Hotwire Hotel: 4* NYC (MTC) Sheraton New York and Towers

[vt500ft]

I'm trying to use Priceline for the second time. The first time was a pretty good experience as a friend had done the legwork and knew the minimum price that would be accepted. Now I'm trying to go to NYC with some friends the weekend before the 4th of July and we're having no luck on our own. Might someone be able to help strategize?

We'd like two rooms in a 4* in MTE, MTW, UMT-CPS, MTS in that order of preference as far as I know...

Thanks! :)

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

What amounts have you already tried?

[vt500ft]

For the whole time period I've gone up to $160 for all the listed areas with no luck... Then I tried splitting up the time period for 6/29 through 7/1 and went up to $150 with no luck, then I thought I'd better ask an expert. I've seen prices accepted in that range, I must just be doing something wrong? What would your advice be on splitting up the days? We don't mind moving around too much, actually it might be kind of fun!

Thanks! :)

[thereuare]

Are you willing to change hotels more than once? I found a great deal on a hotel (a steal!) but it's only available for the middle two nites of your stay (which means a different hotel for the 1st and last nites... or 2 moves)

Actually i found a way to make it work that you can probably get the same hotel for the first 3 nites, but it would likely cost you a bit more than changing twice (it involves multiple bookings, so there is always a chance also that it won't go according to plan... but i think it should work).

Let us know your thoughts on the number of days splitting... and if you need to check with your friends make sure they're available as i don't think the first deal mentioned will last very long.

[vt500ft]

I'll have to check with my compadre's, but my initial thoughts are it would be fine. What did you find? :)

[thereuare]

Get 'em on the horn asap.... i think i can get a 4* hotel for $120 the middle nites.

You can then either get 2 different hotels for the first and last nites... or if you only want to change once, you can probably extend the above hotel to 3 nites but it brings the average up to $150/nite (so about $30/nite is your cost for not changing hotels).

[vt500ft]

I've already talked to them and they're willing, whatcha got?

THANKS !!! by the way... :)

[thereuare]

Thru Hotwire, search for 6/30-7/2... a 4* hotel in MTC (Customer Favorite) appears for about $118/nite (your price may differ slightly). If you're new to Hotwire you can use the coupon code 'giftcard06' for an additional $10 off per nite.

My guess is that this hotel is the Sheraton NY and Towers. If so (so buy the above hotel fist), you can then add a nite at this property direct thru the hotel for $199/nite... bringing the average to about $144/nite.

If it's not the Sheraton NY and Towers, then we'll have to find you altenate arrangements for the first nite of your stay (in addition to the last nite of your stay).. or maybe you'd just as soon save some money and stay elsewhere for the first and last nite... but we can work out those details after, i'd rather first make sure you get in on the above deal because the price is excellent. Last time i saw this price for this hotel (within the last week the offer was gone in less than an hour)

If it all looks good to you, book it, confirm the hotel for us, then we'll take the next step for the remaining two nites.

EDIT: i'm not so sure about the first nite direct from the hotel anymore, i may have been using a wrong date, but the above Hotwire deal is still valid and i would still lock in the middle nites

[vt500ft]

Sheraton NY and Towers it is, AWESOME!

How'd you do that, anyway? Guess it doesn't matter, but nice work just the same. How do I donate money to your site?

Now for the other nights...

[thereuare]

Glad you got in on that and it went as expected.

What was the price shown on the screen? Hopefully this frees up the budget a little, and when including these low priced nites, we can come in under your previously attempted budget (averaging $150-$160/nite).

Gimme a few while i look for the remaining nites... what's most important:

-value

-price

-proximity to Sheraton

[vt500ft]

I think I blew it! I didn't use the link to book the dates, I promise I won't make that mistake again.

I'll certainly more than make up for it via PayPal, too.

YOU'RE THE GREATEST!

[vt500ft]

The total was $509.95, by the way...

[vt500ft]

Importance...

1. Value

2. Location

3. Proximity to Sheraton

[thereuare]

What was the nightly rate shown pre-tax and pre-fees? (so we can reflect it in the topic title)

What is the criteria (as per 2-3 posts above) most important for the remaining nites?

[vt500ft]

$118 per night was the rate.

Maybe it would be better if we only changed hotels once. Like you mentioned, the average rate is still WAY below what I had hoped for...

We don't have any preferences, other than decent hotels. What other nice places are near the Sheraton?

[thereuare]

(posted before seeing your reply above)

Here are my thoughts on the remaining nites (which in NYC are closer to $200 than $118 :) )....

For 6/29 i would book the Beekman Tower (use this link if you book it) where you can get a 1BR suite for $194/nite. It's a true suite (separate living room and bedroom) so there's a lot more space than the typical NYC hotel room; and the reviews are excellent. Nearest subway is a little less than 10 minute walk (unlike much of the city where the subway is 3-4 minute walk) but there is also a bus right by the hotel that can take you crosstown (and to a different subway station). For the money, i think this is the best value that i'm currently seeing for this nite... and it's cancellable up until 72 hours before check-in date so you can also continue to check for a better deal to come along, but know that you at least have a confirmed reservation locked-in some place (and a good one at that!)

For 7/2: if you really want value, it's across the river in Jersey City, where i think you can get the Hyatt for under $100 (we'll suggest how to proceed if you want to go this route). There is a PATH train (runs 24/7) which can have you into downtown Manhattan in 8 minutes or midtown in 17 minutes. Rooms have a view of NYC and it gets very good reviews from members of BetterBidding. As well, you can see a lot of photographs of this property at our sister site: RealHotelPhotos.com. The downside is that being in Jersey City you lose that "NYC vibe", but for $100/nite savings its a small price to pay... but it's your trip so you know what's best for you and your friends and everyone's personality to staying on the other side of the river.

If JC is not an option, i think you can get the Inter-Continental for just under $200/nite, the Westin for just over $200/nite, or the Beekman Tower for $208/nite.

If it were me (and i'm all about value), i would take the Beekman above for the first nite and stay at the JC Hyatt for the last nite, but let us know your own thoughts (and those of your friends) and we'll take it from there and advise how to get whatever it is you want. I'm heading out in a few minutes but will be back in a couple of hours and update then.

[thereuare]

The 'problem' is the only rates i can find for the Sheraton for the first/last nites of your stay is $299/nite (which it isn't worth, imo).

What are your thoughts from the post above?

[vt500ft]

My thoughts...

I'd better talk to my compatriots before deciding on a further course of action!

I've sent them a link to this thread so they can read for themselves your recommendation.

So far I think we're in pretty good shape, I don't think there's a rush.

How did you know that the hotel offered at that price was the Sheraton? Perhaps I should try Hotwire again for the last night (7/2) to see if that might get us in the same place for a better rate than $299. Whatcha think?

Thanks again!

[vt500ft]

Actually, the last night is 7/2, Saturday night. Our flight home is early Sunday morning... Oops!

[thereuare]

Which airport do you fly into/out of?

[vt500ft]

JFK.

[thereuare]

Thread continued here: PRICELINE NYC.