Hotwire Hotel: 4* New York City (Madison Square Garden - Hell's Kitchen) TRYP Times Square South

[allgar]

Hello,

 

Very new to the bidding idea, and I've read voraciously on the boards here and am ready to weigh-in. As stated I'm travelling Oct. 11th - Oct. 18th and would love to know what kind of strategy to pursue. 

 

I would like to get a hotel room for about $200 (Canadian $ preferably) though I could go up to C$210/night. I'm a pretty typical tourist and am looking for suggestions for which areas to search. I know Midtown both East and West and Time Square would be good, but any other suggestions for a typical tourist who would like to explore New York by foot is most welcome. As for star ratings, I say 4* but truthfully if you feel the 3* are just as nice or nicer, I am game for that as well. I've never been to New York so I have little reference point.

 

Obviously the less I can pay the better. I've seen a 4* on the quick checkout for C$260/night but if I can shave $50/night off that rate, i'd be very happy camper indeed.

 

Cheers! and thank you!

 

G.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Please post your budget and wins in US Dollars so that there is consistency throughout the board and so that rates are not subject to currency fluctuations when referenced in the future.

As you are likely already aware, this is an expensive time of year in NYC. Depending upon which zones you select, at current rates you are likely looking at $190-$210(US)/nite for these dates, and a 3* (or 3.5*) is not likely to save you much from this price.

At the 4* level these zones generally work well for the average visitor, with comments/caveats next to each where necessary:

MTE - most hotels are well located, but a few can be up to a 15 minute walk to the subway

MTW - no 'known' issues

TS - no 'known' issues

MSG - no 'known' issue

ESB - no 'known' issues

Chelsea - some hotels can be up to a 10 minute walk to the subway, but this is a 'hot' area right now with lots of bars, restaurants, cafe, clubs, boutiques, etc. so still a frequently bid zone

CPS - often avoided as this zone contains the Hudson Hotel, which while well located, has notoriously small rooms

OTHER:

Downtown - less convenient than midtown, but is do-able for the right price/savings

Soho - personally not my favorite zone, but for those who like to shop and/or intend to be in this area, it's a good location

Priceline.hotwire

Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there.

[allgar]

Thanks so much. Any suggestions for bidding strategy. I saw a couple you did the other day, should i just follow that? I'm mostly interested in making sure I do the re-bidding properly to get the best possible rate. Any help is greatly appreciated. I will for sure use your links and post my "wins" in US$ to be consistent.

 

Just as an aside is it worth my time to look at Hotwire as well? or is it really just tomato - tomahto?

[allgar]

Actually would it be possible for you to give me a bidding strategy with MTW, TS, MSG and ESB. 4* starting at $180USD? Going up to say about $215USD?

 

Those links the way you built it out would be amazing and make my life a lot easier. I'd be very appreciative.

Thanks,
Gary

[AaronJB]

The real benefit of Hot.wire is that you can look at what the service is offering and make an educated guess as to which hotels are showing. Hot.wire is generally more expensive, but sometimes not significantly. It really depends on the person and situation - sometimes it is worthwhile to be able to have a better chance at getting something you may like. Sometimes, you can just go with bidding as you don't mind which 4* (to use an example) you get in a zone.

 

Price.line Express is a similar, Hot.wire-like option (listings rather than bidding), although not as many amenities are shown. There is currently a 5% off coupon for Express Deals, which does make them an appealing alternative (at least worth considering) to bidding at this point in time.

 

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

 

 

 

[allgar]

Whoa! So i've been kicking around some bids for MTW, TS, MSG, ESB regions for my dates... I've moved down to 3.5 stars and have bid as high as $200USD so far, and wow... nothing... this is going to be an expensive trip. LOL But I wanted to share back what I've had as results so far. Anyone looking for cheaper, will definitely have to look in less desirable areas and or fewer stars.

 

I'll be heading down to 3 stars shortly. Any thoughts on 3* in NYC? still clean, comfortable, etc.?

[allgar]

So, just about to start a strat for MTW, TS, MSG, ESB for 3 stars at $200USD going up to $220USD.

 

We'll see how it goes. 

[dwerneck]

What do they mean: MTE MTW TS MSG ESB and CPS ??

I can suppose some of them, but not all these.

 

I am going to NYC on Aug, 21. 

[thereuare]

allgar,

HOTWIRE is currently offering a 4* hotel in the MSG zone for $236/nite (only 1 left at this rate)... and it also has a 4.5/5.0 TA rating:

Free Internet

Smoke Free

Fitness

Restaurant

Business

Hi-Speed Internet

Travel Accessible

Room Accessible

Bathroom Accessible

Roll-in Shower

... best guess for this one would be the TRYP Times Square South.

Does this work for your needs as this is just a slightly more than you have already bid and a full star rating higher than what you intended your next round of bidding to be (and more importantly the 4.5/5.0 TA rating)

There is also a 4* in the MTE zone on PRICELINE EXPRESS with:

Indoor Pool

Restaurant

Business Center

Fitness Center

... my guess for this one would be the ONE New York Plaza. The rate is $237/nite and after the discount link and code in my signature this would come to $225, but if you're able to get the MSG property above in time i think that one is a better deal based upon the location (if i'm correct on the ONE New York it is in the eastern most part of the zone and about a 15 minute walk to the subway)

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

Let us know if you take either of the above OR how you'd like to proceed.

dwerneck,

Welcome to BetterBidding!

DON'T follow any of the strategies above as rates for your dates will likely be less since summer is slow season in NYC and October (the OP's dates) is part of high season.

Please start a NEW TOPIC for your own trip and we will assist you there.

Thank you.

[allgar]

Well I bit the bullet (gulped a lot) and decided to go with the Hotwire room you mentioned above. $224/night

 

You're right! It was indeed the TRYP Times Square South.

 

Total cost with taxes and fees.... a whopping $1968.33 for the seven nights stay.... shazbot NYC is expensive during peak season... LOL

 

Oh well, that's when we're going so that's the cost of being there.

 

I booked through the HOTWIRE link you provided. I appreciate your assistance.

 

Thanks,

Gary

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

 

Terrific win for this well-reviewed property during a busy period in NYC.

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

Enjoy your stay.

[thereuare]

A nice deal for this busy time of year.

Just a block or so from this hotel is one of my (new) favorite bagel shops in the city:

Best Bagel and Coffee

225 W 35th St (35th St b/w Seventh and Eight Ave)

I haven't had their coffee (there is a Starbucks on the corner of 35th and Seventh) but their bagels are excellent, and will make for an inexpensive breakfast daily (given how much you spend on the room :P )

The only downside to the place is they have very little seating, so if you can't get one of the 3 tables, or a window counter seat, i'd walk up to Broadway and start walking uptown... if you can great any of the tables on the street promenade take them and watch the people go by while you have breakfast... if you reach Times Square without grabbing a seat/table, sit in the bleachers behind the TKTS booth and enjoy the lights and scenery during breakfast.

Have a great stay and let us know if you have any questions regarding NYC that can help with your trip.

Thank you for sharing your results and using the HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your purchase.

[allgar]

You guys are awesome, thanks so much for the help. I'll definitely try the bagel :)

 

I love bagels. Can't wait to compare the New York style to the Montreal style which is most prevalent where I am (Ottawa, Canada).

[thereuare]

If when on the east side you can also try this place:

Ess-A-Bagel on Third Ave b/w 50th and 51st St.

As you can then compare two of NYC's best (imo)