Hotwire Hotel: 3.5* New York City (Chelsea - Madison Square Garden) Distrikt Hotel

[roboron]

We are trying to get two rooms for May 12-17. I'm trying Downtown, Madison Sq Garden, SoHo, Times, Chelsea, Empire (staying away from the Midtown area because I'm not keen on the 3.5* properties there).

I've used Priceline many times for NYC but never for this time of year and have never got rejected for going as high as $210. I'm beginning to think that I'm running into a bad luck combo of super-high season and trying to get 2 rooms. I've been trying every day for last 2 weeks and am wondering how high do I need to go and how much time do I have left before I should panic?

[thereuare]

As you're seeing this is prime time in NYC... the downside is that prices are very high, the upside is that the weather is usually great.

At the moment i don't think you're too far off and my guess is that you're likely looking about ~$220-$240 for a 3.5* hotel in the zone(s) above.

HOWEVER, i also think you may be able to get a 4* hotel in the UWS for this price range as well (if you're willing to accept a 4* hotel in this zone... you may not be bidding this zone at the 3.5* level due to some hotels included in the zone)

Not sure if you want to wait it out and hope for lower prices in the weeks ahead OR bump it up a little more for a 3.5* OR try for the 4*. One other possibility is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID as it looks like rates are a bit cheaper for the first few nites of your trip vs. the last nites, but of course this involves the (likely) possibility of needing to change hotels.

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to move forward.

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

[roboron]

HOWEVER, i also think you may be able to get a 4* hotel in the UWS for this price range as well (if you're willing to accept a 4* hotel in this zone... you may not be bidding this zone at the 3.5* level due to some hotels included in the zone)

Thanks for the good advice. I'll try going to 4* in UWS and see what happens. Also thanks for the offer for bidding help but you've already taught me so well that I don't think I need it :D I think I just needed reassurance that I'm not too far off the mark. There's still some time and I'll keep trying. Will definitely let you know what happens and as always will get to PRICELINE via your link.

[thereuare]

Good luck and let us know if you do need any further help along the way.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

[roboron]

Just an update - tonight I bid up to $220 with no luck. When I initially bid $200 it did give me the opportunity to get rooms for $263 but I passed on it. Not really sure what that means but I'm guessing a winning bid might be around $250? Yikes!!!

[thereuare]

I assume your bidding was at the 3.5* level?

The counter-offer indicates that the 'right' price is somewhere between $201-$263.

Keep us updated on your progress or let us know if you decide to raise your bid and/or if SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID becomes an option.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

[roboron]

Initially tried to go with Priceline but this is a horribly expensive time of year to go. Went up to $220 and was offered rooms at $263 if Increased my bid to that amount. Led me to believe that I would have to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $250 to win a bid. That being the case I went with more of 'sure' thing and booked via Hotwire.

[roboron]

Update - I went ahead and booked a 3.5* room for $253 that I was reasonably sure was the Distrikt Hotel via HOTWIRE (and your link). I did end up getting the Distrikt and am satisfied. I figured that I would be going pretty close to $250 to get a winning bid and thought for a few dollars more I could get a 'sure' thing. I've also posted the winning bid on your Hotwire board. Remind me not to visit NYC in mid-May again! ;)

Free Internet

Smoke Free Rooms

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-Speed Internet Access

Thanks again for your help.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

While perhaps more than you originally expected this would take, glad to see you got the stay settled and are are looking forward to your trip. This property gets some very good reviews so it should be a nice stay with a central location.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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

Enjoy your stay.