Priceline Hotel: 2* NYC (MTS) Murray Hill East Suites

[msilverhammer]

I have been trying to find a deal for a four day stay over the past two weeks. I had no luck bidding 5*, 4* or 3* up to $180.00 for Upper E. & W. Side, Central Park South, Upper Midtown, MTW, MTE, MTS.

I tried various combinations, such as bidding for only two days, one day, etc.

Finally had to compromise and look at 2* to 2.5* hotels...which is a first for me on Priceline. I guess there is something happening this coming week in NYC...could it be Father's Day? I did notice that all other hotel sites have little or no availability for this and many other hotels for this time frame.

Anyway after getting turned down in all of the preceding areas for even 2* and 2.5*, I finally was accepted in Midtown South area. The hotel reviews look really good, and this is a suite hotel, but it kills me to know that others have obtained a PL booking here at rates around $65 to $100 in March 05.

Unfortunately I needed four consecutive days which may have also contributed to my difficulty.

I guess that I am spoiled as I usually stay in Resort 4* & 3* hotels for around $50 in places like Orlando, Boston, Reno, etc.

[thereuare]

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

If you have trouble with future nites feel free to ask for help from the board, we often have a few good places to check before resorting to lowering your star quality (not sure if we could have helped in this situation, but a few extra set of eyes are always helpful :) ).

Can you also please add the address of this hotel... there is a similarly named hotel a bit further south and it will avoid any questions down the road of users asking "which one is this".

Just to confirm... this hotel is 2.5* rated? You mentioned that you had to bid 2* and 2.5*, and this hotel had previously been rated 2*; i'm not surprised to see it upgraded, but just want to make sure we got it right. Thanks!

Thanks again for posting your win to the board... have a great time in NYC!

[msilverhammer]

Hi,

I thoroughly checked all of the reviews that I could find, and closely examined the neighborhood, and depending on where you looked, the Murray Hills East Suites is rated 3* by sites such as Expedia and Travel Advisor. PL ranks it a 2*.

Let's not split hairs...Based upon the reviews, ranking from other sites, and after talking to someone I know who stayed there, I am going to consider this hotel a 2.5* and possibly a minimal 3* as you thought. This (my) rating might go up or down after my stay is complete, but if 99% of the reviewers are right, it will probably not go down to a 2*.

Perhaps PL goes by the old adage of "under promise and over deliver"!

I am sure that you have noticed the disparity of star ratings between the different sites such as PL and Hotwire, etc. My personal experience also has shown me that what some people would consider a 3* is actually a 4* and vice versa. Star ratings are like personal preferences for food, cars, clothing, homes, hobbies, etc., and are very subjective!

When I travel, I do not spend alot of time in my room anyway, so my hotel is used mainly for sleeping and bathing. I am always pleasantly suprised with so-called 3* hotels, that are in excellent condition, with excellent service, in excellent locations. Resort type services and amenities are usually lost on me. The Murray Hill East Suites looks like a good find formy purposes.

By the way I bid 5*, 4* & 3* up to $180 in UES, UWS, UMT/CPS, without success, then I started to bid 2.5* and 2* in MTE, MTW starting at $150 without success, and when I finally bid in MTS @ $170 I was successful. Perhaps if I had started in MTS @ $150 or lower I would have been successful sooner, but I have to be in NYC on 6-9. Learning experience! If I had more time my strategy would be to start bidding 2.5* to 2* in MTS, then UES, UWS, UMT/CPS, finally moving to MTW. MTE and SOHO if necessary. I also tried using various conbinations like one and two day reservations without success for 5, 4, and 3* hotels. Not available.

By the way, in doing my research I noticed a 1* HOJO right near CPS that might be picked up at a decent price. Great neighborhood, and hotel was just renovated.

Anyway, I can't complain after all of the 3*, 4* and resort stays that I have obtained for $60 to $35 dollars!

By the way the hotel address is as follow:

Murray Hill East Suite Hotel

149 East 39th Street

New York, New York 10016

United States

212-661-2100

This hotel should not be confused with Murray Hill Shelburne which is close by, as you mentioned, and is a 4*hotel, if I am not mistaken. Murray Hill East Suites is near the UN, and Grand Central Station, and just 1.5 miles SE of Central park.

Murray Hill is simply the name of the residential neighborhood that the hotels lie in.

[thereuare]

Thanks.

We list hotels according the the service which it was won thru... so Priceline rates this 2 stars?

[AlleninLA]

I managed to win a bid on PL yesterday for MTW 4* at $180 at the NY Hilton. Is it me or do sites like PL seem very inconsistent? Is there a trick to bidding?

I've stayed at Murray Hill East Suites once before a couple of years ago. At the time it was early March and I won a bid for 2 nights (Fri/Sat) at like $80. I was very pleasantly surprised when staying there. I stayed in an alcove studio apt. It was nice having a kitchen as an option... The frig was a nice thing... it also came with a Sofa, chair, coffee table, and table/4chairs. Very nice place to stay if you're planning on an extended stay.

[thereuare]

AlleninLA,

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Please add your winning bid (and bid history) to the board as a NEW TOPIC so that we can accurately reflect your win the topic title and also discuss the other questions you asked.

[msilverhammer]

:o Thanks for the word on the Murray Hill East Suites. My firends are there now and have reported similar sentiments. They are very happy. Someone at TOBB just reported a new win at about $85 for late July. :)

On AlleninLAs recent win in MTW 4*at $180, I am curious as to how many days this was for? It seems much harder at least for 6-9- to 6-13 to get a low rate on a four (4) day stay. One day stays are fairly easy to get, but to be honest, I had trouble getting a low rate in all areas for a two (2) day stay also. :)