Priceline Hotel: 4* New York City (Empire State Building) Affinia Shelburne

mads_101 · June 25, 2013

Hello we are visiting NYC from Weds 23 October - Friday 1 November.

Ideal star level is 4+, but from my research most 3.5* ones are decent. It appears anything 3* and below can be quite dodgy.

We liked CP South, Times Square, Times Square theatre, lower east side, Upper east side (though my concern is some hotels are way up north near Harlem), Empire State building, hells kitchen.

If you have any suggestions of better options that would be great. We're kind of running blind. For example, if you know there is a better chance of us getting somewhere better in a particular area that is still accessible/convenient - we'd love to hear it!

We're pretty flexible but we did want to be somewhere easy with transport links and also within walking distance to attractions.

Price and location are our key outcomes.

Our budget at $230/night was set on the basis that by the time you are slugged with tax, it will be under $300 (our very max max budget). You would probably know better than us how the tax system works (In Oz whatever the list price is must legally be the maximum you get charged - no hidden fees - so I am quite a novice).

If it came down to $20-30 difference between an ideal area and a less than ideal area - we'd choose the ideal area and pay the extra. And if it came down to 3.5* for a winning location vs 4* for somewhere inconvenient - we'd definitely choose convenience.

Thanks for your assistance :)

thereuare · June 25, 2013

Please click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links, then reply to this thread and we'll have a look at your post above.

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

Thanks.

mads_101 · June 25, 2013

thanks - done.

thereuare · June 25, 2013

HOTWIRE has what appears to be the Affinia Shelburne for $233/nite which is in one of your preferred zones (ESB), gets very good reviews (4.5/5.0 TA rating), and all-in is below your $300/nite maximum budget.

Thoughts on the above? Do you want to go with this offer or try bidding on PRICELINE for any hotel at the minimum star rating in the zone(s) you select? If bidding on PRICELINE, did you want to try for a 4* or 3.5* property? If 3.5, do note that in the CPS is the Hudson Hotel which while well located has notoriously small rooms (even by NYC standards) and may be a little uncomfortable for a 9 nite stay, imo.

If you do move forward with the property above, please change the drop down menu on the top right of HOTWIRE's page to United States and the currency dropdown to US Dollars. Then continue to search HOTWIRE and post to the board in US Dollars so that rates are consistent and not subject to interpretation due to future currency fluctuation. Once you're ready to purchase stay on the US version of their site and simply change the drop down menu to whatever currency you'd like to use and complete your purchase.

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

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

mads_101 · June 25, 2013

Thanks - that does look like a good deal.

Let's try priceline - 4* hotel to avoid the Hudson - I agree, 9 nights is a long time in a tin can!

Look forward to your strategy :)

mads_101 · June 25, 2013

I've just tried to find the Affina on hotwire and I can't :S

The cheapest MTE hotel is $265 - i assume that is without tax? This is on the USA website in USD.

On priceline i seem to have found One UN for $250 per night as a PRICELINE EXPRESS deal. I narrowed it down because the two room options are Standard and West Tower and one UN has a west tower? Does that seem right?

Is that a good place to stay? Would I be better off naming my own price?

4 Star Hotel in Midtown East Area for $250/night

This deal saves 20% or more compared to similar hotels*

Not what you're looking for? See more Express Deals.

Area:

Extending eastward from glamorous Fifth Avenue, Midtown East is defined by world-famous landmarks like United Nations Plaza, St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Chrysler... (Click for full Description)

Star Rating: 4 Star What hotel is this?

Guest Score: Rated 7.0out of 10 (or higher)

Guaranteed Amenities:

Indoor or Outdoor Pool

Restaurant

Business Center

Fitness Center

Check In: Wed Oct 23, 2013

Check Out: Fri Nov 1, 2013

Rooms: All rooms will accommodate up to 2 adults.

Choose Bed:

$250

per night Standard - 1 Bed Requested.

$399

per night West Tower - 1 Bed Requested.

Price per night: $250

Rooms: 1

Nights: 9

Room Subtotal: $2,250.00

Travel Insurance $0.00 ( DECLINED ) + Add now Recommended!

Taxes & Fees: $457.74

Priceline Hotel Coupon: -$112.50Congratulations! Your 5% coupon applied!

Total Price:

All prices are in US dollars. $2,595.2

thereuare · June 26, 2013

The Affinia Shelburne is located in HOTWIRE's ESB zone and i believe is the 4* property offered when searching for your dates, showing only a Pet Friendly amenity and a 4.5/5.0 TA rating. If you would like to try for this hotel and not seeing this description let us know and i may be able to give you a direct link to the offer.

One UN is a nice hotel but it is about a 15 minute walk to the subway and is therefore considered by most to be a less desirable area/hotel within the zone.

If you want to try bidding o PRICELINE, what is your maximum bid for this stay?

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

mads_101 · June 26, 2013

Cheers! Found it.

I would still like to try priceline if you think there is a chance we can get something better/cheaper. Point taken RE One UN. I might avoid it.

We'd like to try priceline. Max bid would be about $230 - assuming that will keep us under the magic $300/night cost.

thereuare · June 26, 2013

We liked CP South, Times Square, Times Square theatre, lower east side, Upper east side (though my concern is some hotels are way up north near Harlem), Empire State building, hells kitchen.

Should we include Upper East side in the bidding or not? (personally i wouldn't as it just makes things a little convenient given you may only have access to the 4-5-6 train and therefore would require a transfer any time your final destination wasn't along this subway line) Are you looking to bid at the 4* level?

Also, have you considered MTW, MSG, and/or Chelsea?

You can confirm the total price before you submit your bid to ensure you're under your $300 all-in budget.

mads_101 · June 26, 2013

Thanks - please leave out upper east side. Would prefer to avoid mtw and MSG if possible - happy to include of all else fails.

Cheers :)

thereuare · June 26, 2013

So CP South, Times Square, lower east side, Empire State building, hells kitchen... and at the 4* level with a maximum bid of $230?

If so...

When bidding 4* in NYC you have TWO 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* CPS...