Priceline Hotel: New York 25 Feb - 4 March Advice

[Vic1701]

Hi all

This is my first post so apologies if i miss something

I would really love some advice on prices for my trip

There are 3 people (one is a 6 year old)

7 nights - 25 Feb 11 - 4 Mar 11

New York - Time Square would be ideal (i think, this is our first visit and a Birthday on the 25th so i would like to be in the center but obviously open to other central suggestions)

I have looked at the prices from last year around this time and it seems that 4* Times Square could be had for arround $120 before taxes (sometimes $110)

i have just placed some bids on priceline and went up to $140 usd 4* time sqaure and they were all rejected, i am wondering do you think this is because i am bidding too early? or is my price range unrealistic? :)

One other question i have is although we are fine sharing the bed with 6 year old even though she wriggles :) (if we only get one bed or even twin) is this acceptable in New York, i.e if it is a double room is it allowed to have 2 adults and a child in the room?

Any advice would be more than welcome!

Thank you

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

While it may just be early, my guess is that the bigger issue is that you're only bidding the Times Square zone, which not only limits the number of hotels available to accept your bid, but is usually more expensive then many of the other nearby zones.

If you use the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins to look at rates for this time frame last year, most of the 4* wins in the ~$120 area were not in the Times Square zone, but actually in other nearby zones such as MTE and MTW. I do think you have a decent chance at being successful for a 4* hotel at $140 or under at this point in time... but not in Times Square.

Regarding your double/triple occupancy question, it is a risk, although one i'd (personally) be willing to take if i was willing to sleep 3 in one small bed. With a 6 year old i don't think many hotel clerks will question you, whereas if the child was somewhat older (a teenager) i wouldn't take the chance. You can also help mitigate the risk somewhat by only having one parent go to the check-in desk while the other is elsewhere (elsewhere in the lobby, store next door to the hotel, etc) with the child.

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

Based upon the above let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there.

[Vic1701]

thanks for the welcome and reply, i checked the winning bids for this year and you are right they were not in times sqaure

i will add some of the areas you suggested and see what happens.....i will let you know how i get on

I think i am going to take the risk re the tripple occupancy, thanks again for your advice :)

fingers crossed i can grab a bargin :)

[AaronJB]

This is the week after Fashion Week, so that won't be a problem. You are a bit far in advance, but it's worth starting now and keeping a low (but realistic) max. Try once a week and if it starts to get into November and you're not being accepted, bump up your ceiling/max a bit more and keep trying. If it gets towards the end of the year and nothing is accepted, bump your max up again.

This year (especially this Fall) has been more expensive than the year prior and the year before that; if the trend continues, prices for the first part of 2011 may be slightly higher than the average prices seen for that time this year.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

If you'd like help with a specific bidding strategy let us know the zone(s) you're willing to accept and we'll advise accordingly.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[Vic1701]

Hi

just thought I would post an update I have added other areas but with no success :o

so i am going to take the advice on bidding once a week :)

thank you for the offer of help with a strategy - areas i am willing to accept are TS, MTW, MTE maybe others :) , I dont have a huge budget and have found an offer Flights and Hotels on Expedia (the hotel doesnt look that great...but if all else fails i may have to go for the cheap option)

I dont really want to go for the cheap option as it is going to be a present for a birthday, and it would be really nice to spoil them with somewhere nice....but as i said :)

I will keep everyone updated with any progress and thanks again for your help

[thereuare]

For the Expedia package deal, if you back-out the cost of the flights, how much is the hotel portion? What hotel is it?

In addition to TS, MTW, MTE have you also considered CPS and/or ESB?

Are you ready to commit to a non-refundable reservation for this trip at this point in time?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. (or our Expedia link should you decide to go that route)

[Vic1701]

hi thanks again for your reply

The hotel including taxes would work out at 512 for the 7 nights. it is the Hotel Pennsylvania (just for information i am willing to spend approx

[AaronJB]

Unfortunately, while the Pennsylvania is usually more reasonably priced than most NYC properties, the reviews are generally very negative. There was also a lawsuit regarding bed bugs earlier this year.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.