utouchmyheart Posted June 6, 2012 Report Posted June 6, 2012 Taking my daughter on a Theater trip to New York in a few weeks, she would really like to stay right in the middle of it all. Concerned that we might get stuck in a smoking room...thoughts on how likely that is?Budget is around $250/night, but would love to spend less...and could probably go up to almost $300 if needed.Usually i want to know everything about where i'm staying, or we have a pet with us, so have not had the opportunity to bid on a room before and am a bit apprehensive...this seemed like a great opportunity as we just want to be close, amenities not particularly important as we won't be in room that much.Any advice is welcome :)Thank you!!
AaronJB Posted June 6, 2012 Report Posted June 6, 2012 Welcome to Betterbidding. :)How many are in your party? Smoking/non-smoking can be requested and is usually not a problem, but there have been infrequent instances of people being reported put into smoking rooms, often because it's extremely busy. If there is an issue, I would call PRICELINE. You can also look for a listing with a no-smoking amenity on HOTWIRE.While TS is the most popular zone, it's also the most expensive and busy/hectic; if you were willing to stay nearby (such as in MTE), that would not be too far from TS and possibly provide savings that could be used for other things. Would this be of interest?Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
utouchmyheart Posted June 6, 2012 Author Report Posted June 6, 2012 Hi Aaron!Thank you for your reply :)it will just be the 2 of us...MTE seems like it could be a bit far, depending or course on which part of the area the hotel is in. MTW is possible, but probably not much of a difference from Times Square area?I've poked around a bit on Hotwire, and didn't see a place to specify non smoking only? or would it just be reading amenities section for an entirely nonsmoking hotel?
thereuare Posted June 7, 2012 Report Posted June 7, 2012 I've poked around a bit on Hotwire, and didn't see a place to specify non smoking only? or would it just be reading amenities section for an entirely nonsmoking hotel?Yes, by reading the amenities and choosing an offer that lists Smoke Free Rooms. After you do a HOTWIRE search you can even look on the left side of their page and under "HOTEL FEATURES" put a checkmark next to 'Smoke Free Rooms' and the results will be filtered to show you only offers that are list 'Smoke Free' as an amenity feature (this doesn't mean that the other necessarily allow smoking, but to guarantee a smoke free room, you would need to choose one of these offerings).Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
utouchmyheart Posted June 7, 2012 Author Report Posted June 7, 2012 Thank you! When i followed your steps for smoke free room in TS on hot-wire, it gave me all of one option :)$253 / night -- any thought on which hotel it might be? In looking at the Hotwire list in this part of the forum, the only smoke free listing at 3 stars is The Belvedere...which is also listed in the named section of Hotwire at $258/night...does that seem right?3-star Hotel in Times Square - Theatre DistrictThis Hotel features the following amenities:Smoke Free Rooms Guest rooms at this hotel are always smoke-free.Restaurant(s) Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary.Business Center Guests have access to business equipment and services; an additional charge may apply.High-Speed Internet Access Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply.Accessible for the blind Braille or raised signageAccessible for the deaf TTY for telephone, visual or flashing fire alarm and vibrating alarm clockAccessible path of travel <amenity names only please... not descriptions>In-room accessibility Accessible path from the room entrance to the window, the bed and the bathroom; accessible hardware and minimal resistance to open the door; accessible temperature controls and window coveringsAccessible bathroom Raised toilet, hand-held shower and grab bars at the tub and toiletRoll-in shower Bathroom has a roll-in showerI think at this point, i'm wanting to try my luck at priceline bidding...rally wanted something a bit better than hot-wire 3 star..I've read the re-bidding thread...if i understand correctly, i can bid on a 4 star hotel in TS, if my bid is not accepted, i can then add areas that do not have 4 star properties, such as MSG, UES, LES, etc, while raising my bed and i will still only recieve a room acceptance in a 4 star or greater hotel in TS?I suppose, i could also start with only 5 star hotels, as there are fewer areas that include those, and if that is unsuccessful, drop to 4 star?is that correct?thank you again for your time :)
utouchmyheart Posted June 7, 2012 Author Report Posted June 7, 2012 oh...one more question...I've seen mention of being careful of the 'resort' category in zones, as they will be considered when searching for 4* hotels....I don't see 'resort' a an option on the NYC page at all...does that mean there are no properties considered 'resort' in any zone and it is not a concern? so any zone having the 4 and 5 * option grayed out should be safe to add as a rebid zone if i would like to keep to TS?Thank you so much!!
Romelle Posted June 7, 2012 Report Posted June 7, 2012 The Resort category is common in quite a few vacation areas - Hawaii, Florida, Phoenix, etc. Las Vegas. New York City doesn't have it, although it is a good habit to always check for the category. If there is a Resort category it is listed at the bottom of the star list, below the 1*, so is sometimes over-looked. And in bidding it acts like a 4.5*, so somebody using a zone as a free rebid zone for 4* or lower bids could still win in the zone if they have an upgrade.Your logic is correct. But if you'd like to be doubly sure, you can always post the list you assume is the correct free re-bid list and somebody here will check it. Romelle
utouchmyheart Posted June 7, 2012 Author Report Posted June 7, 2012 Thank you Romelle!!I would love some confirmation from someone who has done this before that i have the correct list of free rebid areas...Here is what I've come up with...Coney IslandLong Island CityLower East SideMadison Square GardenMorningside HeightsQueensborough BridgeUpper East SideSo if i understand correctly, I can bid on the TS area, then add each of these (if my list is correct) at a 4* level with no possibility of being booked in a hotel in any of these areas. yes?If someone could confirm with me the best strategy I would appreciate it...goal would be to spend less than $300 for a 4* in the TS area.Thank you!!!
