Priceline Hotel: NYC November 14-16

[JenniferCochran]

Hello All!

I am getting ready to book a hotel room for Nov 14-16 in NYC. Like everyone else, we would love to be near Times Square. I had a few questions and didnt know if anyone could help me.

-I see that the avg for a 3.5 star and up seems to be around $200? Does that seem accurate? I will obviously start lower, but I am expecting it to be around that price point.

-Is November (I know Thanksgiving is, but I am dealing with the 14-16) typically a busy time? Can I expect to pay a premium?

-I have read a lot on here and it seems that getting 2 double beds is a slim chance? Is that correct? There are 4 couples going and we are trying to book 2 rooms, each with 2 beds. If I book now, and call the hotel soon, can they put me in double bed rooms? Or is it luck of the draw when we check in?

Thanks for your help! I really appreciate it!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

In terms of two beds, using PRICELINE for a room w/two beds in NYC is extremely risky, as many properties have limited rooms with two beds and many properties charge a premium for two beds. The concern is that the hotel may be unwilling to even offer the option, which has been seen on a number of occasions. It really all depends on the hotel and day, but NYC is particularly difficult.

Additionally, November - traditionally - has been an extremely busy in past years can be quite expensive. I'd suggest being persistent and starting to try now. Prices during the first half of Winter can be extremely steep.

For two beds, HOTWIRE would be a better option, as you can indicate the amount of people in the room - as a result, you are ensured some form of bedding for the entire party (that can be two beds or 1+rollaway or other option.) The issue: HOTWIRE is still discounted, but will be more expensive and have fewer options if you're searching for more than 2 people. In terms of using PRICELINE during the busy Winter season though, I would not go in expecting to get two beds (it's even provien tough for some users during slow periods.)

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

[JenniferCochran]

Thank you so much for that information!

If I book, will the hotel be able to tell me what kind of room I will be in? I think it may be cheaper still to try for priceline and just get 2 rooms if they do not offer double beds. But I of course would not book the 2nd room until I knew if we had doubles in the first room.

[JenniferCochran]

Also, I suppose I would need to know if it is even possible to add another room at the same priceline rate?

[AaronJB]

If you book the hotel via PRICELINE or HOTWIRE, then you can call and the hotel after booking and they would likely be able to tell you what kind of room you are (or would likely be) assigned to.

If you are using HOTWIRE and entering that there are more than 2 people in the room, you should get some form of bedding for the entire party (2 beds or 1 + sofa or other combination.) PRICELINE and NYC though - 2 beds is unlikely, especially during the busy holiday period.

If you used PRICELINE or HOTWIRE to book one room, then tried to find out bedding and then tried to book another room separately, there is a definite chance you could get a different hotel. If you are booking multiple rooms via PRICELINE or HOTWIRE - especially in NYC - I'd suggest booking the rooms together and not as separate transactions. Additionally, with HOTWIRE and PRICELINE,reservations are not refundable/changable; if you were to book and the hotel did not have availability for rooms w/2 beds, there's no way to change to another hotel that might.

Additionally, there is the chance the hotel would extend the option - if rooms w/2 beds cost more that you could pay the difference between a regular rate room w/1 bed and a regular rate room w/2, but again, there is the possibility that the hotel may be unwilling to extend that option, and there's no way to know in advance.

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

[JenniferCochran]

Hello!

I am trying to book a hotel room for 6 people in NYC in November. Based upon the board, I have learned that hotwire is my best bet, because I can guarentee at least 2 beds. My question is this, if I select 2 rooms with 6 adults, does that guarentee that my room with have 2 beds in each room? Or is it possible that I could get one room with doubles and one room with one bed?

There are 2 couples traveling but 2 of the people are not dating and would like separate beds, so ideally I would get 2 rooms with 2 doubles each. It I up the number of guest to 8 people, the room cost goes significantly up.

Any advice on how to ensure I get 2 doubles in each bed?

Thanks so much!

[thereuare]

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

Please click this HOTWIRE link, then reply to this thread with your expected budget (per nite) based upon the 2room/6adults search and i'll try a few options to see if you can come within the same budget and ensure 2 beds in each room.

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

[JenniferCochran]

I found that I can book a suite at Doubletree in Times Square that has 3 double beds for right at $1060 (both nights combined, includes all taxes and fees), which would be around $176 per person for the trip.

So since i know I can do that, I would like to see if I can find something for less than $1060 for both nights combined after taxes and fees on priceline or hotwire.

I calculated that priceline would be good if I can get it at under $140 per room, booking 3 rooms to guarantee I have enough beds. But I think getting that rate for 3 rooms is a slim chance.

The hotel doesnt have to be super nice, something in the 3 star or above range and near Times Square/Midtown Central.

Thanks so much!

[AaronJB]

Where are you finding a room listed at the Doubletree TS with three doubles? Additionally, are you seeing extra person fees with this rate and are only looking for one room for 6?

It's difficult to really find rooms to compare, as the Doubletree is one of the few hotels that appears to accept 6, as it appears when searching for 6 adults. However, 6 adults will likely be a tight fit and one bathroom for 6 is probably going to be problematic. 3 rooms is definitely going to be more expensive than one Doubletree suite and unfortunately, I don't think $140 is going to be realistic for these dates - although it may not be too far off: what I'm guessing is the Holiday Inn Midtown is showing on HOTWIRE for $170.

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

[JenniferCochran]

The doubletree is a one bedroom suite with 2 double beds and a sleeper sofa. I know it will be tight, but I feel like for the money/location/quality, it will be worth just having one bathroom. I found that deal on Travelocity.

I suppose I will go ahead and book the doubletree at the refundable rate and try priceline/monitor hotwire. If I get it, great, if not, I will just stay at doubletree.

The Holiday Inn midtown is also a very viable option. At 170 per night, it would be around $820 for both nights /6= $136 per person. I suppose i have to decide if I would rather pay $40 more per person for the doubletree location? Any thoughts on this? One major upside would be having 2 rooms and 2 bathrooms.

Thank you so much for your input!

[thereuare]

Please note from our support page that we're an affiliate of the [rl=http://www.hiltonlinks.com/e.asp?e=3&id=00020110]Doubletree (as well as Travelocity).... please check for and use the links there for your hotel direct or online booking agency purchases.

If you search HOTWIRE for 2rooms/6adults/2children you should be able to ensure quad occupancy (ie- separate sleeping accommodations) in each room (although the second bed could be a pullout sofabed, rollaway brought into the room, etc). Searching like this HOTWIRE has a few 3* options for $190-$205, which each comes to about $50-$100 then your Doubletree option above... the HOTWIRE hotels are a bit lower rated (star rating wise) but would likely be a bit more comfortable, provide more than one bathroom for 6 people (which makes getting ready to go out twice as fast), and a a bit cheaper.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll advise accordingly.

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