fabriciocvel Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 Hi everybody, Could anyone help me developing a strategy to get one or two rooms for 4 people in NYC from 11.22 to 12.03. I'm looking for a 3-star hotel (and up) in the following areas, (in order of preference): Mid Town West, Times Square - Theatre District, Central Park South, Midtown East, Madison Square Garden, Empire State Building Area or Chelsea Area. I would like to spend up to $ 4.200 (after taxes and fees) on this booking. Do you think I'll have more chances to get a better deal in last minute bids? Thank you in advance for your help. Fabricio - Brasilia - Brazil
thereuare Posted October 6, 2011 Report Posted October 6, 2011 Welcome to BetterBidding!Few issues to discuss to begin:PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel, and you could receive a room with only one bed. While you can call the hotel you win and request a room with two beds, the hotel may not be able, or willing, to honor your request. As rooms in NYC are notoriously small, and rooms with two beds are often considered an upgraded, it's generally considered to use PRICELINE in NYC when you need one room for more than double occupancy. If you decide to use PRICELINE i would highly recommend seeking out two rooms.The alternative is to use HOTWIRE which allows you to search for up to quad occupancy per room. The rates for a room with quad occupancy will often likely be higher then when searching for one room for double occupancy, but would likely be cheaper then booking two rooms. HOWEVER, one room for quad occupancy can get a bit tight on a 10+ nite stay. As well, two rooms will provide an extra shower/bathroom which will help each day when getting ready to go out for the day, dinner, etc. Also note that when searching HOTWIRE for quad occupancy, the room will accommodate four people, but the second 'bed' could be a rollaway cot brought into the room, a pullout sofabed, etc.So it will come down to cost vs. convenience. I think two rooms at a 3* hotel in your preferred zones is possible, but probably a bit of a stretch (but worth trying). However, if you're willing to stay Downtown, two rooms at a 3* hotel would likely be do-able, as would one room for quad occupancy in your preferred zones.Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. (and please click each of these previous links before replying) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
fabriciocvel Posted October 6, 2011 Author Report Posted October 6, 2011 Dear thereuare, Thank you for your fast reply. Both options (1 quad or 2 rooms) are ok to me. But I agree with you when you say that 2 rooms would be much more comfortable than only one. So I think that Priceline is the right place to bid for them. Tips on how (and when) to bid are welcome. Cheers, Fabricio
thereuare Posted October 7, 2011 Report Posted October 7, 2011 If you want to first try for 2 rooms at a 3* or better, note that in the MTE zone some of the hotels can be up to a 15 minute walk to the subway, and in the CPS zone the Hudson Hotel has extremely small rooms (even by NYC standards)... would both of these conditions be acceptable?Let us know and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow, with a maximum bid of ~$160, which would bring you just over your $4200 all-in rate.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
fabriciocvel Posted October 7, 2011 Author Report Posted October 7, 2011 Thank you thereuare for your good advices.Taking into account what you said, I would chance the order of preference to: Mid Town West, Times Square - Theatre District, Madison Square Garden, Empire State Building Area or Chelsea Area, Midtown East, Central Park South. In other words: It won't be a problem if I get small rooms (although I'm hoping to get large rooms). Thank you again for your invaluable help. Regards, Fabricio
thereuare Posted October 8, 2011 Report Posted October 8, 2011 Taking into account what you said, I would chance the order of preference to: Mid Town West, Times Square - Theatre District, Madison Square Garden, Empire State Building Area or Chelsea Area, Midtown East, Central Park South.What is more important... higher up the list of your zone preference OR price?If price is primary concern we'll suggest a strategy which tries for the least expensive 3* or better in any of your acceptable zones.If you really prefer the first few zones over the last two, we could bid:The least expensive 3* or better in your first FIVE acceptable zones up to your $160 limit, if that is rejected start lower and try for the least expensive 3* or better in any of the SEVEN acceptable zones.Let us know your thoughts and we'll advise accordingly.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
fabriciocvel Posted October 8, 2011 Author Report Posted October 8, 2011 Price is more important than location to me. Thank you thereuare
thereuare Posted October 8, 2011 Report Posted October 8, 2011 So a 3* or better hotel in any of the zones you've listed as acceptable, correct? If so:At the 3* level in NYC you have ONE re-bid zone. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.Select 3* MTW, TS, MSG...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* ESB, Chelsea, MTE, CPS...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* ESB, TS, MSG...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* MTW, Chelsea, MTE, CPS...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* MTW, Chelsea, MSG...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* ESB, TS, MTE, CPS...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* MTW, TS, MTE...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* ESB, Chelsea, MSG, CPS...Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* MTW, TS, MSG, ESB, Chelsea...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* MTW, TS, MSG, ESB, MTE...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* MTW, TS, MSG, ESB, CPS...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 3* MTW, TS, MSG, ESB, Chelsea, MTE, CPS...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160Any questions feel free to ask.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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