I definitely understand just looking for a place to sleep, I'd strongly recommend looking at the tripadvisor reviews for the Hotel Riverside Studios; the reviews are almost entirely very negative and mention some significant problems (bed bugs, for example.)

Additionally, if you were to wind up in a place like this and really didn't like it, you would be stuck there for a week.

In terms of prices coming down closer to your date, there is no way to know for sure. While some have been successful waiting it out, others have returned closer to the date to find that prices have ramped up significantly.

I wouldn't recommend bidding less than 2.5* on PRICELINE, as 2* and under may run into problems (such as rooms with shared bathroom.) Would your desired max budget be $100 + taxes/fees or $100 "all-in"? I think a 2.5* or 3* may be possible, but with taxes and fees it very well may go over $100.

What other cities in the US are you planning on seeing? If you came in under budget elsewhere, you could possibly apply it to the NYC stay.

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

[ralphaello]

I think that the ceiling I'd be going for is 150$ including taxes, +/- 10$, per night, but not below 3* in that case. I don't want the cost of a hotel get in the way of everything else that is in New York. It's a tough situation, since 150$ for a me is sort of like 300$ would be for a US citizen.

Thanks for the advice about Tripadvisor and Riverside Studios, I'll be throwing that idea out the window.

Though I'm not sure about trusting Tripadvisor either. I made searches there for my price-range and found a few decent 3* hotels that have this 'rooms available from under 100/150$' listed, yet actual price search results in costs TWICE as much. Frustrating.

[thereuare]

If you're bidding 3* and looking for a 'central' location, my first piece of advice would be to check out the Millenium Hilton Millenium UN (location is a bit east... about 15 minute walk to subway) and the Hudson Hotel (notoriously small rooms... might not be an issue for you given your needs)... whether you find either, both, or neither of these hotels acceptable will then determine which zones you're able to bid.

Let us know your thoughts on each of the above and we'll take it from there.

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

[ralphaello]

Hudson Hotel seems to have a good location and you are correct, room size does not matter at all as long as the room is not shared. I don't intend to spend anything but nights in hotel room. I'd still like access to internet or cheap-enough internet in the hotel, but again I won't let that get in the way of my stay in New York. Millenium Hilton is too far from the center, I won't be considering it unless as a last resort.

At the moment I am simply making bids now and then at Priceline, from 90-110$, hoping to get lucky, though not much of a chance for that happening from what I have seen. Still worth a try though, I'll likely go into panic mode in August if I haven't secured anything.

By the way, are there any options from American carriers to have temporary mobile numbers with short term data plan? Roaming fees are tremendous overseas and I am using my smartphone extensively, as well as its GPS, I'd gladly take a temporary number from one of the carriers, but I have no idea where to get information of that sort. Any advice?

I am really thankful for the assistance this forum provides, it is amazing how much places like this can improve travelers confidence. It's the longest trip I have taken, around 4000 Miles from home.

[thereuare]

If/when you're ready for a bidding strategy let us know which zone(s) you've decided upon (by PRICELINE name) and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

We're glad you're finding the information here helpful, please use the requested PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your future bidding.

Good luck and keep us updated as to your progress.

[ralphaello]

I prefer really inside-out, from Manhattan and outwards, in no particular order. I don't want to use subways and cabs every single morning, if possible.

My most-preferred locations:

Central Park South

Hell's Kitchen

Midtown West

Midtown East

Times Square

Less preferred:

Madison Square Garden

Empire State Building

Upper East Side

Upper West Side

If nothing else:

Chelsea Area

Critical fallback:

Long Island City

To be honest with you, I do not really believe in these 'bidding strategies'. I have not seen them result in much success from reading this forum. From the look of things whether the bids are accepted or not are automated and likely set by the hotel, so they do not simply change, unless something makes them change. From softwares point of view, I am fairly certain that the whole system works like this:

* By bidding the same amount in the same area at all times, you might get lucky only if A] a position becomes available that was not so before or B] hotel changes their acceptance parameters.

* By increasing the bid, you get into a higher 'zone' where you might hit hotel parameters you did not hit before, as well as new hotels. If the bid fails, then the above applies and rebidding will prove successful only if A] or B] is hit.

