Priceline Hotel: 3* NYC (Downtown-SoHo-Financial District)

[deck]

I am looking for a 3-star hotel 10/16-10/17 (one night) in New York City.

The areas I am willing to consider are:

Central Park South

Chelsea Area

Empire State Building Area

Hell's Kitchen

Madison Square Garden - Convention Area

Midtown East

Midtown West

Times Square - Theatre District

So far I have bid up to $180 with no success. Does anyone know how much I might have to bid to get a room? Also, what would be the right range if I was willing to drop down to a 2.5-star hotel?

Thanks,

Deck

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Please read your messages and click this PRICELINE link... then reply to this thread and we'll have a look at your stay above.

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

Thanks.

[deck]

OK, I have read my message and clicked the PRICELINE link.

Thanks for your help.

-Deck

[thereuare]

Based upon current rates i'm guessing a 3* will run you about +/- $225... harder to say for a 2.5* as we don't see too much bidding at that star level (as the quality can be a bit more variable once you get below 3 stars... you might get something which works well for your plans and perfectly acceptable... or you might get something that is a disappointment); my guess is that you won't be saving that much by dropping to 2.5*, but if you want to try we're willing to supply a strategy to give it a go.

I'll add that if you are open to including Downtown you might be successful at levels you have already bid.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[deck]

I'm willing to consider downtown. What do you recommend as a bidding strategy?

[thereuare]

I'm assuming that you have included all the zones you listed above in your previous bidding at the 3* level and that all of these zones are acceptable. If so, i'd try again as follows (this is only for your next round of bidding, don't follow this a week or two from now):

Select 3* Downtown...

Bid $130, if rejected add CPS...

Bid $140, if rejected add Chelsea...

Bid $150, if rejected add ESB...

Bid $155, if rejected add HK...

Bid $160, if rejected add MSG...

Bid $165, if rejected add MTE...

Bid $170, if rejected add MTW...

Bid $175, if rejected add TS...

Bid $180

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.

[deck]

I got the Holiday Inn New York City - Wall Street for $175. I'm not very happy about the location for a weekend trip, but it is the best choice I've seen for hotels that night. You can stay at that hotel on that night for $229 plus tax using a coupon from Tripadvisor.

As an unrelated question, do the prices usually come down on Priceline as the date travel date gets nearer or do the prices go up?

Thanks for all the help,

Deck

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

While not your first choice of property, at least it's a good price given the high demand for this nite, and i'm sure it'll be fine for your one nite stay.

Can you please confirm that this is the Holiday Inn at 51 Nassau St?

There is no telling if prices will come down, or go up, closer to a stay... it's all a function of how well actual bookings come in relative to expectations as well as how many cancellations materialize vs. expectations.

Thank you for sharing your results with the board.

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

Enjoy your stay.

[deck]

It is the Holiday Inn at 51 Nassau Street.

[thereuare]

Thanks for the confirmation.