Priceline Hotel: Bidding April 04 till 09

[sway87]

Hi,

my boyfriend and I visit New York from April, 4 (wednesday) till April, 9 (monday) this year.

I'd like to bid on a hotel room at Priceline in Manhattan (i.e. each region in New York City except for Brooklyn, Morning Heights, Coney Island and Long Island City). I'd like to get 3 or 2.5 stars, but if this is not possible I would also accept 2 stars.

As I am new and have no experience with priceline so far, I would be grateful if you could help me with the following questions:

1. Regions: Does anyone know if any of my selected regions is critical with regard to its safety? I haven't been to NY before and I am a little bit worried if it is safe to travel at night in these regions.

2. Price: I was thinking of a price in the range of 120$ (incl. taxes). Is this realistic?

3. When and how should I bid? Should I wait or do it now?

Thank you very much for your help!

Regards

[thereuare]

I'd like to bid on a hotel room at Priceline in Manhattan (i.e. each region in New York City except for Brooklyn, Morning Heights, Coney Island and Long Island City).

Please list the zones that you will accept... rather than the ones that you won't accept.

1. Regions: Does anyone know if any of my selected regions is critical with regard to its safety? I haven't been to NY before and I am a little bit worried if it is safe to travel at night in these regions.

Once we square away #2 below, we'll provide further advice on NYC zones.

2. Price: I was thinking of a price in the range of 120$ (incl. taxes). Is this realistic?

A $120 all-in rate amounts to about a $100 bid price, which is not likely realistic for something 'decent' for these dates. What is the best rate you're able to find at an acceptable hotel thru conventional booking channels?

Also, if you're budget is not flexible, is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option? I do see what i believe to be a very good opportunity if you're willing to stay in Hoboken-Jersey City for part of your stay and then in Manhattan for the balance. For the weekend dates you can likely get a very nice 4* hotel in Hoboken-Jersey City for ~$110/nite (an easy commute into Manhattan in ~15 minutes)... which would hopefully free up some of your budget to stay at something a bit nicer in Manhattan for the remaining nites of your trip. While the Hoboken-Jersey City area is very nice in its own right, it's not NYC, so you do lose a bit of the 'vibe' of NYC as well as the convenience of being able to return to your hotel frequently throughout the day.

3. When and how should I bid? Should I wait or do it now?

See the related 'Book Early or Close to Check-in' link in our PRICELINE FAQ for a discussion on this subject, but i'll add that your budget is fairly low for these dates, so if you were accepted now for something 3* or higher, i see little risk in prices moving too much lower than that.

Let's start with the zone(s) you're willing to accept, the best rate you're able to find at an acceptable hotel thru conventional booking channels, and if you have any flexibility in budget... we'll take it from there.

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