Priceline Hotel: 3* NYC (Times Square-Theater District) Belvedere

[falcons1]

Hello:

Looking for 2 rooms for july 5 and 6th in NY area - purely tourist activities with children

Prefer staying close to most popular toruist spots. Just checking prices and reading thru messages, looks like central locations of NY are a bit expensive (may be they are normal for NY!).

Would you recommend staying in Jersey city or other area outside to get a cheaper price and better hotel? jersey city or other?

We are driving and thus parking can be a factor in the central NY locations?

We do not want to stay outside unless it is easy enough to get to the spots.

Not sure on how much we want to spend at this time. Would be ok with a 3* category hotel. Realize that priceline does not guarantee bed for more then 2.

Please advice.

[thereuare]

Not sure on how much we want to spend at this time.

Please give this some thought as this will really be the determining factor in where you stay. You're traveling with kids so staying directly in Manhattan will certainly be easier than commuting into the city, but it comes down to budget vs. convenience.

Would be ok with a 3* category hotel. Realize that priceline does not guarantee bed for more then 2.

While we give a general warning to anyone using PRICELINE for more than double occupancy, this is really not recommended in NYC. There is just too high percentage of rooms with only one bed, many rooms which can not accommodate a rollaway (many hotels don't even have them on hand), and at some properties rooms with two beds is considered an upgrade. Ultimately it's your decision, but it's one of the riskier places in the country to book for double occupancy when you'll actually be more.

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

[falcons1]

With the info you provided and from other threads here, i have attempted to bid as follows:

7/5-7/7

NY - MTE;MTW;TS;Chelsea;Garden;Central Park

Went upto $100 with no luck with 3.5*

Did not think i will get anything, but wanted to give a shot for the first day.

Jersey City

Went up to $95 for 4*

How far do you think i should i go before i have a chance?

If the prices are within 10-15 between Jersey city and NY, should i as well shoot for NY?

With kids etc, 2 rooms is getting to become a little expensive, but we have to get in at whatever price it takes.

[falcons1]

I found a 4 * on HOTWIRE today for $104 in the Hoboken-Jersey city area

suite;non smoking;fitness center; pool; restaurant; business center; internet

Looks like the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel.

I am inclined to go ahead and get this.

What do you think of this hotel with transportation to NY etc? they say ferry right outside (little expensive at $9 each way). Light Rail (not sure what this is) is also really close and so is a bus. Looks like the PATH is further away.

Is it true that all rooms are suites here?

Please give me a recommendation if this will work...

[thereuare]

The Sheraton Suites is do-able... but not ideal. It's the lowest 4* choice in the area as all the other 4* hotels are newer and more convenient. The ferry is a great way to travel, but not at $9/pp (imo) as that's $72 per day for a family of four! :) (unless your kids are young enough to travel for free) vs. the PATH train which is $1.75 and as low as $1.40 with a 10pk. The bus ($3.20) is at the door and it's a short ride to the Port Authority if there is no traffic... but then you also have to keep an eye on time schedules for the trip back home, the bus isn't as 'cool' at taking the train, and the Port Authority isn't the nicest gateway to the city. The Light Rail could be used to get to the PATH, but it just adds another layer to traveling.

With all the above noted, this would be a better / more convenient option then the Secaucus area.

[falcons1]

That does not sound very attractive even though the price is viable, other costs and trasnport logistics involved can take away from the experience.

knowing that, may be i should stick to NY. i read from previous posts that we need to stay awsay from a couple of zones for 3.5* due to some bad hotels?

Would you mind letting me know what these zones are? Would downtown/financial district zone be ok to bid or not?

looks like jersey city 4* is very high for the dates i am looking for (at least for 7/6) and thus looks like i will not able to get in on the jersey hotels.

[thereuare]

What is your maximum budget (per room per nite) for NYC? What is your desired star rating?

I recall from your previous thread(s) that you're 'ok' booking for double occupancy even though you'll be more then that per room? (NOTE: in NYC this is much riskier in NYC then in most other parts of the country since space is at a premium, so rooms are often small, and there are a high percentage of rooms with only one bed... and some have little or no room for a rollaway. As well, rooms with two beds are often considered an upgrade from 'standard')

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

[falcons1]

i was hoping i can get in as cheap as possible at 3.5*

Today i went as high as 125 today with 3.5* with central park south; chelsea; garden; TS; empire state; midtown west; midtown east with no luck.

I went to $110 for 4* jersey city with no luck.

At this point i am not sure what my options are:( Any idea where i might land something? Or should i just live with what i can get - sheraton at Hoboken which i mentioned above?

