Priceline Hotel: 4* New York City (Madison Square Garden - Convention) Ramada Plaza New Yorker Hotel

[MePuLe]

Hello everybody,

we went to NYC for our honeymoon in September 2010. It was a great stay and we would like to visit this amazing city again.

We actually read a lot of stuff and we came to the point that we'll visit NYC at the worst time for cheap-special-hotel-offers.

Our travelling dates for NYC are:

Arrival: 11/11/13

Departure: 11/13/13

Every star-level above 3-stars is okay. (incl. 3*)

Or are there some 2,5-stars hotels, we should look for?

In 2010 we got the Affinia Manhattan next to the Madison Square Garden. It was a very comfortable journey from Newark Airport. We just had to hop on and off from the Path-train.

Through the fact, that we got a little sweet girl in 2011 and that we are travelling alltogether, we would be happy if we can get a good placed hotel again.

So we are nearly open for every area in Manhattan. (e.g. Central Park South, ESB, MSG, MTE, MTW, Theatre District, Hell's kitchen,...) This time we are landing in EWR again.

Can you help us a little bit?

What's a realistic price (exl. tax) for that time?

We are continuously checking the Priceline Express Deals and Hotwire. What else can we do to get a bargain?

Please excuse my English, it's rusting since 2010. ;-)

Best wishes and thank you very, very much

MePuLe

P.S.: Please allow us a crazy question.... What happend to the hotel-offers in NYC? They are really getting weird, aren't they?! In 2010 you were treated like a king if you spent 200$/night, today it seems as your were not worth a look...

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Please start by reading your messages and clicking 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.

[MePuLe]

We have done the homework. :)

[thereuare]

Few comments...

The hotel business has improved since 2010 when companies at which times companies were still laying off workers and cutting business travel to a minimum due to the effects of the financial crisis of 2008 and the economic conditions of that time. As a result, there are now fewer empty rooms and room rates have firmed. Also, not sure what part of the month of September you traveled last time, but November is part of high season for NYC which is another aspect of the higher rates you're currently seeing.

One issue that you're going to have it is that PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel, and you could receive a room with only one bed (and with standard NYC rooms so small little or no room to bring in a rollaway bed or crib for your daughter). While you can call the hotel you win and request a room with two beds, the hotel may not be able, or willing, to honor your request. Is this a risk you're willing to accept? If not, HOTWIRE may still be an option as they allow you to search for up to quad occupancy and ensure sleeping accommodations for everyone you include in your search (although this usually means two beds, the second 'bed' could be a sofabed, rollaway, etc)

Also, will your daughter be 3 years old at time of travel (or still 2 years old?)

Let us know your thoughts on the 'double vs. triple occupancy' issue as this will effect what rates you're looking at for this stay.

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

[MePuLe]

Thank you for your detailed answer. It explains a lot. I was really wondering what happend to the prices.

We were in NYC at the beginning of Septemper in 2010 and paid just ~100$/night for the Affinia Manhattan (at that time a 3,5* hotel).

The double occupancy problem is not really a problem for us. She will be still 2 years old during our travel. In new surroundings she won't sleep in her own bed, we allready know it. ;) If the worst comes to the worst we would survive in a small bed. A queen is absolutly okay, only a double would be a little challenge.

We just made a test, a double bed fits for us three persons. B)

Thank you for your help.

MePuLe

[thereuare]

If double occupancy is acceptable then a centrally located 3* or better should be around the $150 area... is this within your budget?

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

[MePuLe]

The budget is not the problem, but as a young small family we would save as much money as possible. :)

Are we too early or too late? Is there a good point in time for pricelining a good offer? E.g. 2 weeks before the arrival?!

[thereuare]

Nobody can say if rates will come down, or move higher, between now and your arrival, but $150 is very reasonable for this time of year, imo.

I would be more inclined to take this rate vs. waiting. Let us know when you're ready to move forward, and if $150 is a good maximum bid for you, and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[MePuLe]

....and if $150 is a good maximum bid for you....

To make it short: yes it is. :)

Thank you ;)

[MePuLe]

We just tried out 150$ in the areas MSG and TSQ for a 3,5* hotel - no success.

[thereuare]

My target price above was based upon the 3* level and other zones than just the two you had bid.

PRICELINE EXPRESS has a 3* hotel in the ESB zone for $161/nite (only showing Fitness Center amenity) and using the discount code link in my signature gives an extra 5% OFF bringing this room rate down to $153/nite. Therefore i would bid up to $150 for a 3* (including this zone and any others which are acceptable) up to $150, if rejected, take the PRICELINE EXPRESS offer for an equivalent bid price of $153/nite.

