Priceline Hotel: Tips for bidding NYC Oct 8 -10 2011

[k-existence]

Hi everyone,

I've used priceline for NYC last year and got Sheraton Soho for $140. We lucked out, the place was great, spacious, clean and I would love to get it again.

This time, I have a challenge and need some tips.

Travel Date: Oct 8 to 10 2011

Location: Anywhere really as long as subway is close... but the closer to the tourist spots (times sq., soho, central park) the better.

Price: Less than $150 but as cheap as possible

Stars: I don't care, 3* 3.5* as long as it is clean and bedbug free (Anyone horrid stories about priceline + bedbug infested NYC hotel?)

Also, another huge challenge is we are budget travellers and were thinking of getting a room with two beds (queen is better than double) and some space for someone to crash the floor. I know we can't always get two beds... but any tips here for smart bidding would be helpful. Should we only bid 4* and up for more floor space? Avoid priceline and go with hotwire (even tho hotwire has nothing within budget right now)

Any tips would be great! Thanks

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

Sharing any prior wins would be greatly appreciated.

The concern in this case is that NYC hotels often have infamously small/tiny rooms, even at the 3.5*/4* levels. The Sheraton may be an exception, as that is a newer property and is either a new build (?) or renovation of an existing property. Otherwise, 150-200 sq ft. rooms (and sometimes less - see the Hudson's 130 sq ft)are not uncommon. Additionally, there's also no way to guarantee - unfortunately - a property without the possibility of bedbugs. Additionally, the only way to ensure some form of bedding for the party would be HOTWIRE and searching for more than 2, but that definitley becomes more expensive - with PRICELINE and NYC I would not go in expecting two beds. Finally, how far is "too far" from the subway - there is no way to guarantee a property near the subway, although some zones do have instances where the possibilities are notably further (3.5* MTE, for example.)

$150 is going to be difficult for this time period, as Fall is usually among the most expensive periods of the year.

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

[thereuare]

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

... and please read your messages and click these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links before replying.

Thanks.