bond104 Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 Hello - I am a last-minute (read:procrastinator) planner, and am now looking to score a good deal on a hotel in NYC. I would like to spend no more than $140 (ideally a $115-125 rate) and will be there from 3/11-3/15.I am hoping to find a 3.5* or 4* - but really - I am not too picky. I just want something clean and comfortable.I am not familiar with the neighborhoods in New York at all - but I am very flexible with location, I am sure most will suffice. From what I have researched, however, I think I would like to be in Chelsea, MTW, ESB, TS, CPS, or MSG, in no particular order. I am a Priceline bidding newbie, but I have read through the forum and tried to get an understanding of re-bidding, although I am still a little unsure. I would love some advice on how to create a good bidding strategy. Of course, I will be using the links here :)I have also checked out Hotwire and found a 3.5* hotel in Midtown Central (same as TS, correct?) for $122, and it seems highly recommended. I think I have the hotel narrowed down to The Jewel, or Novotel (95% recommended, 4/5 TripAdvisor) I am torn between booking this or pursuing a Priceline bid - any advice would be appreciated!Thank you!Chelsea
thereuare Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 Welcome to BetterBidding!I think the first decision you have to decide is what is most important to you for this stay... the lowest possible price OR having a guess as to which hotel you may receive and/or knowing it has certain amenities you want for this stay.Let us know your thoughts on the above and we'll take it from there, as there are zone you may want/not want to include depending upon which star level you are bidding.Thanks in advance for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... please use for your searches too! Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
AaronJB Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 Hello - I am a last-minute (read:procrastinator) planner, and am now looking to score a good deal on a hotel in NYC. I would like to spend no more than $140 (ideally a $115-125 rate) and will be there from 3/11-3/15.I am hoping to find a 3.5* or 4* - but really - I am not too picky. I just want something clean and comfortable.I am not familiar with the neighborhoods in New York at all - but I am very flexible with location, I am sure most will suffice. From what I have researched, however, I think I would like to be in Chelsea, MTW, ESB, TS, CPS, or MSG, in no particular order. I am a Priceline bidding newbie, but I have read through the forum and tried to get an understanding of re-bidding, although I am still a little unsure. I would love some advice on how to create a good bidding strategy. Of course, I will be using the links here :)I have also checked out Hotwire and found a 3.5* hotel in Midtown Central (same as TS, correct?) for $122, and it seems highly recommended. I think I have the hotel narrowed down to The Jewel, or Novotel (95% recommended, 4/5 TripAdvisor) I am torn between booking this or pursuing a Priceline bid - any advice would be appreciated!Thank you!ChelseaMidtown Central is approximately the area to the North of Times Square, up to the South border or so of Central Park. TS-Theater District is a separate zone.I would definitely not recommend staying in Times Square, due to the hectic nature of the area and the fact that it's frequently the most expensive area. Other areas nearby often provide a better value and still aren't far from TS. MTE and ESB are usually cheaper, and occasionally there will be days when MTC is reasonable. I particularly like the MTE/ESB areas and would stay there next time I went to NYC - the only issue with MTE is that some of the 3.5* properties are somewhat far E in MTE.Unfortunately, HOTWIRE isn't available right now (early morning maintenance, I guess), so I'll check back on this post later in regards to the HOTWIRE listing.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
bond104 Posted February 25, 2011 Author Report Posted February 25, 2011 I think the lowest price would be more important for me - I do not need any particular amenities and I am not in need of a luxury hotel. I figure that all the 3.5*s would be perfectly acceptable, and probably many of the 3*s as well. The Hotwire hotel in MTC has gone up by a whole dollar to $123.Thank you both for the help!
AaronJB Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 What are the amenities showing with the HOTWIRE listing?A few issues with 3.5* bidding - some MTE 3.5*'s are rather far E in MTE, and the Hudson in CPS at the 3.5* level is very much a love/hate property, with a number of people upset by its extremely small rooms. The list of HOTWIRE properties (and the amenities that have been reported with each) and PRICELINE properties that have been reported to the board can be found at this link.I'd avoid TS and you may want to avoid 3.5* CPS/MTE, but otherwise, I'd start at $90 for a 3.5* in your acceptable zones and work up by $5's in terms of PRICELINE. Or, if the HOTWIRE listing is preferable, you could go with that.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
bond104 Posted February 26, 2011 Author Report Posted February 26, 2011 What are the amenities showing with the HOTWIRE listing?A few issues with 3.5* bidding - some MTE 3.5*'s are rather far E in MTE, and the Hudson in CPS at the 3.5* level is very much a love/hate property, with a number of people upset by its extremely small rooms. The list of HOTWIRE properties (and the amenities that have been reported with each) and PRICELINE properties that have been reported to the board can be found at this link.I'd avoid TS and you may want to avoid 3.5* CPS/MTE, but otherwise, I'd start at $90 for a 3.5* in your acceptable zones and work up by $5's in terms of PRICELINE. Or, if the HOTWIRE listing is preferable, you could go with that.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.The 3.5* in Midtown Central amenities are fitness center, restaurant, business center, and high-speed internet internet. 95% recommendation, 4/5 Tripadvisor. From what I've read, I'm leaning toward Novotel, but of course, I could be incorrect. It seems it could also be the Jewel - or something else I am missing.I attempted to do some 4* bidding - extremely low, just to see, and didn't hit anything in all acceptable zones (TS, MTW, MTE, ESB and CPS) under $120 (not surprised, as the 4*s seem to be going for $145+, but I just wanted to try).I will start with the 3.5*s, and avoid TS, MTE, and CPS per your advice and see if I get anything below $120. If not, I think I will book the Hotwire hotel for $125.Thank you for your help and I will let you know how the bidding goes.
yellowdog Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 bond104Good luck with your next round of bidding! Keep us updated and let us know if we can be of further help along the way.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Yellowdog.
bond104 Posted February 26, 2011 Author Report Posted February 26, 2011 Did not have any successful bids up to $120 for 3.5* for TS, MTW, ESB, Chelsea, and MSG on Priceline.Therefore, I decided to book with Hotwire for the $125 3.5* Midtown West property - 95% recommended. I had figured out with about 95% certainty that it would be The Jewel, and I was correct. It seems on other websites to be going for $239-250.Thank you all for your help.
AaronJB Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 Congrats on your success.I'm really surprised that nothing accepted at $120 on PRICELINE, given HOTWIRE prices. However, very nice deal for the Jewel, which is a newer 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.
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