Hotwire Hotel: 3* New York City (Chelsea - Madison Square Garden) Holiday Inn Express Madison Square Garden

[gregdoll]

Hello, this is my first post to this forum. Wanted to see about some advice. Will be travelling to NYC from 11/17-11/20. Two adults and two children under the age of two. Want to stay in Manhattan rather than Hoboken/Jersey City or outer boroughs. Have heard the better deals are probably on Priceline, but that Priceline only guarantees rooms to fit parties of 2 people (is this correct?), so I have been checking Hotwire instead.

When I start my search on Hotwire, I fill out that we are 2 adults and 0 children because they list that children are considered age 2-17. If I were to purchase a room through Hotwire, I'm a little afraid that the hotel will then put us in a room with only one bed thinking that we are only 2 people. We would definitely like to have 2 beds in the room.

This might be wishful thinking, but we're hoping we can find 3.5* or 4* place under $200 per night. Ideally Mid-Town or Times Square, but open to other areas as well. Have stayed at the Grand Hyatt before (noth through Priceline or Hotwire though) and would love to get that or something comparable again. Any advice? Better to order now or could price drop closer to the dates? Thanks!

I should also mention we definitely don't want any hostel-like places. Have stayed in NYC many times and are kind of picky about room size, etc.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I think you're within your "right" to search 2adults/0chidlren, but i also think that you'll need to make a phone call after you receive the hotel to ensure a room which can accommodate all four of you, and if the hotel is not able to accommodate quad occupancy (what type of bedding do you need for your kids... beds, pak n play, etc?) then you'll need to get HOTWIRE involved who will i'm assuming try to work it out with the hotel, and if unsuccessful, offer you a refund.

If you use PRICELINE they make no stipulation regarding children and all that is guaranteed is a room which will accommodate double occupancy, so while PRICELINE would likely be a little bit less expensive, it would be a greater risk.

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly (as whether your budget is enough will partially be dependent upon which service you use and if you're using PRICELINE or HOTWIRE)

Please read your messages and click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links before replying.

Thanks.

[gregdoll]

Thanks for the info. Ideally we'd like to have two beds plus we'd bring one pack-and-play (or I suppose we can check with the hotel to see if they have cribs available). 3

Have been checking Hotwire a few times a day and there seem to be a few places within our price range. Haven't made a purchase yet though. Trying to match up the Hotwire description with your Better Bidding lists to try to figure out which hotels they are. None have thrilled me too much, but I guess at this price range I will have to settle for one of them at some point (and hopefully the prices don't increase by then).

Saw a 3* in Madison Square Garden area for around $175 per night, and think it might be the Holiday Inn Express based on the description (e.g. free breakfast). Another 3* in the Empire State Building area for around $145 per night, and think it might be the Murray Hill East Suites based on your description (suite, kichenette, laundry, etc.). But I think I'll keep checking over the next few days.

We plan on spending some time at Rockefeller Center and Times Square, and were hoping for something closer to those areas, but I know the city is pretty easy to get around.

[thereuare]

Let us know once you're ready to move forward and if there is a hotel you're thinking of purchasing we'll try to confirm what you think you may be seeing.

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

[gregdoll]

I see a few I'm curious about and unable to identify:

4* MidTown Central for $209 (says Super Savings). Amenities are Boutique Hotel, Business Center, High-Speed Internet Access. Also states "We are still gathering reviews for this property."

4* Downtown SoHo Financial for $175. Amenities are Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, and High Speed Internet. Recommended in 90% of Hotwire customer reviews.

2* Central Park for $123. Fitness Center, Restaurant(s), Business Center, and High Speed Internet. Recommended in 70% of Hotwire customer reviews.

[thereuare]

Best guess for each would be as follows:

4* MidTown Central for $209 (says Super Savings)

--> speculation is that this is the Mansfield upgraded to the 4* level since last reported to the board (at the 3.5* level)

4* Downtown SoHo Financial for $175.

--> Millennium Hilton

2* Central Park for $123.

--> not yet reported to the board, but i'd warn against this one, as there is a good chance it is somewhat north in the zone and nt the most convenient for the average visitor

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

Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[gregdoll]

O.k., I finally made a purchase. I considered the 4* Downtown identified as the Millenium Hilton and also the 3* Empire State Building identified as the Murray Hill Suites. Also considered the Hoboken-Jersey City area. But I ended up purchasing the Holiday Inn Express Madison Square Garden for $174 per night. The location seems convenient, especially since we will be arriving by train at Penn Station, which is only two blocks from the hotel. The hotel also seems to get good reviews on Trip Advisor and Hotwire, and the free breakfast will also be convenient. Now I just need to ask them for a room with two beds and hope they have them.

Thank you for your help!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you found something that works well for your needs.

Can you please confirm how you booked the Holiday Inn Express... was this a direct purchase thru the Holiday Inn Express website, a PRICELINE purchase, or HOTWIRE? If HOTWIRE, in your reply please also include the amenities shown before your purchase... you can still view this information by going to HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top right of their home page.

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

Thanks.

[gregdoll]

My purchase was made through Hotwire. Amenities shown were Complimentary Breakfast, Fitness Center, Business Center, and High-Speed Internet Access. Also, I did a search for 2 Adults and 0 Children since both my kids are under age 2 (Hotwire's search states "Children 2-17"). I have since called the hotel directly and requested 2 beds, and they have noted it on my reservation, so it should not be a problem.

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success.

Terrific deal for this Holiday Inn Express property. Glad to hear that the hotel was able to note bed pref.

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

Enjoy your stay.