Priceline Hotel: MTE 3* w/kids 11/11-11/14

[MaryPel]

Looking for some help please.

I just bid $135 for MTE and was rejected. I tried to increase it to $150 but was not allowed unless I added other zones (?)

Last year I won a Priceline bid, using the link from this site for $135 at the Roosevelt Hotel. We are 2 adults and 2 children (4 and 5). The location was great and we would love to win this hotel again but I don't see it coming up on the calendar of wins as of late (?). I do see some winning bids for the W Hotel which would be great too. The kids don't mind sleeping on the floor in their sleeping bags so a double room is fine. I don't care much about parking as we will take the MTA from New Haven to Grand Central. My budget is $150-$160/night. We would be open to the Soho, Chelsea district as well (although I'm hesitant because recent bids have been won for Hotel Chelsea which gets v. mixed reviews).

We've done Rockefeller Center, Times Square, 5th Ave etc. multiple times so I am open to other zones. Last year we walked to the Village and Little Italy. We hope to take in the High Line this year. The main reason I was loving the Roosevelt is the convenience to Grand Central. A 3* hotel would be fine. Amenities aren't terribly important as long as it's clean and safe (and maybe free wi-fi).

I have even looked at Jersey City but no recent deals to be had. We have taken the PATH train in the past. In this case we would drive (we are only driving from RI). Jersey City would be more appealing if it had a pool. for the kids! Is Brooklyn an affordable option?

Any strategic advice is welcome. As you can see we are flexible!

Thanks in advance. I will be sure to close this post.

[MaryPel]

Okay, I have done more research regarding the re-bidding process. It seems it's a safer bet when you are looking for a 4 star hotel rather than 3 star due to the exclusionary nature of the process. Most zones in NYC have 3* properties therefore you could easily wind up in a zone you don't desire.

I did look at the Bronx and considered adding it as a 2nd zone but there were some properties without a * rating. Would these properties automatically be eliminated from the process? I'm willing to give it a try, I just want to be certain I understand the process beforehand.

Thanks. This is fun!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Last year I won a Priceline bid, using the link from this site for $135 at the Roosevelt Hotel.

It would be appreciated if you shared your future wins with the board as you receive them so that the information can best help others... imagine if somebody won the dates of 11/11-11/14 but didn't post their win to the board :)

Okay, I have done more research regarding the re-bidding process. It seems it's a safer bet when you are looking for a 4 star hotel rather than 3 star due to the exclusionary nature of the process. Most zones in NYC have 3* properties therefore you could easily wind up in a zone you don't desire.

Before suggesting any strategy you need to understand re-bidding and how to determine your re-bid zones. You DON'T want to use the 'retail' version of PRICELINE to determine your re-bid zones. See this thread: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board (NOTE: at the 3* level you have ONE re-bid zone). If you read the previous link and are confused just post back and we'll break it down further for you.

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

[MaryPel]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

It would be appreciated if you shared your future wins with the board as you receive them so that the information can best help others... imagine if somebody won the dates of 11/11-11/14 but didn't post their win to the board :)

Before suggesting any strategy you need to understand re-bidding and how to determine your re-bid zones. You DON'T want to use the 'retail' version of PRICELINE to determine your re-bid zones. See this thread: Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board (NOTE: at the 3* level you have ONE re-bid zone). If you read the previous link and are confused just post back and we'll break it down further for you.

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

[MaryPel]

I raised my bid to $155 and added MTW and ESB with no luck. We decided to book outside the city as a backup. We booked the Saddle Brook Marriott in NJ. It has a pool for the kids, free parking and breakfast for 2 adults for $99/night. They are also running a special where you receive $100 in Marriott bucks for a future stay when you book 2 nights. The deal was too good to pass up. Thank you for your help.

[thereuare]

While this sounds like a good value for a hotel room, do note that this hotel is not really that convenient to NYC... will you have a car?

[MaryPel]

I realize it's not terribly convenient to NYC but the savings offset the inconvenience. We will have a car. All the more $ for eating out and shopping in the city!

[thereuare]

Glad this works for your plans... i was just making sure you had a car as it would be much more difficult staying here and commuting to the city without one.

Also, if you don't want to drive into Manhattan you can look to leave your car at a Park N Ride where you can park your car and take the bus in (see NJTransit.com for Park N Ride options... the North Bergen Park N Ride lot is one of the closest to the city)... or drive to Hoboken and take the PATH in (although in Hoboken you'll have to pay for parking ~$20/day or so as you need a resident permit to park on the streets for more than 4 hours)... or Jersey City Newport station where you may be able to find some free street parking on the weekends (read the signs carefully)

Enjoy your stay.