There is no real human process involved, or that ~15 minute time would be many hours, it's not like hotels have people actively working and accepting approvals within that 15 minute window.

But if you think bidding strategies can be a success, I'll gladly try a few out :)

[thereuare]

The idea behind a bidding strategy is not that you will get a bid accepted which would otherwise have been rejected, but rather a strategy to bid systematically to make sure that you don't overbid.

Are you ready to begin bidding now? If so, did you want to first try for your "most-preferred locations" first up to your limit, then if rejected try for your "Less preferred locations", then if that is rejected include Chelsea... OR is your ultimate goal the least expensive hotel at the 3* or better rating in either your "most-preferred" or "less preferred" locations. (in other words, are you willing to pay more to be in your first group of zones vs. your second group of zones OR is your objective the least expensive hotel in either of these two groups)

Also, i made a mistake above... i didn't mean the Millenium Hilton, i meant the Millenium UN, which is a different property (the Hilton being Downtown and the Millennium UN being in the MTE zone). The Millennium Hilton is close to a subway but is Downtown which is "off from center"... whereas the Millenium UN is in Midtown but a bit far each and a 15 minute walk to the subway. Are neither of these acceptable? (at which point we won't include MTE in your bidding strategy above)

Please click this PRICELINE link before replying.

[ralphaello]

Ultimate goal would be to get a hotel that has internet access, is not a complete dump and is a short-to-medium walking distance away from the center of Manhattan :) Yes I would be willing to pay more to get a good location within a budget, than go for a minimum. If luck has it, then a good hotel is worth pushing the limit of my budget.

And Millennium UN looks quite decent as well, though it seems its official price is rather heavy.

In the end I won't mind dropping below the 3* hotel, going for bare minimum (but with good reviews). And by the way, how much does internet usually cost in hotels that doesn't have it free (which I guess, it being New York, is not free anywhere)?

And yeah I clicked the link, thanks for the help so far :)

[thereuare]

So to recap...

Looking for a 3* hotel or higher with a maximum bid of $135 (which is ~$160 after fees/taxes) in the following zones:

Central Park South

Hell's Kitchen

Midtown West

Midtown East

Times Square

Madison Square Garden

Empire State Building

Upper East Side

Upper West Side

Select 3* CPS, HK, MTE, MTW, TS...

Bid $90, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MSG, ESB, UES, UWS...

Bid $90, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MSG, HK, MTE, MTW, TS...

Bid $95, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, ESB, UES, UWS...

Bid $95, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, ESB, MTE, MTW, TS...

Bid $100, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MSG, HK, UES, UWS...

Bid $100, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, HK, UES, MTW, TS...

Bid $105, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MSG, ESB, MTE, UWS...

Bid $105, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, HK, MTE, UWS, TS...

Bid $110, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MSG, ESB, UES, MTW...

Bid $110, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, HK, MTE, MTW, TS, MSG, ESB...

Bid $115, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, HK, MTE, MTW, TS, UES, UWS...

Bid $115, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, HK, MTE, MTW, TS, UES, ESB...

Bid $120, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, HK, MTE, MTW, TS, MSG, UWS...

Bid $120, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, HK, MTE, MTW, TS, MSG, UWS...

Bid $125, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, HK, MTE, MTW, TS, UES, ESB...

Bid $125, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, HK, MTE, MTW, TS, MSG, ESB, UES...

Bid $130, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, HK, MTE, MTW, TS, MSG, ESB, UWS...

Bid $130, if rejected, close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, HK, MTE, MTW, TS, MSG, ESB, UES, UWS...

Bid $135

Any questions feel free to ask.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[ralphaello]

Thanks, I've started the bidding according to your recommendation. I'll post if there's anything of interest.

I had an earlier question though, that has gone unanswered, unrelated to bidding:

Are there any options from American carriers to have temporary mobile numbers alongside with a short term data plan? Roaming fees are tremendous overseas and I am using my smartphone extensively, as well as its GPS, I'd gladly take a temporary number from one of the carriers, but I have no idea where to get information of that sort. Any advice?

