Hotwire Hotel: 3.5* NYC (MTC) Hotel Manhattan at Times Square

[amcdonal86]

Hi guys, I have a backup reservation at Candlewood Suites Times Square for $350/night (rated 2.5 or 3 stars on other websites). I am looking to book a 4* property on Priceline for under $300/night including all taxes and fees, but I can't seem to make it happen!

I am open to most parts of NYC that have 4* properties except for Brooklyn and Downtown-SoHo-Financial District.

I pretty much ended up bidding most of the zones (except the ones mentioned above) for 4* properties at $220 and still didn't win anything. Seeing as how it seemed like that wasn't going to happen, I ended up bidding $250/night on 3 star properties (ends up being like $610 or so with fees, which is more than I wanted to spend even on a 4* property) for the same zones, and didn't win either!

Does anyone have a strategy that works?

[amcdonal86]

BTW, I am willing to accept these areas for 4* properties (some don't have 4* properties), but I prefer certain ones in there over others:

Midtown East, Midtown West, Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Central Park South, Times Square - Theatre District, Queensborough Bridge, Madison Square Garden - Convention Area, Empire State Building Area, Chelsea Area, Hell's Kitchen, Coney Island, Long Island City

Also, if it saves $100 or so, we are willing to stay at two different hotels the two nights. Thanks!

[amcdonal86]

No ideas? I'd like to start bidding sometime tonight so keep bidding as much as I can over the next few days (isn't there a 24 hour waiting period between identical bids?)

[AaronJB]

Maybe inventory is opening up a little bit as the dates get closer: there's a 3.5* in the MTC area on HOTWIRE for $151 w/Restaurant, Fitness, Smoke Free, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, which would be a possible match for the Manhattan Hotel at Times Square; there's also a 4* for $286 w/Restaurant, Fitness, Smoke Free, Hi-Speed Internet, Business in MTC, which is a possible match for the Sheraton New York and Towers.

In terms of regular rate, while in a completely different area, the well-reviewed Affinia Dumont would seem preferable (if you don't mind ESB) for $320 for a studio suite for Expedia. The new Yotel is $329 on Orbitz, and ORBITZ5 takes 5% off (plus the hotel has a robot that can check bags if your room is not ready yet.)

There is a 24-hour period between bids, but I would consider some of the options above or try again bidding lower rather than continuing to go much higher (or consider something like the above regular rate properties for cheaper.)

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

[amcdonal86]

Thanks for the input. Would you recommend waiting longer, or booking now? Both of those HOTWIRE deals seem pretty good.

[amcdonal86]

Thanks for the help, I ended up booking through HotWire and the hotel was indeed the Manhattan at Times Square. It ended up being only $181/night including all taxes and fees ($147/night Hotwire price).

THANKS!!! You saved me $350. And of course, I used the HOTWIRE link shown in your post.

[amcdonal86]

The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel

Smoke Free Rooms

Fitness Center

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-Speed Internet Access

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you received a very nice deal on this property and a substantial savings over your back-up booking.

Thank you for sharing your results and using the HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your purchase.

Enjoy your stay.