Priceline Hotel: 3.5* NYC (MTW) Manhattan Centre Hotel

[kel82]

Hi I am a newbie here so not 100% what I am doing.

Basically we are going to be in NYC between 05/27/11 - 06/03/11.

Our plan was to actually stay in secaucus just to try and save a little bit of money until I found priceline and this site . However I am just wondering if I have any chance on getting a 3.5 -4star place in time square for $140 a night?

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Based upon current rates i don't think you'll be successful at $140 or less for a 3.5* or better hotel in Times Square. However, you might have a chance at a 3.5* hotel in another nearby zone in Manhattan.

Is there a reason why you'd only be focusing on the Times Square zone OR are there other areas of Manhattan you'd be willing to stay?

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[kel82]

I don't really know much about the other zones my sister inlaw told me that I should stay in time square as that's where I will want to be most of the time. Since that area seemed a bit on the expensive side one of my husbands work collegues told him to stay in secaucus as the bus drops you right off at time square and pretty much in front of your hotel at the other end I just figured that was an easy (and cheap option) .

Is there a better area in NYC to stay ? I just don't want to have to walk ages to get to time square as we will have an 18mth with us. I would also prefer not to catch the subway although not that I really know what it's like but I don't know how comfortable I would be catching it at night.

[AaronJB]

Times Square is a popular area, but in my opinion, other areas in NYC have an enormous amount to offer in terms of sights and shopping and are often less crowded and hectic (and less expensive, although by how much varies) than TS. These areas include primarily MTE and MTW, but further out one can include such areas as Central Park South (although the 3.5* Hudson in CPS is not everyone's cup of tea) and Empire State Building and Chelsea. If you do want to be near TS, MTE and MTW are fine options, although if you were to try and bid for 3.5* in MTE, a couple of the 3.5* properties in that zone are a bit far East in MTE. Understandable about not wanting to walk far, but I would definitely recommend at least considering a couple of other zones besides TS.

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[dahammer]

You will stay in Secaucus and save $$ but the benefit to staying in Manhattan is that you can go back to your room to refresh and spend less time commuting and worrying about bus schedules.

[thereuare]

I don't really know much about the other zones my sister inlaw told me that I should stay in time square as that's where I will want to be most of the time.

I sure hope not... see this thread for our own thoughts: Hotels Near Times Square

Is there a better area in NYC to stay ? I just don't want to have to walk ages to get to time square as we will have an 18mth with us.

If you don't want to walk or take the subway i'd re-think your plans to come to NYC. However, hopefully we can convince you why both of these modes of transport are great to get around NYC and you'll re-think your position on them.

As the link above implies, you will likely NOT spend most of your time in Times Square. Times Square is just one part of Manhattan and there is so much to see and do (yes, even with an 18 month old) that you'd really be missing out on a LOT if you didn't intend to explore other areas of the city. As well, Manhattan is sprawling, so you're going to need some form of transport to get from PointA to PointB (either your feet, subway, bus, or taxi) but you can literally walk a few miles in NYC without ever noticing as you're so stimulated by everything going on around you. DO come to NYC and DO take an umbrella stroller with you... some of the subway stations have elevators (admittedly they don't smell very good :) ) but i an often carry the stroller down the stairs with baby in it, if you or your husband are unable or uncomfortable doing so, one of you can carry the baby while the other folds up the stroller until you depart the subway.

Yes, staying in Secaucus will be cheaper then staying in Manhattan, but it will also be less of the 'full' experience. As well, when traveling with a small child i would also recommend making things easy on yourself and try to stay in Manhattan itself... never know when you'll need/want to head back to the hotel for a quick nap, change a stained outfit, grab a bottle that you forgot, take a short rest during the day, etc, etc. These are all things which are easy to do when your hotel is in Manhattan... no so much when staying in Secaucus.

With all of the above noted, NYC hotels at the moment are a little out of your budget. If you could increase another $20-$30 you might be able to get a 3.5* hotel directly in the city in a 'good' midtown location... but it's still early, so even if you're not able to increase your budget, i think it's too early to 'compromise' the experience for this stay.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there :)

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

[kel82]

Sorry I don't think I was very clear I actually don't mind walking or taking the subway during the day that is fine it would be at night I would be a little hesitent about. That has nothing to do with NYC it's just not something I am terribly comfortable with anywhere in the world.

I was just discussing with my husband last night that the bad thing about staying in secaucus would be not being able to keep going to and from the hotel if need be. I just read your link so I am going to have a little bit more of a look into the other areas. I had already decided that MTW would also be good so I will check mte & cps.

[thereuare]

The 4* level will likely be out of your budget at the moment, but as an FYI if you're willing to increase it, the MTE, MTW, CPS, TS and ESB zones typically work well for the average visitor.

Once you get to the 3.5* and lower levels a few caveats need to be considered:

MTE- has some hotels which are about a 15 minute walk to the subway... you need to decide of this is acceptable or not

CPS - has the Hudson hotel which has notoriously small rooms, even by NYC standards... you should probably avoid this zone given this property unless you and your husband, and your baby, can all sleep in one queen bed... no room to even set up a Pak N Play in their standard rooms.

...but while the above zones may or may not want to be elimiated at the 3.5* and under level, you can also consider adding MSG and/or Chelsea.

Let us know what you decide and we'll take it from there.

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

[kel82]

Ok well I think my plan for now will be to keep trying for a 3.5 or 4 star in TS or MTW after all I do have some time.

If that doesn't work then I will try for a 4 star in MTE & CPS.

If none of that seems to work hopefully we will have all our other accomodation and tours ect booked so we will know where we stand and if we can increase the budget.

I saw earlier that you said I might need to up my bid by $20-$30 to get a 3.5star midtown location would that be fore MTW? or would i have to go higher for that?

[thereuare]

The $20-$30 reference was in regards to including most other midtown zones.

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

[kel82]

well I thought I should update this. I got a little impatient this morning and put my bid up to $200 for a Ts 4star with no win and then added mtw with no win so I through a star and I won.

so for $200 a night I got 3.5 star in mtw it was the manhattan central hotel.

If I had of waited I probably could of got a better deal however this hotel seems to have excellent reviews even though the rooms might be on the small side it also is in a great location so I am happy.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

This hotel is centrally located and should work well for your needs. Glad to see you're happy with the results and can now focus on other aspects of your trip.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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

Enjoy your stay.