[ralphaello]

After my second bid, as per your suggestion, I got an offer to raise my 90$ bid to 105$ without changing details, so I did, it being well within my budget. And I was accepted to Affinia Manhattan, not an ideal location and tripadvisor reviews were so-so for this 3.5 star hotel. It has some negative reviews, especially towards Priceline deals, I guess I should have stuck with midtown bidding and only later on moved to alternatives, but the positive is that I can invest the rest of the budget elsewhere.

I don't expect much at all, though I wish I would have been more lucky, I am thankful that at least this is over and done with.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

If you're given a small room at first i'd point out to them that you'll be there for a week and ask if you can be upgraded to a 'standard' room at this property (even if you have to pay an extra $20/nite you'll still be within your budget, and the 'standard' rooms at this hotel are pretty good... it's when you get stuck with a smaller room that users typically have the negative reviews). As far as location, i think it'll work out just fine with Penn Station subways right at your door.

Regarding cell/mobile phone... the phone aspect would be easy as you can get a pre-paid phone at most drug, convenience or general merchandise stores (ie- Kmart, Target, Wal-Mart, etc... there is a K-Mart inside Penn Station right in front of your hotel) HOWEVER, i don't know about the data aspect of it. I would first look at T-Mobile, Spring, Boost Mobile, AT&T and Verizon... the last two typically have the best coverage but will be the most expensive, and a no contract plan with data i think will be VERY costly with them... i think T-Mobile will be your best option, as well as Boost (although i don't know how good service/coverage is with them)

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.

[ralphaello]

For those who might be interested, I contected Affinia regarding my concerns and this is the reply I got:

Dear Guest,

Thank you for choosing Affinia Manhattan.

I can assure you, we will try our absolutely best to ensure your stay at Affinia Manhattan is a fabulous one.

The room is suitable for 2 adults and the internet change is $14.95 for a 24 hours period.

Should you require any further assistance, please let me know.

You can contact me directly at <name>@affinia.com

Regards,

Berani

It seems a default reply, though genuine (apparent from the typo), through-and-through, but I guess a reply is better than nothing at all.

[ralphaello]

I recently checked in to Affinia Manhattan hotel (which is already notorious when it comes to Priceline reservations there) and without anyone telling me I was hit with an additional $350 for my reservation, which is a large part of my day to day budget during my vacation. Essentially my $130 a night went up to 180$ a night, something I would not have paid for had I known of this first hand.

I did know that most hotels charge 10 to 20 dollars a night, but this was a shock.

This is really disappointing, my vacation trip to NY is now essentially a stay in hotel, because my budget has been cut short.

EDIT: This seems to not be about resort fees, but.. Temporary charge that will be released later on. Read below.

[thereuare]

Are you more then double occupancy and is this $50 fee only a Resort fee? (is it actually called a resort fee and/or does it include anything else?... is the fee itself $50 or does that include taxes also??)

Is this now charged to all guests or only to PRICELINE (and HOTWIRE) customers?

[ralphaello]

Got in contact with Affinia and I was told that this is only temporary and will be used to cover the costs while I am there, everything else will be released later on. They said that they should have told me about this first hand, which would have held off the shock of discovery.

It still seems very fishy though, in Europe I am used to paying during check out for various services I am charged for, not beforehand.

I mean, my credit card can be used less because of such a huge charge, which limits my options one way or another.

[thereuare]

This is standard industry practice (at any hotel in the world i've stayed in) and is used to cover incidentals... anything charged to the room such as restaurant, room service, etc. as well as internet charges (if any), telephone calls, etc, as well as any damage you might to do the room.

On credit cards i don't think it actually deducts from your available balance (not sure on this aspect) but for debit cards it can be a real issue since it does make those funds not available until released a few days after check-out.

[ralphaello]

Yeah it does deduct from the available balance, at least on my credit card report in the bank. This is rather strange practice through and through, but I had my bank transfer extra funds to my credit card balance so I could still use the card.

Other than that I cannot help but recommend Affinia Manhattan. Maybe it was the letyer I wrote them back when I reserved with priceline, but the room I got is great with no tripadvisor reported problems in sight.

[ralphaello]

To tie things up:

A great service and room, despite being a Priceline hotel. While I still think Priceline users should watch out when it comes to Affinia Manhattan - there are a lot of bad reviews out there - I at least can add one very positive review to the mix. I loved it.