Priceline Hotel: 4* NY Upper East Side advice

[JZaref]

Planning two nights in NYC first weekend in March.

Looking into booking through Priceline and I had some questions:

1. Does a certain price offer make a certain hotel more likely. For example, if I want to aim for the W, would a $150 make it more likely than say the Benjamin which might take a $125 offer?

2. Any success with 5* offerings on priceline?

3. I know Priceline gets double occupancy, but does that mean a double bed, or is it always Queen or King?

4. Do hotels ever offer space available upgrades once someone has booked through Priceline?

Thanks

Jeff

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Planning two nights in NYC first weekend in March.

What are the actual dates of your stay?

1. Does a certain price offer make a certain hotel more likely. For example, if I want to aim for the W, would a $150 make it more likely than say the Benjamin which might take a $125 offer?

No, see this thread: Don't Bid Higher for a Specific Hotel. However, your topic title mentions 'Upper East Side' but the hotels you've mentioned here are in the Midtown East zone... which zone(s) are you considering?

2. Any success with 5* offerings on priceline?

At the moment, the only NYC zone that offers 5* bidding is the Times Square zone, and this thread was just posted earlier today: Priceline New York City 5 Star Hotel

3. I know Priceline gets double occupancy, but does that mean a double bed, or is it always Queen or King?

The room will accommodate atleast double occupancy... could be any of these.

4. Do hotels ever offer space available upgrades once someone has booked through Priceline?

Yes, it happens, but less often in NYC than in other areas, imo. If you're looking/expecting an upgraded room then PRICELINE / HOTWIRE are probably not the best option for this stay. (on the other hand if you're looking to save money they may very well be your best option)

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

Let us know how you'd like to proceed, as well as the actual dates of your stay and expected budget (per nite before fees and taxes) and we'll take it from there.

[JZaref]

We are staying March 2nd and March 3rd.

We are going to the theater on Sunday and plan midtown activities on Saturday after arriving at Penn Station. So either Midtown East or maybe Times Square are best options. I like the hotel choices listed for Midtown East better.

Thanks

[thereuare]

Penn Station is really more at the triangular intersection of MSG-Convention, Chelsea, and ESB... but ESB and/or TS should work fine as well for your plans as it's very easy to get around the city via mass transit and/or taxis for short distances are very reasonably priced.

What is your maximum budget for this stay and we'll advise accordingly for MTE and TS (or any other zones you care to add) or let you know if there are any other option you maybe should know about before bidding.

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

[JZaref]

One of the big questions is are there any hotels in each region that are rated "4 stars" but people regret getting?

I was thinking of booking the Distrikt hotel (in Hells Kitchen area) for $229 off their website, so it needs to be a significantly better deal than that. Say $160 or less.

[AaronJB]

One issue with NYC are hotel prices; some properties do get average/mixed reviews, but expectations when rates are commonly $300-400 during the busiest times of year may play a large part - some people have reported being pleased or at least satisfied when staying at PRICELINE rates. I know there are a number of hotels I've stayed at where I've been very pleased with the PRICELINE rate, but would not feel the same way paying full price.

Additionally, hotels - especially boutiques (of which there are certainly a fair amount in NYC) that may have a particular (trendy, etc) style may be someone's cup-of-tea, but not someone else's.

Lastly, room size is also an issue. Room sizes are generally smaller-than-average in NYC (and much smaller in some instances, even at the 3.5*/4* level) - and this may also play a part in the rates/value element of expectations for some properties that get mixed/average reviews.

There are, however, plenty of very nice properties "in the mix" on both HOTWIRE and PRICELINE in NYC that do get good/very good reviews.

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

[thereuare]

If you're flexible in the hotel you receive i do think you have a chance at a 4* hotel for $160 or so. Alternately, while more than $160, i think you can get the Benjamin for $185/nite, if that is of any interest (well reviewed and cheaper than the Distrikt)

You could also book the Distrikt for $229/nite thru this link and then use code USJMC10 for 10% if you want to go that route.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

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