Priceline Hotel: First Time - Bit of Help?

[Highhorse]

Hi Guys,

I'm flying over to New York from over here in sunny Ireland at the end of November (27th Nov - 2nd Dec).

Ive got a great deal on my flights - so now just for the Hotel.

Not sure if you know, but we have a pretty famous site in the UK moneysavingexpert and they rave about you guys. So i thought I would give you a try.

Now, I have a budget of about $800 for the 5 night stay which is $160 a night. Ive read a couple of the posts here and they have had a fair few successes at that price range for 4* hotels.

I am coming over for some Christmas shopping so I have been looking at hotels (in priceline area guides) in areas 11,12,16,2 and 10 - but can you guys say if these are the areas I should be looking at

and finally - am I likely to get a 4* for my budget in these areas or should I lookat a 3.5*??

many thanks in advance guys

H

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding! :)

Unfortunately, this period (last few days of November through the first 10 days or so of December) is one of the busiest times of the year as it's traditionally "prime time" for holiday shopping and festivities.

Please provide the names of the zones of interest and we would be happy to offer suggestions. $170 may be difficult for these dates at the 4* level.

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

[Highhorse]

Hey, thanks for the reply - I really appreciate it.

Anyway, Im not really fussy on what area we stay in, as long as its the Manhattan experience, so I guess not too far down into the financial district and not too far up into Harlem

Th area I have been primarily trying to book has been Midtown East, Empire State, Midtown West and round Times Square.

any help or advice would be great!

Im happy with a 3* hotel, was just being cheeky and trying a 4* as Id heard the site was sooooo good at bargains

H

[AaronJB]

Just to confirm, have you been trying to bid yet? If so, what bids have you made?

Additionally, just to confirm, is your desired budget per night $160 "all-in" (including taxes/fees) or $160 + taxes/fees?

[thereuare]

... and please click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links before replying.

Thanks.

[Highhorse]

Hey,

Links clicked - hopefully that woks out for you guys.

Ok so I have tried 3 bids $140, $150 and $160

Yes my budget would preferably be $160 all in, but I'll stretch to $180 if needed

Thanks again guys

H

[thereuare]

At current prices I think you're budget is going to be tough for a 3.5* or 4* hotel... and may even be tough for a 3* too.

To get started, are all of the following zones acceptable:

CPS, Chelsea, ESB, Hells Kitchen, Madison Square Garden, Midtown East, Midtown West, Soho, Times Square?

Also, when bidding 3.5* and below the following 'issues' come into play:

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 the above and we'll take it from there.

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

[Highhorse]

Hi,

thanks for all that - everything is totally acceptable. a 15 minute walk is nothing really, and the small rooms - well I dont plan on spending much time in the rooms to be honest.

I have heard that by European standards the 3* states hotels are equivalent to our 4* so if thats the way to go, I'm more than happy to go down to 3*

so long as its clean, and you have your own bathroom then I'm happy!!!

[thereuare]

Ok so I have tried 3 bids $140, $150 and $160

Which zones have you included in your bidding? At what star level did you bid?

Yes my budget would preferably be $160 all in, but I'll stretch to $180 if needed

A $180 all-in price is equivalent to about a $150 bid price, and you have already bid more than this (as per above you have bid $160 already)... is $180 your maximum bid price or all-in price? If you have room to bid higher did you want to try your current star level up to your maximum bid OR try for a cheaper and lower rated hotel than you have been trying?

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