dt4211 Posted August 4, 2011 Report Posted August 4, 2011 I'm taking my wife up there for a couple of days for our anniversery, catch a broadway show, see the sights. So I'm looking in the typical areas--midtown, Times Square, Central Park South, Empire State Building, Chelsea.I checked the prices on Hotwire, and there's a 4-star in MTE for $352 a night with good reviews, so that's a price reference point. I know I'm in the wrong forum, but there's also a 2 star boutique hotel (no other amenities) in Central Park listed for only $176. Looks to be a new hotel with them, as they're still gathering reviews. Any idea what that might be? I'm leery because the area is so big, but the price is certainly enticing. I'm not opposed to staying in a 2* caliber place as long as it's nice. But with these bidding sites, you can't be sure. And I'm not seeing anything on Hotels.com that would seem to match up with that property (a 2 star CP area boutique hotel offering a low rate for those days.)Anyway, on the Priceline bidding, I was hoping to get a 3.5* or 4* for $250. . Judging from the previous threads, it looks like that might not be possible. I'd be willing to drop to 3-star, too, although from some previous threads it sounds like I need to watch my bidding zones at lower than 4-star to avoid longer walks or small rooms. (I'd also hope to come in closer to $200 for a 3-star.) Any general advice before I start bidding, or thoughts on the likelihood of getting a hotel in this price range? Advice on a bidding strategy?
thereuare Posted August 4, 2011 Report Posted August 4, 2011 What do you want try for first?Although a 4* doesn't appear to be within your budget at the moment, did you want to try that anyway... or start trying for a 3.5* or better?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
dt4211 Posted August 5, 2011 Author Report Posted August 5, 2011 I don't want to drop down to 3 star just yet, but 3.5 star would be fine. Since that looks a lot more likely at my budget than a 4 star, might as well start at that level. How would 180 be as a starting bid level?
thereuare Posted August 5, 2011 Report Posted August 5, 2011 How would 180 be as a starting bid level?What is your maximum bid for a 3.5* hotel? Which zone(s) are you willing to accept at the 3.5* level?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
dt4211 Posted August 5, 2011 Author Report Posted August 5, 2011 What is your maximum bid for a 3.5* hotel? Which zone(s) are you willing to accept at the 3.5* level?Max bid would be 225, zones I'd accept would be TS, MTE, MTW, CPS, HK, MSG, ESB. But I believe you mentioned previously that 3.5 stars in MTE could include a significant walk to the nearest subway, which I don't want. On first cut, I'd also like to avoid the really small rooms mentioned at one of the hotels in CPS. So that would leave TS, MTW, HK, MSG, ESB. MTW would be my top choice of these, followed by TS, but I don't have a strong enough preference to pay more for a hotel there.
thereuare Posted August 5, 2011 Report Posted August 5, 2011 At the 3.5* level you have FOUR re-bid zones. 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 3.5* TS, MTW, MSG...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* HK and ESB...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* ESB, MTW, MSG...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* HK and TS...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* HK, MTW, MSG...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* ESB and TS...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* MTW, MSG, TS, ESB...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* MTW, MSG, TS, HK...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3.5* TS, MTW, MSG, HK, ESB...Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $210, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $215, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $220, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $225Any 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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
dt4211 Posted August 6, 2011 Author Report Posted August 6, 2011 Quick update--I made it up to $210 following your strategy, with no luck so far. Looks like bookings are running very high these days--I checked a bunch of B&Bs and inns and most of them were full, as well. So the deals aren't there.Seeing how much taxes and fees are adding, I've decided to stop there for now. I'm going to look into options to just stay a single night on the 21st. If I use priceline or hotwire, I'll be sure to follow the links here. I'll post a follow up if I end up winning a bid. Thanks for the help.
thereuare Posted August 7, 2011 Report Posted August 7, 2011 Thanks for the update.Please follow-up this thread with whatever you end up doing for this stay, even if it's not PRICELINE or HOTWIRE. Also, if you decide to book direct, please check our support page where we have links to most of the major hotel chains and online booking agencies.Good luck. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
dt4211 Posted August 7, 2011 Author Report Posted August 7, 2011 Another update--lowered my star rating to 3 stars and bid up to $195 in MTE, MTW, TS, and CPS. (Dropped ESB at the 3 star level to avoid the Jolly Madison.) Still no luck.
thereuare Posted August 8, 2011 Report Posted August 8, 2011 Was the bidding above just for 9/21 or for the full range of 9/21-9/23?What was the best option you were able to find when searching thru conventional booking channels?Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
dt4211 Posted August 8, 2011 Author Report Posted August 8, 2011 Sorry, the 3-star bidding was for both days. As far as other options, Hotwire doesn't show much--the cheapest options are an ESB 3 star that looks like Murray Hill Suites for $242/night, and an unidentified 3 star in Chelsea (just internet) for $268. Then it's up to $350+. (There is that boutique 2 star in Central Park for $172/night, but I'm leery of any 2 star I can't positively ID.)3 stars on Hotels.com are starting at $269, and that's the Jolly Madison which has pretty poor reviews on tripadvisor. After that it's the GEM for $309. There's the 2-star Chelsea Savoy for $247 and the 2.5 star Belnord for $257.My plan now is to to bid up the 3-stars to my limit at $210 or maybe $220. If I still don't have any luck, I'll either switch to a single day or figure out something else to do for our anniversery. I guess we should have gotten married in August-looks there are lots of good deals for this month. :)
thereuare Posted August 8, 2011 Report Posted August 8, 2011 I guess we should have gotten married in August-looks there are lots of good deals for this month.More important you picked the right spouse then the right month! :)You may also want to consider bidding 4* in Hoboken/Jersey City (not sure how much it will help, but worth a shot as it will still give you good access to Manhattan)... or do a nice dinner locally on your anniversary and celebrate a bit bigger a week or two before/after (but you'll have to know how well this will fly with your spouse)Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and keep us updated on your progress. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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