Priceline Hotel: Help finding a 4* Hotel near ESB or Times Square in March

[Leigh6870]

Hello! 

 

I'm new to the forum and have read all of these awesome tips before giving Priceline a try. My husband is a firefighter and is coming for the NYC stairclimb, and we are looking for a hotel From 3/13/15 to 3/15/15. As a former NY'er I understand all the areas, have picked out which ones don't have 5* and feel ready. I'm looking to spend less than $90 a night. Is this feasible? 

 

I tried booking yesterday (got to the preview screen) and saw a "hotel fee" on Priceline for $84! That brings the price WAY up. 

 

Thoughts on if I can get away with less than $90 a night? 

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

Unfortunately, under $90 is going to be difficult aside from the slowest of periods in NYC (January, early Feb.) Given the rates that I'm seeing, you're probably looking at at least $105-125 at this point, if not higher (depending on zone) + tax. I'd definitely try - and hopefully you'll be successful - under $100, but at this point in time I think unfortunately you're likely looking at a higher bid required.

 

Occasionally, you will see a "hotel fee" when bidding - there is a potential hotel given the variables (star rating, zone) you've chosen with a resort fee.

 

Also, please confirm which areas (by zone name) would be acceptable.

 

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

[thereuare]

...have picked out which ones don't have 5* and feel ready.

If you're bidding 4 star then why are you looking for zones that don't have 5* ratings... or was this a typo?

As a former NY'er I understand all the areas...

Which zone(s) are you looking at bidding?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.

[Leigh6870]

Thanks for the help. I'm looking anywhere, really. In my title I said I'm looking near Empire State Building or Times Square, but could add FiDi if needed since we'll be at WTC 4 that Sunday the 13th. 

 

In regards to the 5* part I mentioned, we are looking for a 4*, and if I understand correctly on rebidding, you would add an area with no 5* on to the area I'm looking at with 4*. Is this correct? 

[Leigh6870]

When would you suggest the best time to bid on Price.line for a hotel is if we are traveling to NYC from 3/13/15 to 3/15/15. We don't really care on the areas (was looking at Empire State Building, Times Square, or FiDi. 

 

I'm looking to spend (or try) less than $100 per night, since after taxes and their "hotel fee" it adds up quickly. 

 

Any hope for this?

[thereuare]

I'm looking anywhere, really. In my title I said I'm looking near Empire State Building or Times Square, but could add FiDi if needed since we'll be at WTC 4 that Sunday the 13th.

Please clarify/confirm... are you only looking to stay in the TS or ESB zones? Should we include Financial District? Or do you really mean anywhere... and even UES and/or UWS are acceptable? (which will have you much further from Dowtnown for the stair climb)

...if I understand correctly on rebidding, you would add an area with no 5* on to the area I'm looking at with 4*. Is this correct?

Nope... you want to find zones that only have hotels rated less than 4 stars (if you are bidding 4*). For example:

Zone A - highest rating is 4*

Zone B - highest rating is 5*

Zone C - highest rating is 3.5*

If you want a 4* hotel in ZoneA, and include both ZoneA and ZoneB in your bidding, you could receive a hotel in either of these zones.

If you want a 4* hotel in ZoneA, and include both ZoneA and ZoneC in your bidding, do you see how if your bid is accepted that the hotel would have to be in ZoneA? (since ZoneC does not have any hotels that meet your star rating criteria)

Also, note that when you bid on a priceline the star rating you choose is the minimum that you're willing to accept, and PRICELINE could upgrade your 4* bid to a 4.5* or 5* hotel, so that is why it's not enough that the the re-bid zone you add doesn't have the star rating that you're bidding, but that it doesn't have the star rating you're bidding or higher.

Does that make it clearer? When bidding 4* in NYC you have TWO re-bid zones, do you want to try to identify and confirm them with the board now?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.