Priceline Hotel: Hotel needed- this weekend!

[st_bernat]

Hi! I need help. I am looking for hotel (3 star is OK) in NYC area for this weekend. Check in 3/11; Check out 3/13. Any area near subway is great. Any suggestion to bid in Priceline? I notice it's very late but any help will be appreciated.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

No need to double post in both Priceline and Hotwire... we'll cover everything here and then move it once resolved if necessary.

As i'm sure you have seen, rates are pretty expensive for this weeked. Do you have an expected budget in mind and/or a back-up plan if you're not successful with Priceline or Hotwire?

Do you only want to stay in Midtown? Would you consider staying in Jersey City (NJ) where there is a very easy and inexpensive subway system which can take you to Manhattan in 8-18 minutes?

Let us know and we'll proceed further.

[st_bernat]

Sorry for the inaccidental double post. Midtown would be great since most of my activities will be in downtown area. Budget range is $150-200/night. Your kind help will be really appreciated

[thereuare]

You may be in luck! :)

A Hotwire search for your dates shows everything at $200+, but...

Do a search for only the first nite, 3/11 and a 3.5* hotel appears in the MTE zone for ~$145 which i believe to be the Roosevelt.

Then do another search for the nite of 3/12 and a 3.5* hotel in the MTE zone appears for ~$135/nite with the same exact star rating and amenities.

The above two properties are probably the same hotel, and i would be surprised if they weren't, but the possibility exists that they are different at which point you'd have to change hotels after the first nite. Another possibility is that after you make the first purchase the same hotel no longer appears for the second nite, but odds favor this not happening.

How does the above, making a separate reservation for each nite, sound? Personally i think it's worth the risk as alternatives are much more expensive!

Let us know your thoughts. If you move forward please use THIS LINK to begin each purchase (ie- after the first purchase, please return here and start the second purchase using the same link).

[st_bernat]

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I was unable to find the offer. Perhaps it';s being taken by other people. Other suggestions?

[thereuare]

No, it's still there... you have to search for:

Click To Go To HOTWIRE

NYC MTE

Check-In: 3/11

Check-Out: 3/12

You'll then see the 3.5* at $145

Then in a completely different search (but going back to the same link between purchases):

NYC MTE

Check-In: 3/12

Check-Out: 3/13

You'll then see the 3.5* at $135

Don't give up so easily... based upon last minute and current rates this a great deal! Are you searching for only one room and one/two people?

Take another look... and let us now.

[st_bernat]

Hi! I was able to find March 11 -12 ($144). But I was unable to find MArch 12-13. In fact, I already clicked MTE and room for 2 people. Thanks so much for your kind help.

[thereuare]

It's too bad that's gone as i think that was really an incredible opportunity! I think you're looking at rates much higher than that?

How are you getting to town (airport, which one?, dirving, train, etc). Are you willing to SPLIT YOUR STAY and have to change hotels? Do you have any type of back-up reservation?

[st_bernat]

Hi! Unfortunately I have no back up plan. I did Priceline yesterday up to 200 and failed. Any kind helps will be appreciated. I will not mind splitting my stay or changing hotel. Thanks

[thereuare]

How are you getting into town (there's a reason i ask)... what time?

[st_bernat]

Thanks for the prompt reply. I will take a bus from Boston arriving at Port of Authority around 4pm.

[thereuare]

This is how i would play (although you don't have to, as we each have different needs and how much 'inconvenience' we are willing to accept).

I would book the first nite thru HOTWIRE (believed to be the Roosevelt) for $145 (or priceline that nite) and the second nite in Jersey City (at a likely cost of under $75/nite). Getting to/from Manhattan is relative easy, the hotels are great, and they're a fraction of Manhattan prices. I just can't justify spending $200+ on a room when there is a great one only 10 minutes away by mass transit.

Of course if you prefer to split your bid for each nite in Manhattan we'll suggest a strategy for bidding each nite (just let us know all the zones you're willing to accept) to get up to your $200 limit.

PS- are you familiar with the "chinatown busses"? they travel from Boston --> New York for $35-$40/RT (yes, $20/each way)