Priceline Hotel: NYC Bidding strategy Sep. 2-5 2011

[Frommontreal]

Hi, first time using your board and Priceline/Hotwire;

I did my homeworks and read most available information so I'm now looking for your advice prior to starting the bidding process:

- Third time in NYC

- Staying Sep. 2-5 2011 (2 rooms - 2 adults in each room, need to be in same hotel, ideally...)

- Looking for decent hotel - clean - small is fine, as long as it's clean. (3.5 or better ?)

- Anywhere in Manhattan south of Central park (Except your advice on areas to avoid - please comment if possible)

- Wouldn't mind the lower part of UWS UES, but we can end up to the northern tip also, so I guess we should exclude it.

- Since we are four people, we'll probably use taxis so proximity to the subway is not a major issue.

- Since we are open to most areas, my price target is 160$ All incl., is this reasonable? I've seen a few wins at the W hotel for around this price.

- Should I go for Priceline/Hotwire ? Both ?

Thanks for your help :)

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Unfortunately rates are high for your dates (the US Open is taking place and brings visitors from all over to the city) and based upon current prices i'm doubtful that $160 'all-in' will be enough for this stay... at the moment you're probably looking at closer to about $200 before taxes and fees.

We'll suggest a strategy for whatever bidding limit you deicde, but i think $160 all-in (~$135 bid amount) will likely fall short.

Is Downtown-Soho an acceptable zone?

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

[Frommontreal]

200$ all incl. would be fine but really at the higher end of our budget

Location is not an issue ( downtown soho is fine ), as long as the hotel is recommendable

I'm comfortable adding 3 stars hotels if you feel we can get something decent.

Let me know of a strategy I could try, thx again.

[Frommontreal]

BTW, is there any benefits/downsides to the fact that I'm looking for 2 rooms at the same time?

Ps: I'll have to use public parking for my car (will use nyc.bestparking.com), so being close to cheaper parking could be a good thing.

Thx

[Frommontreal]

Found the following on Last minute travel, should I jump on it or should I expect better from priceline bidding?

4.5-star hotel in Manhattan - Greenwich Village/So 888-594-7935

Manhattan - Greenwich Village/Soho/Tribeca

Room Type: Standard

$188 Average per night

Total for 3 Nights $563

Check In: 09/02/2011

Check Out: 09/05/2011

Adult: 4 Children: 0

Rooms: 2

or

3.5-star hotel in Midtown/New York $169

Also seen some 2-3 stars (ex: Cosmopolitan Hotel) well reviewed on tripadvisor,

Should I stay away ?

[thereuare]

Booking 2 rooms is usually a non-event, but if it does have an effect, it's usually a detriment.

If the hotel you're seeing is a 'true' 4.5* property, i don't think you'll do better then the $188 rate. HOWEVER, the $188/rate at LMT is listed as 'on request' which means that LMT needs to contact the hotel to see if they can get inventory at that price... you can try, but given the high demand for these dates, i doubt they will be able to do so.

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.

[Frommontreal]

OK I made the request on LMT, the Hotel is the Mondrian Soho, based on their website cheapest room is 449$ per night;

seems like a good deal if it goes through. User ratings are good as well.

If it doesn't work, would the "3.5-star hotel in Midtown/New York $169" be a good deal or should I start with some priceline/hotwire bidding first (again I am open to most areas, maybe that could help the bidding process)

Let me know what you think,

thx

[thereuare]

Is the 3.5* listed as 'on request' or 'available'?

Let us know once you hear back from LMT regarding the Mondrian and we'll look at availability and current prices at that time.

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

Thanks.

[Frommontreal]

4.5 Mondrian Soho for 188$ confirmed through LMT.

Do you think it is worth using this reservation as a backup (not sure if it's cancellable) and still pursue the priceline bidding (2 weeks left)?

Can I expect a better deal?

Thx

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win... glad to see LMT came thru for you (and i'm pleasantly surprised they did)

You can try to beat the $188 rate, but based upon current prices, i'd be surprised if you were able to do so.

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