Priceline Hotel: Need help with booking a hotel in Manhattan...

[aesytz]

Hi!

My wife and I are planning to stay in Manhattan with our infant son (11 months old).

The dates are May 20-23 (3 nights).

I don't really know how to choose the hotel rating, we would of course like to stay in a nice hotel. From what I read until now I suppose 3-3.5 stars should be good enough (correct me if I'm mistaken in this).

Our preferred areas are around Central Park - upper east/west side, central park south, time square, etc.

Ragarding the price - I think up to 150$ including taxes. Is that realistic?

I have never used priceline or hotwire, but I heard that it's worth a try, if you know what your'e doing..

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

This is an expensive time of year in NYC and you're not likely going to be successful at a $150 all-in rate in midtown Manhattan... you're more likely looking at $150-$160 before fees and taxes. Are you willing to increase your maximum bid to $160 or so OR do you want to lower your star rating OR consider locations outside of the Manhattan?

We would of course start lower than $160 and work your way higher, so it's not as if we wouldn't try $120-$140 first, but i just don't think that's realistic for in midtown these dates.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[aesytz]

Thanks for the quick response,

I think we can try to bid up to 140-150$ in Manhattan (before taxes and fees), maybe adding some more areas.

If that doesn't work, I think we can try outside Manhattan (with a lower price?), assuming we can find somewhere close to a subway station with a reasonable trip length into Manhattan.

If you have any ideas let me know...

Thanks!

[thereuare]

I think we can try to bid up to 140-150$ in Manhattan (before taxes and fees), maybe adding some more areas.

Exactly which zones, by PRICELINE name, are you willing to accept?

Is a 15 minute walk to the subway acceptable? What if the subway is nearby but it's a 20-25 minute ride to midtown?

My wife and I are planning to stay in Manhattan with our infant son (11 months old).

Note that PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, regardless of age. While this usually isn't a problem with an infant being the 3rd guest in the room, there are some NYC properties which are extremely small and have little/no room for a crib or Pak-n-Play (and some hotels have neither)... are you flexible enough to handle any issues which may arise should you receive a room that only has one bed and the hotel does not have cribs onhand?

Let u know the info above and we'll take it from there.

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

[aesytz]

Exactly which zones, by PRICELINE name, are you willing to accept?

Zones - by priority:

2 - Central Park South

16- Times Square Theatre District

11- Midtown East

12- Midtown West

10- Madison Square Garden

14- Queensborough Bridge

Optional Zones - these are a bit large and might have hotels that are quite up north:

17- Upper East side

18- Upper West side

Is a 15 minute walk to the subway acceptable? What if the subway is nearby but it's a 20-25 minute ride to midtown?

I'd prefer a shorter walk to the subway, but 20-25 minute ride is okay.

Note that PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, regardless of age. While this usually isn't a problem with an infant being the 3rd guest in the room, there are some NYC properties which are extremely small and have little/no room for a crib or Pak-n-Play (and some hotels have neither)... are you flexible enough to handle any issues which may arise should you receive a room that only has one bed and the hotel does not have cribs onhand?

Yes, I think we can manage that.

[thereuare]

Since you've narrowed your zones, a few comments:

Central Park South - has the 3.5* rated Hudson Hotel which you may want to research the room size here before including this zone. Their standard room is ~140 sq. ft. and is literally a bed that takes up 85% of the room. Personally i wouldn't want to stay here with three people, even if one was an infant, but you should view the room size yourself and let us know if we should or shouldn't include this in a bidding strategy

Midtown East - at 3.5* and under some of the hotels here can be up to a 15 minute walk to the subway, should this zone be included or excluded?

Lastly, did you want to first bid for a 3.5* up to your limit, then if rejected try again at the 3* level... OR is your goal the least expensive 3* or better for this stay.

Let us know the above and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[aesytz]

The Hudson's rooms do sound very small, but we really like that area in Manhattan, so I think we'll take the risk.

Regarding Midtown East - as long as we're in Manhattan, the distance to the subway is less crucial (we like walking...).

As for the last question - I guess I'd like your opinion. Of course we'd prefer 3.5*, but if we can't find one, we'll settle for 3*.

[thereuare]

OK, so to recap first attempt will be a 3.5* with a $150 maximum bid in any of the following zones:

2 - Central Park South

16- Times Square Theatre District

11- Midtown East

12- Midtown West

10- Madison Square Garden

14- Queensborough Bridge

At the 3.5* level in NYC you have SIX re-bid zones (QB is one of them so we'll leave that out of your 3.5* bidding). If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 3.5* CPS, TS, MTE, MTW...

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

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

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* MSG...

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

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

Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3.5* CPS, TS, MTE, MTW and MSG...

Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $138, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $143, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $148, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $150

Any questions feel free to ask.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[aesytz]

Okay, I was rejected on all bids...

I suppose the next step is to go down to 3*, right?

If that doesn't work we'll try bidding outside Manhattan.

So I'm waiting for advice..

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Bidding the same zones? If so...

