Hotwire Hotel: 4* New York City (Empire State Building) Hotel Chandler

[Captain99]

Hi,

I would be grateful for some help with a Priceline strategy for New York:

December 13th-18th 2013 (5 nights)

4* hotels

Central Park South, Midtown East, Midtown West, Times Sq

I also wanted to ask a Q regarding more than 2 visitors. I have read the warnings that Priceline bidding only guarantees double-occupancy but can you clarify whether they would actually turn you away if for example there were 2 adults and a young child? Or would they just leave you to get on with it without an extra bed?

Thanks.

[thereuare]

While rare (but it has happened), a hotel would be within their right to deny you a room if for example more than double occupancy violate local fire code (or force you to upgrade or pay an additional charge). This is more an issue/risk in a place such as NYC where rooms are notoriously small and there are a high percentage of rooms with only one bed i them, whereas a location such as Orlando that is used to accommodating families where the risk would be substantially lower. The risk would also likely be lower with an infant and the risk increases along with the child's age.

How old is your child? What is your target budget per nite for this trip?

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

[Captain99]

My daughter is 11 yrs old. If there was only one bed, I would be happy to sleep on a sofa/floor and let my wife and daughter sleep in the bed. I am looking at a budget of around $220 max - is that realistic?

[thereuare]

If $220 is the room rate then you're in the right ballpark... if all-in including taxes/fees current rates suggest it may fall a little short.

However, i would suggest looking at HOTWIRE and searching for 2adults/1child as there is a 4* ESB hotel offered for $232/nite that gets great reviews (90% recommended by previous HOTWIRE guests and a 4.5/5.0 TA rating). It may be just over what you'd prefer to spend, but for an extra $12/nite you can ensure sleeping accommodations for everyone and not have to sleep on the floor (nor worry about any issues at check-in or during your stay). There is also a 4* MSG property for $220/nite and a 4* Chelsea property for $226/nite, but the ESB property would appear to be the better bang for your buck, imo.

Also, are your plans flexible at all as rates usually drop mid-December and a quick look shows somewhat better pricing from 12/15-12/20 if you're able to postpone your trip by two days.

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.

[Captain99]

Thanks for the reply.

$220 was my “all-in” figure although after a bit more research I realise that is un-realistic – I didn’t realise during my initial research that most figures I was looking at didn’t include taxes etc.

Anyway, my plans aren’t flexible as flights are already booked. After a bit of thought, I am starting to think your advice on the Hotwire deals might be the way to go.

I have just checked and both ESB and Chelsea are still available so I was wondering if anyone can help with identifying them:

ESB

Amenities

• Free Internet

• Boutique Hotel

• Smoke Free Rooms

• Business Center

• Internet access

Accessibility

• Accessible for the blind

• Accessible for the deaf

• In-room accessibility

• Accessible bathroom

Chelsea

Amenities

• Pet friendly

• Fitness Center

• Restaurant(s)

• Business Center

• Internet access

Accessibility

• Accessible for the blind

• Accessible for the deaf

• Accessible path of travel

• In-room accessibility

[Captain99]

Just for clarity -

the dates I am looking at are still the same as above (Dec 13-18)

the ESB hotel is $234 p/n - 90% recommended

the Chelsea hotel is $226 p/n - 90% recommended.

[thereuare]

I believe there are more amenities then what you have posted above as HOTWIRE has a new interface that does not show the complete set of amenities unless you click thru a few extra links.

If you repeat your search using our BiddingHelper.com tool, and then click the HOTWIRE EASY VIEW tab, do you see more amenities then what you have listed above? This is what i'm seeing for each when searching for your dates (and my best guess below each):

4* ESB

Free Internet

Boutique

Smoke Free

Business

Hi-Speed Internet

Blind Accessible

Deaf Accessible

Room Accessible

Bathroom Accessible

Handicapped Parking

Roll-in Shower

... best guess would be the Hotel Chandler

4* Chelsea

Pet Friendly

Fitness

Restaurant

Business

Hi-Speed Internet

Blind Accessible

Deaf Accessible

Travel Accessible

Room Accessible

Wheelchair Accessible

Bathroom Accessible

Roll-in Shower

... Doubletree Chelsea

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

Let us know what you decide to do for this stay or if we can be of further help.

[Captain99]

Just won the Chandler for $236 - Total cost $1521.79 (possible occupancy tax on top?).

5 nites 12/13-12/18

Summary Of Charges

5 nights Hotwire hot Rate Room@ $236.00/night $1,180.00

Taxes: $273.70

Occupancy tax: $0.00

Fees: $68.09

Subtotal: $1,521.79

Trip Total: $1,521.79

[Captain99]

In the end I took a gamble 0n the 4* ESB and in the hope that your guess of it being the Chandler was correct. I’m happy to report that it was! Although it has ended up costing me more than I wanted to originally spend, the hotel looks fantastic so I am pleased and looking forward to it (although not the flight from London ).

One more question if you don’t mind:

The following is the summary of fees from my confirmation e-mail.

Summary Of Charges

5 nights Hotwire hot Rate Room@ $236.00/night $1,180.00

Taxes: $273.70

Occupancy tax: $0.00

Fees: $68.09

Subtotal: $1,521.79

Trip Total: $1,521.79

As you can see there is no occupancy tax paid. I understood from the booking page that all taxes and fees were included in the indicated price. Will there be an occupancy tax added? And if so , how much is it likely to be?

Thanks for your help and advice with all of this, it is much appreciated.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you received the hotel you were hoping for and are pleased with the results. Usually the only additional fees would be 'resort fees' which i don't believe this property charges any (there are only 1 or 2 NYC properties that i'm aware of that do charge a resort fee)

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.