Priceline Hotel: NYC 3.5/4* MTE, TS/TD, ESB 6/6 6/10

[omar b]

I've read through many of the topics on this board (very helpful, btw!) and thought I had a good handle on bidding techniques, rebids, appropriate bid amounts, etc.

I'm interested in either a 3.5* or a 4* in either MTE, TS/TD, or ESB from June 6th - 10th. I originally included MTW and MSG but reviews of specific 3.5*s in the area made me hesitant to bid there.

Looking for a 4*, I've tried MTE, MTW, TS/TD, CPS, ESB + combinations and rebids up to $205.

Looking for a 3.5*, I've tried MTE, TS/TD, ESB + combinations and rebids up to $160.

I've yet to see a counter offer on either.

My main questions is whether the amounts I'm bidding are too low?

I'd like to keep my max bid around $200. I realize that may be a stretch for 4* at this time of year, but other closed topics seems to have seen results even below that price point. There seems to be less data on 3.5* success for the dates/locations I'm interested in.

Any comments on my strategy or bid amount would be appreciated. Thanks!

[omar b]

Brief Update: I increased my bids for a 3.5* in MTE, TS/TD, ESB up to $175, but still no luck.

Also, I've been using the PRICELINE link provided on this site.

[thereuare]

While nobody can say if rates will come down, or continue higher, between now and your stay, currently your bids are too low for these dates.

However, before moving forward, can i ask which hotel(s) you're not comfortable with in the MSG zone as most users are fairly content when bidding this area?

Also, there is no issue with any 'known' hotels at the 4* level, but once you bid below that in the MTE zone some of the hotels can be up to a 15 minute walk to the subway, is that acceptable?

Let us know the above and we'll take it from there.

Thanks for continuing to use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board for your travel purchases.

[omar b]

Thanks for such a quick response!

I know the list of hotels won isn't all inclusive, even what counting individual posts from multiple forums, but it seems the majority of people winning 3.5* in MSG get the Affinia, which I haven't heard particularly nice reviews up. Many mention getting rooms that they suspect are sold specifically through Priceline because they are either near construction, the nearby fire station, or the service elevator.

The 15 minute walk from hotels in the MTE zone is fine for us. It's our first time visiting NYC, so it'll be nice to walk around and explore. Thanks for the tip, though! On that note, are there additional zones that are a bit more tourist-friendly that I'm missing?

I suppose I'll just increase my bids $5 at a time, starting at $160, up to $200 for a 3.5* in MTE, TS/TD, ESB + combos and rebids, then post the results.

My current bid limit is still $200/night, but I'd increase that limit before decreasing the 3.5* rating.

Do you think splitting up the days is worth it? I figure because the entire stay would be at the weekday rate, it may not increase my odds much. Thoughts?

Thanks again!

[thereuare]

Even though your dates are all midweek, splitting can sometimes still be beneficial as per the following scenario:

Hotel A: $140, $140, $200, $200

Hotel B: $200, $200, $140, $140

Bidding for the full 4 nite stay at $140 wouldn't win either hotel... but splitting the stay could have you win each hotel for two nites at $140/nite.

With the above noted i looked closer at your dates and it doesn't appear that splitting will do much good at this point in time, but i added the info above for anyone else that may be following along (and perhaps inventory will change in the future so something you can always keep an open mind to)

With $200 your maximum bid for a 3.5* i would bid as follows:

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* MTE...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* ESB...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* TS...

Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* MTE and ESB...

Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $175, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* MTE and TS...

Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $175, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* MTE, TS, ESB...

Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $200

Any 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.

[omar b]

Went up to $205 for 3.5* in MTE, ESB, TS/TD + combos and rebids, but still not even a counter offer. :)

[thereuare]

What are your thoughts going forward... do you want to wait it out and hope for lower rates going forward, add other zones, increase your budget or lower your star rating? (or try SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID)

Any other options within your budget?

