jsteph Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 My dh and I are heading to NYC for a long-weekend in June. A friend recommended priceline for travel deals. I've been reading many posts on this board and wondered what your opinion would be.I've stayed in the Affinia Shelbourne and Warwick before (very good experience at both) and would like to try something new. My dh has never been to NYC before and isn't very good with uncertainty...he wants to just book the Aff Shel now and be done with it! If I bid on a 4* would I be guaranteed a comparable stay in terms of quality? For priceline my top budget would be $200 all in I guess, but lower would be awesome. Would we be guaranteed a queen or king with that amount? We're pretty flexible with zones as long as it's in a good area close to subway.Sorry for the rambling.I'd appreciate any tips or advice, and of course will follow whatever links. :)
thereuare Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 Welcome to BetterBidding!I've stayed in the Affinia Shelbourne and Warwick before (very good experience at both) and would like to try something new.... If I bid on a 4* would I be guaranteed a comparable stay in terms of quality?In theory 'yes', but in actuality it's difficult to say... within every star category there are those near the top of the range and those near the bottom of the range (as i often explain it, some students get a 100 on a test, others get 90, but they both still only show 'A' on their report card)... there may be some 3.5* near the top of their range which you prefer more than a 4* hotel near the bottom of the range. Every service does their best to try to accurately rate hotels, but as star ratings are subjective, it's a difficult task... while you may have enjoyed your stay at the Shelbourne and the Warwick, i'm sure i can find some negative reviews of users who didn't enjoy their stay (just as i can for just about any hotel in NYC). You need to be willing to accept any hotel in the zone at the star rating you choose. (although note that PRICELINE currently rates the Affinia Shelbourne 3.5*)My dh has never been to NYC before and isn't very good with uncertainty...he wants to just book the Aff Shel now and be done with it!Once you purchase thru PRICELINE or HOTWIRE the uncertainty will be gone... he'll know exactly where he's going to stay :)Would we be guaranteed a queen or king with that amount?Room types are assigned at check-in based upon what is available. You can call the hotel in advance and request a specific room type, but it's just a request, and some hotels are more/less willing then others to accept these type of requests on deeply discounted reservations.What is the current rate you're seeing at the Affinia Shelbourne and/or Warwick?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
jsteph Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 lol I like the way you think!I'm currently seeing the Affinia Shelburne at $224 on Priceline for this June date (and I noticed tonight it's now 4*). The Warwick costs more.I'd like to try this. We did a similar blind bid for our honeymoon in London and lucked out on the Hotel Russel. What's the best way to proceed?
thereuare Posted February 24, 2011 Report Posted February 24, 2011 Indeed, the Shelbourne was just upgraded by PRICELINE in the last day or two (perhaps they considered your comment that it was the same caliber as the Warwick :) )To begin, which zone(s) are you willing to accept? At the 4* level MTE, MTW, CPS, TS and ESB all seem to work well for the average visitor, but you should look at the zones and their boundaries to determine if all of these areas are acceptable to you.Once we know the zones you're willing to accept we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
jsteph Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 yes, all those zones seem good for us. as long as there's convenient subway, a big comfy bed and (hopefully) a bar fridge -- we're good. :) def needs to be a manageable walk to the underground... not into taking cabs or hiking 20+ mins just to get to the tube. so if you know of any that fit that bill, pls edit accordingly.we enjoy exploring and since it'll be hubby's first time, we'll be all over the map, so we're not married to a particular zone per se. but 4* is what we're after, as we are trying to enjoy a nice getaway sans enfants. any $ we save on priceline just means an extra nice meal in nyc so let's do this! :) does a.m. vs p.m. make a diff for bidding?please show me your best guess at a strategy... thanks in advance for your expertise... j.
thereuare Posted February 24, 2011 Report Posted February 24, 2011 It's NYC and many rooms are small, so can't guarantee a BIG bed at any star level, but all the 'known' 4* hotels in the zones above should put you fairly close to the subway.At the 4* level you have FIVE re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.Select 4* MTE and MTW and ESB and TS...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE and MTW and ESB and CPS...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* MTE and MTW and ESB and TS and CPS...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175Any questions feel free to ask.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
jsteph Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 thanks!bid to 160 with no success.will try again on the weekend.
yellowdog Posted February 24, 2011 Report Posted February 24, 2011 jstephThanx for the update.Good luck with your next round!Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Yellowdog.
