Priceline Hotel: Using Priceline for family booking in NYC Manhattan

[kcam]

Hi,

Dates Aug 10th 2011 for 3 nights: 2 adults, 2 children under 6

I understand the priceline policy of only securing a room for 2 adults, but I'm sure that there must be many others like me who have small children and want to use Priceline due to the cost saving. I went on chat with Priceline advisor and they suggested that usually children under 10 are free.

Would like some advise on taking the risk since NYC is really expensive in NYC in August. Have people encountering this risk before and if so would hotel agree to having two small children and not charge us or charge and excessive amount?

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

In many cities it's a calculated risk which is in your favor... but i don't recommend it in NYC (nor do i necessarily agree that most children under 10 years old are free... first i've never really heard 10 years old mentioned as a cut-off point, and second, in NYC it's an issue of the room accommodating quad occupancy, not if there is an additional charge or not)

What is your expected budget (per nite before taxes and fees) and desired star rating? How old is your youngest child?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. (and please click each of these links before replying)

Thanks.

[kcam]

Hi

Thanks for the reply. The youngest will be 4. I have looked at Hotwire and they did have a place for 229 USD per night which was mid town and a kitchenette which would be ideal. But I figured this is quite expensive.

Price line gives a median rate of 274 USD a 4* for those dates (10-13th August) and they say that its possible to get up to 60% off which means a deduction of 148 USD. So on that basis I thought a budget of 130 USD per night would be a good starting point. Ideally would not want to go over 170 USD per night, (but maybe I'm too optimistic).

The areas I was looking into were times from 30th street up to south central park areas, excluding hells kitchen area

The priceline person on chat said that once booked with a setting of 2 adults you can call hotel to get a room with 2 double beds, I known its risky hence the need for advise and figured its also of interest to a lot of other potential families too. So any words of wisdom will be really welcomed since prices are sky rocketing for family travel.

[thereuare]

The priceline person on chat said that once booked with a setting of 2 adults you can call hotel to get a room with 2 double beds...

You can call the hotel and request a room with two beds, but there is no assurance that the hotel you receive will be able, or willing, to accommodate your request.

You can take the risk if you'd like, but it's not a risk i'd be taking with my own family (in Orlando yes... in NYC no). I'd sooner lower my star rating to 3.5* and choose a HOTWIRE hotels more inline with my budget, although i'll add that August is usually slow season in NYC and unless there is a large event taking place over these dates there is a chance that rates may soften a bit as we get closer to your check-in date.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. (and please click each of these links before replying)

2x

[kcam]

Hi,

Thanks for the candid advice. I guess we could petition PRICELINE to consider name your own price for families. I'll look again at hot-wire but the hotels listed for 229 usd was for a three star. I guess family travel will remain expensive. Most airlines have now also removed child fares too.

Thanks anway, I guess I have to wait for single travel to enjoy the excitement of bidding and seeing what they come up with.

Kcam

[AaronJB]

I would definitely continue to look at HOTWIRE (and Travelocity's "Top Secret" program is another option, although HOTWIRE would be more likely to offer a deal.) Please keep us updated and let us know if you have any questions.

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