Priceline Hotel: New York - 3/20 - 3/24 - Advice needed please

[troonmaroon]

Hi folks - a lad from bonnie Scotland here hoping for some advice...

I'm coming to New York with my girlfriend in March. I've never been to New York so very little to go on in terms of where we should stay. I've had a look at the variety of very helpful info on here and was thinking that ESB, MTE, MTW, and TSQ are probably top of the list. However, I've also had a spy at a couple of specific Hotels which seem pretty nice. The 'Affinia Shelburne' which it appears I could book direct for $170 (or $200 for much nicer suite) whilst I also see from another thread that the 'St Giles - The Tuscany' is available at $159 (on Hotwire). Also, although it's outside the areas I'm talking about above, I've also seen the hotel 'On The Ave' are offering their premium rooms at 50% off so 'penthouse' for $200. However, some of the ratings on Tripadvisor are a little off-putting...

I'd be really grateful for any thoughts / advice on whether or not those prices above are competitive or whether I might get something even nicer via bidding on Priceline.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Tom

ps - we're also going to be in Las Vegas and San Franciso so will likely look for advice on those too at some stage!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

The rates above are about what i would expect for this time of year, and also as expected, he HOTWIRE hotels are not only lower priced but also higher rated than the hotel-direct properties you mention above.

What is your budget (per nite before fees and taxes) for this leg of your trip?

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

[troonmaroon]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

The rates above are about what i would expect for this time of year, and also as expected, he HOTWIRE hotels are not only lower priced but also higher rated than the hotel-direct properties you mention above.

What is your budget (per nite before fees and taxes) for this leg of your trip?

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

Thanks for reply!

I've not really got a set budget. Would like nicest place (prob 4*) at best rate. Something around the $160 mark I guess. Perhaps that Hotwire offer is best we can expect? We're wanting to see as many of the NY hotspots during our stay.

GF will want shops too! :)

Tom

[AaronJB]

The issue with tripadvisor reviews and NYC (and with any major city) that does need to be taken into consideration is what price was paid. Many tripadvisor reviews are by those who paid full price, and with NYC hotel rooms often going for $250-350 (and more on busy dates), the room may not have met expectations. At 30-40-50% less than that, expectations may differ. If reviews are genuinely concerning though and discuss more severe issues, that would be different.

If you would like assistance confirming the St Giles listing, please provide the details (amenities, etc) of the listing. That particular property was previously the W Tuscany, so if you are looking for a more hip boutique property, that's not a bad option, and it is a nice area - while ESB is a bit away from TS, it's a very nice area with a good deal going on and provides a nice base to explore other areas of the city both North and South.

The other ESB suggestion would be the Kimpton property, 70 Park Avenue, which is $178 on Expedia and coupon code FROST11 takes another $10 off = $168 a night.

The plus with HOTWIRE is that one can make an educated guess as to which hotels are showing. It is somewhat more expensive than PRICELINE, but if one believes a certain listing is a certain hotel and they are interested in that hotel, then the higher price is worthwhile. PRICELINE is cheaper, but if you bid for a 4* in MTE (for example), you have no control over which 4* in that area you end up with.

Although prices do vary, I'd suggest looking in other areas than TSQ; it's usually the most expensive area of the city, and not only do other areas nearby (MTE, ESB and other Midtown zones) often offer better values, but those areas are less hectic (and still aren't far from TS.) My only note with MTE is that a couple of the 3.5*'s are fairly far East in MTE.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE or Expedia links to start your purchases and searches.

[troonmaroon]

There's a thread on the Hotwire page with this place. Guy there booked and said it was the St Giles. Only details are:

3/20-3/24

- 4* Empire State Building area hotel

- Only amenity is free high-speed Internet access

- $159 per night

- Recommended in 90% of user reviews

Cheers!

[troonmaroon]

I've another from Hotwire now too:

3.5* midtown east

Fitness, restaurant(s), business centre, high speed Internet

$149

Recommended 90%

Same dates

Any ideas??

[AaronJB]

The 4* would be a possible match for the St Giles Tuscany, while the 3.5* would be a possible match for the Hilton Manhattan E, Doubletree Met or Roosevelt. The Hilton Manhattan East is a bit far E in MTE, just as a note.

Actually, as another option for the 70 Park Ave that's even cheaper, Travelocity has it on sale for $152.

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

[troonmaroon]

Thanks Aaron!

I'm still hunting about.... good fun this! haha. I had a look at the 70 Park Ave property and just so you know, you can get it at $143pn from them direct at mo (including a 'wine experience').

Having said all that, I really like the look of the Affinia Shelburne so might book something there as my back up (currently $167 direct)...

Tom

[AaronJB]

Happy to help! :)

Thank you for keeping us updated and please let us know what you decide and if you have any questions.

Thanks for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links, or the regular rate service links in the Support/Travel section.