Priceline Hotel: 4* New York City (Times Square - Theatre District) New York Marriott Marquis

[IndianRose]

My husband and I are going to New York from 14 October up to and including 22 October 2013. We would like to shop in New York (of course) and also do some sightseeing. What areas would you suggest?

Based on the topics I have read the best areas in my opinion would be:

1) Midtown East

2) Midtown West

3) Timesquare

4) UpperMidtown/CentralParkSouth

Please confirm

1) The areas which are best for shopping/sightseeing

2) Suggest Pricing strategy in bidding for Priceline for a minimum 3,5* hotel. What's a realistic price for this period of travelling?

Every suggestion will be highly appreciated, thanks in advance!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

If you haven't yet please start by reading your messages.

Is your check-out date 10/22 or 10/23?

This is an expensive time of year in NYC and if budget is any concern it may limit your zone options... what is your expected budget (per nite before taxes/fees) and we'll then take a look at your best options that are within your budget.

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

[IndianRose]

1) Our check out date is 22 October so a stay for 8 nights in New York.

2) Our budget is around USD 230 including taxes. How much are the taxes/fees anyway?

I will use the link of PRICELINE as mentioned in your message, thank you. I have read my messages.

[thereuare]

Your $230 all-in price equates to about a $190 bid price... which may not be that easy for these dates (if not successful you're likely not far off, but this would near the low end of my expected range)

You don't say what type of shopping you are looking to do, and what sights are you looking to take-in, but regardless i think the goal should be to find something that is centrally located with good subway access... you can't be near everything, so you want to try to position yourself so that it's easy to get to everything.

The most frequently bid zones which are generally considered centrally located are: MTE, MTW, TS, CPS, ESB, MSG, and Chelsea.

Few caveats about some of these zones:

MTE- some hotels can be up to a 15 minute walk to the subway... you'll need to decide if this is acceptable or not

CPS- at 3.5* and under contains the Hudson Hotel, which while centrally located, has notoriously small rooms... you'll need to decide if this is an issue for you or not

Chelsea- goes a bit West, but it think should be find based upon your needs since this is a 'hot' area right now with lots of shops, boutiques, restaurants, etc.

Let us know your thoughts regarding which zone(s) you'd like to include in your bidding and we'll take it from there.

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

[IndianRose]

We are thinking about staying in Times Square as the first option or MTE as second.

We are looking for shopping nice dresses/suits (not high-end, but just middle range) and seeing some nice stores that are nice to see. For sightseeing just the monuments you have to see when you are in New York (such as Statue of Liberty).

Please suggest us the bidding strategy for Times Square.

[thereuare]

We are thinking about staying in Times Square as the first option or MTE as second.

As noted above, at current rates $190 will likely be difficult for a 3.5* or better hotel... i think you should expand your zones to include as many options as possible to increase your chances of success. As well, while i think both zones are 'good', i wouldn't exactly say that MTE has monuments (other than Grand Central) or shopping. But again, just about any of the zones i mentioned above will give you a good 'launching pad' for exploring the city, and that is really what you should be looking for, imo.

Note that while the US government is closed so are all national parks... and this includes the Statue of Liberty (so hopefully things will get resolved in the next few days before or during your trip)

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

Based upon the above let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

[IndianRose]

Please suggest bidding strategy. As we are so short before our holiday the only thing that's import is the budget. Of course we would like to be as close to the area which will probably the shopping area. The zones don't really bother us now although we would love to stay in Times Square. So please tell us the bidding strategy.

[thereuare]

We need specific information to help you with a bidding strategy.

Please supply the following information:

1) the zones, by PRICELINE name, that you are willing to accept

2) your maximum bid

3) the star rating you would like to try first

If you post the information above we can outline a strategy for you to follow.

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

[IndianRose]

We got the New York Mariott Marquis hotel in Times Square for USD 242 for 3 nights (started from USD 180) starting from 14 october 2013. Is this a good deal?

I noticed that we didn't get any list of the facilities before we booked. It was immediately final after I entered my Credit Card details. What did I do wrong?

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

The bidding side of PRICELINE does not show any amenities before your purchase.. HOTWIRE and PRICELINE EXPRESS are the services that show you amenities specific to the hotel before you commit to the purchase.

In the future try to follow our lead and answer the questions asked in replies to your post so that we can help and offer assistance thru the booking process.

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 a great time in NYC.