Priceline Hotel: 2* NYC (MTS) Murray Hill East Suites

[phoenixstar]

Going to NYC for the first time with my wife and the in-laws. Have been having a very hard time finding a reasonable price for a room during this time. Was able to find a room with 2 queen beds so all 4 could stay in the same room for just over $250 a night. Would prefer to get two seperate rooms at up to $125 a night each. We are currently at the Broadway Plaza Hotel, which is a 2*, and would prefer to be closer to Central Park if possible. Anything in the MTW, MTE, or CPS zones would be great! Am open to 2.5*, 3*, 4*. Any bidding help, or if you know of any quality hotels in the area on hotwire or EasyClickTravel that I could book for around $125 a night, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[phoenixstar]

AARGH! Dates are supposed to be 9/17-9/21... Sorry about that.

[thereuare]

I don't think you'll likely be successful for two rooms at $125 (at least not worthwhile to take the chance on an unknown low rated hotel). However, you may be able to get a better value than your existing one room reservation.

Not sure if you're looking for additional ideas along that route as well.

[phoenixstar]

Am very open to ideas at this point. I noticed I could get a room at the Belvedere, which is a perfect location, for right at about the same price after taxes ($1,020 or so, comes out to $255 a night), but this has two double beds instead of Queens. If all four are going to stay in one room, we would be better off getting two queens.

If you have any suggestions, plese let me know. I am open to any ideas. :)

[thereuare]

I did a couple of Hotwire searches and if you search for 2 adults and 2 kids (which results in slightly lower prices than when searching for 4 adults... i think this should be 'ok' since it woudl guarantee sleeping accomodations for four (although this could include a pull-out couch and may or may not be any better than 2 double beds) but it's up to you if you want o do the 2adults/2kids route vs. the 4 adults.

Anyway, the following appear:

2.5* hotel in MTE for $200/nite

3* in MTS for $250/nite (believed to be the Murray Hill Suites... reviews)

Or if a pull-out sofa option is ok the best idea may be the Beekman Tower where you can get a true 1BR suite for $215/nite. There is one bed in the BR and a pull-out in the LR... and the reviews are fantastic (not to mention a likely big jump in quality from your current back-up reservation). Another plus in favor of the Beekman is that even though other hotel rooms may give you two beds, there will likely be very little room for the 4 of your to move around and relax. The 'true' 1BR suite of the Beekman will provide you with some breathing room while at the hotel. This would also be cancellable up to 3 days before arrival date so you could try the opaque services as you get closer to your check-in date.

Lastly, SPLITTING YOUR BID may be an option as well.

Let us know your thoughts on the above.

[phoenixstar]

Yeah, I noticed the same thing for Hotwire. I think I will probably have to wait it out for a bit more. I appreciate the idea for the Beekman Tower, but everytime I go to check my dates with the link you provided, it says that the information for this hotel is unavailable. Even still, I'm not too excited about sleeping on a sleeper sofa for 4 nights...

Just as an update, I did bid up to $150 a night for 4 *, $140 a night for 3*, and $100 a night per room for 2 rooms all the way down to 2* including MTE, MTW, MTS and CPS zones. May try again in a week or two.

As for the idea of splitting up the bid, I am open to that idea, but probably would leave that as a last resort because I really don't want to move hotels with my in-laws. If it were just my wife and I, no problem, but that just isn't the case on this trip.

Thanks for all of your suggestions and help! :)

[thereuare]

The Beekman will appear as 'available' if you search for 2 adults (and not 4). :)

[dahammer]

Even still, I'm not too excited about sleeping on a sleeper sofa for 4 nights...

agreed, that's why we often bring an inflatable air mattress on many trips when it's 4 to a room, get one with a built in pump, skip the Coleman unit as the pump will take up too much space. This may not work in many NYC hotels as the rooms are so small, you have to go outside to change your mind :)

This should work at the Beekman Towers in place of the sofa bed.

Check it out at Target using Travel Links to Help Support BetterBidding

[phoenixstar]

Ahhh... Well, not really comfortable with stating that there are 2 adults in the party when there will be 4 in this case. I think I will stay with where I am at, and revisit the idea of bidding for 2 seperate rooms when the time comes closer. It seems when I check out specials available on travelzoo and other sites, they are all for the summer and end 2 weeks before we get there. Hopefully there will be some fall specials, and I can get 2 rooms at that point via a fall special, or when priceline gets a bit more inventory available. Thanks for all the help! :)

[phoenixstar]

Having trouble identifying a 2 1/2* property in the Midtown South zone. Lists Kitchenette as the only special ammenity. My guess is that this is the Murray Hill East Suites property, but I also noticed on the Hotwire list that it has in the past been rated as a 3* by Hotwire. Any guesses as to if this IS indeed Murray Hill East, or is it perhaps a new property?

Reason why I ask is I need 2 rooms, from the 17th through the 21st of September, and this is coming up at $164 a night. If it is indeed MHE, I would be very happy with that rate at this time.

[thereuare]

The Murray Hill East Suites has indeed been downgraded to a 2.5* property, so that would be our best guess as to this hotel's identity.

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[phoenixstar]

Great news! I went ahead and pricelined it, and got the Murray Hill East Suites for $140 a night! I am thrilled to say the least after months of trying to get something decent for this time frame. Started out at $120 in MTS 3*, added 2*, added MTW and up to $125, added MTE and up to $130, added CPS and up to $135, finally added UES and up to $140, and was given the Murray Hill East Suites.

For those of you looking for something during this extremely expensive time period, you might want to give this one a thought. Thanks for all your help betterbidding!

[thereuare]

Enjoy your stay.