Romelle Posted June 8, 2012 Report Posted June 8, 2012 Your list of re-bids is correct. I'll leave the bidding strategy part of it to the moderators.You've got plenty of time, although I'm sure you'd like to get this set up ASAP.Good luck!Romelle
thereuare Posted June 8, 2012 Report Posted June 8, 2012 Always double check your re-bid zones just before bidding to make sure that nothing has changed since you last looked.If TS is the only zone you're willing to accept, i would bid as follows, using your SEVEN re-bid zones.((NOTE: 're-bid zone1' is not the same as priceline's Zone1, 're-bid zone2' is not the same as priceline's Zone2, etc, etc))Select 4* TS...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $200, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone5...Bid $210, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* TS and re-bid zone6...Bid $215, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $220, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $225, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $230, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $235, if rejected add re-bid zone5...Bid $240, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* TS and re-bid zone7...Bid $245, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $250, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $255, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $260, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $265, if rejected add re-bid zone5...Bid $270, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* TS and re-bid zone6 and re-bid zone7...Bid $275, if rejected add re-bid zone1...Bid $280, if rejected add re-bid zone2...Bid $285, if rejected add re-bid zone3...Bid $290, if rejected add re-bid zone4...Bid $295, if rejected add re-bid zone5...Bid $300Any 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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
utouchmyheart Posted June 8, 2012 Author Report Posted June 8, 2012 Thank you so much for your advice!!Unfortunately, bidding up to $300 was unsuccessful.is there any chance that bidding again in the next few days might change the outcome?If not, I suppose the next option would be to expand our options by bidding on a 3.5* hotel?It looks like there are 6 rebid areas for 3.5* in NYconey Islandlong island citylower east sidemorningside heightsqueensborogh bridgeupper east sideany thoughts on strategy for bidding on 3.5* ..or other suggestion in general?Thank you so much!!!
Romelle Posted June 8, 2012 Report Posted June 8, 2012 There are others here with lots more NYC expertise than I have, but I noticed a Hotwire 4* in Midtown Central on your dates - $270. Something to consider?Yes, the outcome can change. One plan is to make a cancelable back-up reservation. Then you can keep bidding for a better deal while remaining calm.You've got the re-bid zones right for 3.5* bidding, but always check again just before a bidding session.Romelle
thereuare Posted June 9, 2012 Report Posted June 9, 2012 The offers can change so if you want to continue to try at the 4* level i would do so and we'll have a look at 3.5* rated once you're committed to trying the lower star rating (as rates at this star level can change in the interim as well).My advice (i think i mentioned above but i may have confused with a different thread for this area) is to expend beyond Times Square... at the 4* level MTE, MTW, TS, CPS and ESB all typically work out well for the average user, and if there is a time or two during the day at which point you can't walk to/from the hotel, take a cab ride as nothing in midtown should be much more than $10-$15 away (most locations less)... better to save $50/nite on a hotel and spend $10-$30 day in cab rides than continue to bid higher and higher to be in one specific zone. My .02Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Keep us updated on your progress and/or if/when you want to change course (either with a lower rated hotel or adding other zones) and we'll advise accordingly. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
utouchmyheart Posted June 13, 2012 Author Report Posted June 13, 2012 Wanted to thank you....this knowledge in this forum is amazing!!I bid all the way up to our $300 limit on both 4* and 3.2* hotels a few times and was unsuccessful.As I mentioned before, this is a theater trip for my daughter..sort of a birthday gift, and reward for an awesome academic year rolled into one, so i wanted to tailor the trip to her liking as much s possible. We had to compromise on the theater ticket locations due to availability, so really wanted to honor her hotel wishes. When it got right down to it, she didn't want to be pushy about it, but really wanted to stay right on Times Square if at all possible.Had we been able to get an amazing deal on a room close by, that would have worked, but as we were so high on the bidding, i started to look at other ways to accomplish her first wish.Found a decent deal on what we were certain was the HIlton Times Square through lastminutetravel.com ...called them as advised on website to check for a better rate. Advertised was $326, when i called they lowered it to $286. But i was wary, as there were no identifying numbers on the hotel listing, they went by miles from the airport, and as i was on hold, i was clicking around and noticed the Hilton Times Square was listed a a named hotel for other dates, and the airport distance was not the same as the listing with the photos that were clearly the Hilton Times Square. got me a bit nervous so we passed on making the reservation that night.After looking around on this site, i saw a post mentioning the Last minute travel club...used the code for free membership and found a rate for both the Renaissance Times Square and the Crowne Plaza Times square that were less than the Hilton. The hotels were named, so there was no risk of confusion, or me misinterpreting. Daughter was thrilled to be able to stay right on Broadway, so we booked the Crowne Plaza.thank you all again so much, this is a wonderful forum, and i know i will be much more likely to bid for future trips after going through this process.Thank you!!katey
AaronJB Posted June 13, 2012 Report Posted June 13, 2012 Thank you for closing the thread. Enjoy your stay, and we look forward to helping with future stays. :)
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