Vietnam Posted March 30, 2011 Report Posted March 30, 2011 Details of the trip:Dates: April 28 to May 1st (checkout)Minimum 4 StarsReason for trip? Shopping (for the most part)Location? Preferably near a subway station that has easy access to shopping districts (I have no knowledge of NYC geography so if you can suggest areas that would be great) // (Optional: a nice view)Price? I don't know what the average prices are but I'd like it to be as cheap and convenient as possible (again, trip is for shopping).This is my first time using priceline but I think I understand what to do so:What are the bidding prices I should start at? (I plan to rebid as much as possible)What are the best locations for my trip (meaning, which zones should I bid in)? (I have no knowledge of NYC so this info would be great)Is there anything else I should pay attention to for a shopping trip to NYC?Thanks for the help :)
thereuare Posted March 30, 2011 Report Posted March 30, 2011 Welcome to BetterBidding!We'll need some idea of your hotel budget (per nite before taxes and fees)... we don't wan to suggest zones/strategies which are over your budget, and we want to make sure you have enough money left over to shop :)At the 4* level midtown locations usually work best for the average user as they're usually well located near mass transit and serve as a good 'launching pad' for getting to other parts of the city. I'm guessing you're probably looking at ~$200/nite for a 4* hotel in this part of the city.I'll add that while Downtown can be a bit less convenient for the average user, it's certainly do-able, especially for the right price. I mention this because HOTWIRE has a 3.5* hotel in the Downtown zone for ~$110 and this may be the 'best bang for your buck', although realize that you'll be giving up a bit of convenience (20 minutes or so via subway to get to midtown for times when you don't want to be Downtown... although you'll be closer to areas such as Soho (big shopping area) as well as Century 21 (famous discount department store)... further from the high-end shops of Fifth Ave). Assuming this is the Club Quarters, it is not luxurious, but it's certainly clean and functional, so it comes down to how much of a factor budget is for this trip.Based upon the above, let us know your thoughts and we'll advise accordingly.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
Vietnam Posted March 30, 2011 Author Report Posted March 30, 2011 Thanks for the reply :)Looking at the price of midtown, I think it might be out of the my budget. The trip is just me and my girlfriend and $200 a night would be overkill.I think a good starting budget would be around $100-120. I might be able to push it to $150/night if there was something worthwhile. For the trip, I'd have no problem taking the subway (up to 30 minutes) to get to certain places. However, I'd like a nice and clean place with (if possible) a decent view (i.e the window does not face a brick wall)So which locations should I be bidding in? Downtown is one, and I heard that the Financial District is good to (am I correct?)
thereuare Posted March 31, 2011 Report Posted March 31, 2011 Downtown is the same as the Financial District... it's slightly out of the way for the average visitor, but certainly do-able for the right price (it's about 20 minutes via subway to midtown).I see what i'm guessing to be the Club Quarters Downtown for ~$115/nite, and for just a bit more, the Holiday Inn 57th St for $144/nite. Of these which would be your preference? (based upon your answer we could then potentially try to do a little better via PRICELINE... or just take one of the above)Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Vietnam Posted March 31, 2011 Author Report Posted March 31, 2011 I looked at the difference between the two and I would go with Club Quarters.What steps should I be taking from here now?
thereuare Posted March 31, 2011 Report Posted March 31, 2011 So one more question before proceeding...We have seen the Club Quarters available for sub-$100 recently thru PRICELINE... would you want to try for that, with the understanding that you could receive a different 3.5* hotel in the Downtown zone... or would you prefer to pay $115 for a higher probability of landing the Club Quarters?Let us know and we'll advise accordingly. (NOTE: if you opt for trying PRICELINE, are there any other zones acceptable, as we'll then be able to use them in a bidding strategy in order to gain more bidding opportunities... if not that's fine too, but just want to offer you as complete a strategy as possible)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
Vietnam Posted April 1, 2011 Author Report Posted April 1, 2011 To answer your questions:Any hotel that is comfortable, clean and near a subway station (important) is fine. I'd prefer to stay as close to $100 (or less) as possible in the 3.5-4* range. My girlfriend is pretty low maintenance so luxury of the hotel is a non-issue.As for different zones that is safe and close to the subway is also fine as long as the hotels in the area meet the above requirements. Basically, my goal is to hit around $100 (preferably less) for any hotel as long as it will be a comfortable and convenient (near a subway so we can shop easily) stay. -----Thanks :)
thereuare Posted April 1, 2011 Report Posted April 1, 2011 Well it's a moot point at the moment as the 3.5* HOTWIRE property is not currently offered. Perhaps it will come back, but in the meantime i would bid the following zones:At the 3.5* level you have FOUR 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 3.5* DT, ESB, MSG, MTW...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $95, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* TS...Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $80, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $95, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* DT, ESB, MSG, MTW and ESB...Bid $100, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120Any 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
Vietnam Posted April 1, 2011 Author Report Posted April 1, 2011 Just following up, I got Club Quarters on Wall Street for $80My bids for the SOHO/Downtown/Financial Regions:$75 - rejected$80 - AcceptedNow that I think about it, I should have went up in 1 dollar intervals (cause I saw another thread that accepted $80)I'm still happy with the price; thanks for your help :)
AaronJB Posted April 1, 2011 Report Posted April 1, 2011 Congrats on your success. :)Fantastic deal for this CQ property!Thank you for sharing your win and using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.Enjoy your stay.
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