trigirl Posted September 14, 2010 Report Posted September 14, 2010 Hi there,Priceline virgin here! This board has been super useful in giving me the basics, though I thought I'd ask about my specific trip as everyone appears so helpful!I live in France and am looking for an NYC hotel room for 2 people from 5th November, checking out 10th November 2010 (5 nights)...it's for the NYC marathon. I'd like a hotel in Chelsea Area or Downtown/Soho/Financial District or Empire State Building. Max bid USD200. Would love a 4*, would consider a 3.5* of course if having no luck.Tips/strategies very welcome!Thanks!
thereuare Posted September 15, 2010 Report Posted September 15, 2010 Welcome to BetterBidding!Glad to see you have found the board helpful thus far. The Marathon is usually one of the more expensive nites in the city so this may prove to be a tough win at the 4* level (we can try) although you may be close at the 3.5* level.When bidding 4* in NYC you have FIVE re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.Select 4* Downtown and MTE and MTW...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* ESB and Chelsea...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* Downtown and MTE and MTW and Chelsea...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* Downtown and MTE and MTW and ESB...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* Downtown and Chelsea and MTE and MTW and ESB...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200Any 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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
trigirl Posted September 15, 2010 Author Report Posted September 15, 2010 Fabulous! Thanks. I'll let you know how I go.By the way, is there a better time of day to do the bidding, i.e. when the US is awake? I'm in Europe, so bidding in the morning is the middle of the night in the US...
trigirl Posted September 15, 2010 Author Report Posted September 15, 2010 Sigh, tried the lot (even went to USD210 for the last bid) and no takers.Would it be best to now: a) keep 4* but choose more areas? or :) start over on same areas with 3.5*. I'd probably prefer the latter option, but you are the experts so let me know what's best!Is there an area that's generally cheaper for 4*s?
AaronJB Posted September 15, 2010 Report Posted September 15, 2010 MTE and ESB are generally less expensive in Midtown at the 4* level, although it varies. Downtown/Soho is generally the cheapest main zone for 4*'s, although it's also out of the way from a tourist perspective. At the 3.5* level, there are a few concerns: at the 3.5* level in MTE, the Hilton Manhattan East and Millennium UN are rather far E in MTE and the Hudson at the 3.5* level in CPS does have quite small rooms. Would these be okay options?Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
thereuare Posted September 16, 2010 Report Posted September 16, 2010 The Marathon is usually one of the more expensive nites in the city so this may prove to be a tough win...The above quote bears repeating.For 4* you're likely looking at mid/upper $200's... for a 3.5* you're probably looking at low-mid/$200's. SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID could be beneficial too... but something you might not be interested doing before or after the race.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and keep us updated... hope you're training is going well. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
trigirl Posted September 16, 2010 Author Report Posted September 16, 2010 Brooklyn area, 3*, boutique, smoke free, restaurant, business centre, wifi...still gathering reviewsAny ideas?
thereuare Posted September 16, 2010 Report Posted September 16, 2010 Please keep all posts for the same stay in the same thread.The property above has not yet been reported to the board, but the Hotel Le Bleu seems like a good fit and that would be my best guess for this one.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
trigirl Posted September 20, 2010 Author Report Posted September 20, 2010 OK, so no joy on the 4*s and don't want to go higher on bidding until I've explored the 3.5*s.Would you mind recommending a bidding strategy? 3.5*s, max bid $200 (for now!), areas: MTW, ESB, Downtown, Hell's Kitchen, Chelsea (have not selected MTE on purpose due to far-east hotels, and have left off CPS for now as am AFRAID of the Husdon, having read the Tripadvisor reviews, and considering we'll have a bike box with us.....).I seem to only have 3 re-bid zones now, so would love to know the best price and areas to start bidding with, and so on. Thanks so much in advance!
AaronJB Posted September 20, 2010 Report Posted September 20, 2010 Are you okay with the possible 3.5* Hudson in CPS? It's a trendy, boutique property that is not everyone's cup-of-tea, and has quite small rooms (most rooms in NYC are small, but these are around 140-150 sq ft +/-).Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
trigirl Posted September 20, 2010 Author Report Posted September 20, 2010 Have left out CPS for now because we'll have a large bike box with us and don't think it will fit in the Hudson rooms!
thereuare Posted September 20, 2010 Report Posted September 20, 2010 Would you mind recommending a bidding strategy? 3.5*s, max bid $200 (for now!), areas: MTW, ESB, Downtown, Hell's Kitchen, Chelsea (have not selected MTE on purpose due to far-east hotels, and have left off CPS for now as am AFRAID of the Husdon, having read the Tripadvisor reviews, and considering we'll have a bike box with us.....)What about Madison Square Garden... this is a frequently bid zone at the 3.5* level and often provides some good value.Let us know and we'll suggest a strategy to follow for a 3.5* property.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
trigirl Posted September 21, 2010 Author Report Posted September 21, 2010 Sure, MSG works, count it in to the strategy.Thanks so much.
