Priceline Hotel: Nyc in december help

[Ncg1]

Im planning on bidding on PRICELINE thru the better biddiing links but need some help. Is there a time in december when prices of hotels drop in december? Im planning on taking a vacation there and have the month off. Thanks!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

There was a point around a month or so ago where prices were dropping after the 12th. However, rates for the second half of the month now appear to be climbing, as well. The last week or so of December (around 12/21-29) is probably the cheapest stretch at this point.

What would be your desired budget per night, and which areas would you want to stay within? How many days are you planning on staying?

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

[Ncg1]

Hello Aaron,

I'm looking at Central Park South, Midtown East, Midtown West, Times Square... I'd go with Soho too but considering thats lumped with the financial district and such, bidding might be tricky.

I'd be ecstatic for less than $200 a night. Would prefer a 3* hotel. Probably 4-5 nights (all depends on how much we can get a hotel for... the less expensive, the more we'll stay).

Thanks for the help!

[thereuare]

Would you be willing to pay more for a higher rated hotel OR is your goal the least expensive 3* or better for this stay?

Does the date range AaronJB posted above work within your plans?

Please click this PRICELINE link before replying.

Thanks.

[Ncg1]

The date range listed above is fine. Anytime before January 2nd is good.

I would prefer to stay at a 3* just because it is probably cheaper than a higher rated hotel (and therefore I could stay in the city longer).

Thanks!

[AaronJB]

Just throwing out a few different ideas/notes:

The dates around 12/31 are too busy (quite a few hotels sold out) and expensive to consider. I suggested the end of the month because the dates around Christmas and just before really do slow down and if you are looking to try and get the most trip for your money, those dates would be prime (and really the prime) choice during the month.

If you are looking at a max budget of $200 per night and 4/5 days, then you are looking at a possible max budget of $1,000.

To use an example, there is a 3.5* in MTE on HOTWIRE for 12/20-26 for $124. This could be a possible match for the Roosevelt, Doubletree, or Manhattan Hilton East. The last one is a bit far E in MTE, but I believe it was recently renovated.

The subtotal before taxes on that would be $744, so with that you could get 6 nights for just under the lower end of your max for 4-5.

If you were to try bidding for a 3.5* in MTE for these dates for closer to $100 (and again, keep in mind a couple of the 3.5*'s in MTE are rather far E in MTE), then you could be looking at a total before taxes of somewhere in the mid-to-high $600's for 6 nights. If PRICELINE is showing $124 for a 3.5* in MTE, having a 3.5* MTE bid accepted on PRICELINE for around $105-110 would certainly be possible.

On the high end (although in this case with breakfast), the Morgans Hotel is $200 (on sale) for 12/21-25; coupon code FESTIVE10 takes $10 off per night. This property also offers free breakfast.

There's also a couple of unidentified 4*'s in "Midtown" on Travelocity's "Top Secret" area for $143 and $157 for 12/21-26, as well.

I think you could definitely get something for around the $100 mark (although I think probably the potential floor would be about $90-100, I'd be surprised if a 3* or above Midtown property accepted less than that) for this period if you wanted to try to stay more than 5 nights, but there's also a lot of options if you want to stick with 4-5 and still stay under budget. You may be able to get a 4* (although it would depend on the zone; not likely in TS) for around $125-150, depending on the zone.

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

[thereuare]

Ncg1,

How many nites would you stay at:

$100 - how many nites?

$125 - how many nites?

$150 - how many nites?

$175 - how many nites?

(or you can list any other breakpoints you would like to use)

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

[Ncg1]

For $100 --> max. of 6 nights

125 - 6 nights

150 - 5 nights

175 - 5 nights

(Thanks for all the help!)

[thereuare]

Just to clarify... at what point do you switch from 6nites to 5nites... $125 or $150?? (or some amount in between)

I assume you're ready to bid now?

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

[Ncg1]

Sometime in between.

Yes, im ready to bid and hopefully habe a hotel by thus weekend. Does it make a difference if i bid at nught or in the morning?

[thereuare]

... at what point do you switch from 6nites to 5nites... $125 or $150?? (or some amount in between)

Sometime in between.

If you'd like us to suggest a strategy for you to follow please let us know your 'breaking point' of changing from 6 nites to 5 nites.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... please click this PRICELINE link before replying.

[Ncg1]

135 is max.

We dont want to spend more than about 800 for hotel.

Thank you!

[thereuare]

Are your maximum prices above bid amounts as 6 nites at $135/nite will come close to $950 all-in including taxes/fees... 5 nites at $135 comes to just about $800 all-in.

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

[Ncg1]

As silly as it may sound, I completely forgot that the taxes and other charges weren't included.

Therefore it would be just 5 nights at the $135 price.

[thereuare]

I'm looking at Central Park South, Midtown East, Midtown West, Times Square...

Note that at the 3.5* level and lower you need to be aware of the following:

MTE - some of the known hotels can be a 15 minutes walk to the subway

CPS - includes the Hudson hotel which gets often get decent reviews except for the notoriously small rooms... would this be acceptable

Let us know if both of the above are acceptable and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Also, have you looked at the ESB, MSG and Chelsea zones too... these are usually considered fine by most users and the MSG and Chelsea zones often have some of the better pricing at the 3* level.

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