Priceline Hotel: NYC (TS) 5/21-5/24

[aquadove]

Hello,

Just learned about Priceline, read all the bidding and re-bidding FAQ's, was able to get a discounted airfare, but now trying to book a place to stay, preferably in the TS area, with a budget of $150-$200 daily rate for a minimum of 3.5* star hotel. I realized that I was probably too hopeful with my initial bids, so I'm extending my options to other neighboring areas within the City. Or maybe just not doing it right, since I saw someone got $85/night in the Soho area, and $170/night ESE and $140 in MTE in the winners board. Been unsuccessful in bidding so far. NY NEWBIE.

Here are some details on my lost bids (latest on top):

check-in check-out areas selected minimum star level 3.5* bid $160

05/21/2011 05/24/2011 Midtown West,

Central Park South,

Downtown - SoHo - Financial District,

(Pref)Times Square - Theatre District,

Hell's Kitchen

check-in check-out areas selected minimum star level 3.5* bid $150

05/21/2011 05/24/2011 Midtown West,

Hell's Kitchen,

(pref)Times Square - Theatre District,

Downtown - SoHo - Financial District

check-in check-out areas selected minimum star level 3.5* bid $140

05/21/2011 05/24/2011 Downtown - SoHo - Financial District,

(pref)Times Square - Theatre District,

Hell's Kitchen

Another thing is, it would actually be 3 people booking one room, and we are willing to sleep all together in 1 king bed. I'm not even sure if the hotel will allow this, but we are, let's just say, petite. Any help and advise would be greatly appreciated!!!!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Another thing is, it would actually be 3 people booking one room, and we are willing to sleep all together in 1 king bed. I'm not even sure if the hotel will allow this...

Few issues with this:

1) the hotel may not allow it

2) you may not get a King bed (Queens are a bit more common in NYC given the small space)... what if you receive a room with only a Queen? or only a Double?

It comes down to how much risk you're willing to accept, but we generally consider it somewhat risky to use PRICELINE in NYC for more than double occupancy... the biggest risk is not enough bedding to accommodate everyone, the secondary risk is that the hotel may have an issue with it.

If you're willing to accept this risk and are bidding 3.5* and under i would avoid the CPS zone as it has the 'known' Hudson Hotel which has notoriously small rooms and will almost certainly not accommodate three people.

If you're not willing to accept this risk then you can try HOTWIRE which allows you to search for up to quad occupancy.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there.

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

[aquadove]

Thanks for the advise and the quick reply. Ok now I guess the best way to handle this is to kick the other one out of the trip, or look for two rooms. Or one will have to sleep over at a friend's house in Jersey.

Now still bidding for 1 room, for but only 2 people, same 3.5* level and up, with a budget of now up to $175/night, ($5 from the bonus cash I got from priceline when we booked previously), any area in NY. Still no luck. Maybe everything is fully booked. Through a quick research I found out that most of the retail rates are between $200-$300 in the area, but that's the highest I want to go ($175). Will try again tonight with PL and hope for the best.

PS. Got $183/night offer at Hotwire for a 3.5* in Downtown SoHo. Amenities are Fitness Center, Bus Centar Landry and HS Internet. It's $13 higher than what I had in mind, should I go ahead and take it?

[thereuare]

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