If you are not interested in the ESB zone for some reason there is a 3* in the TS zone (Restaurant, Free Internet, Business Center, Fitness Center) for $175/nite ($166 after discount link in signature) if that works better for your needs.

Do either of the above work for your needs this trip?

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

[MePuLe]

Okay, going your discribed ways definitly make sense.

Mhhh I've found the both hotels yesterday too. Do you have any idea which hotels that could be?

We'll arrive in NYC at the Penn Station next to the Madision Square Garden. Through the fact, that we don't know how to travel by the local traffic with a 2yo and a lot of luggage, we prefer a hotel with a short distance to the station. So we could use our feet.... ;)

Thank you for your help. :)

[thereuare]

I don't have any guess for the ESB property, but my guess for the Times Square property would be the Best Western Plus President Hotel At Times Square.

I wouldn't worry too much about getting to the hotel from Penn Station. Since you're traveling with a baby and lots of luggage, unless you're within a 3 block radius my suggestion would be to take a taxi... unless you are in the heart of rush hour and hit 'stand still' traffic, should be less than $10 to either of these locations from Penn Station.

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

Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[MePuLe]

In 2010 we did a lot in NYC, but we didn't used a taxi. Is it really so easy? (especially with children?)

What about a child safety seat? Isn't it neccessary?

The Best Western Plus President Hotel At Times Square is a feasible place to stay. Our maid of honor had been there for a couple of days during her own honeymoon before they went to the caribbean. ;)

I'll observe the express deal(s), but winning by naming our own price is our primary aim.

I just bet 140$/night for a 3*-hotel in the TSQ-area - and - I still haven't been successfull.

By-the-way...

The daily "Still looking for hotel deals in New York, NY?"-mail told me that the prices for the express deals are getting down. ;)

From yesterday till today there have been a great hop of two dollar. :)

But hey, it's still a direction. We should wait another two weeks.... ;)

thereuare, thank you so much! You are a really great help for us and all our weird questions.

Bye,

MePuLe

[thereuare]

In 2010 we did a lot in NYC, but we didn't used a taxi. Is it really so easy? (especially with children?) What about a child safety seat? Isn't it neccessary?

Yes, it's very easy... the taxis are just about everywhere (as long as it isn't rush hour). If you're at a taxi stand (like at Penn Station) just get in line if there is one and it will move quickly. If you're hailing a taxi, look at the sign on top of the taxi which will have the taxi's medallion number and 'off duty'... if the 'off duty' is lit up then the taxi is not taking passengers, if the medallion number is lit up the taxi is available to take a fare, if the sign is not lit the taxi already has a fare in the vehicle. Child car seats are not required (nor are they supplied).

I'll observe the express deal(s), but winning by naming our own price is our primary aim.

Why?? You should keep an open mind and take whichever offers the better deal. We have seen examples where the PRICELINE EXPRESS deal beats the best price available when bidding, especially there is a PRICELINE EXPRESS discount code available.

The daily "Still looking for hotel deals in New York, NY?"-mail told me that the prices for the express deals are getting down. ;)

From yesterday till today there have been a great hop of two dollar. :)

This type of change is meaningless and not a reflection of any change in demand.

We should wait another two weeks.... ;)

That is your prerogative, and nobody can say if rates will come down, or move higher between now and your stay, but other than the 3* PRICELINE EXPRESS offers inquired above most other 3* ad above properties are at $200+... while you try to save another $13/nite (your previously failed bid vs. what you know is available now via PRICELINE EXPRESS) rates could move substantially higher.

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

Keep us updated on your progress.

[MePuLe]

thereyouare, thank you so much for your help.

The last two days were very full of work, so I didn't find the time to write here.

Yesterday there was a 4* PRICELINE EXPRESS hotel in the MSG-area for 206$, with the Fall5-coupon the price was 195$/night plus the taxes for the 206$/night. I tried to bid, but my browser struck. So i gave up at 0:00am. I believed that it must be the New Yorker.

Today afer work the price went up again to 229$/night, I was really sad.

We were watching hotwire too. Today the price for a 3* hotel (the aminities said, that it must be the Murray Hill East Suites) in the midtown area came down from ~500$ inclusive taxes to ~400$ inclusive taxes for two nights. So we had to decide....one last try before we will take the HOTWIRE offer.

We tried "name-your-price" in three steps for the 4*-MSG-hotel (174$-188$-195$) - we had success! It's more than we would like to spend, but to keep it in perspective: it's a 4* hotel in a perfect area and we are not every day in the US nor NYC!!

And it's also a birthday-present to myself. ;)

Yours

MePuLe

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you were ultimately successful and are pleased with the hotel and deal you received... the location really is very good with lots of subway lines right across the street at Penn Station.

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 tine in NYC and the US.