Hotwire Hotel: Help identify 3.5* Midtown Central, $123

Mark 8 · May 18, 2011

Hello everyone!

Could anyone help me identify:

3.5* Midtown Central

$123

Fitness center

Restaurant

Business Center

High-Speed Internet Access

Recommended in 65% of customer reviews

July 22 - 29

Thanks!!!

AaronJB · May 18, 2011

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

This is likely the Hudson.

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

Mark 8 · May 19, 2011

Thanks for your reply, Aaron!

I have a couple of questions for you (or anyone who may want to answer them):

1) The dates I'm looking for are July 22-29. Should I wait or should I take this deal?

2) Are all Hotwire hotels good? That is, in case that is not the Hudson, will it still be a good hotel?

3) Is $123 a good deal? Is it as good as it gets for a 3.5* hotel? Would I get a better deal on Priceline? I've read loads of posts on the Priceline forum and it seems to be very complicated and some things should be taken into account, e.g. some people say Priceline won't let you book seven nights, etc. I guess what I'm trying to ask is if I'll get a 3.5* hotel on Priceline for less than $123 a night?

Thanks!!

thereuare · May 19, 2011

Please start by reading your messages and clicking these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links... then reply to this thread and we'll have a look at your post above.

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

Thanks.

Mark 8 · May 19, 2011

Done. :)

AaronJB · May 20, 2011

A few notes:

There is no way to know for sure if rates will come down between now and your stay; they may go either way, or the listing could change/go away. PRICELINE would offer a cheaper rate, but that service is more opaque than HOTWIRE - HOTWIRE is generally moderately more expensive, but you can make an "educated guess" as to which hotels are showing based upon the amenities seen. You can certainly get a hotel for 7 days on PRICELINE.

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

Mark 8 · May 20, 2011

Thanks so much for your reply, Aaron!

There's so much information about Priceline that I find it a little overwhelming. I read somewhere that you should divide your bid for a stay of seven days.

Yesterday's listing has gone up 20 dollars. How much does it fluctuate?

Aarrrrrghhhh. :)

thereuare · May 20, 2011

I read somewhere that you should divide your bid for a stay of seven days.

In certain circumstances this is true, but it's not always necessary... typically it's recommended if there is a price change during your stay or if some of the dates in question are more difficult then others.

How important is room quality vs. price to you for this stay and what is your maximum budget (per nite before fees and taxes)?

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

Mark 8 · May 20, 2011

In an ideal world I'd like a 3* for max 120.

I feel a little bit foolish now for not having taken the initial offer, since now the same listing has gone up.

thereuare · May 20, 2011

Are you now looking to bid on PRICELINE for this stay? Are you ready to lock-in a non-refundable purchase at this time?

If so, which zone(s) are you willing to accept? (enter NYC in the search box on the top right corner of this page to see the different zone options in NYC) Are you willing to pay more for a higher rated hotel OR is your goal the least expensive 3* or better for this stay? Would landing the Hudson Hotel in the CPS zone, which has notoriously small rooms, be acceptable? Would a 15 minute walk to the subway be acceptable?

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

Mark 8 · May 20, 2011

Are you now looking to bid on PRICELINE for this stay?

Although I've still a month and a half to go, I hate having things hanging. Having secured a room would be a huge relief for me

Are you ready to lock-in a non-refundable purchase at this time?

Sure. It is non-refundable right now and it'll still be non-refundable in eight weeks.

Which zone(s) are you willing to accept?

In no particular order:

CPS

ESB

HK

MSG

MTE

MTW

MTC

TS

UES

UWS

Are you willing to pay more for a higher rated hotel OR is your goal the least expensive 3* or better for this stay?

My goal is to get a 3* or better for max 120.

Would landing the Hudson Hotel in the CPS zone, which has notoriously small rooms, be acceptable?

Hudson = Sure. Fifteen minute walk to subway station = I would hate that.

