Priceline Hotel: 4* Newark (Jersey City) Westin

[Brittish]

After reading through all the helpful posts on the forum, I finally snagged the hotel I wanted!

4* Westin at $120 for August 5th - August 8th 2010.

Starting bidding last night at $68 and increased the bid by $1 or $2 each time (with a total of 6 non-4* locations in Newark, there are lots of rebid opportunities!). Once I hit $107, it asked me to raise my bid by $20 to likely be accepted. I declined, and continued using my bids by increases of $1. It kept asking me to raise by $20 at each $1 increment past $107 until I finally was accepted at $120! Also wanted to add that last night the "avg rate" Priceline was showing was $179.. this morning when I continued bidding it had jumped to $199.

I'm staying in NJ to look for apartments in NYC/NJ; planning on making the big move soon! Was worried about booking so late but it worked out fine, luckily. Plan on taking the PATH into NYC. Driving to NJ from VA (~9 hour drive). Is there a site to calculate toll fees along my route? Mapquest was not helpful. Could have driven to DC and taken a $17 bus but would have had to deal with parking fees in DC as well as hotel in DC.

Called Westin and they confirmed a price of $31/day for valet parking with ins/outs, also offer garage parking for $20/day with no mention of ins/outs. Going to call soon to confirm bed options (staying w/my dad and we would prefer separate beds). [Edit: called and they said I currently have a King (uh-o) and would have to wait til I actually checked in to see if something with two beds are available. Doesn't seem likely :) ]

Any options for cheaper parking, as well as any grocery stores nearby? I read earlier that there is a Starbucks close. I feel good about the $120/night (compared to $200+ in Manhattan w/o good option of driving into NYC, and $116/night further away at Hilton Newark Penn Station) but know that I probably can't afford the food at the hotel and would like a break on parking.

Many thanks to all who contribute on this board.. sorry if I was long winded, but I wanted to detail what worked for me to help others and to get help with my other parking/food/travel questions.

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Superb deal for this Westin property, and best of luck on moving, which is never an easy process. Hopefully local posters can provide details about nearby parking/options; not sure regarding calculating tolls along the route, but (at least locally), the state department of transit websites do show the toll costs at each stop.

Thank you for sharing your win and using the site's PRICELINE link.

Enjoy your stay.

[thereuare]

There is a Seattle's best coffee shop in the office building just north of the hotel (as well as a cuban restaurant, Cosi, sports bard, indian restaurant, and a few others) just north of the hotel.. just south is a Chilis, Fatburger, and Uno's. The Starbuck's you'll have to ask the hotel for directions as it's not visible from the Westin (it's not far, but it's behind the Newport Apartment buildings)

The hotel restauarant, Fire and Oak, is often on Restaurant.com, so keep an eye out for discount code for gift certicates, you'll likely be able to get a $25 cetificate for $5 or less, if you want to at at the hotel restaurant. There is a Shop Rite supermarket right near the hotel, as well as a more upscale one towards the river (i don't remember the name, but it's two last names) Oh, for cheap eats there is also the food court at the mall.

Enjoy your stay and good luck with the apartment search... be prepared for sticker shock! :)

[Brittish]

There is a Seattle's best....*snip*

Enjoy your stay and good luck with the apartment search... be prepared for sticker shock! :)

Thanks for the Restaurant advice. Do you have any info on parking? I had noticed in a previous thread that you may have known about other parking facilities.

And trust me, I'm prepared for sticker shock... I've already been apartment hunting once! Couldn't find anything suitable. Hopefully this trip will yield better results :)

[dahammer]

Is there a site to calculate toll fees along my route? Mapquest was not helpful. Could have driven to DC and taken a $17 bus but would have had to deal with parking fees in DC as well as hotel in DC.

I might be missing a toll booth here and there, and I'm not 100% sure of the actual toll amounts, but here is an estimate northbound:

Baltimore Harbor Tunnel: $2.00

Maryland Havre DeGrace Crossing: $5.00

State of Delaware: $4.00

Delaware Memorial Bridge: Free going north, $3 southbound

NJ Turnpike: about $8.00

Can't help you with parking in Jersey City, but the bus is looking good if you can avoid paying for a hotel in DC.

[thereuare]

Here's a new coupon code for Restaurant.com:

50% Off using coupon code SUNNY (expires Aug 5)

So you can get a $25 gift certificate at the Fire and Oak hotel restaurant for $5 (probably a $35 or so minimum check before can use the gift certificate, see terms)

I'll send you some parking info.