Hotwire Hotel: Help with NYC or NJ 6/7-6/12

[David A.]

Hi. I am new to BB and am looking for advice on a family stay in NYC.

I would appreciate any advice on the best strategy to book a comfortable hotel room for my family (wife + 2 kids) that is either in NYC or a reasonable distance via public transit for $100 or less per night.

I currently have a booking for Homestead Suites in East Rutherford @ $115 per night. Is there any chance that I could do better (NYC proximity/amenities or price) via Priceline or Hotwire?

Hotwire is offering a 2.5* in Secaucus for $104 per night w/

- comp breakfast

- pool

- fitness center

- hi-speed internet

I get the impression that this is the La Quinta, but am not sure.

Thanks!

[dahammer]

Welcome to BetterBidding, these amenities don't match up with anything on the list, but this hotel might be the LaQuinta in Clifton, NJ. The LaQuinta located in the Meadowlands which is an all suite hotel and should display the Suite amenity, but its sold out for your dates of travel. Since Priceline only guarantees accomodations for 2, bidding on PL may involve risk as you would have to request a room with two double beds. I'm assuming $115 includes taxes since the Homestead Studios rate is $99 for your dates. Please note that the Travel Links to Help Support Better Bidding has a link to Homestead Studios, part of Extended Stay America hotels. :) Besides, the kids don't want to see NYC, they just want a pool anyway, right!! :)

Good Luck!

[David A.]

Thanks for the information. I used the Homestead link on this site, but am not seeing the $99 rate? The $115 rate (before taxes/fees) I got was for the East Rutherford location. Are there other areas I should look-up/bid? I have never been to NYC so am certainly open to any other accommodation recommendations.

[dahammer]

Thanks for using the links! you're right, the $99 rate is for one adult, my bad! :)

This hotel is next to the Sheraton Meadowlands and directly across from Giants stadium, fairly close to NYC but there is no public transportation within walking distance of this hotel. I have stayed at the Sheraton before and used the NJ Transit Park and Ride in North Bergen that is about 4 miles from the hotel, it was very convenient. For a change of pace, check out the NY Waterways water taxi from Weehawkin, its pretty fun taking a boat into Manhattan and your ticket allows you to use the free shuttle busses in the city, check the routes online.

HOTWIRE allows you to select accomodations for up to 4 to a room, this could be a king with a pull out sofa bed. If this ends up being the LaQuinta in Clifton, I had stayed here when it was a Wellesley Inn, and the room was just "OK", I don't know if they have upgraded the rooms in the past two years. I think I would prefer the Homestead as the room has a kitchenette that might come in handy for a 5 day trip, and without a pool, you won't have any dissention in the ranks. :)

Let us know if you are willing to accept a room with just one bed and wish to proceed with a Priceline bid.

[David A.]

Thanks again for the info. I took a look at the tripadvisor.com rating for the Homestead in East Rutherford...they were horrible. I have heard the NYC accommodations can be hit or miss so I was concentrating on places with decent reputations, but I guess that isn't always a sure thing.

At this point I am willing to try Priceline if you think I might be able to get a nice place at the $100 rate. If I were to bid for something in the city what areas would you recommend?

[thereuare]

If I were to bid for something in the city what areas would you recommend?

Your budget isn't going to be enough for anything 'nice' in NYC for these dates. As well, once you cross the river into NYC, the fact that priceline only guarantees double occupancy (and you'll be quad occupancy) becomes a BIG issue.

[David A.]

Thanks for all the advice. I went ahead and booked the Homestead in E. Rutherford using the travel link on the BB site.

[thereuare]

Thanks for using the link from our SUPPORT PAGE.

Enjoy your stay and time with your family.

[David A.]

Sticker shock is setting in after I saw what my total lodging w/ tax will will be at Homestead. I just did a quick check on HOTWIRE this AM and now see a couple listings that have peaked my interest:

2.5* Secaucus - Meadowlands ($104)

- Complimentary Breakfast

- Pool(s)

- Fitness Center

- High-speed Internet Access

3* Fort Lee - Hackensack ($74)

- Restaurant(s)

- High-speed Internet Access

- Business Center

- Golf Nearby

Any thoughts on what these places might be? I didn't see any match within the listings.

[thereuare]

The 2.5* property is the same one you asked in the first post and it has not yet been identified. It might be the La Quinta in Clifton (i think dahammer may have suggested this in another thread, if not this one) but that is just a guess.

As far as the Ft. Lee-Hackensack zone goes, you're really starting to get far from Manhattan.

Are you driving to the NYC area?

[David A.]

I am such an idot...I totally didn't match that up. Sorry for that. I reserved a rental car since the Homestead staff told me that there is no way to get to the hotel via public transit. I guess I just need to accept the fact that I am not going to do any better price vs. quality. Thanks again for your guidance.

[thereuare]

Well... the reason i asked if you would have a car is that some of the best "bang for your buck" is in the Airport zone. Without a car i'd never recommend staying here (there's really not much in the area nor is area much to look at) but you could probably pay less and improve your star quality.

From the EWR area you could drive to a PATH train location (where you'll also have to pay for parking, $5-$20 depending upon the area you choose), but at least this gives you another option. I will say that once in the hotel at nite you probably won't want to leave (there's no place to walk to nearby nor would you want to given the area), but the hotel itself would probably be a step up from the Homestead.