Priceline Hotel: New York 9/21-9/26

[angiev]

Hi

I have been attempting for about a week now to snag a fantastic deal on a 4* hotel just about anywhere in Manhattan. Midtown East/West and Central Park South I think would be ideal but I have tried many combinations of locations and have gone up to $280 in price and even lowered my star rating to 3.5* which then returned that if I bid $293, it would be accepted. So then I start to think well if I can get a 3.5 for $293, how much more for a 4* which I would rather have.

I feel a bit disappointed because I went to NYC in 2009 and bid for a 3.5 * hotel in Midtown West and got it for $159/day for a week in December which I thought was their prime time. That time we stayed at the Mansfield which was a wonderful experience and that is why ideally I would love to stay at a 4*. It is getting really frustrating as my offers are being rejected in the $200s and then I get email alerts that 4* hotels are being booked for as low as $130!!!

Are there any tips you can share? Like I said, I am open to just about all areas (Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Central Park South, Times Square, Midtown West, Midtown East, Grand Central, Chelsea, Soho, Downtown & Financial). I'm getting really nervous because my trip is a week away and have not been able to book anything.

Another option I am kind of considering, is waiting to see what deals are on hoteltonight.com and take it from there as most of the time, they have some 4* for about $200 but I'm really starting to stress out.

Please help! You seem to have the sytem down.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I feel a bit disappointed because I went to NYC in 2009 and bid for a 3.5 * hotel in Midtown West and got it for $159/day for a week in December which I thought was their prime time.

It usually is, but two points to make... 1) 2009 was a bad economic time and hotels were really suffering, so deals in NYC were a bit easier to come by then they are at the present time, and 2) not sure what dates in December you were visiting, but rates are generally very high in December but then fall off dramatically from mid-Dec until just a few days before New Years Eve... so if you were traveling during the second half of December that would explain the much lower rates at that time.

I get email alerts that 4* hotels are being booked for as low as $130!!!

As you're likely aware, these alerts are not necessarily for your dates... they could be for dates during a much slower time period, perhaps Jan/Feb which is really low-season for NYC.

Are there any tips you can share?

Two suggestions:

1) what i believe to be the 4* St. Giles the Court is available on HOTWIRE for $315/nite, if that is of any interest to you (not yet reported to the board thru PRICELINE since their conversion from a W Hotel)

2) is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option? You can likely get a 4* hotel for your 9/23-9/26 dates in the mid-$200's, then stay at a different property for 9/21-9/23, but be 'forewarned' that 9/21-9/23 will likely be expensive, with 4* hotels in the $400's and a 3.5* Downtown hotel on HOTWIRE at $305

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll try to assist further.

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