Priceline Hotel: Newbie needs help, NYC 4* (9/14-9/18)

[travelmama]

Hi. I just found your forum and love it. I am travelling to NYC for the first time from 9/14-9/18. I have been unsuccessfully bidding on Priceline. I am hoping to stay in the MTW, UWS, or UMT/CP area in a 4* hotel. So far, the best published rate I have found is the Hilton for $379. Here are the bids that have been rejected:

4*

MTW-$225

MTW+UWS- $240

MTW+UWS+UM/CP- $275

Given the availability of a room from $379 at the Hilton and $396 at the Sheraton, are these bids unreasonable? Also, I'm not convinced that I want to drop to a 3* because I am travelling with a baby and safety/cleanliness/location are paramount, but if I were to go to a 3* what would be a reasonable bid? The best I have seen is a room at the Radisson Lexington from $319. I will be trying again tomorrow. Any suggestions about bids/strategy would be appreciated.

Thanks

[thereuare]

What is your maximum bid?

Is there a reason you're avoiding MTE and MTW?

[travelmama]

I am not sure what my maximum bid is... I'm trying to figure that out. Any savings would be better than paying full price, although I think once I get above $300-$325 or so for a 4* or $275-$300 if I have to drop to a 3*, I might as well pick the hotel I will be staying at.

I was bidding in MTW, that is actually my preferred location. I was avoiding MTE because my husband will have to travel each day to Columbia Presbyterian (near the Bronx) and MTE appears to be a bit further away from that area and from some of the locations I'm interested in (Central Park Zoo and/or natural history museum). Since I am a first time visitor, I am open to suggestion, though.

[thereuare]

I was bidding in MTW, that is actually my preferred location.

...but if you've reached the levels that you have without success, at what point do you try other zones? If you could save $25/nite would it be worthwhile for your husband to make an extra subway connection? What above $50/nite? $100/nite?

At what piont, for these expensive dates, do you give up a little convenience in order to save some money?

[travelmama]

It's something to think about. Thanks for the suggestion.