I would like to finish this today which ever way so that i can move to other locations on our trip.

[falcons1]

Need some help with Hotwire ID:

4* hotel listed in downtown-soho-financial district for $127 with internet; fitness; restaurant(2 adults)

2.5 * in hoboken jersey city hotel with suite;non smoking; free brekfast; internet for $97 (2 adults +1 kid). This one does not show up with 2 adults only and also shows 100% customer satisfaction!.

Please let me know.

Unless you think i am close to getting something by bidding higher ( i have gone to $125 for both jersey 4* and new yrok 3.5*) , my choices are:

above 2 or earlier sheraton i mentioned.

Let me know if downtown is a viable location versus jersey city...

[thereuare]

Today i went as high as 125 today with 3.5* with central park south; chelsea; garden; TS; empire state; midtown west; midtown east with no luck.

You really don't want to bid the CPS at 3.5* when you're hoping for more then double occupancy... you could land the Hudson Hotel and there simply is not enough room for 3 people in one of their standard rooms.

4* hotel listed in downtown-soho-financial district for $127 with internet; fitness; restaurant(2 adults)

Likely the Mondrian Soho and that would be my best guess.

2.5 * in hoboken jersey city hotel with suite;non smoking; free brekfast; internet for $97 (2 adults +1 kid). This one does not show up with 2 adults only and also shows 100% customer satisfaction!.

This likely is not in the part of the Jersey City zone you want to stay in.

Let me know if downtown is a viable location versus jersey city...

Downtown is viable, but it comes down to price vs. convenience. Depending upon where most of your plans were, i would likely take Downtown Manhattan vs. the Sheraton in Weehawken. But since (i believe) you're only searching for double occupancy, the risk factor is something to consider as well.

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

[falcons1]

our plans are to tour the midtown attractions; statue of liberty;empire state building; etc.

Now the downtown 4* has climbed up to 137 and sheraton is down to 104.

I went to $125 both in the jersey 4* and new york zones. I can a little bit more but a not a lot.

[thereuare]

our plans are to tour...statue of liberty

NOTE that by you wait on line for the ferry, visit the statue, and wait for the ferry back, visiting the Statue is going to be a nearly all day affair.

Again, your hotel choice comes down to price vs. convenience.

What looks like the Holiday Inn 57th St. is available for $149 for quad occupancy per room, if that is of any interest.

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

[falcons1]

ok. It does make sense to not look at the sheraton anymore.

do you think there is a chance that prices might drop next week for the dates in am looing for July 5th -7th? Is there any value in waiting? if not i will pick within what is available.

What zone is the Holiday Inn in?

I see 3 possible choices via hotwire:

3.5 * in downtown/SoHo with laundry;internet; fitness center $127

3.5 * in chelsa/MSG with fitness,business center; restaurant; internet $140

3.5* midtown/central area with fitness,business center; restaurant; internet $143

3* in empire state area with Suite; laundry; kithenette; fitness $140

All with 2 adults... Any ID on these please?

Also, if price is as above in these areas via hotwire, should i not able to get something for a little less via priceline?

[falcons1]

Please also see my previous post.

things have changed from my previous post for available hotels via hotwire.

now i see all with 2 poeple per room:

3.5* chesea/MSG area hotel - fitnessl restaurant; business center; internet $139 for 2 people

3.5* midtown central area hotel - non-smoking; business center;internet $120 for 2 people

3.5* downtown soho area hotel - fitness; laudry; internet $126 for 2 people

3* empire state - suite; fitness;laudnry; kithenette $ 138 people

Please help ID.

some hotel looks like they have a 1 person bed(???) based on their icons on hotel websites. since i put 2 people, will the room atleast have a queen?

if the prices are in this range, can i expect to get a little cheaer via priceline in the same respective zones? is it worth taking a risk?

do you see any that may work above?

when i change to 2+1 per room, the prices are too high on hotwire. so at this time, i have to take risk with 2 per room pricing and see what happens..

[thereuare]

now i see all with 2 poeple per room:

3.5* chesea/MSG area hotel - fitnessl restaurant; business center; internet $139 for 2 people

3.5* midtown central area hotel - non-smoking; business center;internet $120 for 2 people

3.5* downtown soho area hotel - fitness; laudry; internet $126 for 2 people

3* empire state - suite; fitness;laudnry; kithenette $ 138 people

Only a quick look, but if you let us know your first choice of the following i'll try to give a deeper look so i have more confidence in the guesses:

3.5* Chelsea-MSG

Doubletree Chelsea, Hilton Garden Inn Chelsea, or Holiday Inn Sixth Avenue

3.5* MTC

no guess

3.5* Downtown-Soho

Club Quarters Downtown

3* ESB

Murray Hill East Suites

some hotel looks like they have a 1 person bed(???) based on their icons on hotel websites. since i put 2 people, will the room atleast have a queen?

