Priceline Hotel: NYC - 07/apr/2012 to 14/apr/2012

[marcelogemeo]

Hi!

First of all, Sorry for my poor english.

I would like to book a room in New York City using the Name Your Price at Priceline. The period will be 7/apr to 14/apr (7 nights). I would like to spend USD 130 per night at maximum in a good area of NYC, in a hotel ate least 3*.

I have some questions:

1) Are 7 nights too much to book? Do I have to book less days in order to reach a good fare?

2) How long in advance would u suggest me to bid in order to get the best deals?

3) Do I have to try a 2.5* or 2* hotel to get a night for that amount?

Thanks,

Marcelogemeo

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

This is an expensive time of year in NYC and your budget will likely be tough for a 3* hotel... possibly for a 2.5* hotel too. With $130 as a budget i would start now as anything you would win now would likely have little risk of being much lower in the future.

However, note that we typically recommend sticking with higher rated hotels in NYC. While there may be lower star rated hotels that meet your needs, there may be some which do not, and with PRICELINE / HOTWIRE you can't necessarily choose which type you will get ;)

Is your budget flexible at all OR do you want to move forward with a 3* hotel for a maximum bid of $130? So we can further suggest zones that you might want to bid... what are your thoughts on a very small room? (~140 sq. ft)... what about a 15 minute walk to the subway?

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

[marcelogemeo]

Thanks for your answer!

I intend to use a maximum bid of $130, but the hotel can be a 2.5 or 2* hotel. What is the difference between them? I don't need a big room, just a room with 2 beds and a bathroom, well located on a safe place. Is it possible with my budget?

Which areas would you suggest to bid for? It's OK a 15 minute walk to the subway. Does the subway function 24 hour?

I prefer these areas below, but if you want suggest any other, do not hesitate.

-central park south

-chelsea area

-empire state building

-madison square garden

-midtown east

-midtown west

-time square

Would you please assist in giving me a rebidding strategy?

Thanks in advance.

Marcelogemeo

[AaronJB]

Two beds is definitely going to be an issue in NYC. PRICELINE guarantees one bed/double occupancy; NYC rooms are generally smaller (and in some cases much smaller) than average, even at many higher-rated properties. At many hotels, rooms with two beds go for a premium.

Once you get to the 2.5* level, quality starts to vary more substantially - you may get a nicer 2.5*, but you also could definitely get one that's not so nice. At 2*, quality starts to vary more substantially, and you may have the possibility of shared bathrooms or other issues.

Is having two beds in the room a definite need?

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

[thereuare]

...just a room with 2 beds...

If this is more of a need (vs. a want) you can try searching HOTWIRE for 2adults/2children which should ensure you separate sleeping accommodations, but the second 'bed' could be a rollaway brought into the room, a pullout sofabed, etc. Also note that when searching for quad occupancy in NYC the room rate will often (but not always) go up in price.

Does the subway function 24 hour?

Yes, the subway is 24/7. HOWEVER, as somebody not local to the area, i would advise not riding the subways very late at nite... after 10pm, 11pm, or certainly after midnite it's advisable to simply take a taxi back to your hotel. As a local i advocate taking the subway vs. most other forms of transportation, but even i don't ride the subway very late at nite unless i know it's a very populated route and will be a short ride.

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

[marcelogemeo]

As i am travelling with my brother, it can be just a double bed.

Don't you think that i can get better deals if i try 1 month earlier? Maybe i could wait some weeks.

Thanks

Marcelogemeo

[thereuare]

Don't you think that i can get better deals if i try 1 month earlier?

Nobody can say if rates will come down between now and your stay... or continue higher then they are currently. It all depends how actual demand (reservations/cancellations) come in relative to expectations. See the related 'Bid Early or Close to Check-in' link in our PRICELINE FAQ for a further discussion on this subject.

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

[marcelogemeo]

Well, i will continue trying with lower bids. If march april aproaches i'll try to bid more agressively.

I have already booked a room in a hotel, but i can cancel it without paying any fee.

Thanks

[thereuare]

Where, and how much, is your back-up reservation?

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

[marcelogemeo]

Times Square, 155 usd

[thereuare]

I meant what is the name of the hotel??

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

[marcelogemeo]

Ipanema Chalet

13 West 46th Street, Nova York 10036

Do you know this place?

[thereuare]

I'm not familiar with this property, but with the lower rated hotels in NYC you may be better taking a 'known' well reviewed budget property than rolling the dice on an unknown property.

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

[marcelogemeo]

Thanks, I'll use these links.