Hotwire Hotel: NYC - April weekend (7-9)

[bagsready]

First time here on your nice site. I have been looking for a room in NYC for 2 adults and 1 child for a Fri and Sat night in April. I've checked everywhere: Hotwire, EasyClickTravel, Hotels.com, Expedia, etc, and very little comes up that is less than ~$230. We'll have a car, too, so parking fees would be an additional cost. I'm wondering if it's likely that prices will come down or cheaper rooms will become available as that weekend gets closer? What about the business hotels in lower Manhattan, might they offer some weekend rates? Otherwise, I've read the posts about staying in Jersey City as an alternative and am wondering if I should book something cancellable there as back -up.

Thanks.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Part of the problem is that this is right on the cusp of when rates move from low to a bit higher, due to the season change from Winter (cheap rates in NYC) to Spring (a bit higher rates in NYC).

The other problem is that you're searching for triple occupancy. Many rooms in NYC only have one bed with no room for a rollaway. How old is the child that will be staying with you?

If you let us know how much you are expecting to spend/budget for a hotel we will be able to advise of your options.

[bagsready]

Thanks. The child is a teenager. As far as budget, I suppose I'd like to find something - room + parking - for around $200, convenient to Broadway theaters and the Met Museum. I noticed that some people were able to get 3* Hotwire rooms for 3 people in that early April period for ~$100, when they booked in August. Are the best Hotwire deals only available far in advance? Between now and April, are hotels likely to lower their rates if the demand isn't high?

[thereuare]

It's not that the best deals are only available in advance, but as you later summized, that they're capicity controlled. If hotels don't think they will sell a lot of rooms for a given timeframe then they will offer deeply discounted rates to the opaque suppliers, as those rooms sell, they're 'excess inventory' is not as great, so they stop offering such low priced inventory or they pull whatever inventory is left once they think they can sell them on their own (at higher prices).

The opposite is also true... if hotels think they can sell their rooms on their own they may not offer any inventory to the opaque suppliers, but once the date draws near (or they notice that inventory is not filling up as quickly as they had projected), they will once again release low priced inventory... so sometimes the best deals are only found closer to check-in date.

I think the situation above is that these dates fall right on the cusp of low/higher season so they're probably holding back sone inventory at this time. I would look for a cancellable back-up plan that you wouldn't mind keeping, and then try to beat it via Hotwire.

Please look at our SUPPORT PAGE and use those links for options for your back-up reservation.

Let us know how your progress goes.

[bagsready]

Thanks. Will do.

[bagsready]

Hi, I'm back. I've been looking for cancellable back-ups and have come up with the Courtyard by Marriott/Manhattan Upper East Side with an okay weekend rate (it's currently being renovated). Since museum-hopping is one of our main interests, I thought this might be an okay location. But I don't know NYC at all, and looking at some maps it looks like this hotel at 410 East 92nd St is actually in some neighborhood called Yorkville. Is this neighborhood generally safe and could we walk back to the hotel from the subway safely at night? Thanks.

[thereuare]

What is the rate, we'll try to find you something.

[bagsready]

The weekend rate is $189 for 2Q or 1K +Sofabed. $25 for parking.

[thereuare]

How do you plan on getting around the city... mostly by cab or mass transit?

I did find the Millenium UN available on quickbook for $199... it's a "pay when you stay" rate which means that is cancellable without penalty. Although the hotel is a "bit" east, i would sooner stay in this neighborhood which is close to midtown than i would the Upper East Side (for which the 6 train will get quite boring after awhile, assuming you plan on using mass transit)

Don't worry so much about the hotel's parking charge as you can park at a non-hotel garage for more compeitive rates. If you choose to go with the Marriott anyway, please use our link to make your reservation (same with the Quickbook link above)

[bagsready]

Thanks. Have decided to forgo the Marriott, but haven't yet decided what else to pursue. Have followed your Quikbook link and am perusing those offerings. The plan is to use mass transit.

[bagsready]

Hi, I'm back. I have a question regarding Hotwire offerings. If I search for a NYC room for 2 adults and 1 child very few to no hotels come up. If I search for just 2 adults there are several offerings. Would it be risky to book a room at a Hotwire hotel that can be identified in advance as having rooms big enough for 3 people even though they are only coming up on Hotwire through a search for a room for 2 adults?

[thereuare]

Specifically which hotel is it that you have identified?

[bagsready]

It was a few days ago that I thought I identified a place that was either the Park Central or the other hotel that has the same amenities, but things have changed now in the listings so I can't retrace my steps. I also have seen what could be the Millenium UN Plaza come up for 2 A but not for 2 A and 1 C. Is it possible to comment in general about this question?

[thereuare]

In general, "yes, it si risky", as there is a reason that those hotels don't show up for more than double occupancy. Some haven't converted their system over to allow Hotwire purchases for more than double occupancy (as at one time Hotiwre only allowed double occupancy)... still others only assign a certain room type to Hotwire guests, and that type of room many not accomodate more than double occupancy.

I had asked about specific hotels as i know certain properties where it is less of an issue than others, and other properties where more than double occupancy would always an issue.

[bagsready]

Could you please help identify this Hotwire listing which comes up when I enter 2 A and 1 C:

4* Midtown East, Customer Favorite, Amenities: restaurant, tennis, fitness center, business center. 4/5 traveler rating with 80+ reviews on Trip Advisor. $215, marked down from $239.

I don't quite understand what the markdown refers to, markdown from Hotwire's previous price?

I previously had seen something almost identical to the above come up on Hotwire, except it was not listed as a customer favorite, and it also listed hi-speed internet on the amenities. But it, too, listed a reduction from $239 (to $217). I had thought that was the Grand Hyatt.

Thanks for your help.

[thereuare]

The markdown is from "retail" (ie- what you would expect to pay thru a 'traditional' booking)

The above hotel matches the Inter-Continental The Barclay so that would be our best guess.

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[bagsready]

Thanks, I realize now that previous posts would suggest that this was the IC Barclay, as you indicate. I wonder why the retail price is listed on Hotwire as $239, when the best rates available on the IC Barclay's own website are in the ~260-290 range (AARP, "Best Available, etc)?

[thereuare]

So does the above work for your plans or what is your intention at this point?

[bagsready]

I'm not going with the IC Barclay. I have a cancellable reservation at an UWS hotel for more than I wish. My plan is to wait for something to come up that's more desirable for less money. I am using your travel links and Savings Barn now when I go looking, and will when I find something. I'm also still considering Jersey City, but I can't yet decide on the money savings versus convenience/location factor. Thanks.