jsteph Posted February 25, 2011 Author Report Posted February 25, 2011 OK couldn't wait till the weekend!Attempted first two strategies again with no luck. On third round at a 148 bid I got the message that if I added $40, my bid would be accepted at $188. I retried instead with slightly higher bids, and at $169 my bid was accepted by the Kitano. I am thrilled!! I love the Murray Hill area and the prices on the hotel's website for the dates we're going are so much more!! Plus it has jazz and my dh and I love love love jazz!THANK YOU SO MUCH! YOU GUYS ROCK!! You made my weekend...can't stop smiling. :) I will recommend your forum to all my friends.jstephJune 3-6, 20114* Kitano$169 @ 3days + $89.61 taxes + $29.37 fees = $625.98Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.
AaronJB Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 Congrats on your success. :)Awesome deal for this well-located (and very well-reviewed) ESB property!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.
aegeanspy Posted March 7, 2011 Report Posted March 7, 2011 This is great advice, however I have a question. I have spent some time familiarising myself with the re-bid process, and can't figure out one thing [or perhaps a few things! Can you help?!]I can do the following:"Select 4* MTE and MTW and ESB and TS...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone..."A] Of course, at the $120 price level I am rejected, and Priceline offer me the option to select additional zones, being Brooklyn, Central Park South, Chelsea Area, Coney Island, Downtown - SoHo - Financial District, Hell's Kitchen, Long Island City, Madison Square Garden - Convention Area, Queensborough Bridge, Upper East Side, Upper West Side or All Areas.B] I have checked the 4* zones on the normal Priceline page, I can only check however the following zones: Midtown West - Times Sq, Midtown East - Grand Central, Wall St, Soho - Tribeca, Chelsea - Village, Upper Manhattan, Brooklyn, La Guardia, JFK, Long Island City and Bronx. The last 5 zones do not have 4 * hotels currently.My Problem!... I'm not sure how I can try up to the possible 5 re-bid zones, as despite Brooklyn, La Guardia, JFK, Long Island City and Bronx confirmed as NOT having 4* hotels according to B, of these zones only Brooklyn or Long Island City appear in the re-bid options for A.Have I explained this clearly enough and can anyone help?Peter
aegeanspy Posted March 8, 2011 Report Posted March 8, 2011 This is great advice, however I have a question. I have spent some time familiarising myself with the re-bid process, and can't figure out one thing [or perhaps a few things! Can you help?!]I can do the following:"Select 4* MTE and MTW and ESB and TS...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone..."A] Of course, at the $120 price level I am rejected, and Priceline offer me the option to select additional zones, being Brooklyn, Central Park South, Chelsea Area, Coney Island, Downtown - SoHo - Financial District, Hell's Kitchen, Long Island City, Madison Square Garden - Convention Area, Queensborough Bridge, Upper East Side, Upper West Side or All Areas.B] I have checked the 4* zones on the normal Priceline page, I can only check however the following zones: Midtown West - Times Sq, Midtown East - Grand Central, Wall St, Soho - Tribeca, Chelsea - Village, Upper Manhattan, Brooklyn, La Guardia, JFK, Long Island City and Bronx. The last 5 zones do not have 4 * hotels currently.My Problem!... I'm not sure how I can try up to the possible 5 re-bid zones, as despite Brooklyn, La Guardia, JFK, Long Island City and Bronx confirmed as NOT having 4* hotels according to B, of these zones only Brooklyn or Long Island City appear in the re-bid options for A.Have I explained this clearly enough and can anyone help?PeterHope this made sense ... can anyone help?Peter
yellowdog Posted March 8, 2011 Report Posted March 8, 2011 aegeanspyWelcome to BetterBidding!The board would be happy to help you. But please start a new topic for your own stay with your upcoming dates.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Yellowdog.
jsteph Posted June 7, 2011 Author Report Posted June 7, 2011 Just returned from our NYC getaway and wanted to report that the Kitano was excellent. The location was ideal for us. So convenient and within walking distance to pretty much everywhere! We had a room overlooking Park Ave on the 10th floor. No hint of cigarette smoke ANYWHERE, which I had read in other reviews and was a bit concerned about.Thanks to the board and PRICELINE.
thereuare Posted June 7, 2011 Report Posted June 7, 2011 Thanks for the follow-up!Glad you enjoyed your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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