Hotwire Hotel: 4* New York City (Times Square South) Paramount Hotel Times Square New York

[My2Michaels0806]

Good Morning. We will need 2 rooms July 25-26. We're looking to stay in Times Square South, as close to the general "ball drop" area as possible. No amenity requirements really needed. Budget is under $300 with taxes & would prefer 4* and up,  but wouldn't mind something lower like Hilton Garden Inn or similar.  Here's what it's showing- 

 

4 1/2*  @ $210 

Free Internet, Boutique hotel, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Internet access

 

4*  @ $210 

Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Accessible for visually impaired, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking, Roll-in shower

 

4* @ $224 

Suite, Pet friendly, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access

 

4* @ $159

Pet friendly, Boutique hotel, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Accessible for visually impaired, In-room accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking

 

4* @ $142

Boutique hotel, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

If you haven't yet, please start by reading YOUR MESSAGES.

 

I'm very familiar with NYC, so if you let us know more about your needs for this trip we will be in a better position to advise as far as what your best options are for this stay.  A few questions:

- what is the deciding factor in your decision between a 4* or higher rated hotel vs. a 'Hilton Garden Inn' type property (which are usually mostly 3 star rated)

- why the interest in only the Times Square South zone?

-are you searching for more than the default 2adults/0children per room?

 

Let us know the information above and we'll take it from there.

 

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

[My2Michaels0806]

Thanks for the fast reply. I did read my messages & will definitely book through your links! 

 

We we will be traveling in two groups-

Room ONE- 2adults/1child (small child so we can all share a King bed) 

Room TWO- 2 adults 

since we're sharing a bed- Inwas searching for 2adults or 1ad/1child. 

 

No big deciding factors on star differences, as I'm sure we won't be in the room that often. Location and view would be the biggest deciding factor. 

 

A a few traveling with us have never been to NYC, and thought it would be best to get the most "NYC experience" staying in Times Square. 

 

If if the price is right, possibly might to July 24-26. We're driving from Detroit and was planning on staying outside the city Sunday night then driving in Monday morning. 

 

Appreciate ALL the help!! 

[thereuare]

 

1 hour ago, My2Michaels0806 said:

Room ONE- 2adults/1child (small child so we can all share a King bed) 

If you use PRICELINE or only search for 2adults/0children in HOTWIRE all that is guaranteed is a room that will accommodate double occupancy, which does not guarantee a King sized bed.  How old is the child and what if you receive a bed that is smaller than a king... would this be acceptable?

 

1 hour ago, My2Michaels0806 said:

If if the price is right, possibly might to July 24-26.

What is the 'right price'?  As with most hotel markets, Sunday nites in NYC are usually the least expensive since demand is at it's lowest (tourists have already gone home and business travelers have not yet arrived).  Researching hotels can be a time consuming process, so please let us know what price we should be looking for to make staying both nites (which i think would provide a better experience) in the city worthwhile for you.

 

1 hour ago, My2Michaels0806 said:

thought it would be best to get the most "NYC experience" staying in Times Square.

There is nothing 'wrong' staying in the Times Square zone... but there is also no reason (imo) to only consider this zone.  You may find better value and/or better hotels outside of this zone and many other zones will still provide you with easy access to the subway, potentially walking distance to Times Square (where you will likely spend far less time then you think), and still provide a 'NYC Experience'.  Times Square is great to visit once during the day and then again at nite (when all the lights are on), but other than that you're better off eating, shopping, etc. elsewhere and going where the locals go... afterall, you have probably have an Olive Garden, TGI Fridays, and Applebees in your own town, no point in hanging out in one while in NYC when there are so many 'nyc only' options available.

 

Researching hotels can be a time consuming process, so that is why we're trying to first determine your needs/wants for this stay... as it doesn't make sense to invest the time researching only to be told later "we decided to add an extra nite" and have to start over from the beginning.

 

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

 

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

[My2Michaels0806]

I appreciate all of your help SO much!! Thank you!!

 

1- My child is 5. Yes we can make a Queen work, by that would be the smallest that would. Either that or two doubles is fine also. 

 

2- Id like to keep it around $300/per group (room) for the stay ( so $600). I understand taxes/fees are extra. Hate to be a pain- but the determining factor depends on the overall price. 

 

3- The others in our group also would like to stay in Times Square as well. 

 

[thereuare]

43 minutes ago, My2Michaels0806 said:

Yes we can make a Queen work, by that would be the smallest that would.

