Hotwire Hotel: 4* NYC (MTC) Cassa Hotel And Residences

[Alistair Stewart]

Hi,

I have posted a couple of times on this NYC priceline thread but thought I would just start my own thread detailing where I'm at.

I'm going to NYC from 04/09/11 til 04/16/11, and am planning on booking through Priceline (via links on this site, of course). Ideally, I'm looking for a 4* in Times Square or Midtown West, at a bidding price of around $150. As the criteria is similar to the poster on the thread noted above, I will follow the advice he's been given, thanks.

However, I have already managed to secure a booking for the Cassa Hotel and Residences (4*), on 45th Street and 6th Avenue (so MTW zone, but on the border with TS), for $215 a night. It is fully cancellable, so with this as a backup, it takes the pressure off trying to find somewhere immediately on Priceline. But, I am really wanting to make a saving on the $215, without compromising quality and location too much. So my plan is to bid for 4* TS/MTW for a few weeks up to $150, and then perhaps introduce 3 1/2* and MTE zone. Is it likely that I will have more luck as time goes on, or are the best deals usually found a good bit in advance? Also, I will probably increase my bid above $150 as time goes on, but I'm not too sure how high to go before just deciding to stick with the Cassa, where I know exactly what I'm paying for!

Any thoughts are really appreciated, and I will of course bid via the PRICELINE links here, and report back how I am getting on.

[thereuare]

So my plan is to bid for 4* TS/MTW for a few weeks up to $150, and then perhaps introduce 3 1/2* and MTE zone.

Is there a reason you're only bidding these two zones at the 4* level? For the average user, at the 4* level the MTE, MTW, CPS, TS and ESB zones all usually work well. As well, at the 3.5* level some of the 'known' MTE hotels are somewhat far east and not as convenient as other nearby zones, so including this at the 3.5* level but not at the 4* level is somewhat opposite of what we usually recommend for the average user. Also, CPS is another zone which you may want to avoid at the 3.5* level (although usually fine at the 4* level) but we can cross that bridge if/when we get there.

Is it likely that I will have more luck as time goes on, or are the best deals usually found a good bit in advance?

See the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ

NYC is expensive in the Spring and based upon current rates, if you included all the 4* zones above, i'm guessing it will likely take about $160-$180/nite to be successful.

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

[Alistair Stewart]

Amenities:

Smoke Free Rooms

Fitness Center

High Speed Internet Access

Thanks BetterBidding for all your help, as it was this site that helped me to the conclusion that it was the Cassa Hotel (based on other user's experiences and your excellent Hotwire Hotel List). I had already made a cancellable reservation for the Cassa at $215 per night on booking.com, but was keeping an eye on Hotwire / bidding on Priceline for a cheaper alternative. So I'm therefore delighted to have got the Cassa, a hotel that I really liked, for a decent saving (cheapest rate on their website is currently $283 per night).

While I see some people have won the Cassa for a lot less, my booking is for 2 rooms for 7 nights, so I'm not sure if I would have won a better deal. I'm very happy anyway!

I used the HOTWIRE links on this page to make my booking.

Thanks again.

[yellowdog]

Congratulations on your success!

Thank you for sharing your result with the board and using our HOTWIRE link to book this :)

We hope you're satisfied with the outcome and will like the hotel.

Dates are rate specific so you can't compare them. Everything is about supply and demand.

Enjoy your stay.

Yellowdog.