Hotwire Hotel: 3* NYC (Chelsea-MSG) Four Points Chelsea

[RickyMartin]

I knows its a bit early, but I'm trying to get a decent hotel that will allow me to visit the main tourist spots in NYC by catching a train/bus. It doesnt necessarily have to be in Manhattan, but any area that I can easily catch a train or bus will do. I will be arriving on christmas day at LGA at around noon. What areas/hotels are close to public transportation? I know this is going to be hard to acheive especially since its christmas and my price range is in the $100-$150.

Please help,

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Although rates don't seem that cheap at the moment, historically this is generally a somewhat inexpensive time in NYC. What type of star rating are you seeking and are you looking to stay at the least expensive hotel outside the city which meets your criteria OR if a hotel in Manhattan is available and meets your budget would you be willing to pay more to stay in Manhattan?

I'll also add that the W Hoboken meets your criteria and appears to be available for ~$127/nite for your dates... if that is of any interest.

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

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

[RickyMartin]

Thank you for responding back to me. The W looks excellent and ive been reading that I could catch a Path train that will lead me to NYC in around 20 mins. That sounds great!

On a side note, you mentioned that my dates are "historically this is generally a somewhat inexpensive time in NYC", do you mean that I should wait a bit to see if I can get a cheaper rate? Ofcourse I would love to stay in NYC instead(3*+), so thats why I'm asking if its going to be cheaper in the future.

Just for the heck of things, thursday night I tried bidding on priceline(didnt know that i should have used the link you sent me) for a 4* hotel in midtown starting at $111 a night all the way up to $120 while adding zones. I think I added almost all the zones that were close to time square, except for soho and the further ones.

I would love to hear your ideas and opinions.

Thanks,

Richard

[thereuare]

On a side note, you mentioned that my dates are "historically this is generally a somewhat inexpensive time in NYC", do you mean that I should wait a bit to see if I can get a cheaper rate?

That's a tough question... it comes down to if "a bird in hand is worth two in the bush".

From a historical perspective, rates are usually very high the first 2 weeks of December, then sometime around mid-Dec rates drop dramatically thru Christmas, then ramp up a couple of days before New Year's Eve. The 'unknowns' are exactly when rates drop 'around mid-Dec' and exactly what day they ramp up between Christmas and New Years.

Taking a closer look at your dates, currently rates are actually low on the first two nites of your stay and then go up a little the last nite. Is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option? If so you could purchase something well within your budget now for 12/25-12/27... then just 'fill-in' the last nite of your stay as you get closer to see if rates come down at all?

For example, HOTWIRE has a 3* hotel in the Chelsea zone (i'm guessing it's the Four Points) for $98/nite for the first two nites of your stay. There are some higher rated hotels a bit more expensive, including a 3.5* Downtown for $135/nite.

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

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

[RickyMartin]

Wow, $98 a night! Thats awesome thereuare!!! :) I'm definitely open to splitting up my room dates. My only concern is with getting the same hotel for the following night. If anything I could stay at another hotel, but would like to know how difficult would it be to travel to another hotel with 1 rollable size baggage? Bus/subway as I dont have a car. Do you think I could leave my bag at the first hotel? and pick it up the following day?

Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Just to let you know that youve already made me happy.

Thanks,

Richard

[thereuare]

I'm definitely open to splitting up my room dates. My only concern is with getting the same hotel for the following night.

If you split the bid you have to expect that you won't get the same hotel for the additional nite, but that's the trade-off for the great rate for the first 2 nites.

If anything I could stay at another hotel, but would like to know how difficult would it be to travel to another hotel with 1 rollable size baggage? Bus/subway as I dont have a car. Do you think I could leave my bag at the first hotel? and pick it up the following day?

Depending upon the size of the hotel they may hotel the bag for one day (although not sure if i would even tell them... perhaps leave with them, then call and let them know you were tied up and will pick-up the bag tomorrow... leave a good tip when you both drop-off the bag and pick-up). HOWEVER, this shouldn't really be an issue, the way 99% of the people would handle it, if too far to walk, you take a cab. As long as you're next hotel is somewhat nearby you're not looking at more than $10 or so for a taxi, which you should more then save with the rate above.

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

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

[RickyMartin]

You definitely know your stuff!

I would consider splitting up the nights if its cost effective, but currently the cheapest hotel next to the chelsea on hotwire is going for $178. So this would make my subtotal for the 3 nights 375+10 for cab=385, which is not bad at all, but its a bit of inconvenience of having to move my baggage to another hotel.

Do you think that I can be successful at trying to bid in priceline an amount of $120-125 a night for a similar hotel for the 3 consective nights?

Thanks!

Richard

[thereuare]

You may (i'm doubtful, but i won't rule it out, and you can try) be able to get something for $125/nite for all 3 nites downtown, but it's not as centrally located as the Chelsea-MSG property would be. As well, if you think that you can get something on PRICELINE for ~$125... why wouldn't this same hotel be available for less then the HOTWIRE rate of $178 for the last nite of your stay.

If you split the bid you don't have to restrict yourself to the Chelsea zone since you're taking a taxi... you can generally get to most other midtown locations for ~$10.

If it were up to me (and i wasn't traveling with my wife, who would not want to split the stay) i would take the 3* hotel on HOTWIRE and then try bidding for the last nite of your stay via PRICELINE with the assumption that you'll receive a different hotel.

Alternatively you could try bidding on PRICELINE for all 3 nites of your stay, and if that is rejected, try bidding on just the two nites above... but keep in mind when bidding you could receive any 3* rated hotel in the zone (or whatever star level you decide to bid) and it might not be as well reviewed as the 3* currently offered by HOTWIRE. HOTWIRE usually costs a little more than PRICELINE, but you have the added 'confidence' of the reviews of previous guests.

As well, with both PRICELINE and HOTWIRE, you are usually give the option to extend your stay, but if you attempt to extend the stay the additional nite, i would guess that you'd be offered to do so only at a higher rate then your previous purchase OR be told that there is no availability for the additional nite. However, you only get the chance to try to extend your stay once, so if you try it and there is no availability (or priced more than you're willing to pay), that is the only shot you'll get at assuring the same hotel

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

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

[RickyMartin]

Hello again thereuare,

After doing a little research, like looking at nyc in google street view(it looks like i can walk from one hotel to the other?) I'm thinking of getting the $98 Chelsea/Madison, but have a question.

Do you know what this hotel could be?

2.5* Chelsea - Madison Square Garden area hotel (0.0 - 1.2 mi from city center)

With the following amenities:

smoke free/complimentary breakfast/fitness center/business center/high speed internet access

Its going for $176 for the night of the 27th of Dec.

Thanks!

Richard

[thereuare]

This property has not yet been reported to the board, but my guess would be the Holiday Inn Express Times Square (W. 39th St).

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

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[RickyMartin]

Wow you were dead with the name of that $98 hotel. I just booked the first two nights for $98 each and it was the Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Chelsea. I will now do as you said and try to see if the price comes down for the 3rd night, if anything(since im going with the wifey), i could purchase the 3rd day directly from their site which currently is at $203, making the complete 3 nights for a nightly rate of $133 which is definitely not bad. Since I have time I will definitely wait and keep on trying to see if the prices drop a bit.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you received the hotel you were hoping for and pleased with the results for this leg of your trip... an excellent deal.

For help with the remaining nite of this trip, or to report your win for the additional nite, please start a NEW TOPIC.

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 this part of your stay.