Priceline Hotel: Realistic Expectations for 4 star Sept 4-10

[bellasnow]

Have yet to bid for a hotel in New York. Stayed in Midtown West last time we stayed in NYC and really liked the area. Looking for anything midtown that is a 4 star. Do you think $200 per night is a realistic bid or is that too low for this time of year?

Would LOVE to win somewhere like the Benjamin :) Saw someone landed it for $110 around our dates too. Any strategies on how we could win?

Thanks in advance!!

[thereuare]

If you're willing to bid for the entire midtown area (MTE, MTW, TS, CPS, ESB, MSG, Chelsea), at current rates i think you're likely looking at about $160-$180 for your dates... is this inline with your expectations for this trip?

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

[bellasnow]

I think so. Still learning the neighborhoods of New York, so if those are in midtown sounds like chances are pretty good.

Can you recommend some strategies on best way to start? Greatly appreciated. There's so many areas in midtown that it's a bit intimidating.

[thereuare]

The one caveat before bidding...

The One UN New York is now 4* rated in the MTE zone. While this hotel generally gets good reviews, it can be up to a 15 minute walk to the subway, is this acceptable?

Also, note that the Benjamin is currently 4.5* rated by both PRICELINE and HOTWIRE, which is a higher star rating then you've indicated you want to bid above... just want to make sure your expectations are inline for a 4* hotel since you're comparing then to a 4.5* property.

Please confirm the above and we'll take it from there.

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

[bellasnow]

Totally okay with a 15 minute walk away from the Subway. We love walking so we we don't see it as an issue. Should we also try for 4.5 star then or do you think that would go over our $200 per night budget?

Thanks again!

[bellasnow]

Wow the One UN Hotel has some very questionable reviews on TripAdvisor. Kind of afraid we will win it and be in the old wing of the hotel. Is there any way we can avoid winning it?

[yellowdog]

I'm sorry to say that you can't bid on or avoid a specific hotel when using PRICELINE You have to be able to accept any hotel in the zone at the star rating (or higher) you select.

I always take the TA reviews with a grain of salt. And keep in mind with TA reviews that many of those people paid full price, which is often significantly more, and may have different expectations at those price points. And for some reason is the TA people eager to complain over ridiculous things.

Yellowdog.

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

[thereuare]

Is there any way we can avoid winning it?

By not including MTE in your bidding ;)

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

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

[bellasnow]

Ok, maybe lets start by avoiding MTE... not sure if this is a good move or not

and if no luck with starting then will try MTE later.

What do you think?

Thanks!

[bellasnow]

Maybe that's a bad idea avoiding it though as then I miss out on possibly winning Benjamin?

I haven't seen many people win the One UN so far but then again I haven't looked through all the pages yet.

[thereuare]

Until recently the One UN New York was recently 3.5* rated by PRICELINE and only recently upgraded.

If you're hoping for the Benjamin you could bid the MTE zone (and others?) at the 4.5* level. Then if rejected you can try bidding 4* and not include the MTE zone since you know that your bid price would not be enough for an upgrade to the 4.5* rated Benjamin (although you do miss out on the possible other 4* hotels in the MTE zone). However i will add that based upon current rates a 4.5* at $200 or under seems like a very slim possibility.

The other option is to just use HOTWIRE where there are plenty of 4* options available at less than $200/nite.

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

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