Priceline Hotel: NYC 9/25-10/2 3*or 4* hotel, need advice

[happy76]

I'm very new to bidding and need some advice. 2 adults and 1 13 yr. old boy going to NYC for the 1st time. Need 2 beds or K/Q and couch no-smoking,. Don't want a dump, but hoped not to go over $250 in the Manhatten area is that possible ? We plan to do all the tourist stuff ( baseball game, broadway play, lady liberty etc.. ) and want convenience. From what I've read Priceline might give us too small a room. How should I start ?

Thanks

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Two issues...

First: PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, which means that you could receive a room with only one bed. Given rooms in NYC are notoriously small, there are a higher percentage of rooms which only contain one bed, and rooms with more than one bed are often considered an upgrade, so using PRICELINE for more than double occupancy in NYC is often considered a risky proposition. Is this a risk you're willing to accept?

If not HOTWIRE may be a better option as they allow you to search for up to quad occupancy and ensures sleeping accommodations for everyone you include in your search. The trade-off is that HOTWIRE is usually a little more expensive then PRICELINE.

Second: You can't specify a non-smoking room with either PRICELINE or HOTWIRE. You can call the hotel you receive and request a non-smoking room (just as you can call and request a room with 2 beds) but this is just a request and no assurance that the hotel will be able, or willing, to honor your request. HOTWIRE does show a Smoke Free icon associated with some hotels and choosing such a hotel would ensure a non-smoking room, but otherwise it's at the discretion of the hotel and rooms are usually assigned at check-in based upon what's available.

Based upon the above let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

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

[happy76]

I checked hotwire and found a 3* TS for $269 non-smoking, Rest, Business Center, Internet.... 90% recommend

4* TS $329 Fitness, Res, Buisness center, Internet.....100% recommend

4* MTE $ $339 Fitness, Res, Business center, Internet..... 90% recommend

Dates are 9-25-10 to 10-2-10. What hotels do you think they are and is that a good price ?

Although I did do some low ball bidding on priceline and was rejected I've ruled it out due to the 3 person thing.

[AaronJB]

The 3* TS is a possible match for the Belvedere, the 4* MTE is a possible match for the Omni or W, while the 4* TS may be a possible match for the Intercontinental TS or Crowne Plaza TS. Given that this is a very busy/expensive time in the city, these are nice deals. The fact that this is triple occupancy makes the HOTWIRE prices even better.

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

[happy76]

MTE is still going for $339 ( W, Omni ) and TS is $359 ( Crown P, Inter C ) for a 4* which should I go for ? Or would the cheeper 3* ( Belv ) be ok ? Did I mention we've never traveled to NYC...don't

want to get stuck in a bummer location .What's your advice ? Also why is this a busy time in NYC ?

Thanks

[AaronJB]

Rates overall have gone up noticeably this year in comparison to the last couple of years. However, in NYC in general, the late Winter is slow (too cold), the Summer is slow (too hot) and the "just right" season weather-wise of the Fall is definitely busier and more expensive. There are also conventions and other events during this time period, too.

Personally, I'm not a fan of staying in TS, although it is the "most popular" (and therefore the most expensive and crowded.)

Looking again at what's available, I'd actually suggest going in a different direction - the Affinia Dumont for $270 on Travelocity (on sale on Travelocity for 30% off!) is an appealing deal for this very well-reviewed boutique property. On tripadvisor, this property is ranked 16th out of over 400 properties. This is also for a somewhat larger studio room with 2 beds.

Coupon code THANKS25 also takes $25 off the final price for this Travelocity deal.

I'm seeing different (and more expensive) HOTWIRE listings when searching for these dates on HOTWIRE for 2 adults/1 child. I think the Dumont deal is more appealing than what I'm seeing when searching for 2 adults/1 child for these dates.

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

[happy76]

I didn't find this tread elsewhere so sorry if it's in the wrong place.

I looked up the Affinia Dumont deal and yes it looks appealing. Saves about $1000.00 over TS and MTE . I realize now my original thoughts on cost were too low . I booked a hotel Holiday Inn Ex 5th

Ave for a total of $3115.51 just to have a fall back and can cancel any time. The price is high for what is called a managers special and it's really small so I don't plan on keeping it. Central location though.

Called Omni Berkshire directly ( $469 ) and also several chains where we have seldom used loyalty cards but the prices where even worse than online :) Clearly I'm in over my head.

It would be fun to be in a classy more up to date hotel ( spacious lobby, flat screen TV etc.. ) like what we think some of those Hotwire hotels are. The Afffinia D is more off the beaten track with

older decor ( but a much better price ).

So should I take the safe bet ( Affinia 3.5 * ) or take a risk on Hotwire and maybe add a few more *'s ? I'm more prepared to spend up now.

[thereuare]

The Afffinia D is more off the beaten track...

Relative to what?? It's on 34th St which is a major crosstown street in NYC and about 3 blocks from the Empire State Building. What is it that you're trying to be close or have easy access to? For a midtown hotel the environment is certainly much more residential then business/tourist, but in a city i'll take everytime... enjoy all the local, neighborhood, stores and restaurants that makes NYC so special.

...with older decor

Granted i've never stayed in this hotel, but i did used to walk by it almost daily, and while it's lacking the big lobby of the business hotels, i do think it's "stylish" and "boutique-y" in that it looks pretty impressive from the outside, imo. I don't think this hotel would be in the top 5% of NYC reviewed properties if it was shabby with old decor... not sure where you read or got that impression.

Please use our Travelocity link if you go this route or the PRICELINE / HOTWIRE links if you continue that route.

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[happy76]

Hi, I just used your site to book the Affinia Dumont in NYC for $ 281 on Travelocity like was suggested. The price went up $10 and the discount code didn't work ( I think I waited too long ),but

it was the best price . Thanks for pointing it out to me I might have over looked it otherwise. No other web site had this low price .

Just to clarify....a travel agent told me I needed to get close to Central Park and the comments on decor were from things written on a review I read. But we're excited to have a place to

rest our heads and will share a review when we return.

Thanks for all the help... what would all us newbies do without this web site !!!! Now we'll have extra $'s to spend on fun stuff.

[yellowdog]

happy76

Thanks for the follow-up and closing this thread.

Great to see that you got something that works for you.

Also thanx for using boards Travelocity link :)

Yellowdog.