Priceline Hotel: NYC Hotel - May 25 - May 28

[bovolu]

Hi Guys,

I am looking to book a 3.5 - 4 star hotel in NYC for the period of May 25 - May 28. I am new to the Priceline game so I am not well versed in bidding strategy. Would anyone be able to give me a hand with a strategy? I am looking at Midtown East right now, but would be willing to try other locations (I haven't been to NYC before so I'm not sure which areas would be best for me). Since it is my first time, I prefer location over price. Any help or recommendation would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Lu

[bovolu]

Forgot to mention. I will be staying with 3 other people so the larger the room the better. I'm sure some areas are notorious for smaller rooms.

Thanks,

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

The concern with NYC are small rooms at many properties, even at higher (3.5/4*) star ratings - including small enough that there won't be room for a rollaway. Rooms with two beds in NYC often go for a premium and PRICELINE only guarantees 1 bed/double occupancy - using the service in NYC with a party of four definitely risks only getting 1 bed.

HOTWIRE - where you can indicate the amount of people in the party and ensure some form of bedding for the group - is a better choice, although it will be more expensive.

What would be your desired max budget per night?

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

[bovolu]

Hmmm. So hotwire will probably be my best bet as I am looking to have 2 beds. I was looking to spend around 200/night before taxes. Any areas that you recommend I look in?

[thereuare]

If you haven't yet, please start by reading your messages.

If you search HOTWIRE, 4adults, for your dates you'll see there isn't too much offered at under $200/nite. HOTWIRE does have a 3* in the Midtown Central zone with Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Free Internet, Hi-Speed Internet which i'm guessing is the Holiday Inn Midtown 57th St, if that would work for your needs.

If you're willing to stretch your budget a bit (~$15/nite more per person) there is a 3.5* in the Chelsea-MSG zone for $256/nite with: Free Internet, Boutique Hotel, Smoke Free Rooms, Fitness Center, High-Speed Internet Access which i'm guessing is the Flatiron Hotel Toshi (or a slight chance the TRYP Times Square South) for which is a bit more favorably reviewed.

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

Thoughts on the above?

[bovolu]

Thanks for the help.

Both would be doable in terms of price. Which would suggest in terms of location for a first time NYC visitor? The Midtown Central vs Chelsea-MSG?

[AaronJB]

Personally, I'd rather the more upscale Toshi (which does get good reviews on Tripadvisor.) It's not as close to Times Square as the Holiday Inn, but personally, I'd rather not stay right near TS and stay instead in an area that's outside it and less hectic/crowded but within easy distance to Midtown sights. This thread - Hotels Near Times Square - discusses this further. The Union Square Farmer's Market (http://www.grownyc.org/unionsquaregreenmarket) is a pleasant stop not that far South of the Toshi.

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

[thereuare]

I too would go for the Chelsea-MSG property... better ratings and a bit more centrally located. As well, assuming we're correct on the Hotle Toshi, it has many subway lines and stations within a 3 block radius.

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.