At the 3* level you have ONE re-bid zone. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

2 - Central Park South

16- Times Square Theatre District

11- Midtown East

12- Midtown West

10- Madison Square Garden

14- Queensborough Bridge

Select 3* CPS, TS, MTE...

Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $110, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTW, MSG, QB...

Bid $105, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $110, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTW, TS, MTE...

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

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, MSG, QB...

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

Bid $120, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, MSG, MTE...

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTW, TS, QB...

Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $130, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, TS, QB...

Bid $133, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $135, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTW, MSG, MTE...

Bid $133, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $135, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, MSG, MTE, MTW, TS...

Bid $138, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, MSG, MTE, MTW, QB...

Bid $138, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, TS, QB, MSG, MTE...

Bid $143, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, TS, QB, MSG, MTW...

Bid $143, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $145, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS, TS, QB, MSG, MTE, and MTW...

Bid $148, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $150

Any questions feel free to ask.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[aesytz]

Rejected again... I guess 150$ is too low.

Do you think I can get a decent hotel outside Manhattan for 150 or less?

Distance to the subway is important too.

How should I go about that?

[thereuare]

Before looking at NJ, is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID in order to stay in Manhattan an option?

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

[aesytz]

I think that if we can find a hotel outside Manhattan, but in a convenient enough location, then we'd prefer that over splitting our stay and having to transfer to a different hotel in the middle.

What areas should we look at? I thought of Long Island City, which is close to Manhattan, but I see you mention New Jersey too.

[thereuare]

I'm not a fan of the Long Island City area as it just feels 'dirty' to me... many of the hotels there are new, but of lower quality (most are 3* and below) and mostly an industrial area and/or graffiti on walls, etc. Many stay there as a cheap alternative to Manhattan, but personally i prefer the NJ side.

If you want to bid LIC we can certainly assist, but to give you prices of alternate options:

Jersey City - Hoboken: you can try bidding 4* thru PRICELINE where i'm doubtful you'll be successful at $150 or less, but if you are you'll be along the waterfront and near the PATH train to take you into Manhattan (~15 minute ride)

If unsuccessful bidding on PRICELINE, i think you can get the Sheraton in Weehawken for $150/nite. This is not as nice as the waterfront area of Jersey City as there isn't as much to do in the immediate area, so it has been my 'worst of the best' options since it's still quite do-able but just not as nice as the Jersey City Waterfront. This area has just gotten better since a walkway has opened up to connect this hotel to the nightlife of Hoboken, but the downside is that you'll commute to Manhattan via bus, which just isn't as 'cool' as commuting by train (most cities have busses... but not every city has underground subways)

If you can stretch your budget just a bit you can likely get a 3* hotel in Manhattan for your complete stay for ~$160-$180/nite.

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

Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there.

[aesytz]

For Jersey City 4*, I see there are 6 rebid zones - right?

For 3.5*, I see only 2 rebid zones.

As for the Sheraton - do you mean the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor? Prices there are about 250$. Where did you see 150$/night?

If we decide to try LIC - do you have any tips or suggestions?

Thanks!

[thereuare]

For Jersey City 4*, I see there are 6 rebid zones - right?

For 3.5*, I see only 2 rebid zones.

Yes, the above is correct (but always double check just before bidding to make sure that nothing has changed)

As for the Sheraton - do you mean the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor? Prices there are about 250$. Where did you see 150$/night?

I believe it is available on HOTWIRE for ~$150/nite.

If we decide to try LIC - do you have any tips or suggestions?

I'm not a fan of LIC as although many of the hotel here are newer, most of the area is still very industrial and it just 'feels' dirty to me. If you decide to go that route let us know the parameters you're seeking (star rating, maximum bid, etc.) and we'll try to advise accordingly.

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

[aesytz]

On HOTWIRE I see a 4* hotel in the Hoboken-North Bergen area for 155$ - is that the hotel?

Regarding LIC - the thing is, we'll be coming on Sunday from Queens, which is closer, and going on Wed. to JFK, which is also closer. Plus, from LIC we can use the subway into Manhattan, which has more stops than the PATH train (I think). Given all that, do you still think we should try NJ first? Is the area just not as nice as Hoboken, or is it actually unsafe to walk there at night? We really don't know any of the neighborhoods in NYC...

If you think it's worth a shot, then I think we'd try for 3* (that's the highest in that area), for up to ~140$ I think.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

If you're staying at the Sheraton in Weehawken you likely won't be traveling via PATH but rather by bus, which goes to the Port Authority.

Ultimately it's a choice... the Hoboken/Jersey City/North Bergen area will cost more and is a longer commute to/from JFK, but as per above i'm much more comfortable on the NJ side than in LIC which feels dirtier and industrial to me. There are plenty of users who choose LIC as a Manhattan alternative, but i'm just not a fan. Most areas around LIC are probably safe and without incident, but some areas are safer than others.

If you want to try LIC i would start with the following, using your ONE re-bid zone at the 3* level...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone..

