lalalaleslie Posted February 13, 2014 Report Posted February 13, 2014 Hello!I came upon your board after trying unsuccessfully to bid on hotels in NYC - Empire State Building. Can you help me?PricelineBudget $200 per nightTime Frame: June 10 - 15, 2014Star Rating: 4 (3.5* if I have to)I would be willing to go down to 4 nights if you think I wont get $200 a night. I pretty much want to stay around $1000 for accommodation.I did notice on the calendar of wins that someone got the weekend of this date for $168 per night (that would be awesome!)I noticed that on priceline they have 3.5* and 3.5* upscale. I don't see those categories on the priceline list for New York - ESB. Whats the difference?Thank you soo much for your time!
AaronJB Posted February 13, 2014 Report Posted February 13, 2014 Welcome to Betterbidding. :)A few notes/questions:1. What have you bid up to so far? For which zone/s (only ESB?) 2. Are you only interested in ESB, or would other nearby zones (MTE, for example) also be acceptable?3. PRICELINE has 3* and 3.5* Upscale. The upscale part is not a category but just a description for that star rating.Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
lalalaleslie Posted February 13, 2014 Author Report Posted February 13, 2014 Thanks for the reply and the clarification on the star rating.I started with 4 star $145. Rejected. Changed my star rating and upped my bid to $155. Rejected. Waited 24 hours and changed my bid to $170 (because I saw that someone got St. Giles for $168). Rejected. And so I posted for help.I've been bidding Only ESB because I researched all the hotels that you listed as potential matches in your priceline list and I liked them. Call me a newb - this whole not knowing the hotel before you buy thing is scary and I'm still trying to get over it. I also liked the walk-ability of ESB. Midtown would be okay. Im not excited about TS though. But I would do it as it is my first time in the big apple.I started to think that it would be better to just call a hotel and see if they would give me a deal. haha. I guess I'm easily scared of getting a bad deal. :)
thereuare Posted February 13, 2014 Report Posted February 13, 2014 Few thoughts...1) if SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID is an option, you can try bidding for a 4* in the ESB zone for a subset of your dates, in hopes of replicating the win at $168/nite, then purchase a different hotel for the remaining nites of your stay (if you do try this i would try to get as many nites as possible on your first purchase of the 'weekend nits', but if this is an option we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow). The downside of this is that you will (likely) win two different hotels and need to change properties mid-trip, but as an 'opaque' hotel purchase is new to you and you're a bit concerned, this would also help mitigate the risk since if you won a hotel it would only be for a few nites of your total stay.2) you could try bidding for your complete stay while also include other nearby midtown zones. MTE, MTW, TS, CPS, MSG, ESB, and Chelsea are all generally considered convenient with the following caveats noted:CPS- well located but has the Hudson Hotel which has notoriously small rooms, even by NYC standards, so a zone to avoid if a very small room would not be welcomed for this stay.MTE- most hotels are well located, but a few can be a 10+ minute walk to the subway, less of a problem in June then in February, but to some they prefer something more convenient. Also, some hotels (such as the Roosevelt) can get mixed reviews, so you need to decide if these trade-offs are worth the possibility of landing a hotel that may not be at the top of the 4* rung or that is not as convenient as you may like.3) HOTWIRE has a 4* hotel for $198/nite with:Boutique Restaurant Business Laundry Blind Accessible Deaf Accessible Travel Accessible Room Accessible Roll-in Shower My best guess for this property would be the Kitano, but should i be wrong, you have a 'safety net' that this hotel also shows a 4.5/5.0 TA rating, so even if not the Kitano, it is still a property that has been very well reviewed by previous guests.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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
lalalaleslie Posted February 14, 2014 Author Report Posted February 14, 2014 So you do think its because I am going for so long that my bid is not being accepted?I don't think moving hotels is an option. I'd really like to be close to the subway. I looked at the Hudson at one point and I wouldn't mind it if I won that hotel. I think i will include TS and MSG in the search too. If you think it will help me get the price I want. Im worried about the walk ability of MTE. Thank you!
thereuare Posted February 14, 2014 Report Posted February 14, 2014 So to confirm, you'd like to try for a 4* hotel in the ESB, CPS, TS and MSG zones with a maximum bid of $200/nite? If this is correct, you can try as follows:When bidding 4* in NYC you have TWO re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.Select 4* ESB...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* CPS...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* TS...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* MSG...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* ESB and CPS...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* TS and MSG...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* ESB and TS...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* CPS and MSG...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* ESB and MSG...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $183, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* CPS and TS...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $183, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* ESB, CPS, TS...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $188, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* ESB, CPS, MSG...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $188, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* ESB, CPS, TS, MSG...Bid $193, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $198Any questions feel free to ask.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.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
lalalaleslie Posted February 14, 2014 Author Report Posted February 14, 2014 So. Will this potentially take a couple of days?In this case would my re-bid zone be Morning side heights?
thereuare Posted February 14, 2014 Report Posted February 14, 2014 So. Will this potentially take a couple of days?Nope... if you follow the strategy above you can place all of the bids in the same bidding session. :)In this case would my re-bid zone be Morning side heights?That is ONE of your re-bid zones at the 4* level, but you have one more, using the instructions at Priceline Re-Bidding Explained see if you can figure out the other and confirm it with the board, or if you're confused/can't determine the other re-bid zone post back and we'll break it down further for you.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
lalalaleslie Posted February 14, 2014 Author Report Posted February 14, 2014 EEEK. you mean long island city too eh?Okay. I think i've got it. I try it tonight and see what happens!Thank you thank you!