All that is guaranteed is a room that will accommodate double occupancy.  Although it may not work in reality, industry standards dictate that a Full/Double bed is enough to accommodate double occupancy... the only way to guarantee a Queen or larger is to choose a HOTWIRE or PRICELINE EXPRESS offer that shows a 'bed choice' and one of those options is a Queen or Kings... or book thru HOTWIRE when declaring 2adult/1child for one of the rooms.

 

45 minutes ago, My2Michaels0806 said:

but the determining factor depends on the overall price. 

I assume here you meant for the additional nite... so my question is what would the average of the 2 nites need to be to make this a two nite Manhattan stay (vs. one nite outside of Manhattan and one nite in the city)

 

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

[My2Michaels0806]

Choosing a PRICELINE EXPRESS/ HOTWIRE option is fine. That's where I had gotten the information I originally posted was through Hotwire. 

 

Id like to keep the total for two nights around $350.00 with taxes/fees included PER GROUP. So MAX total for 2 nights/ 2 rooms IN MANHATTEN would be $700.00. If I couldn't keep it under that, then we will just stay the one night, which Id like to keep under $250 per room ($500 total for group). 

 

Sorry if that's confusing. Please let me know if I need to explain it more clearly. 

[thereuare]

For both nites (confirm your dates on the landing page) there is this 4* Times Square hotel for $138/nite that allows you to choose a Queen sized bed with the following amenities:

Business Center

Restaurant

Free Internet

No Smoking Rooms/Facilities

==> not 100% certain, but best guess for this one would be the Night Hotel Times Square, but regardless it is within your budget ($688 all-in) and your zone preference, and gives you two nites in the city instead of one

 

Does this work for your needs?

 

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

[My2Michaels0806]

Sorry for the delay in responding. No, this hotel will not work if it's the Night hotel. 

[thereuare]

So we can have more information to know what is / is not acceptable... what is it about the Night hotel that makes it not an option for this trip?

 

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

[My2Michaels0806]

The location and price of the Night is great. But maybe it's just my perception of the pictures, but I don't feel it's child friendly/appropriate. I had seen some extremely "suggestive" pictures and decor online in the lobbies, rooms, etc and didn't want to open up that can of worms with my 5 year old while there. I know it sounds very knit-picky. If this is an issue, please let me know as we can just go back to our original plan, stay one night and go through a regular site. Sorry for the inveiniance. 

[thereuare]

It's all marketing and personally i wouldn't read into too much... nobody really knows their brand and they're trying to show that they are 'hip', trendy, etc... walk past a Vicotria's Secret, PINK, or many other boutiques in NYC and you'll likely see far worse, imo.  Even in Times Square (where you want to stay), among the costumed characters working for tips you will find the Naked Cowboy, a few imitator Naked Cowgirl(s), and topless women wearing nothing but body paint or decals.

 

I just think you're giving up a lot in terms of the experience for this trip as you're sacrificing 2 full nites in NYC vs. a much shorter time frame by the time you check-out/check-in of hotels... nor are you saving much money by doing so.  However, ultimately it's your trip and you know the needs/comfort level of your family best.

 

If you're willing to stay in the Rock Center zone (adjacent to the Times Square zone) what looks like the Club Quarters Midtown (about 3-5 minute walk to the heart of Times Square) can be has for $150/nite ($750 all-in) for a Queen sized bed.

 

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

 

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

[My2Michaels0806]

So ice tried booking this several times. They actually put a hold on my card because of it. FINALLY a was able to talk to a human who said the deal was gone. Is there any other similar deals available between Hotwire & Priceline? Thank you

[thereuare]

When do you try to book?

 

Which deal is it that you tried to book that you are no longer able to do so?

 

What are your current parameters?

 

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

[My2Michaels0806]

I tried to book on last Thursday & Friday. The deal was the one in the link posted above. 4* for $138/night. 

 

 

[thereuare]

On 6/2/2016 at 5:16 AM, thereuare said:

For both nites (confirm your dates on the landing page) there is this 4* Times Square hotel for $138/nite that allows you to choose a Queen sized

The one linked above?

 

That link is still working fine for me... if it does not work for you, what happens when you click it?

 

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

[My2Michaels0806]

The link works fine. When I try to book it fails. I made 6 attempts and it ended up putting a hold on my credit card. When I spoke to several people in the financial department at Priceline they told me the deal was sold out and needed to be updated. 

[thereuare]

Thanks for the explanation... although rate, that does happen with PRICELINE EXPRESS from time-to-time.