No... all that is guaranteed is double occupancy... which could be one double bed.

if the prices are in this range, can i expect to get a little cheaer via priceline in the same respective zones? is it worth taking a risk? do you see any that may work above?

PRICELINE is usually a little cheaper then HOTWIRE, but you then don't know the amenities offered by the hotel and/or able to take a guess as to the hotel being offered.

when i change to 2+1 per room, the prices are too high on hotwire. so at this time, i have to take risk with 2 per room pricing and see what happens.

Not really... i previously mentioned the Holiday Inn on 57th St for triple occupancy each room for just $10 more than two of the hotels above.

PLEASE remember to use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board for your future bidding, searches and hotel purchases.

[falcons1]

thank you. i am ready to buy from hotwire.

As i reserach some of the hotels, they have smoking and non smoking rooms.

So we could get smoking rooms via hotwire or priceline? How can we make sure that we non-smoking rooms with kids and all?

Please advice how others workaround this risk?

[thereuare]

Fortunately (for non-smokers) more and more hotels are moving towards a smoke free policty, but the only way to ensure a non-smoking room is to purchase a HOTWIRE hotel which shows the Smoke Free icon.

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

[falcons1]

ok. i finally decided to purchase on hotwire:

7/5 to 7/7

2 adults + 1 child per room

$161.00 before taxes/fees

I got the 3* Belevedare Hotel in Times Square Zone.

Overall not a great deal for a 3* not a price i was ready to spend, but had to get in somwhere. I got about a $15/room/night discount from rack rates.

Price went up to $190 now. My decision to go it with are: tired of trying; Near to Times Sqare; accomodates 4 per room; non smoking.

Bidding on NY is not the same as bidding any other location in the country!!

Couple of questions:

What do you think of the hotel?

How much will parking cost? will there be nearly parking garages we can use?

Should we still park our car and use other modes of transportation for tourist activities? Any other advice to make the most of it?

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you found something which should work for your needs.

Can you please add a reply to this thread with the amenities shown before your purchase... you can still view this information by going to HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top right of their home page.

You can call the hotel to find out parking costs, or the Port Authority (hours: 6am-1am) is about $33/day or check rates for other lots nearby.

My new find over this weekend is not too far from your hotel and has amazing breads/pizza (it's not really pizza but they call it that):

Sullivan Street Bakery

533 West 47th (between 10th Ave and 11th Ave)

New York, NY 10036

Also, since budget seems to be a concern, if you don't mind eating from a food cart (locally known as street meat) and like hot sauce this one isn't too far from your hotel (in the other direction from the bakery above) at 53rd and Sixth Ave (i'll be eating this tonite):

but the guys you want are only there from 7:30pm onward ('til 4am) and are on the South West corner of 53rd and Sixth... HUGE meal for $6. Just look for the line :)

A good sitdown pizza restaurant in a nice atmosphere (it's a converted church) close to your hotel:

John's Pizzeria

260 West 44th Street

New York, NY 10036

(stick with the pizza and the Petes-A-Rolls... i'd avoid the other menu items/entrees)

Chinatown is also fun with a large group (Wo Hop at 17 Mott St is one of the more popular restaurants).

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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

Enjoy your stay.

[falcons1]

Amenities Listed:

Smoke free rooms

Restaurant

Business Center

High Speed Internet

Hotwire user rating of 85 %

Trip Advisor 4/5

I used the the HOTWIRE link from this site of course.

[falcons1]

Thanks for all the input. i was going to ask you about the Rice cart. I remember enjoying the food (closer to rockefellar center) in 2003 when we were in NY (no kids fun time). We will defintely seek them out. Thanks for input on parking.

Should we use a cab to go to places? - ground zero; empire state bldg; Rockefellar; Statue of Liberty(ferry); grand central..

How long should we allot for a visit to statue of liberty as these will be week days?

[thereuare]

For the Statue (if you decide you must go) i'd figure 3/4 of a day... get to Battery Park first thing in the morning and get one one of the earliest ferries, otherwise you'll wait on line to get on the board and then again for your return.

For most midtown activities you should go on foot and during the daytime take the subway, it's the quickest form of transportation in the city... take taxis late at nite.

Thank you for sharing your results and using the HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your purchase.