Heide Szeto Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 Hi Everyone,I ended up getting cheap flight tickets to NY but didn't realize I was going during a peak time. Any idea of what I can expect to pay when trying to bid on hotels for a check in on 10/28 and checking out 10/31? I know Sunday's are usually cheaper, so should I split up the stay and bid for two different hotel stays, one for 10/28 and the rest for 10/29-10/31? Link to comment
AaronJB Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 Please provide a follow-up for your prior Hotwire Toronto thread (post what you decided for that stay within that thread, then reply to this thread.)Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches. Link to comment
Heide Szeto Posted August 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 Doh! Totally forgot about that post. Just posted a reply :) Link to comment
AaronJB Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 Please post a separate thread for the Marriott Niagara win mentioned in your prior Toronto thread linked above.What would be your desired budget per night for this NYC stay?Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches. Link to comment
Heide Szeto Posted August 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 Posted.Our desired budget per night for our NYC stay is no more than 200 per night with taxes. We are willing to go as low as a 3 or 3.5 star hotel. Looked at the areas and it looks like we're pretty much willing to stay in majority of the areas which include:Downtown Financial District (We stayed at the Andaz last year when our coworker booked it) $269-$299SoHo Tribecca (We won the hilton garden inn last year) $340-$392Chelsea $284Madison Square Garden $308Empire State Building Times Square $255-$345Central Park Upper EastsideNot sure how these areas are but we're willing to give it a try:Midtown East $307-$373Midtown West $279-$399Did a search for the dates and the above are the average prices for 10/28-10/31 for those areas. My questions are: Should I stick to a specific area and two, should we start our bidding now or closer to arrival?Thank you. Link to comment
Heide Szeto Posted August 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 BTW, for the price I'm willing to pay (up to $200), would it be possible to get a 4 star hotel instead of 3 or 3.5? Link to comment
AaronJB Posted August 15, 2012 Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 If you are willing to stay within any of the above areas, I would not try to stick to specific areas in an attempt to increase your chances. The only separation you may want to make is attempt first for Midtown areas only, then start to include Downtown-Soho and the Upper West/Upper East only if Midtown remains difficult. If a couple of weeks go by without a 4* win, you could then move down to 3.5* 4* very well may prove difficult for these dates under $200, especially in Midtown.Traditionally, this is one of the busier/more expensive times of the year, so I would definitely start to bid now and try every 2-3 days in an attempt to lock something in. At the 4* level, I would start at $150 and work higher by $5's up to the $200 ceiling.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches. Link to comment
Heide Szeto Posted August 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 Thank you for the advice!I'm going to start bidding later today. Looks like the lowest price for the dates I have for a 4* is the Affinia Shelburne which is Midtown East at $292 a night. So would I start off with bidding on Midtown West & Midtown East only at $150. Then if that fails, start adding the other areas such as Empire State, Chelsea, Madison, Central park, and etc?BTW, do you have any suggestions on any specific areas I should stay away from? Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 15, 2012 Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 Please click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links, then reply to this thread and we'll continue the discussion for your trip above.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... and your searches too!Thanks. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Heide Szeto Posted August 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 I've clicked the links. Was there any additional information you wanted me to provide? Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 16, 2012 Report Share Posted August 16, 2012 Your $200 all-in maximum is equivalent to a ~$165 bid price, and this may not be enough for even a 3* hotel (although a $200 bid price, not all-in, may improve your chances significantly)Did you want to bid for a 4* hotel first up to your limit, then if rejected try for a 3.5* property, then if rejected try for a 3*... OR is your goal the least expensive 3* or better for this trip?At the 4* level MTE, MTW, CPS, TS, and ESB are the most popular and frequently bid zones which are all generally close to a subway station. Thereafter, Chelsea, Soho, UWS, and Downtown are also decent, but a second to the previous set of zones.At 3.5* MSG can be added to the bidding, but you also need to be aware of the following at 3.5* and under: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?Based upon the above let us know what you'd like to try first as well as confirm your $165 maximum bid (or if you're able to increase this at all) 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 Link to comment
Heide Szeto Posted August 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2012 My initial goal was to get a 4* hotel only but after realizing October was peak season in NYNC, am willing to settle for a lesser star hotel if that would make it easier to win something (and to save some money). After looking at airbnb to see what our other options were, noticed that even the nicer places were $200 and up. Since that's the case, We are more willing to increase the bid to get a hotel instead of going the airbnb route. My boyfriend and I would like to only spend about $700 but no more than $800 for our three night hotel say in NYC. Would this come out with a maximum bid to about $200 a night?Also as you mentioned, at the 3.5 MSG zone a 15 minute walk to the subway from the hotel is a possibility - We are completely fine with that. We enjoy walking and that is definitely not a problem (call us crazy but last year when we went to NY, we walked from the top of Central Park back down to Downtown Financial District). CPS - the Hudson hotel with a small room - that's also acceptable since we wouldn't be in our hotel room much anyway.I hope I answered all the concerns with this reply. Look forward to hearing from you and I'm quite anxious to start the bidding process! Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 17, 2012 Report Share Posted August 17, 2012 Also as you mentioned, at the 3.5 MSG zone a 15 minute walk to the subway from the hotel is a possibility...Just to clarify for future users... it's the MTE zone that can be a 15 minute walk to the subway when bidding 3.5* and under. (MSG was mentioned as a zone that becomes available for bidding at the 3.5*, since it has no 4* hotels, it's not an option when bidding for 4* properties).While i don't think your budget will be enough for a 3.5* or 4* hotel, we can start there and see how it goes...To confirm, all of the following zones are acceptable:SoHoChelseaMadison Square GardenEmpire State BuildingTimes SquareCentral Park SouthUpper Eastside (no 3.5* or 4* hotels offered in this zone)Midtown EastMidtown WestAt the 4* level you in NYC you have SEVEN re-bid zones... at the 3.5* level you have SIX re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.Select 4* Soho, Chelsea, MSG, ESB...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* TS, CPS, MTE, MTW...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* TS, Chelsea, MSG, ESB...Bid $153, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $158, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Soho, CPS, MTE, MTW...Bid $153, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $158, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Soho, CPS, MSG, ESB...Bid $163, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $168, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* TS, Chelsea, MTE, MTW...Bid $163, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $168, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Soho, Chelsea, MTE, ESB...Bid $173, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $178, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* TS, CPS, MSG, MTW...Bid $173, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $178, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Soho, Chelsea, MSG, MTW, TS, CPS, MTE...Bid $183, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Soho, Chelsea, MSG, MTW, TS, CPS, ESB...Bid $183, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINESelect 4* Soho, Chelsea, MSG, ESB, TS, CPS, MTE, MTW...Bid $188, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $192, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $194, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $196, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $198, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200You can try the above at the 4* level, then if rejected close the browser and re-try at the 3.5* level. Any 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 Link to comment
Heide Szeto Posted August 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 Thanks for the advice! I just clicked on the PRICELINE link and I'll be starting the bids, crosses my finger...so nervous!The Sheraton on 811th Seventh Avenue, which is a 4 star is currently on sale for $300! But the Double Tree in Chelsea is the cheapest at $278. Hoping I can score one of these! I'll keep you guys posted. Link to comment
Heide Szeto Posted August 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 Initially I stated these as acceptable areas:SohoChelseaEmpire StateTimes SquareCentral ParkMidtown EastMidtown Westbut I've added the rest of the areas:Downtown FinancialHells Kitchenand Upper WestsideToday I started my bidding process in increments of $5, with $5 bonus cash at:150+5 added rebid zone - rejected155+5 added rebid zone - rejected160+5 added rebid zone - rejected165+5 added rebid zone - rejected170+5 added rebid zone - rejected175+5 added rebid zone - rejected180+5 added rebid zone - rejected185+5 added rebid zone, and included ALL acceptable areas. - rejectedI will try again in 24 hours, and keep on trying for the net two or so weeks. If I am still unsuccessful, I will drop down to 3.5 stars as stated. Currently the lowest rate for a 4 star hotel as stated previously is $278. The current lowest rate for a 3.5 star hotel is $264 for Upper West Side Brownstone - Bed and Breakfast and $269 for Club Quarters Wall St. For 3.5 stars, are there specific areas I should stay away from? Right now from the looks of it, seems like I should stay away from the Upper West Side to avoid the bed and breakfast?There's also the Z New York Hotel located in Long Island for $171. Looks like a pretty decent hotel...but I know it's on the other side =\ Link to comment
mtbscott Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 Just to let you know the Z Hotel in LIC is pretty far from the subway. There are other decent hotels in LIC that are better located, The Verve or the Vetiver are also kind of "boutique" hotels, although I don't think either has shown up here as a Priceline win yet. Link to comment
Heide Szeto Posted August 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 Ahhh ok, I'll play it safe and keep Brooklyn and Long Island off when placing the bid. Link to comment
thereuare Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 For 3.5 stars, are there specific areas I should stay away from? Right now from the looks of it, seems like I should stay away from the Upper West Side to avoid the bed and breakfast?I don't believe i have ever seen a B&B won thru PRICELINE's Name Your Own service, so i'm not sure if that property would be a possibility.Note that when bidding 3.5* and lower: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?Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases Link to comment
Heide Szeto Posted August 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 Here's an update to my bidding:Started with Chelsea, ESB, MTW, Soho at $160+5 bonus - rejectedAdded TS, MTE, Downtown, and rebid zone at $165+5 - rejectedAdded Central Park South, Upper West, Hells Kitchen, and rebid zone at $170+5 - rejectedAdded rebid $180+5 - rejectedAdded rebid $185+5 rejectedAdded rebid $200+5 rejectedAdded rebid $210+5 acceptedGot the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel for $771.66 for 3 nights. Hoping to have a great experience with this hotel!Not complaining, but just realized this hotel only has double beds :( Link to comment
AaronJB Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 Congrats on your success. :)Very nice deal for this NYC property! I'm seeing king or 2 doubles options on Expedia under room options; rooms in NYC are definitely smaller than average - some hotels offer full size beds.Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.Enjoy your stay. Link to comment
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