Hotwire Hotel: 3.5* New York City (Madison Square Garden - Hells Kitchen) TRYP Times Square South

[mcat12]

I've read the Priceline Re-Bidding Explained thread and want to confirm my re-bid zones for NYC. I am trying to stay in the Empire State Building Area, 4* Sept. 13-15th. I bid $165 so far and was denied. I believe my "free" re-bid zones are Astoria and the Bronx, correct? Also, can someone suggest a starting price for bidding in the ESB area? I can use a group rate and get the Carlton for $279/night, so if that's considered "pretty good", I don't want to waste my time if I'd only save $20. :) Thanks so much!

[Romelle]

I believe my "free" re-bid zones are Astoria and the Bronx, correct? Also, can someone suggest a starting price for bidding in the ESB area?

There are two free re-bid zones for NYC at the 4* level, but the two you cite aren't the Priceline zone names.

Regarding where to start, you've already tried $165, so you can simply increment up from there. Maybe $20 at a time until you get up a ways, and then $10? With so much time to go, you don't want to try the higher levels until you have to.

Romelle

[thereuare]

mcat12,

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I'd suggest you NOT do any more bidding until you confirm your re-bid zones with the board. It sounds like you may be using the 'retail' section of PRICELINE to determine your re-bid zones, but this is not the correct method to use. Try the following:

1) Use the PRICELINE search box on the upper right of this page, enter 'New York City, NY' and your dates, and click "GO".

2) List each zone that is offered in this region.

3) Next to each zone list the highest star rating offered in the zone. The way to determine the highest star rating offered in the zone is by selecting the first zone i the list, then scrolling down to see the highest star rating selectable (ie- not greyed out). NEXT UNcheck the selected zone, place a checkmark in the next zone, and repeat the process for each zone in the region. Each time you take note of the highest star rating in the zone, make sure that only ONE zone is selected above.

4) post your findings and we'll take it from there

If you don't follow the above just post back and we'll break it down further.

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

[mcat12]

Thanks for the clarification, I was confused why there were different areas. So after following your link and writing the different areas down, it appears my "free rebid" zones are LI City and Harlem as the highest star rating available is 3.5. Right? If so, any further suggestions would be appreciated, thanks!

[Romelle]

Yes, Long Island City and Morningside Heights - Harlem are the two free rebid zones when bidding at the 4* level.

However, they can change. So it is really important to check again before each bidding session.

Romelle

[thereuare]

Is the ESB zone the only zone you're willing to accept?

This is an expensive time of year in NYC and the hotels in this zone are frequently (but not always) more expensive then 4* hotels in other nearby zones. At the moment i think you're likely looking at $200+ for a 4* hotel in midtown, and likely a bit more if you're only looking to stay in the ESB zone.

I'll also add that while not a 4* hotel, HOTWIRE has a 3.5* hotel in the MSG zone for $152/nite with:

Free Internet

Smoke Free

Fitness

Restaurant

Business

Hi-Speed Internet

Travel Accessible

Room Accessible

Bathroom Accessible

Roll-in Shower

More important than the star rating this property has an excellent 4.5/5.0 TA rating and is 95% recommended by previous HOTWIRE guests. Best guess for this property would be the TRYP Times Square South (3* rated on PRICELINE) which at this rate would provide an excellent value for this time of year and would appear to be quite a bit less than a 4 star property. Would this work for your needs?

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed. If you want to bid more on PRICELINE let us know if any other zones are acceptable and your maximum bid... or if you go for the HOTWIRE property above how it goes.

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

[mcat12]

I'm really unfamiliar with NYC, so I was basing my zone on the fact that the wedding we will be attending will be held in the Flat Iron district, which appears to be the ESB zone. The hotels that have been booked in blocks for guests are the Carlton and the Wyndham Garden-Chelsea West. Should I be looking in different areas? Would it be an easy/cost effective taxi ride from a different location to the Flat Iron district? Thank you.

[mcat12]

Decided to "wing it", selected the hotel you posted above and it was in fact the TRYP. Added a second room after confirming the first for $1/night more.

Original booking:

Room: $152/night, $304 total

Taxes: $31.58

Occupancy Tax: $22.92

Fees: 17.84

Total: $376.34

Second booking:

Room: $153/night, $306 total

Taxes: $31.76

Occupancy Tax: $23.04

Fees: 17.84

Total: $378.64

Now to go figure out where we are compared to where will need to be, ha! Thank you for the assistance in this process!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you received a nice deal at this property and were pleased enough to proceed to purchase a second room. :)

If the event is at the Flatiron building itself, the hotel would be about a 15-20 minute walk or maybe $6-$8 taxi ride... very quick.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board.

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

Enjoy your stay and have fun at the wedding.