Priceline Hotel: NYC Jan. 12-15

[Jessi]

I'm new here, and wanted to see if anyone had advice for my trip....

I'll be visiting NYC with my boyfriend (our first trip, and his first time to New York!) Jan. 12-15 and I'd rather not stay in a hostel. Even though our budget is pretty small for a hotel (around $100/night) I'm hoping to find the nicest one we could get of any star quality for those times since it seems to be off-peak after the holidays. Does anyone have any insight into bidding for those times on Priceline? I'm familiar with Priceline, but I've never used Hotwire--i'd be willing to use it if I had reason to believe I'd get a better deal there.

As to location, we're flexible and just want to be near public transport, as I'm sure we can get around that way. I'd read on here that staying near Times Square is popular but not recommended, and that suits me just fine--I'll stay anywhere I can find the best deal overall.

Thanks in advance for your help, and sorry if I left anything out. It's hard to be specific, as I'm relatively inexperienced in travel to and around New York and I don't have a lot of special criteria--but I'll clarify anything that's needed.

[dahammer]

how about being on a low budget but stay in a really great Hotel that is across the river with great views of Manhattan?

on HOTWIRE, what appears to be the Jersey City Hyatt is available for $90. The PATH train to NY is steps away. You could probably bid using Priceline and save another $20 or so.

[thereuare]

I think Jersey City is a good option as not only is the hotel less expensive, but everything else (local restaurants, soda, snacks, etc) that you may buy and bring back to your room will be less expensive as well (although note that this area is very quiet on the weekends). A less expensive hotel also gives you the ability to spend more on enjoying things in the city.

For this time of year, NYC may be within your budget as well, if you're willing to bump it up another $10-$20 or so per nite.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll advise accordingly.

[AaronJB]

Just to throw out a suggestion, the Skyline Hotel is $119 for your dates. That hotel is a short (5-7 minutes, tops) walk West of Times Square; while it's close to Times Square, it is off enough in its own neighborhood that you definitely do not feel as if you're staying in the Times Square area. It gets mixed reviews, but I really enjoyed it when I stayed there a couple of years back. Basic, but bigger-than-average rooms. Additionally, great views from some rooms, as well as from the top floor pool area.

[thereuare]

If you're willing to stretch your budget, i'd sooner bid for a hotel up to $119 before taking the Skyline for that price.

NYC shouldn't be that expensive for these dates and i think you could probably get something nicer (3* or better) for that kind of money... i think the bigger question is if you'd rather stay in Jersey City for nearly half the price.

[Jessi]

Thanks, everyone!

thereuare and dahammer, I really like the idea of commuting in from Jersey City. The Hyatt looks great--seems like people have been pleased with it. As far as it being deserted on the weekends, I can't see that being a big problem as we're pretty low maintenance people who want to spend a lot of time sightseeing and such.

If my boyfriend likes this idea I'll probably try bidding for it in the next week or so when we can be absolutely sure of our dates. Actually, I say I'd bid for it, but now that I look at the Priceline list here, it includes a Doubletree in the same star quality in that section. Is that also a good hotel, or am I better off going with Hotwire where it's more likely to give me the Hyatt? Am I reading this wrong?

Otherwise, if he would rather stay in the city, I'll post back here for bidding help within NYC.

This has already been a big help--this is great!

[thereuare]

For the price you'd be getting it, the Doubletree should be fine.

Let us know once you talk to your boyfriend and we'll advise further.