Hotwire Hotel: Help identify 4* midtown central

[Mommafour]

I realize we picked an expensive time to visit new York, but it's hubby's 40th and we got a screaming deal on airfare.

We've narrowed our location to times square. Our friends are staying in the lower east side, but we think we'd like to be closer to the places we'll be going to (and I just had knee surgery and am not sure how much walking I'll be doing).

I've never used price line before but was recommended to do so. 4* hotels are listing for $400+ on most sites. I'd like to get in the $350 or lower range.

My biggest concern is the unknown. It seems that a lot of the deals people get are through name brand hotels. I would prefer to stay at a Marriott/Hilton/hyatt type of place vs. a boutique hotel (I want a tall building so we can request a high floor). Is it risky to use priceline given that I don't want a boutique?

I've poked around this site and there don't seem to be any winning bids in times square comparable to what I'm looking at (my guess is that people aren't willing to go as high as I am).

Any helpful bidding strategies will be greatly appreciated!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

With PRICELINE one has to be willing to accept any of the possibilities when bidding (in terms of bidding on a 4* in TS, for example, one has to be willing to accept any of the possibilities.) HOTWIRE would be a better choice in terms of trying to steer away/to a certain property or style, as based upon the information showing, one can make an educated guess as to which hotels are showing. If staying away from a smaller boutique property is a must, there is a risk on PRICELINE of getting one of these properties. On the flipside, while high floor is usually a basic request, requests are not guaranteed and a hotel in NYC during the busiest season of the year may not be able/willing to fulfill the request (or they may, there's no guarantee.)

The problem with Times Square is also that it's generally the most expensive zone in the city; I think you're possibly looking at $250-275 for a 4* in TS, but these are very busy dates (NYC is generally busy/expensive from September through mid-December), and if hotels are not aggressively discounting, a bid over $300 could be required.

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

[Mommafour]

Amenities include

Smoke free rooms

Fitness center

High speed Internet access

$338 a night 10/4-8

Anyone? Tia!

[AaronJB]

This would be a likely match for the Cassa.

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