Priceline Hotel: Jersey City help 09/26- 09/29

[pammulligan]

Would like to get any of the hotels in Jersey City for Sep 26-29 (preferably the candlewood suites). Don't really want to pay more than $75US but DEFINITELY won't pay more than $100.

Can anyone provide suggestions? Would it help if I moved my dates at all (a week either way?)

[dahammer]

I used the savingsbarn.com to link to the Hotwire site and it looks like the Candlewood is available for all three nights @ $109 per night or with taxes and fees @ $374. If you are really stuck on the Candlewood, this is the best way to go. The rooms have only one bed, but also has a refrigerator, a two burner stove, microwave and a few pots, pans and dishes to create a gourmet meal. Or, you could just grab a rotisserie chicken at the local Shop Rite supermarket nearby :)

[pammulligan]

Thanks

I'd prefer the Candlewood suites if I can get it for cheap, but if not, I'd prefer a cheaper rate than a specific hotel. I don't care to spend over $100, especially on a hotel that won't make your bed / clean your room every day!

Any other suggestions?

(Just out of curiosity though, how does the savingsbarn work?)

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

In order to try to get the Candlewood Suites cheaper, you would need to bid on Priceline... are you willing to accept a different 2* (which his how Priceline has last been reported to rate this property) hotel in this zone?

[pammulligan]

I was really intending to use priceline (not hotwire) for this trip, anyways.

As far as I understand, on Priceline, in the JC area, the Candlewood IS the only 2* at the moment, isn't it? I'd probably be willing for a different 2* - I just didnt know there were any.

I'd also be willing for the Doubletree JC and the Courtyard JC if the rates are low enough... but the extra costs for parking might outweigh the benefit of a lower rate there.

[dahammer]

Would like to get any of the hotels in Jersey City for Sep 26-29 (preferably the candlewood suites). Don't really want to pay more than $75US but DEFINITELY won't pay more than $100.

you're in a tight spot here, does your limit of $100 include taxes and fees? I call that my "walk out" price.....

If you consider the Secaucus-Meadowlands area, it looks like you'd be successful at that price and many of the properties like the Crown Plaza and Prime Suites are close to bus transportation into NYC, unless you're planning to stay in Jersey City for three days :) Most Secaucus hotels have free parking, I guess that's why the Candlewood is your intended target. I hate to pay for parking myself..the Doubletree charges for parking as well as the Courtyard.

I was really intending to use priceline (not hotwire) for this trip, anyways.

I like to use Hotwire as a gauge, although prices don't always correlate :)

[thereuare]

As far as I understand, on Priceline, in the JC area, the Candlewood IS the only 2* at the moment, isn't it?

You could always be the first to report a new hotel in this area... and given that the zone extends beyond "near a PATH train" you need to be willing to accept this before bidding.

[pammulligan]

I'm mostly looking for JC as a way to get into NYC easily, like most people. The only reason I'm partial to JC is that I've been 2x before and know the area and feel safe taking the PATH into the city. Can someone suggest some good Secaucus hotels that are easily accessible to NYC? (I'm not sure I want to Priceline for another 2* if it means I'll be far from the PATH trains)

If I do stay in JC, I think $100 including tax would be my walk-away price at this point.

I did want Candlewood because of the parking, but if people could suggest some other places, and potential bidding strategies for them I'd be most appreciative.

[dahammer]

The problem is that you are bidding on a hotel at a specified "star" level of your choice, within a zone of your choice, not on a specific hotel. Many Secaucus hotels like the Courtyard, Crown Plaza, Prime Suites, Amerisuites, Embassy Suites are close to the bus stop, but you may get a hotel that is not close to public transportation.

What happens if you successfully bid on a hotel that is within the JC or Secaucus zone, but does not have easy access to PATH or NJ Transit busses?

[pammulligan]

Very good point.

I definitely don't want to end up stuck far from transit.

Is that to say that my priceline of $100 is probably unfeasible? Would waiting awhile to see if new hotels / rates come online make sense?

[thereuare]

For Jersey City and ensuring close to good transportation, yes, $100 is probably not realistic.

You can certainly try to wait, but sub-$100 in this area is not as common as it once was.

[frostychaz]

I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Secaucus last December and they have a free shuttle that will take you to the Secaucus Junction train station and i think NYC Penn Station is either the first or second stop takes about 8 to 10 minutes once your on the train.

[dahammer]

that's great news, frostychaz Secaucus Junction is the new station that has no parking, but has a drop off zone for cars (a Kiss and Ride zone) and it allows riders to transfer from other NJ Transit routes into NYC. The Crown Plaza also has bus service right out the door into Manhattan