Priceline Hotel: Help needed - want to stay at the Hyatt early 2007

[tappy]

I'd like to stay for 5 nights. My dates are very flexible (jan-march and days!) When is likely to be the cheapest time to go? What sort of price am I looking at? I've looked at all the $65 winning bids and they seem incredible. Whenever I look at hotwire it's coming up as $300ish a night! I don't mind using priceline and wouldn't be too disappointed if I ended up at the doubletree. Any help would be much appreciated (I'm new to all this!!!)

[thereuare]

You're probably too early for this stay.

You may also want to consider NYC itself as you can often get some great deals in the winter months (the weather is bad, but the hotel rates are great).

[tappy]

Hi Therure.

I can't help but notice that you live in the Jersey area. I can get some very cheap flights to Newark for pretty much any date in Jan-March. In your expert opinion, when would be the cheapest time (accomodation wise) to visit?

I need to book the flights soon as the offer ends so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[thereuare]

You may be better off staying in Manhattan rather than trying to target Jersey City. NYC is usually cheap during the winter (because it can get bitterly cold) and there are more hotels available to accept your bid.

Keep in mind that the ulta-low rates aren't always available, and lately it's been less-and-less so, so if u need to book airfare now i'd:

1) make sure you have an acceptable and cancellable back-up first.

or

2) try bidding now (Jersey City and/or Manhattan) for dates that you know you can get a deal on airfare

We can help suggest a strategy for you to follow... what is your maximum bid?

If not successful via the opaque providers, what is your expected budget for a back-up reservation? (i have one in mind but dont' know if it's within your budget)

[tappy]

I can get the Park Central through Expedia for around $150 a night, that was to be my back-up. Ideally I'd be paying $100 for a 3*. Which month would you say is cheapest? Is it cheaper to avoid the weekend?

Thanks again for your help.

[thereuare]

January and February are all typically same priced... things may get a little more expensive near the end of March (but most of March should probably be similarly priced as well).

Is $100 your maximum bid at this time for NYC?

If the Park Central thru Expedia fully refundable? (most rates thru them are not) If not, are you willing to forfeit the cancellation fee?

If you use our BetterChecker you can easily search multiple properties for multiple dates. Using the BC i found some refundable rates at the Jersey City Courtyard for $129/nite.

[tappy]

$100 is what I'd like to pay regardless of where I'm staying, whether it be at the Jersey Hyatt or a decent (3*) new york hotel. My budget can expand to $150. The Park Central is refundable.

Being local to the area, do you know that the Jersey Courtyard is like? I don't think we have Courtyards in the UK. I've stayed at a Marriott in Egypt and was very pleased with the quality of the accommodation. Is it easy to get from the courtyard to New York centre? Does it enjoy similar views to the Hyatt?

Sorry for all the questions! When I do book I'll be sure to do so through your links. Thanks again for all the help and advice. I'm glad I stumbled across this site!

[thereuare]

The Courtyard is nice, i've never stayed there but was inside just a few weeks ago and it appeared to be very clean (although the swimming pool did have a 'conditional' rating posted (vs. 'satisfactory') but was still being used and i'm sure will be re-inspected and get a satisfactory rating).

I think they're typically known as a business hotel and were one of the first to offer "free internet" chain wide.

I'm not sure what they would brand or chain they would compare to in the UK, but generally UK star ratings are a bit more 'generous' than their US counterparts. I'd have no problem staying at this Courtyard.

For Jesey City you have one re-bid zone at the 3* level. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Select 3* Jersey City...

Bid $65, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $75.

I would try the above for various date combinations that you can get good airfare for, keeping in mind that if you include weekends and/or Sunday nites you'll likely improve your chances a bit as Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nites are generally a bit slower than midweek in this area. I'll also add that right now, checking rates directly on the Hyatt website, rates are not cheap so it could be difficult to get 5 consecutive nites in this area at this time.

I do think that as your check-in date draws closer you'll have a better chance at getting a hotel directly in Manhattan for less than you're back-up at the Park Central, but i understand that you need to lock in your airfare now which is why it's important to make sure you have secured a refundable back-up hotel. (we're also affiliates of Expedia if that's how you're booking the Park Central)

Let us know if you have any questions regarding the above and/or how it goes.

[tappy]

Thank you very much for all the help. It's great that there's guys like you helping out us newbies! I'll let you know how I get on.