Priceline Hotel: 3.5* NYC (MSG-Convention) Affinia Manhattan

[m1cha]

After three days of bidding (3.5* & 4*, up to $130) finally got the 3.5* Affinia Manhattan... :)

Now i read something about 'special rooms' for priceline-clienst in the reviews an tripadvisor and priceline :)

But i'm optimistic (i have to be...)

Thanks for your bidding-strategies!

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Very nice deal for this property! While it has gotten a couple of mixed reviews, it's superbly located and the Affinia chain is generally consistently well-regarded. You may want to try contacting the hotel in advance to see what sort of room assignment you can expect.

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

Enjoy your stay.

[m1cha]

I checked my reservation on "MY AFFINIA CONCIERGE", room type is "GTP"...? :) No idea what "GPT" stands for. Can someone explain it to me please? Thank you!

[AaronJB]

Unfortunately, not sure what it may mean - it could be a code the hotel uses. You'd have to call and ask.

[zipruana]

Here is how I approach that ( because I am very fussy about being in a great room) ...and some version of this works for me everytime . When you check in - smile at the front desk person and say

"I know I am a third party booking....but....pleeeease don't banish me to a Priceline dungeon room in the basement" :)

...they laugh and almost always dont send me where they were going to. AND if they do send you to a crappy room, I would just go back down and smile again and say "that room is depressing man...have you got anything nicer???" They will give you a new room 90% of the time. But you gotta be playful about it and not be demanding nor unhappy to the staff person....you have to make their day better from having given you great service.

[e_nik]

I just came back from a 2 night stay at the Affinia Manhattan and had also read about Priceline "dungeon" rooms. I agree that they in fact have a policy of giving out lower quality rooms to those who have bid on a room from Priceline.

As AaronJB had suggested, I contacted the hotel and asked what kind of room I can expect. They said that since I booked through a third party, I would be assigned a room at check-in based on room availability that evening.

When I arrived at the hotel, the first thing the receptionist said was that if I was not happy with the room I could come back and ask for an upgrade for $30 a night. My room was in fact not to my liking. The room was very small (not a suite, just a bedroom), the furniture was VERY dated and, worst of all, the main heating pipeline of the hotel passed through the room, making it unbearably hot! The next morning, after a terrible night's sleep, I called Priceline, explained the situation (and the $30 upgrade offer) and the Priceline agent called the hotel. Within minutes the receptionist contacted me and switched my room for free.

I would advise you to beware and if you have any problems or are not satisfied to contact Priceline directly. I was impressed by their customer service.

[m1cha]

Our stay at the Affinia Manhattan was great!

Before going to NYC i emailed the general manager (no response) and the reservation office. They answered me that i don't have to worry and they were sure that i "will not be disappointed".

On arrival the girl at the reception were very honest about the "prepaid"-rooms ("yes, they are small and dark.") and offered an upgrade to nicer rooms for $40 per room per night... :)

We had a short discussion, but instantly after showing her the email-response from the reservation-office they offered me the upgrade to two studios (one with two beds for my parents) for free... :)

[thereuare]

Glad to hear it worked out well and you enjoyed your stay.

Thanks for the follow-up!