Priceline Hotel: 4* NYC (Downtown) Millenium Hilton

[Pollack]

Looking for 2 rooms - I have a trade show at the Javit center and have always stayed in MTE. Are the rooms going to be less expensive in MTS or DT zones? We like MTE because there are buses that run from various hotels to the Javit center for the show but if we can save some money most of our time is spent on the south end of the city.

Is this an expensive time - Any help would be appreciated.

Michael

[thereuare]

Summer is not typically an expensive time of year in NYC (but not sure how large the convention you're attending is, which could obviously change the supply/demand equeation).

Have you tried any bidding yet? What is your expected budget?

... and please follow-up your previous Priceline Chicago thread with whatever you ended up doing for that stay.

[Pollack]

I have bid MTE & MTW using UES & UWS upto $165. I have tried this numerous times over the past month or so. I would like to stay under $180 if possible

[thereuare]

I do think you have a chance at being successful if you bid up to your maximum bid, but i wouldn't do that just yet because i think chances are decent that you'll see lower rates as your dates get closer. However, i would book a cancellable back up that you're comfortable with just incase your convention, or something else in town, negatively impacts rates.

Here are some suggestions (i preference order):

1) Fitzpatrick Grand Central for $198/nite. Most expensive of the three recommendations, but no booking fee so really just $15/nite over your maximum bid, and the reviews are phenomenal

2) Eastgate Tower for $148/nite (average) thru Quickbook. Search Quikbook for your dates then rank the seach by price... you'll see this offer about 6-7 listings from the top. (NOTE: this is a refundable rate, there is another rate 3-4 down from this one (surprisingly more expensive) that is non-refundable (clearly marked by "Prepay/No Cxl/No Chng" so just make sure you choose the refundable one). Reviews here are also very good.

3) Paramount Hotel for $179/nite. I like the above two much better than this one, but has a very good loation, but notoriously small rooms.

Let us know your thoughts on the above and what you decide to do. If you want to bid higher we can suggest a strategy, but as noted above, i think the above are excellent alternatives to paying more, and they leave you ample opportunity to try bidding again later (if you choose to do so) as your travel dates get closer.

[Pollack]

Thanks for the info - Answer one other question for me.

For a 4* - Are any of the zones typically less expensive then the others?

[thereuare]

Although there are exceptions to every rule, MTE and MTW are typically the least expensive (by a wide margin)... then UM/CPS and then MTS

For others who may be reading along, the above is at the 4* level, and does not apply across other star categories.

[Pollack]

What about the Downtown zone - Where does this typically fall in the cost range?

[thereuare]

Downtown can be hit or miss... used to be on the cheaper side, but isn't necessarily the case for the last couple of years.

I still think you're best but is to book a cancellable back-up at one of the hotels above as it's too early to lock in a non-refundable rate, or take a sub-par zone, when there are excellent alternatives available that are cancellable... giving you the opportunity to lock in a great deal, but the flexibility to take advantage of something better down the road.

[Pollack]

I have tried numerous times over the past month up to $160.00 - Do you still think we should hold out for something in this range or do we need to start looking at bumping the price. I do have an alternative booked via savingsbarn.

[thereuare]

Where and how much is your back-up? (and for your back-up reservations please use our own links in our support page, thanks)

[Pollack]

Fitzpatrick Grand Central - $209

Explain the difference between the links on the support page and savingsbarn. I thought savingsbarn was the preferred choice.

[thereuare]

SavingsBarn is the prefered link for Priceline (since we don't have our own)... but for all others (HOTWIRE and hotel direct reservations) please use the links in our support page

I would stick with your current bidding... still plenty of time, and i think the Fitzpatrick is worth the extra $30 or so dollars per nite vs. raising your bid (assuming cost isn't the most important factor, which it doesn't appear to be based upon your selection of the Fitzpatrick as your back-up). From a historical perspective I still believe you're more likely than not to see lower prices for summer dates as we get closer to your dates.

[Pollack]

4* Millenium Hilton - $130.00 - 7/5 - 7/9 - Sorry, I don't know how to change the title.

I tried 2-3 times per week over the past couple of months, bidding upto $200.00 in all zones, without any luck. After researching I decided to split the bid because it looked like Monday the 10th was the problem.

This was the strategy today

Bid - MTE, MTW, UM_CPS - bid upto $180.00 - no luck

Closed browser

Bid - DT - $120.00 - was offered to raise bid by $22.00 - rejected this option

added MS@$125.00 - rejected

addes UES@$130.00 - Victory - Millenium Hilton.

Still need to change hotels and use the Fitzpatrick Grand Central for the last night at $219.00. However, this seems like a small inconvience for a savings of $725.00

Do you have any experience with the Millenium Hilton?

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win!

Glad to hear you got it sorted out. To save $700+ i think it's definately worth your while to change hotels! :)

I'm partial to midtown, but the Millennium Hilton is a very nice hotel located across from ground zero and has pretty good subway access across the street. On the weekends the surrounding area can get pretty quiet, although this immediate area still has people about as they come to visit the world trade center site.

Enjoy your time in NYC!