Priceline Hotel: 3.5* NYC (Times Square-Theater District) Marriott Marquis

[kab3164]

Hello,

I've been bidding for about a month and a half now on Priceline with no success. I would love to stay under $180 (excluding taxes), MTW or Times Square area, atleast 3 1/2 stars but willing to go down to 3 star. My acceptable zones are MTE, MTW, Chelsea, Times Square, Hell's kitchen - possibly Downtown or CPS if I had to. I am also willing to switch hotels during my stay if I needed to.

The cheapest rack rate I've seen was $249 during these dates but I didn't book it and now its sold out during my dates. I'm getting very nervous. I hope that as time gets closer I will win something but I'd rather not wait too much longer.

I thought I would atleast have good luck for Friday night but I've had no success. Can you please help me with a bidding plan?

My plane tickets and entertainment are purchased so there is no cancelling this trip. Thanks for your help!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Can you please clarify what you have already tried... have you only bid 3.5* or have you tried 3*? Have you only bid MTE and TS or have you tried the other zones you have listed? If we look to add the other zones, is there a reason you're not including MSG in your bidding? (is there a probably there you're trying to avoid or the location doesn't work for your needs??)

Once we know exactly what bids you have already made we'll be in a better position to suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[kab3164]

I've been trying MTW, TS, Chelsea, and Hell's kitchen 3 star and up. I have also tried MTE and downtown if I stop at 3 1/2 star. I try for just one night at a time. I'm not sure why I haven't added MSG into my bidding. I guess it just doesn't seem that appealing to me but I think its fine to add it.

[AaronJB]

In terms of bids so far, what price have you bid up to in each zone/star rating?

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

[kab3164]

I've bid MTW, TS - 4* - up to $185

Added MTE, Hells Kitchen, Chelsea, Downtown - up to $175

Added 3 1/2 * - $175

I've also bid MTW, TS 3 star up to $180 with no luck.

Thanks for your help.

[thereuare]

Based upon current prices, i suspect you'll likely need $200+ to be successful for a 3* or better at this time. Are you willing to bid higher or is $185 your maximum bid at this time?

You're bidding is a bit 'all over the map'... at the same star level are you intentionally bidding lower for some zones than others, or do you not have much of a game plan and are simply bidding and adding zones as you go?

Have you been to NYC before?

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

[kab3164]

I've been to NYC many times before and have almost always used PRICELINE for my hotel. I've never paid over $160 for a room. I guess rates are on the rise.

I am intentionally bidding higher for MTW and TS since that is where I would really like to be. I am willing to go above $185 but I'm not sure when I want to do that. I guess I'm just hoping that as it gets closer, more rooms will be put on PRICELINE. I'm not sure if that is rational thinking though.

[thereuare]

On some dates in NYC we have been seeing rates drop as check-in date draws near, but for other dates they can get even higher if/when hotels fill-up more then they anticipated. If you choose to wait i'd recommend booking a fully refundable back-up to protect yourself from rates going even higher, but i'll also add that from a location point of view, i don't see much benefit in paying more to stay in one particular midtown zone over another. It might make sense if you're trying to avoid a specific property and therefore choose to not bid that zone, but from a location point of view, the NYC midtown zones are all so close to each other paying more to stay in one vs. another isn't really worthwhile, imo.

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

Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.

[kab3164]

I found a deal of $212 a night for this 4 * hotel listed on bookit.com. It says its adjacent to Central Park. The fine print says its in Upper West Side, with 11 floors and 420 rooms. Thanks.

Amenities at 4-Star Central Park Area Mystery 24 Hour Front Desk

Banquet Facility

Beauty Shop/Salon

Breakfast Room

Business Center

Cafe

Concierge Desk

Conference Rooms

Dry Cleaning Service

Elevator

Exercise Facility

Express checkout

Handicap Access Elev.

Manhattan Area

Massage therapist

Multilingual Staff

On Site Check In

Outdoor Pool

Pet Friendly

Public Internet Access

Restaurant

Security Guard

Spa

Sun Deck

Upper West Side Area

Valet Parking

[thereuare]

Please keep all posts for the same stay in the same thread.

I'm not that familiar with bookit but my best guess for the above would be the Empire hotel.

If you don't go with the above, please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[kab3164]

I used your PRICELINE link and won the Marriott Marquis (3.5 star) in Times Square for $195 for October 14th. I was originally bidding for three nights and had no luck so I switched to bidding for single nights. Nothing was accepted for Oct. 13th but the 14th was, so now it looks like I may be switching hotels every night :) I will be going to a show the night of the 14th at Best Buy Theatre which is right next to the Marriott Marquis so the location actually works out great for that night.

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Sorry to hear that you weren't able to get a property for your entire stay, but very nice deal for this hotel and glad to hear that the location couldn't be any better.

Please post a new thread for your other dates and we would be happy to help.

Thank you for sharing your win and using the site's PRICELINE link.

Enjoy your stay.