Priceline Hotel: NYC Pricing Strategy

[PinkerTish]

I'm planning a trip for the dates of Dec 8-13 (flexible by maybe 1 day on each end) and would like some help for the best pricing strategies. I know this is a very expensive time of the year to visit. I've been looking at the PRICELINE EXPRESS deals and would like to stay in Central Park South, Times Square-Theatre District, or maybe last case scenario Midtown-West. 

 

The current PRICELINE EXPRESS deals for CPS are 3*(restaurant, business center) for $224 and my guess is the Wellington. For 3.5* (pets, restaurant) at $222 the Shoreham and for $264 4* (wifi, pets, restaurant) Dream Midtown. Can anyone confirm those assumptions? 

 

For the PRICELINE EXPRESS deal in Times Square currently is $237 with wifi, business center and an 8/10 rating. My guesses for this are Hilton Garden, Four Points Sheraton Midtown, Courtyard Marriott, or Holiday Inn NYC. I'm tempted to just book that since it's barely over what I want to spend. But if you think I can score one of those hotels in a name my price scenario I'd like to go that route. 

 

I'd love to stay at right around $200 a night for these dates. Can anyone offer me a bidding strategy for getting at least a 3* and what do you think the likelihood of getting a 3 or 3.5* and above for those nights in those zones at that price is? 

 

Thanks!

[AaronJB]

To kind of take a step back first, the PRICELINE EXPRESS listings are $20-40 higher than your desired budget. PRICELINE bidding will likely get you at least closer to your target, but what is showing on the PRICELINE EXPRESS side is not necessarily what you may get when bidding. If you bid, you have to be willing to accept any potential property at the star rating picked in the zone chosen. Would you rather try bidding and get something closer to your budget (but you have to be flexible about what you may get) or push towards the $225-245 range to get something potentially more acceptable?

 

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.

[thereuare]

Why not the Rockefeller Center zone?

 

I'm seeing this 4* Rockefeller Center - Bryant Park hotel (confirm your dates on the landing page) for $199/nite with:

Business Center

Restaurant

Free Internet

Fitness Center

No Smoking Rooms/Facilities

==> best guess for this property would be the Club Quarters Midtown

 

This would be within your budget, less expensive while also being higher rated than any of the hotels above, and it gets solid reviews.

 

While not one of the zones you've listed above, this property is just 1 1/2 blocks from the center of Times Square (and also just 1 1/2 blocks to the Times Square zone which you did include in your list above)

 

Would this one 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.

 

Let us know your thoughts and how it goes... or how we can be of further help.