Priceline Hotel: NYC 3.5* - Times Square, Chelsea, or MSG area

[ricky.kaskus]

Hi,

I'm looking a hotel for 4 people, 3* or 3.5*, preferably in Times Square Area for 3/18 - 3/25. We all students, so we have a maximum budget for around 150-160 per night. Since I'm traveling with 3 other people, I'm looking a room that has two queen beds. However, I'm aware that PRICELINE can't guarantee the room that I want, esepcially since there are also a lot of boutique hotels in that area. I already tried PRICELINE both in Times Square and Chelsea area for 130 and got rejected. Should I use HOTWIRE instead? But I also notice a significant price increase in HOTWIRE for the number of adults that I entered. Is it possible to get two queen beds if I just enter 2 adults? Or should I keep enter 4 adults and keep looking the hotel based on my budget and my preferences such as hotel stars and location? Because I know in New York, space is really limited. Any suggestions would be very appreciated. Thank you very much!

[yellowdog]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Like you say. PRICELINE only guarantee a room for two adults. That could mean one bed only. And NYC is famous for small rooms and the trouble to get two beds. Another thing is the fire regulations for the hotels. And have in mind that the hotel can refuse you to C/I or force you to leave if you break the rules. Is this a risk you're willing to take?

Or should I keep enter 4 adults and keep looking the hotel based on my budget and my preferences such as hotel stars and location?

I think this sounds like a good idea to keep checking HOTWIRE. And talk with your friends and explain about the situation with PRICELINE.

What would be your preffered HOTWIRE zones?

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

Yellowdog.

[ricky.kaskus]

Thank you very much for your reply.

I think any locations such as MTE, MTW, MSG, Chelsea, Times Square, Downtown (SOHO area) works for me. But is it possible to get 3* or 3.5 * room for 4 adults using either PRICELINE / HOTWIRE based on my max budget of 160? Because the lowest that I can find in HOTWIRE is around 188, which is a little bit out of our budget. I know PRICELINE can't guarantee room for 4 adults, but how about I bid and see what I got, and then maybe call the hotel directly to request an upgrade for the bed? Or should I still keep using HOTWIRE and shouldn't take the risk with PRICELINE?

By the way what do you mean by HOTWIRE zone? Thanks again!

[AaronJB]

The issue with NYC in particular is that rooms are - with few exceptions - largely on the small side and in some cases (even in upscale properties) tiny - 150-200 sq ft is common for a room size in NYC, and some rooms may be a touch smaller than that, even in properties at the higher (3.5/4*) ratings. Some rooms may not even fit a rollaway, and if you search for 2 adults on HOTWIRE versus 4 adults there will likely be at least a fair amount of different in options and cost, as quite a few hotels in NYC likely only participate with HOTWIRE for no more than double occupancy.

Rooms with one bed are certainly a significant majority in NYC, and rooms with two beds - as a result - often command a premium that is higher than in most cities. Using PRICELINE to ensure bedding for 4 in NYC is definitely a risk and there is a high probability the hotel will say no or possibly charge to upgrade.

HOTWIRE zones are the different areas (ESB/MTE/MTW, etc.)

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