thereuare Posted September 21, 2010 Report Posted September 21, 2010 At the 3.5* level you have THREE re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.Select 3.5* Downtown and MTW and ESB...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Chelsea and MSG and HK...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Chelsea and MTW and ESB...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Downtown and MSG and HK...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Downtown and MSG and ESB...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Chelsea and MTW and HK...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Downtown and MTW and HK...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Chelsea and MSG and ESB...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Downtown and MTW and ESB and Chelsea and MSG...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Downtown and MTW and ESB and Chelsea and HK...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Downtown and MTW and ESB and Chelsea and MSG and HK...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200Any 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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
trigirl Posted September 22, 2010 Author Report Posted September 22, 2010 Again, thank you so much for taking the time to give me the strategy. Sadly, no takers when I went through it last night.So, the inevitable questions: drop down to 3*, but what do we sacrifice? Or go up $20 in budget. Or wait a bit? Will prices come down the closer in time we get to November?I saw today that Hotwire has a Chelsea, MSG area hotel at that time for $164 per night. Smoke free, fitness, restaurant, internet. Could that be the Four Points? It looks OK....any other possibiities?Still optimistic!
thereuare Posted September 22, 2010 Report Posted September 22, 2010 Best guess for the HOTWIRE property is the Four Points.Will you take the supplied bus transportation to Staten Island for the start of the race? If so, where are the pick-up points (if you know yet)Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
trigirl Posted September 22, 2010 Author Report Posted September 22, 2010 Yes. The buses go from midtown-the New York public library from 5am. In the past it's been fine to grab a cab there at the time in the morning so it doesn't impact too much where we stay....
thereuare Posted September 23, 2010 Report Posted September 23, 2010 Is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option? (you could 'switch' on Monday instead of Sunday since i suspect you'll likely be a little tired on Sunday and in no mood to change from one hotel to another) You may be within $20 for a win for this complete stay (at a 3.5* or 4* hotel) but if not i suspect you can win with another $20/nite if you split the bid.Thoughts?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
trigirl Posted September 23, 2010 Author Report Posted September 23, 2010 Hmmm. We are going to have lots of luggage (including a massive bike box) so changing hotels is not that appealing. Did some more bidding last night (using your links of course!) and still nothing up to $200.Willing to go up to 220 for 4* and 3.5*. What's the best strategy? Carry on as before? Same areas as we used for previous 3.5* search are good.
thereuare Posted September 23, 2010 Report Posted September 23, 2010 If you want to try the 4* first:Select 4* Downtown and MTE and MTW...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* ESB and Chelsea...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* Downtown and MTE and MTW and Chelsea...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* Downtown and MTE and MTW and ESB...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* Downtown and Chelsea and MTE and MTW and ESB...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $215, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $220If the above fails or you want to try the 3.5* first:Select 3.5* Downtown and MTW and ESB...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Chelsea and MSG and HK...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Chelsea and MTW and ESB...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Downtown and MSG and HK...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Downtown and MSG and ESB...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Chelsea and MTW and HK...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Downtown and MTW and HK...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Chelsea and MSG and ESB...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Downtown and MTW and ESB and Chelsea and MSG...Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Downtown and MTW and ESB and Chelsea and HK...Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* Downtown and MTW and ESB and Chelsea and MSG and HK...Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $215, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $220Any 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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
trigirl Posted September 25, 2010 Author Report Posted September 25, 2010 Nothing nothing nothing! 4* and 3.5* all the way up to USD223.We really can't go higher, so three star it is. Any tips on the zones with the 'nicest' three stars?Thanks again!
AaronJB Posted September 25, 2010 Report Posted September 25, 2010 While it's unfortunately still a bit more than you are looking to pay, Travelocity's "Top Secret" section for these dates is showing a 4* in Midtown for $246. Not sure what that property is, but thought I would offer the suggestion (and it does get a customer review of 4/5.) There is a "Top Secret" listing for 11/7-10 for $222 in Midtown (again, not sure what it is) so you could grab that for the back half of your stay, then try for something else for the front couple of dates.In my opinion, Chelsea and MSG-Convention have a nice set of "known" 3*'s; there could be some unknowns, but the knowns look good.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE, PRICELINE or Travelocity links to start your purchases and searches.
thereuare Posted September 25, 2010 Report Posted September 25, 2010 HOTWIRE has what i'm guessing to be the Four Points Chelsea for $215/nite... would you want to go with this 'known' hotel for this price or try bidding on a PRICELINE for a better price for any 3* hotel in the zones you bid? (or any interest in the Travelocity offers above)Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
trigirl Posted September 26, 2010 Author Report Posted September 26, 2010 OK, so we went for the 3*s today-Chelsea and MSG as recommended. Here's how it went:Chelsea 140 -noChelsea, MSG 150 -noChelsea, MSG, Coney 160 -noLater tried again...MSG 165 -noMSG, Coney 170-noMSG, Coney, Chelsea 176- YES! Four Points Sheraton in Chelsea. They seem to be taking everyone at the moment! Maybe could have got it for 170, but never mind. We're pleased as it's fairly predictable service, it has a gym and my marathon breakfast will be purchase from Whole Foods. Sweet.Thanks for all the help this far, couldn't have done it without you! I'll be sure to pass on all other Priceline info I generate & tell friends to.Let me know if you'd like me to add any more details.Best,L
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