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

[omar b]

I went ahead and bid up to $255 for 3.5* in MTW, MTE, ESB, TS/TD + combos and rebids with no luck. It's a little frustrating seeing as the 4* bids have gone through for 80% less than my 3.5* bids, but I figure it's a combination of the length of stay and it being during the work week. I think I've hit my absolute max ($200 was preferred, but I definitely can't spend more than $250ish/night), so I'm exploring other options.

I really don't want to reduce the 3.5* star rating, so the only option I see for now is Hotwire.

For 6/6-6/10, there is a 3.5* in Midtown Central for $255/night.

Amenities are Smoke Free Rooms, Business Center, High Speed Internet Access.

3.5/5.0 on TripAdvisor, still gathering info for reviews on Hotwire.

Thoughts on identity?

For 6/6-6/10, there is a 3* in ESB for $222/night.

Amenities are Suites, Smoke Free Room, Fitness Center, Laundry Facilities, High Speed Internet Access, Kitchenette.

75% recommended on Hotwire, 3.5/5.0 on TripAdvisor.

Thoughts on identity?

Splitting up the dates may be an option, in which case, I can try to rebid on Priceline or go with Hotwire.

For 6/6-6/8 the same 3* and 3.5* above are listed on Hotwire for $218 and $251, respectively.

Then for 6/8-6/10 there is a 4* in ESB for $250/night.

Amenities are Fitness Center, Restaurant, Business Center, High Speed Internet Access

80% recommended on Hotwire, 4.0/5.0 on TripAdvisor.

Thoughts on identity? (maybe St Giles The Court?)

Any advice? Thanks again for all your help!

[thereuare]

For 6/6-6/10, there is a 3.5* in Midtown Central for $255/night.

Amenities are Smoke Free Rooms, Business Center, High Speed Internet Access.

3.5/5.0 on TripAdvisor, still gathering info for reviews on Hotwire.

No guess as it could be just about anything.

For 6/6-6/10, there is a 3* in ESB for $222/night.

Amenities are Suites, Smoke Free Room, Fitness Center, Laundry Facilities, High Speed Internet Access, Kitchenette.

75% recommended on Hotwire, 3.5/5.0 on TripAdvisor.

Thoughts on identity?

Possibly the Eastgate Tower but not that confident in this guess.

Splitting up the dates may be an option, in which case, I can try to rebid on Priceline or go with Hotwire.

For 6/6-6/8 the same 3* and 3.5* above are listed on Hotwire for $218 and $251, respectively.

Then for 6/8-6/10 there is a 4* in ESB for $250/night.

Amenities are Fitness Center, Restaurant, Business Center, High Speed Internet Access

80% recommended on Hotwire, 4.0/5.0 on TripAdvisor.

Thoughts on identity? (maybe St Giles The Court?)

St Giles The Court would be my best guess here.

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

Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[omar b]

Just to close out the thread, I believe I'm ending up going with my backup reservation (La Quinta Manhattan @ $190/night). I feel the reviews for the hotel are good enough to warrant me not bidding that amount for a 3*. Prices seemed to have skyrocketed because of the Tony awards. Just as a benchmark for those looking around that week, I bid up to $275 for a 3.5* in ESB, MTW, MTE, and TS/TD without a counter offer. Thanks for all your help!

As a side note, I realize this belongs in a separate thread, but I used your PRICELINE link to get a hotel in Austin, TX yesterday (same day - 5/28/11). It was the DoubleTree in Austin Central for $80 (retail $140). Thanks again!

[thereuare]

Thanks for closing this thread with your decision.

...I realize this belongs in a separate thread, but I used your PRICELINE link to get a hotel in Austin, TX yesterday (same day - 5/28/11). It was the DoubleTree in Austin Central for $80 (retail $140).

Can you please post this win to the board as a NEW TOPIC so that others will be aware of your win when searching the topic titles on the board and in the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins... nobody will know to look in this NYC thread to learn about a win (which may help them for their own stay) for Austin, TX.

Thank you for sharing your win and using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding.

[omar b]

Done :-)

[thereuare]

Thanks!