Priceline Hotel: 4* New York City (Midtown East) Omni Berkshire Place

[Vacation Lover]

This board is a wealth of knowledge and I *think* I get the whole bidding before 24 hours process. Just want to make sure, or to see if anyone has a better suggestion that what I'm planning.

We are checking in on Saturday 12/17 and checking out on Monday 12/19. I'm looking for a 4-Star in Times Square or Midtown East, but would accept a 3.5 if necessary. I'm hoping to spend around $150/night (before taxes & fees) but willing to go to $200. Also willing to expand my area a little bit as long as it's within walking distance to Times Square (This is a mother-daughter trip for my daughter's 12th birthday.)

I checked Priceline (yes, through the link here :) ) and it looks like the following areas do NOT have a 3.5* or 4* hotel: 4-Coney Island, 8- Long Island City, 9-Lower East Side, 13-Queensborough Bridge, 16-Upper East Side. In addition, area 10-Madison Square Garden does not have a 4* hotel, but does have a 3.5*.

Question #1: Is this correct? I would hate to end up getting a hotel in one of these zones!

My plans are to bid:

$150 for a 4-star hotel in zone 12-Midtown West + zone 15-Times Square. If rejected,

$155 add zone 4-Coney Island

$160 add zone 8-Long Island City

$165 add zone 9-Lower East Side

$170 add zone 10-Madison Square Garden

$175 add zone 13-Queensborough Bridge

$180 add zone 16-Upper East Side

If at this point I'm rejected, I would bid

$150 for a 3.5-star hotel in zone 12 & 15.

If rejected, repeat the above process (eliminating Madison Square Garden since it has a 3.5* hotel)

Does this sound like a good plan? Anyone have a better suggestion for me? Thanks so much!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Looking at HOTWIRE they have a 4* hotel in the ESB zone with Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business for $177/nite, which i'm guessing to be the St Giles The Court. Would this property work for your needs? If so, you could then bid slightly differently, stopping your 4* bidding at $175 or so... then make a decision if you would prefer this 4* rated hotel in the ESB zone OR try for a 3.5* hotel in the MTE/TS zones.

Other than this option, your plan appears sound and you have your re-bid zones correct, but you should still double check just before bidding to make sure that nothing has changed. Also, if you are rejected for a 4* up to $180, to start bidding for a 3.5* property you'll need to close the browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE (if you don't close the browser there is no way to UNcheck the previously added zones as they're grayed-out and therefore not uncheckable)

Also to note, at the beginning of your post you mention Times Square and Midtown EAST, but in your bidding strategy you listed Midtown West... not sure which you're interested in, but make sure you choose the correct one ;)

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[Vacation Lover]

Thanks for the help. Here's an update. I tried Priceline and bid for a 4* and then a 3.5* up to $195 and was rejected for both. At this point I need to decide whether to broaden my area or up my price. I think I can't bid again until tomorrow unless I'm willing to broaden my area.

[AaronJB]

The potential St Giles the Court property noted above is in a nice area (not far from the MTE area), and may be worth considering - would you be interested in ESB?

Thank you for keeping us updated and for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[Vacation Lover]

I decided to broaden my search and add Midtown East (Was previously looking for Times Square & Midtown West.) I got the Omni Berkshire Place for $190/night. Thanks for the help.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Hope you're pleased with the results and this works well for your plans.

You're also near my often recommended Ess-A-Bagel (Third Ave at 51st St) which has one of the best bagels in the city, makes for a nice, and relatively inexpensive, breakfast among local NYers.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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

Enjoy your stay.