Priceline Hotel: 4* NYC (UM/CPS) Swissotel The Drake

[BobBowser]

I am trying to book a long weekend in NYC for 2/17-2/20. I prefer to stay in the "downtown/SOHO" or "Midtown South" areas but am flexible. A 4* would be nice and can spend up to $150/night but again I am flexible. (Note: Brooklyn is also a great if this is a possibility).

I use to find this relatively easy in the past several years (Millenium Hilton several times, Holday Inn in chinatown, Marriott Financial, Embasy Suites in Tribecca via Hotwire) but lately I have been having more trouble. Stayed in Jersey City last two trips to NYC at the Hyatt. I liked the other side but would prefer a Manhattan location this time.

Any advice is appreciatted. Here is what I have done so far -

Bid Downtown 4* for $120, two re-bids using UW and UE at $130 and $140 - No luck

Than bid Midtown South 4* for $135 and two rebids at $145 and $150 - No Luck.

Should I just follow the biding strategy for MTW...MTE...UM/CPS...MTE & MTW...etc.??

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[BobBowser]

Ok, I should have waited for advice and yes it would be still be great to get any feedback as I love NYC and will always be visiting ..... but here is what I did and the results.

(1) I had previously bid Downtown/Soho, 4* for $120, two re-bids using Upper West and Upper East at $130 and $140 - No luck

(2) Than bid Midtown South, 4*, for $135 and two rebids at $145 and $150 - No Luck.

(3) Than I bid MTW, 4*, at $110, than took free rebid at $120 and $135 - No Luck.

(4) Than I bid MTE, 4*, at $110, $125, and $135 - No Luck.

(5) Than I bid UM/CPS, 4*, at $140, $145, and than at $150. The $150 bid was accepted at the

Swissotel New York

Here are the Details

Check-In Date: Friday, February 17, 2006

Check-Out Date: Monday, February 20, 2006

Upper Midtown - Central Park South

440 Park Avenue

Your Offer Price: $150.00

Number of Rooms: 1

Number of Nights: 3

Subtotal: $450.00

Taxes & Service Fees: $83.91

Total Charges: $533.91

Note: By way of comparison the best rate I could easily find for this hotel for those 3 days was $229 (with AAA direct with Hotel). The same stay best rate was $310 via Travelocity"]Travelocity, $299 via Expedia, and $499 via Orbitz.