Priceline Hotel: 4* New York City (Midtown East) The Westin New York Grand Central

[bedderbidder]

Hello,

I'm trying to book a NYC two-night stay for this Friday, 11/2 to Sunday, 11/4. I'm trying to stay in the city, at a minimum of a three-star hotel. I'm also trying to pay under $170. Finally, I'm trying to stay as close to Central Park as possible. One more twist, I have a friend I can crash with, so if the price is too high I'm not desperate - I can just not have a hotel. However, comfort is very important to me. But I'd prefer to stay in a hotel Saturday-Sunday as opposed to Friday-Saturday (which is more pricey).

Currently on Hotwire for 11/2 to 11/3, there is a $143/night for a 3* Chelsea - Madison Square Garden area, and $157 4* Downtown - SoHo - Financial District. However, that's only for 11/2 to 11/3. But I think that's a good deal, especially if I can bid lower on Priceline.

For 11/3 to 11/4, however, that price goes way up to $289 minimum! I'm wondering why.

One additional factor: Hurricane! What effect does everyone think the hurricane will have on prices? Do you think that I should double down and buy soon, or that prices will for some reason go down (seems unlikely to me but I don't know what goes down on hurricane days).

So now I'm trying to figure out if I should try a two-day strategy for priceline, or just book the first night in MSG or SoHo and chance it out for the rest of the week.

-bb

[AaronJB]

The hurricane seems to be having a definite effect on prices yesterday, today and over the next couple days, but I think it's probably not going to have an effect on prices once it gets to the weekend.

The significant problem with the 3rd is the fact that the NYC Marathon is the 4th, so there's going to be a major inflow of people coming for the Marathon. A reasonable rate (for NYC) should be fairly easy for the first night, but staying under $170 is going to be unlikely for the second night.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[bedderbidder]

No wonder! Thanks for your feedback, in regards to prices what effect do you think the hurricane had? (upwards or downwards?)

Either way, I'll keep you all posted on my win (if I get one) on the priceline board. Thanks!

[AaronJB]

Prices between yesterday and the next couple of days vary, but in general seem noticeably lower-than-average (a 4* ESB for $116 on HOTWIRE tomorrow, for example.)

Thank you for keeping us updated. Please keep all posts regarding this stay within this thread - thanks.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[bedderbidder]

Thanks for the info and deep insight, Travel Guru!

Another interesting note - a web search at Hotwire for 11/3 to 11/4 has revealed a Midtown Central area hotel (4*) for $182 on Hotwire! This is definitely new, as I've been checking prices pretty regularly. I wonder if the Hurricane is even affecting people's plans for the run, and if people may be canceling their hotels!

[thereuare]

I wonder if the Hurricane is even affecting people's plans for the run, and if people may be canceling their hotels!

Some people may be changing their NYC plans, but it's not those who are participating in the Marathon... you don't train 4+ months for a 26 mile race and then cancel due to weather.

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

[bedderbidder]

Some people may be changing their NYC plans, but it's not those who are participating in the Marathon... you don't train 4+ months for a 26 mile race and then cancel due to weather.

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

True that!

[AaronJB]

Please keep us updated on what you decide and if you have additional questions.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[bedderbidder]

I will. Latest thoughts are that given that prices have jumped back up, I will not be getting a hotel.

[bedderbidder]

In NYC, didn't get a hotel -- and the marathon got cancelled! How about that.

[AaronJB]

Hope you are enjoying your stay in the city. If you are still looking for a room for tonight, rates are quite a bit lower on HOTWIRE for tonight than what was showing a few days ago. There's a 3* on HOTWIRE in the Chelsea area for $108 for tonight.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[bedderbidder]

Thanks for your post! Actually I have an exciting update:

I was hanging around Grand Central today, and I peeped at Hotwire, noticing that Midtown East had a $161 4*.

Instinct kicked in, and thanks to the handy PRICELINE links above this post, I immediately logged on and bid at $130 for Midtown East, 4* on Priceline, and was accepted. I'm writing this post from the 4* Westin, which I got for $130 just now.

My only thought is that I could have saved even more money had I started lower. But what an exhilarating turn of events, thanks to this forum and the handy PRICELINE links.

* 4*

* 11/3-11/4

* $130

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success.

Awesome win for this recently renovated property! Hope you are enjoying your stay.

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.