drkiker Posted October 6, 2005 Report Posted October 6, 2005 We are taking our in-laws up to NYC right after Thanksgiving. They've never been there, and I would like to stay in midtown. What can I reasonably expect to pay for a 2-3* hotel on Priceline? Any recommendations about which areas to bid in? Thanks for any advice you can give! :)
thereuare Posted October 7, 2005 Report Posted October 7, 2005 Welcome to BetterBidding!This is going to be an expensive stay, but are you sure you (and your in-laws) are prepared for something as minimalistic as a 2* property... buying an unknonw 2* property, especially in NYC, can be a risky proposition.Are you seeking one room or two... as this can greatly effect your options and universe of potential properties. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
drkiker Posted October 10, 2005 Author Report Posted October 10, 2005 Thanks for your response. No, I am not sure about the 2* quality. I've bid before and landed 3* properties by mistake, and they were fine for our purposes. But this is my in-laws first trip to NYC, so I suppose that we should shoot a bit higher.We are also seeking two rooms. Does that improve or worsen our prospects?BTW - Are you a Michigan grad? Go Blue! Dennis
thereuare Posted October 10, 2005 Report Posted October 10, 2005 I asked about the number of rooms as i wanted to make sure you weren't seeking quad occupancy in NYC and 'hoping' you got a room with 2 beds.The ideal areas for most are MTE, MTW, and UM/CPS... followed thereafter by MTS. If you have to expand beyond these zones, or want to know more about each, you can read the thread i put together for PRICELINE NYC ZONES.If you let us know your maximum bid we'll suggest a strategy to follow and/or try to identify your best options. Along with your maximum bid, i don't suppose SPLITTING YOUR STAY is an option, is it?I have a few ideas, but not sure what your budget it is. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
drkiker Posted October 12, 2005 Author Report Posted October 12, 2005 I was hoping to get away with rooms at under $200, but didn't know if that was reasonable this time of year. (Before I found your site, I was always pretty successful the week before or after Christmas, but this seems to be a more difficult time to book.)I would prefer not to split the bid, but will do I what I need to to get decent accomodations (as I mentioned, it is the in-laws first time in NYC).Any advice on a strategy (or a realistic expectation about what I can get) will be greatly appreciated.Thanks, Dennis
thereuare Posted October 12, 2005 Report Posted October 12, 2005 This is how i would for a 4* in NYC where you have two re-bid zones available (re-bidding is explained in PRICELINE RE-BIDDING EXPLAINED, please ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board if you're unsure)Select 4* MTW...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* UM/CPS...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and MTW...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and UM/CPS...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and MTW and UM/CPS...Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200.Any questions feel free to ask.Good Luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
drkiker Posted October 12, 2005 Author Report Posted October 12, 2005 Thank you for the advice. One more quick question - where can I find the current hotel star levels? The instructions on re-bidding advise against using the list on the board (and are there areas in New York that do not have 4* hotels?).Thanks again - I'll let you know what happens.
thereuare Posted October 12, 2005 Report Posted October 12, 2005 From PRICELINE RE-BIDDING EXPLAINED:The way to check what star levels are available in each zone is to open a Priceline page, check ONLY the zone you are inquiring about, and then proceed to the next page (as if you were going to select a zone)... this will give you the available star ratings in that area. You can then hit BACK on your browser, uncheck the current box, check the next box, and repeat the process. It is important to do this before EACH attempt at adding a zone that you really don't want, as new hotels can be added and the star ratings can change at any time. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
drkiker Posted October 14, 2005 Author Report Posted October 14, 2005 Thanks again for indulging a novice. I followed your plan and struck out. Would you recommend waiting three days and trying the same strategy again, or should I resign myself to upping the ante?Dennis
thereuare Posted October 14, 2005 Report Posted October 14, 2005 You can resort to raising your maximum bid, or if you are willing to split there is a decent solution within your budget:Saturday nite you can stay in Jersey City (NJ) where the Hyatt appears to be available thru Hotwire for just under $200/nite. Yes, it's in NJ, but it's a very nice hotel which gets very good reviews from our users, the rooms have a beautiful view of NYC, and there is a PATH train right at the door of the hotel which will take you into NYC (fare is $1.50, 8 minutes to downtown, 15 minutes to midtown). Lots of pictures of this property also at our sister site: RealHotelPhotos.comIf you don't like the above, then i think you will have to raise your limit to get a nice room in NYC.For the second half of your stay (Sunday nite... traditional a slow nite in NYC) rates go down considerably. Hotwire has what i believe to be the Westin available for your dates at a little less than $200/nite.... you could opt for that or try to get a better rate for a 4* thru Priceline (you could even try to beat the Hotwire Jersey City rate above thru Hotwire if you'd like... but then you also risk a chance at getting the Doubletree)Let us know your thoughts on the above. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
drkiker Posted October 15, 2005 Author Report Posted October 15, 2005 I feel more like a novice every time I try something new. I went to Hotwire to see if I could book the Hyatt in Jersey City for the whole weekend (we were planning to stay in New Jersey Friday night anyway), and the rate I get for a four star hotel on Hotwire is $253 per night. I could book directly through the hotel and get a better rate than that, unless I am looking at the wrong place (the area I selected was Hoboken/Jersey City). Am I doing something wrong here? Dennis
thereuare Posted October 15, 2005 Report Posted October 15, 2005 You're seeing this because of Hotwire's (sometimes crazy) algorithm...There is a big rate change between the two dates (search for each nite individually and you'll se the big change).You could book the above and then apply for Hotwire's Double the Difference Guarantee (although i'm not sure if this only applies to US customers)... but after their fee the savings will not be very great vs. just booking direct.There is very little discount for Sunday nite (which just so happens to be a good nite to stay in NYC)... so i think your best 'valuel' is to split as previously suggested.As well, although JC is very convenient, you do lose a little of the "NYC feel"... so for the in-laws sake stay one nite in the city :) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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