Bid $100

Repeat every 24 hours increasing each each bid by $5 (so your pairs would be $105/$110, $115/$120, $125/$130 and $135/$140). HOTWIRE does have a 3* hotel in this zone at $107, but my guess is that this may be the Holiday Inn Express Maspeth which is not 3* rated by PRICELINE.

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 can be of further help.

Good luck!

[aesytz]

Status update - I tried bidding in Manhattan for a 3.5* hotel up to 160$, no success.

I took your advice about Jersey, and tried bidding in Jersey City for 4* up to 158$, again no success.

There is the hotwire 4* hotel in Jersey for 155$, which I assume is the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor, (which is only 3.5* on other sites). The hotel looks very nice, but I'm a little worried about transportation - it might be difficult to travel with a stroller by bus, and also I'm not sure how often or how late the buses run...

So, what do you suggest should be my next move?

[thereuare]

Busses in this area would likely run until 1am-2am... in an extreme emergency (which i doubt will likely happen given you're traveling with an small child) is that you take the PATH (24/7) to Hoboken and then taxi/lightrail back to the hotel. If you have an umbrella stroller is likely won't be a problem... a full all-out stroller that doesn't collapse enough to be portable would likely be an issue. If you don't have an umbrella stroller i'd recommend buying one before your trip or once you're in the city... an inexpensive one can be had for ~$20 and will make your life easier in the city managing the subway stairs and such. EDIT TO ADD: just re-read your post and see your son is 11 months, so may not be old enough for an umbrella stroller)

The above also brings about another option... stay at the Sheraton in Weehawken and take a taxi to/from the PATH train in Hoboken. You won't likely be making this trip more than one per day roundtrip, so another $10 each way adds $20/day to your hotel cost (and only $5 each way if you walk 5 minutes and cross the weehawken/hoboken border and take a taxi from within Hoboken city limits)

Lastly, can you stretch your budget a little? I think you if you can spend an average of ~$175-$180/nite you can get a 3* or better hotel in NYC which would be much more convenient as well as save you the hassle of commuting with a baby (and perhaps you could rationalize it since your commuting costs will be a little less as well). If you're willing to SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID, you can even average ~$175 (or less) and be at 3.5*/4* for this stay.

Thoughts on any of the above?

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

[aesytz]

Regarding the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor - on hotwire it appears as 4* for 155$.

However, I noticed that 2 people won this hotel on priceline for 133$ on similar dates.

If I decide to go for the Sheraton, do you think it's a safe bet to bid for a 3.5* hotel in the Secaucus-North Bergen area? How likely is it that I'll get a different 3.5* hotel in that area which is not as nice or close to the water as the Sheraton?

This is much cheaper than 180$ for a 3* in NYC...

[thereuare]

However, I noticed that 2 people won this hotel on priceline for 133$ on similar dates.

If I decide to go for the Sheraton, do you think it's a safe bet to bid for a 3.5* hotel in the Secaucus-North Bergen area? How likely is it that I'll get a different 3.5* hotel in that area which is not as nice or close to the water as the Sheraton?

I would say there is a 'good' chance you receive the Sheraton... but if you don't land the Sheraton, you will be significantly further away as this is the only hotel in the PRICELINE zone near the waterfront.

This is much cheaper than 180$ for a 3* in NYC...

Not as much as you may think... bus will cost ~$3.20 per person each way, or ~$13 per day (assuming one round trip) which would not be an expense incurred if you stayed directly in Manhattan. Assuming the $155 HOTWIRE rate, this brings your cost to $168 for hotel + 'extra transportation'. Add in the extra $45 (or so... since the cab fare is an extra $10-$15 each way plus you need to pay the driver's toll ~$12 each trip... $22 x 2 for arrival/departure), amortized over your 3 day stay is another $15/nite... bringing your 'true' cost to ~$183. Even if you can pick up the Sheraton on PRICELINE for $135 your 'extras' above come to ~$165/nite... and it's worth another $15/nite to stay directly in Manhattan for the convenience factor (especially when traveling with a small child who may need to go back to the hotel room during the day for a nap, change of clothes, forgot a bottle, etc, etc)

Ultimately it's your trip and budget, and while Jersey City/Hoboken is a great alternative to NYC when the savings are significant enough, they're not necessarily enough for this trip to justify staying on the NJ side for this particular trip... especially when traveling with an infant/small child, the convenience factor is a big deal, imo.

That's a bit more than my .02 ;)

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

Let us know what you decide and how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

[aesytz]

Okay, something unexpected happened - My wife discovered that a relative of hers who lives in Manhattan is going away and offered to let us use her apartment!

So, even though we don't need a hotel any more, it is very important to me to say - THANK YOU!!!

Thank you for all your patient advice, thank you for always answering so quickly, especially in such a long post such as this one.

This is an amazing site - I will recommend it to everyone I know, and when I next bid I'll be sure to return here!

Keep up the great work, thereuare!!

[thereuare]

FREE is a good price! :)

Glad to see you were offered something for free this stay.

Thanks for the compliments on the site and we look forward to seeing you when you plan your next trip.