I should add that through Priceline's booking.com I have secured a reservation that I can cancel at any time at no cost at the Thirty Thirty Hotel, for the seven nights (7/22 - 7/29) for just about a thousand dollars. Is it possible to get a better deal?

thereuare · May 21, 2011

Since there is at least one hotel in the MTE zone which could be a 15 minute walk to the subway when bidding less than 4*, we'll won't include that zone in the bidding. (there is also no MTC zone on PRICELINE)

At the 3* level you have ONE re-bid zone. 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* CPS, ESB, HK, MSG...

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $70, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTW, TS, UES, UWS..

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $70, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTW, ESB, HK, MSG...

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $80, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, TS, UES, UWS..

Bid $75, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $80, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, TS, HK, MSG...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $90, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTW, ESB, UES, UWS...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $90, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, ESB, UES, MSG...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $100, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTW, TS, HK, UWS...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $100, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, ESB, HK, UWS...

Bid $105, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTW, TS, UES, MSG...

Bid $105, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, ESB, HK, UWS, MTW, TS...

Bid $110, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, ESB, HK, UWS, UES, MSG...

Bid $110, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, ESB, HK, UWS, MTW, TS, UES, MSG...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $120

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.

Mark 8 · May 23, 2011

Thanks so much for the advice, thereuare! :)

Any questions feel free to ask.

I do have a couple of questions!

I've arranged the locations based on desirability and I've included MTE, as well. Could you please help me with a new strategy that takes this into account? I tried to find a pattern in the previous strategy but got lost -- maybe I'm too thick.

The order is

TS
CPS
MTW
UWS
MTW
UES
ES
MSG
HK

Some other questions:

Can I do the exact same process with 4* and 3.5*? I know it may take a lot of time and may be kind of wishful thinking, but I've got plenty of time and hope!
When you say 'close the browser' should I just close it or erase the cookies as well?
Should I log in to my Priceline account while I do this?

And lastly:

Is re-bidding safe? I'm terrified of it. I thoroughly understand the concept (although I'm not sure what zones are considered re-bid zones in New York), and I'm just terrified that, for some strange reason, I'll end up for seven nights at a hotel in Long Island. Could I not re-bid?

Once again, thank you so much for your help!

thereuare · May 24, 2011

I've arranged the locations based on desirability and I've included MTE, as well.
The order is
TS
CPS
MTW
UWS
MTW
UES
ES
MSG
HK

You have not included MTE in your list above. Are you willing to pay more for a hotel in TS vs. CPS vs. MTW vs. UWS, etc, etc, etc. OR is your real goal the least expensive hotel at the star rating you designate in any of the acceptable zones?

When i've indicated to close the browser you only need to close the browser.

Is re-bidding safe? I'm terrified of it.

It is if you understand how to determine your re-bid zones. If the Priceline Re-Bidding Explained thread is not clear post back and we'll break it down further for you.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... please click this PRICELINE link before replying.

Mark 8 · May 24, 2011

You have not included MTE in your list above.

Sorry! Typo. Here it is:

TS
CPS
MTW
UWS
MTE
UES
ES
MSG
HK

Are you willing to pay more for a hotel in TS vs. CPS vs. MTW vs. UWS, etc, etc, etc. OR is your real goal the least expensive hotel at the star rating you designate in any of the acceptable zones?

I'd like my bids to follow an order so that if I don't get the most desirable zone at first then I'll get the second, or the third, or the...

Am I making sense?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the strategy you posted is brilliant and I just wanted to incorporate a specific order to my bids.

It is [not scary to re-bid] if you understand how to determine your re-bid zones.

What are my re-bid zones in New York?

Thanks!!!

thereuare · May 25, 2011

... please click this PRICELINE link before replying.

Mark 8 · May 25, 2011

Done! :)

Mark 8 · May 27, 2011

Help?

thereuare · May 28, 2011

The following lists each bid at 3* but you can choose whatever star level you'd like. However, if you plan to bid multiple star ratings within 24 hours, you need to start with the highest star rating and then lower (as opposed to starting at 3* and then trying 3.5*/4* within 24 hours)

Please remember to start each of your bids with the PRICELINE links on the board.

Select 3* TS...