Priceline Hotel: 4* New York City (Downtown - Financial District) Marriott New York Downtown

[springstein28]

Hi there,

I love to book hotel rooms on hotwire or priceline (using your PRICELINE link) I have just browsed through hotwire and I have noticed that prices around the 9th of May till the 18th are quite high. Does anyone have an idea why that may be the case? Any special events in town? Or just coincidence?

Thanks a lot for any suggestions! Of course I know that I will have to split my bid etc...but I was just wondering if I should change the dates altogther?

Have a nice evening!

[AaronJB]

Prices in NYC are generally high, although busier periods include the Fall/early Winter (conventions, holiday shopping) and Spring (nicer weather) There are often conventions or events (marathon in Nov, for example) throughout the year. In May you may run into some college graduations.

What would be your desired budget per night for this stay?

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

[thereuare]

I love to book hotel rooms on hotwire or priceline (using your PRICELINE link) I have just browsed through hotwire...

Please use the board links for your searches too!

If you can visit during the summer months (July and August) you generally will find much lower rates then in the Spring.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board... and please click each of these links before replying.

Thanks.

[springstein28]

Thank you!

I guess I didn't fully understand the purpose of your links, I thought they only worked when I was booking. Now I understand that every click counts.

Right, my budget: it would be wonderful to get a 4 star around 120$, I guess I am willing to pay up to 150$ max. The problem is that taxes have to be added as well, they amount to a quarter of the net price, don't they?

I might switch to a 3.5 star if things don't work out with the 4 star. In your opinion, which area offers the most solid 3.5 stars? Where is it least likely to get an unpopular 3.5 star?

I am looking forward to the challenge, unfortunately I can't switch to the summer, it has to be in May and it seems that I can't change the dates anymore so I have to make the best of it!

Thank you again!

[thereuare]

Even $150 for a 3.5* may be difficult for these May dates, so as you get closer to your dates you may need to compromise on some aspects of your hotel/location.

If you're first trying for a 4* hotel the following all typically work well for the average user: MTE, MTW, TS, ESB, CPS

At the 3.5* level it becomes a bit more difficult and you need to note the following (those without comments have no know issues that i'm aware of):

TS

MTW

ESB

MTE - some hotels can be up to a 15 minute walk to the subway

CPS - has the Hudson hotel which notoriously small rooms

MSG - typically 'ok', but the Ramada Plaza is 4* rated by PRICELINE and perhaps the lowest of the 4* hotels, imo, so OK at the 3.5* level but perhaps not at the 4* level. Also, the Affinia Manhattan is very well located, but has some sub-par rooms that are smaller than the others in the hotel and you may get one of these on a 3rd party purchase... varying degrees of success upgrading to a 'better' room.

Chelsea - can get a little far from subway (but not as much as MTE)... but the area is 'hot' right now and there are a lot of bars and nighlife in the area

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

[springstein28]

Thank you for recommendations. I think I won't bid right away but wait a few weeks. I am going to let you know how it works out.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for keeping us updated and please let us know what you decide/if you have additional questions.

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

[springstein28]

I got the Marriott Downtown from 5/9/2013-5/13/2013 for 150$/night. I expected lower rates for the weekend and I am happy with the win, it is a good start. I don't mind being in downtown at the beginning of my stay, it is a good option for some sights.

Then I tried from 150$ up to 180$ for ESB 5/13/2013 to 5/16/2013, no luck. I think I would like to avoid MTW because of the Sheraton. Many people reported rooms with thin walls so you can hear A LOT from your neighbours. I am also not sure if MTE is a safe choice because of that doubletree (appears more like a 3.5 to me). Others in MTW and MTE seem very promising, though.

Alright, do you think a win within the 180$ limit is realistic in ESB? I have considered my maximum bid - because of the high prices in May I think it is 200$/night, but only after I have failed several times at $180 ;)

Do you think that for the third leg of my stay (5/16/2013 - 5/18/2013) it would be cheaper to try 4* in Soho or Chelsea?

Thank you again for your thoughts!!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your (partial) success!

Glad to see you're pleased with the purchase for this leg of your stay and thank you for sharing your win with the board.

For help with the remaining nites, please start a NEW TOPIC (and if you intend to split the remaining nites into two additional stays, please use separate topics for each stay)

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

Enjoy this leg of your trip.

PS- not too far, a 10 minute walk from this hotel, i often recommend this place:

Adrienne's Pizza Bar

54 Stone St

New York, NY 10004

It's a restaurant, not a slice shop... stick with their 'grandma pie' which is like a not-so-thick sicilian pizza, which is what they are best known for. The food is reasonably prices (by NYC standards) for the quality... although drinks are on the high side (as it also typical NYC standard)

[springstein28]

The famous Adrienne's! I have read a lot about that place already!! How do you know that I intend investing a substantial amount of my time finding wonderful food in NY? This is very important for me on my holidays, and I am always open for any recommendations (actually I am looking for a place that serves authentic peruvian food ;) - any ideas? Thanks to thereuare I have already found the perfect Italian place - mille grazie!

[thereuare]

Can't help you with Peruvian food (although i'm sure there are places in the city that specialize in it) but for your late nite cravings (they're only open 7:30pm-4am try the

on the SOUTHEAST corner of 53rd and Sixth. The white sauce is what makes this dish shine and use the red sauce sparingly as it may be one of the hottest things you've ever tasted... best $6 meal you'll get in the city.

I also recommend Ess-A-Bagel for breakfast, on Third Ave at 51st St.

[springstein28]

Last time I was in NY I have already tried the Chicken and Rice and it was wonderful, I ate far too much!