Priceline Hotel: 3.5* New York City (Madison Square Garden - Convention) Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square West

[SarahLee]

Hi,

 

It will be our first time to New York City, and I am quite overwhelmed with the planning and budget limitations, so I would like some advice please.

 

We are a family of 2 adults+ a10 year old kid. We will be in NYC from 31 May to 3 Jun, and back again from 10 Jun to 19 Jun. Our maximum budget for hotel accommodation is US$200 per night including tax, with a minimum of 3*.

 

Would it be possible to bid for a hotel under this price? Will we be turned away at the hotel since it's double occupancy only on Priceline? We don't mind sharing 2 beds or a queen size bed.

 

We are looking at Chelsea, Soho-Tribeca or LES areas for our accommodation. We also don't mind ESB, HK, MSG, MTW or MTE, so long as it's accessible by subway (I know, no guarantee on the proximity!).

 

Please advise me if it's better I start bidding now or wait closer to our departure dates. What would be the strategy to secure a room at a reasonable rate?

 

Thanks in advance!

S

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

We will be in NYC from 31 May to 3 Jun, and back again from 10 Jun to 19 Jun.

Please use separate threads for each leg of your trip as it will make it less confusing as this thread progresses with bidding strategies and hotel ID's, as well as enable the topic title of each thread to reflect the purchase that was made that leg of the trip (which in turn enables the win to appear in the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins and Priceline Maps)

We will use this thread for the first leg of your trip from May 31-Jun 3, feel free to start a NEW TOPIC for the second leg of your trip.

We are a family of 2 adults+ a10 year old kid... Will we be turned away at the hotel since it's double occupancy only on Priceline?

As you're aware, 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. 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.. and this is especially true in NYC where rooms are generally smaller than elsewhere in the country and hotels have a high percentage of rooms with only one bed. As many properties rooms with two beds is considered an upgrade and you could be forced to pay an additional fee (if the hotel is willing and a room that can accommodate your family is available)

If this is not a risk you're willing to accept, 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)

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

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

[SarahLee]

Hi,

 

The prices on Hot.wire are still high for the period, so I'm willing to consider bidding on PRICELINE. We don't have a problem sharing a Queen size bed if it comes to it - I am only worried that the hotel will turn us away since it's 3 of us. How much extra would we have to pay if they refuse us after I manage to win a bid? 

 

What should I do to secure a win?

 

thanks!

[yellowdog]

I don't think you'll be turned away. And everyone doesn't have to be in the lobby at the same time at check-in.

 

How much extra would we have to pay if they refuse us after I manage to win a bid?

We don't have an answer for that. If this should happen is this up to the hotel you stay at. I wouldn't think of it. 

 

If you would like to get help with a bidding strategy so please post your budget per night before tax/fees, the zone(s) you're willing to stay in, and the star rating you would liek to try for first.

 

With the information above we can suggest a strategy for you to follow.

 

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

 

Yellowdog.

[SarahLee]

Hi Yellowdog,

 

Saw the US$168 priceline winning bid for Courtyard Manhattan/Times Square West. Very excited! Can we do something similar? How about US$150-US$170 before tax, 3.5* hotels location in MSG, ESB for this leg of our trip? If I can get Chelsea, Soho-Tribeca or LES, I wouldn't mind too, otherwise, MTW and MTE will do as well. For sure, no Times Square!

 

Thanks!

[thereuare]

...location in MSG, ESB for this leg of our trip? If I can get Chelsea, Soho-Tribeca or LES, I wouldn't mind too, otherwise, MTW and MTE will do as well. For sure, no Times Square!

What do you want to try first... MSG and ESB up to your limit, then if rejected also incldue Chelsea, Soho, and LES, then if rejected also include MTE and MTW... OR is the goal the least expensive 3.5* in any of these zones?

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

[SarahLee]

Dear theruare,

 

We would like to try MSG, Chelsea, ESB in this order, whichever is the least expensive for these 3 areas.

If rejected, then we can include Soho-Tribeca and LES.

 

Thanks for your help!

[SarahLee]

Hi there,

 

Saw a deal on Priceline.Express for a 3.5* hotel at MSG area at US$171, and since it was within my budget, I got it. Turns out it's Courtyard Times Square West!

Pretty happy I got a good deal.

Now moving on to the accommodation for 10 June-19 Jun. I shall start a new topic for bidding help.

 

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you received a nice deal in your first choice of zone location and are pleased with the results.

Thank you for sharing your win with the board. Can you please add a reply to this thread with the amenities that PRICELINE EXPRESS associated with this property and showed before your purchase.

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

Enjoy your stay.

[SarahLee]

I thought it was the Tryp Times South since the description was exactly that, except for the addtional half star for Courtyard Times Sq W - restaurant, free internet , business center, fitness center.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for the follow-up. :)

Enjoy your stay.