Priceline Hotel: 2.5* New York City (Long Island City) Comfort Inn Long Island City

[littlestone]

I bid for 2.5* hotels in Manhattan and Long Island City areas, and got the Comfort Inn Long Island City with rate $110/night+121.45 fee and tax (five nights, from July 04 to July 09). I just called the hotel and asked about the condition of the room (the size of the bed and if there is Microwave oven or refrigerator in the room), but got some rude responses. Besides a "No" answer to all these common questions, the staff commented that "you have booked the cheapest room, and you cannot get a room with a King size bed, ...". Come on, I checked the hotels around this area and found actually there is a much better choice, Wyndham Garden Long Island City, which is a 3* level. Even by direct booking the rate is only $123/night (King size bed and probably with Manhattan view), with no tax no fees and the total charge is only $619 for five nights, but the Comfort Inn costed me $671.45 after bid!!

I feel somewhat frustrated why I do not get Wyndham Garden in this bidding.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Sorry to see you're disappointed in the results.

As you didn't post your bidding history we can't say if you could have done better by using a different strategy or bidding order, but the time to do your research on hotels in the area is before you make your bid (use our BiddingHelper.com tool and/or search box above to assist in your research). In the future ask for help before you bid and we'll try to assist in hopes of a better outcome.

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.

[littlestone]

Hi thereuare, thank you for your helpful suggestion. The lesson I got is that I should have done a complete research on the hotels in the areas I am interested in. I did search a lot of information about Manhattan but not enough for Long Island City. Also, this website provides a lot of useful information---it would deserve a careful study before my next bid, :-).

[dahammer]

The direct booking rate with taxes would be $744, so you saved $73 using PRICELINE. You should call and ask (politely) if you can get a king with a microwave and refrigerator. On the day of arrival, you should also call the desk and ask for your room preference. Room assignments are typically made on the day of check in, so the hotel will not commit today for a reservation 6 weeks away. I have stayed here several times and the staff has been decent. The clerk is a gatekeeper and can often help get what you want.