Priceline Hotel: strategy needed for NYC 3* or 4*

[f0zzyNUE]

when is the best timeframe to start bids for my travel dates? as i understand during the weekend i intend to stay in nyc hotel prices are damn high.

so could the chance be better to start the bid on last minute (1-2 days before the trip to nyc) ???

i do have some shabby cheap backup-hotel in NJ but would prefer to stay somewhere in manhattan :-)

cheers

CHris

[thereuare]

What is your maximum bid?

Why not bid up to that amount (assuming it's reasonable) starting now... it can't hurt, but it could help!

What zone(s) are you willing to accept? Where, and how much, is your back-up in NJ?

[f0zzyNUE]

ok. the maximum amount of money i would pay for a hotel room is 200$ (including all these taxes :-) )

area does not really matter. but best would be midtown (i am much into broadway shows :-) )

backup is the howard johnson north bergen :o for 69$/night - so i could afford a taxi lift into the town in the morning and back in the evening and would still be under 200$/night :) (yes, i read the reviews on tripadvisor.com :) ) - but i just need a place to sleep and have a shower in the morning ...

CHris

[thereuare]

the maximum amount of money i would pay for a hotel room is 200$

What is this in bid amount terms?

What would your thoughts be on the Candlewood Suites in Jersey City for ~$120/nite? Well within your budget, more expensive than the HoJo, but also provides easy access to PATH train, giving you the convenience of commuting to the city without the cab fare and time.

[f0zzyNUE]

candlewood suites sound good - but where can i get the rate of 120$/night?

[thereuare]

If you do a search on HOTWIRE there is a 2* that appears with Fitness, Laundry, Internet, Kitchenette for $120/nite (your price may vary slightly). As per the Hotwire Hotel List, this is a match for the Candlewood Suites. Never any guarantees of course :), but that would be our best guess for this offering.

If you do purchase the above please use this HOTWIRE link to begin your purchase.

Let us know if you want to take this and how it goes, or if you need further help.

Good Luck.

[f0zzyNUE]

tried to take the risk and book the hotel on hotwire but i got the following message :-(

We're sorry, but the itinerary you selected is no longer available. Your card has not been charged. We apologize for the inconvenience.

now it seems to be offered for 219$ :-(

[thereuare]

Are you a gambler?

If correct that the HOTWIRE property is the Candlewood Suites you could use hotwire's Double the Difference Guarantee.

HOTWIRE price: $229/nite

Candlewood Suites price: $181

Difference: $48

2x Difference: $96

Net Cost (if all goes smoothly :) ): $229-$96= $133/nite (plus taxes and fees)

Note that the taxes and fees will be slightly higher as well since it's based upon the purchase price of $229/nite, but depending upon how much risk you're willing to take, how much you like/loath the HoJo and like the convenience of the Candlewood Suites, the above is at least an option which is just a little higher ($12-$14/nite?) than originally discussed above.

Given the price difference, i think there is a good change we'll soon see the HOTWIRE rate drop back down again OR the Candlewood Suites price go up from where it is currently.

Let us know your thoughts.

[thereuare]

One more note on the above to reduce the risk somewhat and also reduce the cost a little:

You could apply the same "double the difference" strategy above for 12/8-12/10 as the 2* HOTWIRE hotel appears for $229/nite for those two nites and is the same $181 thru the Candlewood Suites site.

This reduces your outlay for 12/8-12/10 just incase something goes wrong w/ the Double the Difference Guarnatee (although HOTWIRE is pretty good about honoring legitimate claims).

Then for the nite of 12/10, you can either:

1) book the same HOTWIRE hotel for $129 (if you don't want to change properties)

2) probably get a 3* for less (upgrading your quality level for less money... but you'll have to change hotels during your stay)

If you do book the above and split the purchases as discussed, please use our HOTWIRE link for each purchase (ie- after making one purchase, return here and click our link to begin the second purchase).

Of course, doublecheck all rates above before you move forward to make sure everything above is sitll valid and available.

Thoughts? Questions?