Priceline Hotel: 3 nights in New York - 2/24-2/27

[ddleffers]

Hello All,

I have used this site a few times and you guys have been fabulous! I am heading to New York with the kids in just under two weeks and we are booked at the Hilton New York. However, the price (259) per night seems high. I am wondering on bidding suggestions from the group. I am interested in Midtown West or Times Square (per the priceline map). I would like a 4* or better. I would like to pay under 150 if possible but would be willing to go up to about 180 max. Thoughts?

[AaronJB]

Good evening. :)

The main concern with using PRICELINE and NYC is that the service guarantees only one bed/double occupancy; nowhere is this more true than in NYC, where rooms are - on average - smaller or much smaller and rooms with two beds often go for a premium. HOTWIRE, where one can indicate two adults/two children, is often a better choice for a party of four, as it ensures some sort of bedding for the entire party. Is possibly getting one bed an acceptable risk?

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

[ddleffers]

I am willing to accept the risk of one bed. They are young. I have found a rate of 179 on Priceline for the Hilton for two beds so I have to admit that my willingness to go above 150 is now fairly diminished. Wondering if it is worth it to bid or if I should just bite the bullet at 179. Still a lot cheaper than the rate the hotel gave me!

[thereuare]

I have small children as well and while i'm willing to 'take the risk' in many locations, i wouldn't do it in NYC, unless you're fine with them ultimately sleeping on the floor if need be.

With the above noted, rates are not that high for your dates and you may be successful at $150 or less for a 4* hotel in the zones you've indicated, however, i think you would better your chances if you expanded your acceptable locations to include MTE, MTW, CPS, TS and ESB... all of which, at the 4* level, typically work well for the average visitor.

As well, if you're willing to lower your star rating to 3.5* there are hotels closer to the $100-$110 range on HOTWIRE where you could take a guess as the hotel and/or use the percent recommended/TA rating to improve your chances of getting one of the 'better' properties at that star rating.

Lastly, HOTWIRE also has a 4* hotel in the MTE zone for $128 when searching for 2adults/2children... my guess is that this is the Roosevelt which gets fairly mixed reviews, but is well located, but an option if you want to ensure accommodations for four people and budget is a priority over comfort (this property was only recently upgraded to the 4* level by HOTWIRE and is currently 3.5* rated by PRICELINE)

Let us know your thoughts and/or how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

[ddleffers]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I have been at work and have not had a chance to get back to you before now.

We are probably better off with a hotwire option for guaranteeing space.

My husband is in a conference held at the Hilton and Sheraton so we would like to keep things in a pretty tight ring around those areas.

I have rebooked my hotel through the Hilton at 208 for the guaranteed 2 double beds. Unfortunately, the 179 with two doubles is not showing up on priceline anymore.

I do truly appreciate your thoughts and will defer to your judgement on whether we might be better to just go with what we have. I don't think I would like to go below 4*. I am willing to pay the difference if need be.

Thanks again.

Dee

[thereuare]

Please check for, and use, the links in our Support Page for your hotel direct purchases where we have links to most of the major hotel chains and online booking channels (including Hilton)

Searching HOTWIRE for 2adults/2children there are a few good options in the Times Square zone at about the same/lower price:

4.5* at $201/nite with Restaurant, Fitness, Internet, Business

This is a match for the InterContinental Times Square so that would be my best guess for this one, and it gets excellent reviews.

There is also a 4* with the same amenities for $198/nite which i'm guessing is the Crowne Plaza, Hilton Times Square, or Millennium Broadway... given the price difference is negligible i think the 4.5* above is the better of the two deals.

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

Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we an be of further help.

[ddleffers]

Just thought I would update you on what we did. Ended up getting a room at the Hilton for 179 for two double beds and occupancy of 4 through the Hilton site. Gave me points, let me stay at the same hotel as the conference and 80 $ less than the "conference rate" we were getting. I am pretty happy with it. I did use the links on this site for my searches and want to thank you again for your assistance. You did make me stop and think about things a little and that is always a good idea!

Hope to work with you again some time!

D

[AaronJB]

Nice deal for this Hilton property, and glad you are looking forward to your stay.

We look forward to helping with future stays.