thereuare Posted February 14, 2014 Report Posted February 14, 2014 Yes, you have your TWO re-bid zones correct... but always double check just before bidding to make sure that nothing has changed since you last looked.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.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
lalalaleslie Posted February 16, 2014 Author Report Posted February 16, 2014 Well. It didn't work. Perhaps I should wait a bit longer? I could always split the time up. I'll have to think about that some more. Thank you for your help though :D
thereuare Posted February 16, 2014 Report Posted February 16, 2014 Any interest in a 4* hotel in the MTE zone for $180/nite or less... or a 4* hotel in the ESB zone for $215/nite?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
lalalaleslie Posted February 16, 2014 Author Report Posted February 16, 2014 Yea. Looking at the $215/night last night. It was $233 (in Canadian) last night. its $235 again! And according to the hotwire map I would consider a MTW location too.
thereuare Posted February 17, 2014 Report Posted February 17, 2014 Looking at the $215/night last night. It was $233 (in Canadian) last night. its $235 again!I always saw it at $235/nite but using the discount link and code in my signature gives an extra 10% OFF and brings the rate down to ~$215/nite. However, this discount expires as midnite tonite (just over an hour from now) so you'll need to decide if you want to this this offer or not.4* ESB on PRICELINE EXPRESSFree Internet Pets Allowed And according to the hotwire map I would consider a MTW location too.If you want to give a quick try including MTW you can try the following which will allow you to try again inside of the 24 hours of your last bidding, so that if you do try and are rejected, you could go for the PRICELINE EXPRESS property above if you'd like (and it's before midnite EST):Select 4* MTW...Bid $125, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* ESB and CPS and MTW...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* TS and MSG and MTW...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* ESB and TS and MTW...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* CPS and MSG and MTW...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* ESB and MSG and MTW...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $183, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* CPS and TS and MTW...Bid $175, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $183, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* ESB, CPS, TS and MTW...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $188, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* ESB, CPS, MSG and MTW...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $188, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and use this link to re-access PRICELINE...Select 4* ESB, CPS, TS, MSG and MTW...Bid $193, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $198Please 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. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
lalalaleslie Posted February 17, 2014 Author Report Posted February 17, 2014 Hey! it looks like it will be cheaper for me on HOTWIRE even with your priceline discount. I tried again with bidding and but got deflated. I think I will try the bidding again when I am not planning something so far in adance. I am about to buy it. I'll let you know which hotel I get :)Thanks sooo much for all your help.
thereuare Posted February 17, 2014 Report Posted February 17, 2014 I'm not sure which HOTWIRE property you're considering but if you need help with the ID let us know.When reporting your HOTWIRE win please include the star rating, city, zone, hotel name, room rate per nite (in US dollars), dates of your stay, and amenities associated with the property... you can still view this using the MY ACCOUNT link on the top right of HOTWIRE's home page.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Good luck! Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
lalalaleslie Posted February 17, 2014 Author Report Posted February 17, 2014 Well. You were right based on your previous post that you thought it was Kitano. ;) I was hoping it would be another hotel but oh well. :\Hotwire4*New yorkEmpire State BuildingKitano New York$236.30 ($215.05 US)Wed, Jun 11, 2014 - Sun, Jun 15, 2014 AmenitiesBoutique Hotel Restaurant(s) Business CenterSelf service laundry Accessible for the blind Accessible for the deafAccessible path of travel In-room accessibility Roll-in showerUsed your HOTWIRE links ;)Thank you so much for your help. I will be sure to recommend your site to anyone looking for a hotel!
yellowdog Posted February 17, 2014 Report Posted February 17, 2014 Thanks for using the HOTWIRE links on the board! We hope you going to like the Kitano even if this isn't your preferred hotel.Also thanx for spreading the word about BetterBidding :) Enjoy your stay.Yellowdog.
thereuare Posted February 17, 2014 Report Posted February 17, 2014 Not sure why you were hoping for a different property, as this hotel generally gets GREAT reviews... it's well located without being in too crowded of an area, imo.Hopefully this property will surprise you to the upside and surpass your expectations.Have a great time in NYC. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
lalalaleslie Posted February 24, 2014 Author Report Posted February 24, 2014 I have since did some research on this property and I'm very excited to stay there. I was hoping for St. Giles. But now: I think this is going to be there perfect hotel!
AaronJB Posted February 24, 2014 Report Posted February 24, 2014 Glad you're looking forward to your stay - this is definitely a very nice win for this well-reviewed hotel.
thereuare Posted February 24, 2014 Report Posted February 24, 2014 Two recommendations nearby this hotel if you're interested: El Rio Grande - on Third Ave at 37th St, at the base of the residential building on the west side of the street. VERY strong frozen margaritas and good chips/salsa at the bar. The margaritas are not big, they are expensive, but you don't usually need too many ;) You can do better for food so eat elsewhere (other than their chips and salsa while you're drinking) Jackson Hole Wyoming - (Third Ave at 35th St) nothing fancy and service is hit or miss, but excellent, monster, burger that make for a big lunch or an inexpensive dinner Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
lalalaleslie Posted February 27, 2014 Author Report Posted February 27, 2014 Awesome! I am very excited for the culinary delights that NYC has to offer :)
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