 

Are you still restircting yourself to only Time Square South?  I'd encourage you to have a look at the HOTWIRE  (and PRICELINE) zones... the NYE ball drop is at 47th and Seventh Ave.  If you look closely you will see that if you win a hotel in the nothern end of the MSG zone, the eastern edge of the Theater District-MTW zone, the Northwest corner of the ESB zone, or the South West corner of the Grand Central zone... all of these could potentially have you closer to the 'ball drop' location vs. if you won something in the northern end of the Times Square South zone.  However, i will re-iterate that staying close to this location is really not necessary, but will once again say that's it's your trip and if you feel that this is where you need to be in order to have a good time we will continue to pursue only this zone.

 

Lastly, since your option is to split your trip and stay one nite in NJ and the next nite in Manhattan... would you consider splitting your stay between two different NYC hotels? (although if you're asking for my advice, and even if you're not i'll add , that you will be fine staying just about anywhere in midtown... how many times a day do you intend to travel to/from your hotel to where the ball drops... more likely you may make that the first stop of your day, then travel to Point B, then to Point C, and Point C, etc, etc... not multiple trips between your hotel and the ball drop location)

 

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

Let us know how you'd like to proceed.

[My2Michaels0806]

Out option of staying in NJ was because it was on the way in from Detroit. 

 

There are are a few Hotwire & Priceline express listings I'm interested. I'll list those to see if I can get help identifying them if possible. 

[My2Michaels0806]

4* $118/Night - 

FULL AMENITIES: Boutique hotel, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility

 

4* $137/Night- 

FULL AMENITIES: Pet friendly, Boutique hotel, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Accessible for visually impaired, In-room accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking

 

3 1/2* $141/Night- 

FULL AMENITIES: Free Internet, Boutique hotel, Indoor pool(s), Fitness center, Pool(s), Business center, Internet access, Spa services, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Roll-in shower

 

there are a few others in PRICELINE EXPRESS, I will post in that subsection as well. Thank you! 

[thereuare]

I assume all of the above are for a 2 nite stay 11/24-11/26?

If so each one is over your $700 all-in budget... or has this parameter changed?

[My2Michaels0806]

Yes same as before. Two nights 7/24-7/26. 

Actually the one at $137 is under $700 total. 

My max would be $725. 

[thereuare]

1 hour ago, My2Michaels0806 said:

Actually the one at $137 is under $700 total. 

No it's not (and even more so when you include the resort fee):

Rate per night $136.00

Nights 2

Rooms ( up to 4 adults ) 2

Subtotal $544.00

Tax recovery charges + fees $160.43

Hotwire total $704.43

Estimated resort fee Pay at hotel $65.32

Trip total $769.75

 

The 4 star $118/nite property is no longer available on my search (if i click it i get a message that it is no longer available) and the 3.5* at $141/nite is over your budget as well.

 

Have you, or those you are traveling with, ever been to NYC?

 

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

[My2Michaels0806]

The one that was listed at $137, is now listed as $136 on the Easyview tab. It does not show any extra charges for resort fees. ill send you the screen shot. It makes no mentions of any resort fees, and that's through clicking the easy view link. I'm not trying to be argumentative, obviously there is a discrepancy between what I'm being shown vs. what you are. 

 

Yes ewe have all been there before aside from my husband and son. 

 

Just saw I can't post a screenshot. The total for the $136 property is as follows; 

 Review and BookCost breakdown

2 night(s) $544.00

+

Taxes & Fees $160.43

Discount $15.00

=

Total $689.43

[thereuare]

HOTWIRE has a few different versions of their page(s) (as they are always doing some testing) but i can almost assure you that the 4* boutique hotel has a $16.33/nite resort fee attached to it (at HOTWIRE look under the "Hotwire Total" you listed above... you don't see anything about an estimated resort fee payable at the hotel?)
  Here is a direct copy/paste including the information after the "hotwire total" on the page i'm seeing:

Travel Dates

Check-in: Sun, Jul 24, 2016

Check-out: Tue, Jul 26, 2016

 

Pet friendly, Boutique hotel, Smoke-free rooms , See more

Rate per night $122.00

Nights 2

Rooms ( up to 4 adults ) 2

Subtotal $488.00

Tax recovery charges + fees $144.81

Hotwire total $632.81

Estimated resort fee
Pay at hotel $65.32

Trip total $698.13

 

Note that the total is now below $700/nite as the hotel rate has decreased to $122/nite... but do you want to stay at a hotel where only 45% of previous users on a discounted rated recommend the property??

 

My guess for this offer would be the Paramount Hotel Times Square New York.

 

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

 

Let us know what you decide and how it goes.