Priceline Hotel: Bidding in NY city

[Lilith]

Hello. I already had a pretty good priceline deal for an earlier nite, but now I want more.

Three nights stay for two.

Dates May 16 - May 19

Star level - 3,5 and higher.

I'd like to know, is it reasonable to lower star level? I am worried about getting something really bad for 3 star level, is it possible in NY?

Best options:

ESB

CPS

MSG

MTW

TS

But in the end, Chelsea, Soho, D-FD are acceptable if price is right.

I think I can survive little rooms in Hudson in CPS, but long distance to subway stations is upsetting, so I guess I should stay away from MTW and MTE.

My budget is 150 dollars without taxes, but I can get higher - but not higher than 190 dollars.

I think I understand concept of rebidding - i see 6 rebidding zones for my situation at the moment.

All advices will be really appreciated.

[thereuare]

Unfortunately at the moment i think you may have a tough time getting anything at the 3.5* level and for $190 or less.

To give it a try, did you first only want to include the ESB, CPS, MSG, MTW and TS up to $150, then if rejected add helsea, Soho, D-FD... or bid the original zones up to $190 before considering the alternate zones?

Also, note that at the 3.5* level in the CPS the Hudson Hotel is a possible outcome, and while well located, it has has notoriously small rooms... would be this acceptable?

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

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

[Lilith]

Is it roo risky to lower star level? I think I am not going to go lower than 3*, that's for sure, but 3 stars in NY are decent quality?

[thereuare]

Have you tried bidding yet? If not, why don't we get started and then if unsuccessful we can weigh the pros/cons of lowering your star rating vs. other options which may be available.

If you'd like help with a strategy, please let us know:

To give it a try, did you first only want to include the ESB, CPS, MSG, MTW and TS up to $150, then if rejected add helsea, Soho, D-FD... or bid the original zones up to $190 before considering the alternate zones?

Also, note that at the 3.5* level in the CPS the Hudson Hotel is a possible outcome, and while well located, it has has notoriously small rooms... would be this acceptable?

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

[Lilith]

Zero success so far. Maybe I should wait? It seems like better deals are very close to actual dates of check-in.

[thereuare]

There are very expensive dates in Manhattan and there is no way to know if prices will come down in the next two weeks OR continue even higher.

It's not clear from your post.. which zone(s) and star levels did you choose, and how high did you bid?

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

[Lilith]

There are very expensive dates in Manhattan and there is no way to know if prices will come down in the next two weeks OR continue even higher.

It's not clear from your post.. which zone(s) and star levels did you choose, and how high did you bid?

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

I used pretty much all popular zones - i went as high as 170 dollars on 3,5 stars and even tried 130 dollars on 3 stars. No luck sp far, and I need to book hotel before May 13, because then my other hotel will charge me, because I initially booked it from May 14.

So I am really nervous at the moment.

[AaronJB]

What is the back-up hotel you currently have (so that we can compare)

As noted, these are extremely expensive dates - my guess is that a 4* in Midtown may require a bid as high as $275-325, and possibly higher. I'd try lower levels than that first, but I think that's what it ultimately may take. HOTWIRE is showing 3.5*'s at nearly $300 and a number of 4*'s at over $400.

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

[Lilith]

This hotel, but I have to cancel it, because initially I booked it from May 14, but we actually will be checking in on May 16.

Royal Park Hotel & Hostel

It's refundable till May 13, and they don't let me change the dates of my booking. I have to cancel it or pay for first night.

I am ready to lower till 3 stars to get better price.

[thereuare]

I think you should find another back-up and use that as the 'price to beat' because i don't think $190 for a 3.5* property (and quite possibly even for a lower star rating) is realistic for these dates given how tight demand is at the moment.

What is the best deal you're able to find thru traditional booking channels? (you can also try our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com)

[Lilith]

It's difficult to find anything, actually. Best offer is Pennsilvania Hotel. I tried booking.com and Expedia, are there any other traditional booking channels?

Thank you for the MAPS and HOTELS.com link, how this site works?

[Lilith]

A couple of questions - I am seriously considering hotel in NJ for this stay, how difficult it is to go from NJ to NY? How expensive and time-comsuming could it be? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

And another little question - can spitting our dates help? I know it's only three days, but prices on different sources of booking are very high.

[thereuare]

If you're considering NJ and/or SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID i would jump on this deal:

For 5/17-5/19 HOTWIRE has a 4* hotel for $141/nite with: Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Tennis

This matches previous reports for the W Hoboken which is a new hotel, gets great reviews, and is an easy 3 block walk to the PATH train ($2 each way) to Manhattan. (you could also try to beat the HOTWIRE rate by bidding the 4* level on PRICELINE, but no assurance you'll get the W Hoboken, the Hyatt Regency on the Hudson and the Westin Newport are also likely candidates thru PRICELINE, both are good, but Hoboken is a bit nicer)

The nite of May 16 will likely cost you substantially more... what looks to be the same hotel is available for $360/nite or you can stay further outside of the city (or spend about the same amount and stay in the city).

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

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

[Lilith]

I was able to find booking in Hotel 91 in NY - I was able to book it for something around 145 dollars for all three nights. I think it's a very good deal, and definitely best offer I was able to get. Something insane is happening in NY in my dates - just my luck.

My friend don't want to go out of NY, and spitting dates is too much trouble.

We still considering our options - may I ask, how sure are you about which hotel we cab ge on Hotwire?

[thereuare]

Some hotels may have a very unique amenity and therefore are easier to guess with more confidence... other hotels have very generic amenities and are common for the area and therefore there is less confidence in the guess. However, it is likely a moot point at the moment as i don't think there is anything currently offered on HOTWIRE for your complete stay that is close to your expected budget (or that would make you consider something other than your back-up reservation)

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

[Lilith]

Thank you for your help. I am sorry that my plans for three nights stay didn't work out, but I got one night in very interesting place for good price thank to Priceline.

Also I am staying in London for couple of nights, so it' not over with Priceline for me.

[thereuare]

I'm sure you'll have a great trip.. enjoy the city.