Priceline Hotel: NYC Newbie needs help with a strategy!

[chas218]

Hi all,

My family is going to New York on Saturday, April 5 for 4 nights. We've never been, and I'm skittish about just booking anywhere since I don't really know the lay of the land. Our plans while there include the typical tourist destinations. (Don't worry, we walk fast on sidewalks, won't look at a map while walking or wear I heart NY shirts! :) )  

My budget for the hotel is $120 a night max. We got a room in Queens at the Ramada via Price.line's regular booking site. I wanted to be able to scour the reviews, location and price. I found this hotel to be the right balance of price, etc.  

 

Now here's where I need help. I can still cancel the Ramada up until the day before (Friday), so I'm planning on hitting Price.line Thursday afternoon to try and get a last minute room in Manhattan (I'm not picky as far as zones go, just safe and close to stuff) at a 3.5 or 4 for under $120.  Then cancel the Ramada one. 

 

Is this a good plan? Am I expecting miracles? Is 48 hours before too soon or too late?  

 

This site is awesome, thanks for the work all yall are doing, and any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks

Chas

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding.

 

I wouldn't recommend trying to bid only 48 hours before. That gives you very little in the way of rebidding opportunities.  This is not the busiest time of year in NYC, but it is certainly not the slowest either - there have been less and less instances of lower prices at the last minute in recent years and prices could certainly go higher between now-and-then.

 

A 3.5* or 4* for under $120 is - at this point, unlikely, and given how these date/s traditionally are, is going to be difficult/unlikely.

 

Please confirm which zone/s would be acceptable.

 

Thank you for using the board's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[chas218]

Hey!

Thanks for your quick response. As far as which zones would be acceptable. I'm thinking times square, upper west side, upper east side, midtown east and west. Soho and Central Park South sound good as well. However, I'm not tied to these, if the place is safe, nice and close to the sights, I'm for it.

You're doing good work here, my friend, I appreciate it.

Chas

[thereuare]

Let us know once you're ready to start bidding and we will look at current rates (and possible additional/removal of zones above) as UES/UWS are typically not the most convenient for the average tourist (although perhaps a better choice than staying in Queens) and CPS has the Hudson Hotel which is well located but has notoriously small rooms.

HOWEVER, at current rates your budget will likely be too low for any of these, so once you're ready to move forward also let us know if you're willing to increase your budget and/or lower your star rating. What is your back-up rate at the Ramada?

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

[chas218]

I can go up to about $130 a night. Am I still dreaming? We can take out UES, UWS and CPS, like I said, it's my 1st time there. I can start bidding whenever. 

The room in the Ramada Queens is $113 a night, but it's far out, and looks to be in a less-than-fantastic area. 

I'd even consider Brooklyn as long as its a safe place near a subway station.

As always, your help is greatly appreciated!!!

Chas

[thereuare]

I think you'll likely need to be in the $145-$165 for something 3.5* or better in Manhattan. We can try whatever you'd liek, but Brooklyn doesn't look to be much cheaper, if it all, for your dates.

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