Priceline Hotel: July 5th, NYC

[captain22]

We will be in NYC for one night and would like to have a hotel close to lots of sights due to our limited time there. 3.5 to 4 stars and under 200. Have been thinking Times Square area. Any help is appreciated since this is the first time we are thinking of using Priceline or Hotwire.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Please click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links, then reply to this thread and we'll have a look at your post above.

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

Thank you.

[captain22]

Ok I have clicked on the links.

[thereuare]

With just one nite in the city i'm guessing that you won't likely be heading back to your hotel multiple times throughout the day (perhaps leaving the morning, explore the city for most of the day, then maybe return just before dinner to freshen up and/or drop off anything you may have bought during the day... or you may not even return until it's time for bed. Therefore, it's not really that important to stay directly in Times Square in my opinion, and most midtown locations would likely work out just fine for your needs. However, it's your trip and you know your needs/plans best, so if you want to try for only Times Square we can suggest a strategy to follow, but if looking for the best deal it's usually better to include all zones which may be acceptable as it gives more hotels the opportunity to accept your bid.

Whether you choose only Times Square or decide to include other zones, are you willing to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3.5* OR is your goal the least expensive 3.5* or better for this trip?

If bidding 4* MTE, MTW, TS, CPS and ESB all typically work well for the average visitor.

As the 3.5* level MTW, TS, ESB, and MSG are all usually acceptable although note the following for these additional zones which you may / may not want to include at this star rating:

MTE - some 'known' hotels can be up to a 15 minute walk to the subway... is this acceptable?

CPS - has the Hudson Hotel, which while well located, has notoriously small rooms (~140 sq. ft.).. is this acceptable?

Let us know your thoughts on the above and 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.

[captain22]

We are not set on times square and do not plan on being in the room except to sleep. We would like a nice clean room to sleep in that is convenient. We wouldn't mind a smaller room but would prefer a bigger one since we will just be coming off a 5 night cruise. We will be flying out of la guardia the next morning. Any help is appreciated.

[thereuare]

We wouldn't mind a smaller room but would prefer a bigger one since we will just be coming off a 5 night cruise.

Then you'll be used the smaller room size! :lol:

I do think you can get a 4* hotel in Times Square for $200 or less, so it comes down to what you need/want (location and room size) vs. price.

To give you an idea of prices/options:

Roosevelt Hotel for $135/nite (good location / so-so rooms in my opinion)

Doubletree Chelsea or Ramada New Yorker for $160/nite (not your choice of the two... it could be either one)

St. Giles the Court for $150/nite (used to be the W Hotel)

Distrikt Hotel NYC for $160/nite (well reviewed... rooms likely on the smaller side but a 'chic and boutique' style and atmosphere)

Millenium Broadway for $195/nite (heart of times square but other hotels are nicer)

So as you can see you can 'choose' one of the above (no guarantees of the hotel you receive but these are my initial guesses for what is offered on HOTWIRE and i'll research further for increased confidence if any of these are of interest) OR you choose to bid on PRICELINE for any hotel in the zone that you bid at the minimum star rating you select... but as you can see there are many options below your price point, so it comes down to what is most important to you for this stay.

Let us know your thoughts and 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.

[captain22]

I just want a nice clean hotel. I have been to NYC once before and stayed in heart of times square so that is why I have it in mind. This is my boyfriends first trip so I want to make sure he can see as much as possible in one day. So do you recommend Hotwire over Priceline in this situation? Also, is there anyway to make sure we have a queen or king bed? Sorry for all the questions.

[thereuare]

So do you recommend Hotwire over Priceline in this situation?

Not necessarily, it depends upon your needs for this trip and just how 'flexible' you feel you are and it's still not clear to me from your response what the most important factors are. In terms of being centrally located the zones we will have you bid (which depend upon which star level you choose) should all be centrally located enough for a one nite stay. So it comes down to:

If you're looking for the lowest price possible then PRICELINE is usually going to be your better option. If you want to have a guess as to the property you will received and/or know some of the amenities offered and/or know reviews from previous guests then HOTWIRE is a better, although slightly more expensive, option.

Also, is there anyway to make sure we have a queen or king bed?

Not really unless you see a HOTWIRE offer which also shows the 'Bed Choice' option which allows you to choose the room type before your purchase for a slightly higher additional rate.

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

[captain22]

Ok. I would rather have an idea and read reviews instead of leaving it all up to chance. I would rather pay a little more for some sort of piece of mind. :)

[thereuare]

Some ideas:

4* MTE for $127 believed to be the Grand Hyatt or InterContinental Barclay

4* ESB for $150 believed to be the St. Giles The Court

Thoughts on either of the above?

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