Priceline Hotel: NYC July 27-31 2005

[twsnagel]

Hi, I'm looking for a place to stay for 4 nights in NYC. I'm just doing the touristy thing before a convention in PA.

I've never been to NYC before, and I don't really know where to stay, etc. I think I want a 3* but I might be happy with a 2*... I'm just looking for a clean quiet place to sleep.

Obviously, if I was offered a 4* I wouldn't gripe, but I'm not going there to stay in a plush hotel, I'm going to enjoy the city.

I'd like to get a really good deal, but I don't really know where to start.

Thanks for any help you can give!

Tyler

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

You came to this board and asked for help... so you're off to a great start :)

What is your anticipated budget (per nite), as that will ultimately determine the type of hotel you should pursue. I would not recommend a 2* hotel in Manhattan, especially thru an opaque purchase, as you really don't know what you can get... some properties can be pretty bad (and you'd be surprised at the rate they can still fetch).

Give us an idea of your budget and we'll take it from there.

[twsnagel]

Hi! Thanks for the reply.

My budget is "as low as possible" without staying in a sleezy, unclean hotel in a dangerous part of town.

Can I do it for $150/night? Can I do it for $120/night? Can I do it for $100 per night?

For me, the holiday isn't about staying in a fancy hotel, it's about enjoying the city.

Thanks for the help!

Tyler

[thereuare]

In NYC there is often only a small difference in price between the 3* and 4* properties... i would recommend trying for a 4* first as it represents much better value and i think you have a chance at getting something inexpensive for your dates.

When bidding 4* in NYC you have two re-bid zones available, if you're not familiar with re-bidding please read PRICELINE RE-BIDDING EXPLAINED and feel free to ask questions and or confirm you re-bid zones with the board if you're unsure.

This is how i would proceed, using the 'typical' zones that most tourists are interested in, which should put you fairly centrally located:

Select 4* MTW...

Bid $100, if rejected add MTE...

Bid $105, if rejected add UM/CPS...

Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone1...

Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone2...

Bid $120.

The above is on the low end of typically expected bids so if it doesn't work don't get discouraged, just post back and we'll proceed from there.

[twsnagel]

Hi, thanks for the advice! I followed it exactly, but was....

REJECTED!

My rebid zone 1 was UES

My rebid zone 2 was MTS

So what now?

Thanks,

Tyler

[twsnagel]

Oh, by the way, I was looking at easyclicktravel.com and they have a room for $119 that is 3*. It's not in your reverse-lookup thing.

Any ideas?

[twsnagel]

Figured it out, it's the "Hampton Inn Manhattan-Herald Square, NY"

What do you think?

[thereuare]

Please follow the instructions in the 'reverse look-up thing' and email use the URL... do not post such URLs in the forum.

Thank you.

[twsnagel]

Nevermind, they want $175/night for my nights. :-(

[twsnagel]

Sorry about that, check your private mail!

[thenewbie]

Hi, thanks for the advice! I followed it exactly, but was....

REJECTED!

My rebid zone 1 was UES

My rebid zone 2 was MTS

So what now?

Thanks,

Tyler

You have an incorrect rebid area. MTS has 4* hotels, so they aren't a free rebid area.

If those are the 2 areas you used, you still have 1 rebid area to use.

[twsnagel]

What area is that? I don't get it! :)

[thenewbie]

When bidding 4* in NYC you have two re-bid zones available, if you're not familiar with re-bidding please read PRICELINE RE-BIDDING EXPLAINED and feel free to ask questions and or confirm you re-bid zones with the board if you're unsure.

You found UES, there is one other one (near that zone).

Try around on Priceline and see if you can identify the other area. Remember to only have 1 area checked when looking for the other area that lacks 4* hotels.

[thereuare]

thenewbie, nice catch.

From the link provided above:

The way to check what star levels are available in each zone is to open a Priceline page, check ONLY the zone you are inquiring about, and then proceed to the next page (as if you were going to select a zone)... this will give you the available star ratings in that area. You can then hit BACK on your browser, uncheck the current box, check the next box, and repeat the process. It is important to do this before EACH attempt at adding a zone that you really don't want, as new hotels can be added and the star ratings can change at any time.

Let us know if you need help figuring out the other re-bid zone (after reading the above link) and then do not bid again as we will employ a different strategy given your previous rejections.

[twsnagel]

OK so the other zone is UWS... I get it now! :)

What next?

[thereuare]

You'll need to close your browser and re-access priceline after each bid:

Bid $125 with MTW and UWS

Bid $125 with MTE and UWS

Bid $125 with UM/CPS and UWS

Bid $130 with MTE and MTW

Bid $130 with MTW and UM/CPS

Bid $135 with MTE, MTW, UM/CPS and UWS

Let us know how it goes or if there are any questions.

[twsnagel]

Hmmm... no dice!

:-P

I even tried a rebid at $145 with MTE, MTW, UN/CPS, UWS and UES!

Guess it doesn't love me at all!

I'm happy to go with a 3*... should I try that?

Other than that, I can always book direct at the HotelQT for $165 a night....

[thereuare]

I wouldn't bid that high just yet (nor would i have bid over $140).

I would sooner book the Beekman Tower where you'll get a 1BR suite for $163/nite. It's cancellable up to 3 days before check-in date so you can continue to try Priceline and the reviews are excellent.

[twsnagel]

Do you think that the prices might drop on Priceline later, then?

[thereuare]

Yes, rates may drop (but they could also go up), which is why you should reserve a fully cancellable back-up in case prices go up rather than down.

The hotel i recommended booking above is cancellable up to 72 hours before check-in date, and if you end up staying there, i think represents a very good deal and value.

[twsnagel]

Thanks for the help. I've booked at Beekman (through your link).

I'm pretty impressed with the place, I might just keep it. On the other hand, if I get a kicking deal on priceline sooner to the date, that wouldn't be too bad either.

Tyler

[dahammer]

Way to go, no harm, no foul...... :)