Priceline Hotel: 4.5* for new NYC visitor - starting bid?

[qtcloud]

Hello! 

Would love to know anyone's thoughts on which hotel this is:

5* midtown central, $341, standard price $946

 

This hotel typically charges guests a resort fee of about $30.00 per person per night, regardless of how the room is booked. The hotel collects this fee directly from you, so it doesnt show in your Hotwire total. Amenities: fitness center, business center, internet access, spa services.  Thanks SO much for any help.  I figured it might be the same as the person who posted on 7/8/14 - the WestHouse?  

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding.

 

This listing has not yet been ID'd/reported to the the board, but I'd guess the Westhouse as well in this case, given the resort fee.

 

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

[qtcloud]

Thank for the response. :)

[AaronJB]

Happy to help - please let us know what you decide and if you have additional questions.

 

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

[thereuare]

... and if you haven't yet, please read your messages.

Thanks.

[qtcloud]

Hello, 

What area would be ideal for a tourist like myself? Stayed in Times Square last time and it was too noisy for me. Was thinking Midtown West? I'm hoping for somewhere that makes it easy to get around town (like, close to subways?).  Also would like a hotel in the 4.5 category - even 5* at the right price.  What is a good starting rate please?  I'll be going second week of September.   If your bid is rejected, can you do it all over again the next day?  

 

Thanks so much.

 

 

[AaronJB]

Please keep all posts regarding this stay within this thread - thanks.

 

What would be your desired budget per night for this stay and please confirm (9/6-13?) the date/s of travel.

 

I'd recommend MTE as an area that's convenient and less hectic.

 

Please read over this thread regarding re-bidding. You can make the same specific bid once per 24 hours.

 

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

[qtcloud]

9/6-9/12 are my dates! So MTE and MTW?  Budget is 300/night though of course, I don't want to  overbid.

[thereuare]

Your stay takes please during the final days of the US Open (Tennis) as well during Fashion Week, which are going to contribute to high prices... i think your budget of $300/nite may fall short if you're sticking to 4.5* or higher hotels (should be well within budget for a 4* hotel)

The city will most likely be a little more crowded than usual and most zones will be a bit busier than usual. You may want to consider MTW, MTW, CPS, ESB, and HK (not all of these zones offer 4.5*/5* bidding, and if you do lower your star rating to 4*, i would exclude CPS from your bidding)

Chelsea would usually be a good zone as well, but with Fashion Week in town, that part of the city may be quite a bit busier than usual (same with Soho)

Did you want to bid up to your $300 limit for a 5* hotel first, and if rejected lower your star rating to 4.5*... or is the goal the least expensive 4.5* or better for this trip?

Let us know which zone(s) you're willing to accept and we will suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[qtcloud]

Okay - I've decided on the MTW, Central Park South and Upper Westside zones (my sis lives in the upper west side); would prefer to get the lowest price 4.5 star or better hotel I can find.  Thank you!

[qtcloud]

Regular price is $386, and offered price is $277. Hot.wire UWS

Amenities Free Internet, Fitness Center, Restaurants, Business Center, Self Serv Laundry, Accessible for the blind, deaf, bathroom, 95% recommended.

[AaronJB]

Please keep all posts for this stay within this thread - thanks.

 

If you repeat your search using our Bidding.Helper.com tool... use the HOTWIRE EASY VIEW tab and then click the GREEN BUTTON next to this listing, do you see more amenities then what you have listed above?

 

 

• Free Internet
• Fitness Center
• Restaurant(s)
• Business Center
• Self service laundry
• Accessible for the blind
• Accessible for the deaf
• In-room accessibility
• Accessible bathroom
• Roll-in shower

 

If you are seeing the above, that amenity set has not yet been ID'd/reported to the board, but I'd guess a new amenity set for the Lucerne would be a definite possibility.

 

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

[qtcloud]

I would love your strategy tips. I've tried several bids already and nothing was accepted and I'm up to 320 for 4.5 stars in Midtown Central, Central Park South and Upper West side.  Am I doing something wrong, or is everything just expensive right now?  I see on Hot.wire there's a 5 star NYC hotel for $341. (An administrator said it was probably WestHouse).  Kind of steep for me. Was hoping to get a 4.5 for $300 max. Reset expectations?

[AaronJB]

Unfortunately, NYC in the Fall  and first half of the Winter is traditionally expensive. The first couple of days (6-8th) seem noticeably cheaper, with a 4.5* for $258 in MTE. 6th-9th has a 4.5* in MTE for $296. Splitting the stay may lead to a better per night average, but would likely require switching hotels. For the entire stay together, I think you're likely not far off at all - Hot.wire has a 4.5* in MTE for $334.

 

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

[thereuare]

I'll add that in NYC there is a pretty sharp price difference between 4* hotels and 4.5* hotel... depending upon just what type of expectations you have from your hotel, you may be able to find an 'upper end' 4* hotel thru HOTWIRE or PRICELINE EXPRESS that work for your needs and be quite a bit cheaper than reaching for a 4.5* property.

For example, i'm seeing what i'm guessing to be the Renaissance Hotel 57 for $265/nite. Even if not this specific hotel, it's an example how you could still get something 'very nice' for less than would be required of a 4.5* hotel.

Let us know your thoughts 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.