Priceline Hotel: NYC 10/30 - 11/5

[Foppa]

Hi,

I tried some tips at priceline but couldn't get a successful bid. To be safe, I already booked an 3*hotel for 1600usd (6 nights) total which I can cancel two days before. Am I too early to try my bids because NYC is more last minute area?!:)

kind regards,

Ralf

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

This is an expensive time of year in NYC.

What star level, zones and how high did you bid? What is the hotel you booked as a back-up?

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

[Foppa]

I know it is expensive..:) I'll be there for the marathon..

I tried star level 3 1/2 and 4, zones Downtown - Financial District, Madison Square Garden, Midtown East, Midtown West, Times Square and Central Park South. My bids were up until 250$.

my backup hotel is the East Houston Hotel (151 East Houston Street, New York, NY 10002).

regards,

Foppa

[thereuare]

I don't think you're too far from a win... another $5-$15 may be enough to put you over the top. Are you interested increasing the bid a little further for a 4* or do you prefer to stick with your back-up? If you're not running in the marathon is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID (if you are running i'm assuming you won't want to change hotels mid-stay)

Seasonally the Fall is an expensive time of year in NYC and the marathon makes it that much more difficult as runners and spectators come from all over the world for the event. Nobody can predict where rates will be 3 months from now as this stay draws nearer, but if history serves as a record, i would not recommend waiting until the last minute for this stay as hotels often sell-out and rates remain quite high.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there.

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

PS- if you're running, hope your training is off to a good start!

[Foppa]

I have to run..:) Splitting wouldn't be the perfect option at all. My back-up is okay but I would like to have more a hotel in the area Madison Square Garden, Midtown East, Midtown West or Central Park South. Central Park would be easier for my daily running practice (I think so) :)

regards,

Foppa

[thereuare]

Given your current rejections at $250, and your back-up reservation, is your gameplan to stick with that limit for the time being?

Have you considered including Chelsea and/or ESB in your bidding?

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

PS- my wife has just started training for another Marathon... she's done NY twice. I'm not a runner, but if you've never run NYC you're in for a treat, it's a GREAT event.

[Foppa]

around that 250$, that was my plan..:) Right now, I'm at 1600 with my back-up which is cheaper then the 250$ plan..:)

Chelsea and ESB were not considered. On one side I would like to practice in the morning a little bit for the run and on the other side I want to have everything else in walking distance.

2 years ago I was in the Residence Inn (Avenue Of The Americas 1033) in march. I had there a price of 859 $ for 5 nights which was cheap comparing to the price I got now.

NY will be my first marathon....

[thereuare]

March is still considered 'winter' season and rates are considerably cheaper than 'fall' season when rates are higher... add the marathon to the equation and rates are more expensive then just 'seasonally high'.

You'll be able to train regardless of where you stay... you could always take the subway to Central Park, or there is also a fairly new path along the Hudson River which goes all the way from BatteryPark up to the George Washington Bridge... NJ Skyline along the way ;) I don't think ESB or Chelsea would detract from a training or central location perspective, but ultimately it's your stay and you need to be comfortable in the area(s) you choose to bid.

Current rates are just beyond your grasp i think, so you could just keep trying 2-3x per week and hope that a hotel within the zones you're bidding lower their rates a bit.

Also, while all the zones mentioned above are fine at the 4* level, not the following at the 3.5* level:

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?

If you'd like us to outline a bidding strategy for you to try please confirm which zone(s) you're willing to accept, as well as if you want to first try for a 4* up to your limit, then if rejected try for a 3.5*... OR if your goal is the least expensive 3.5* or better for this trip.

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