Priceline Hotel: 4* or 3* NYC Hotel New York City - location flexible

[NYCtravel]

Hi,

I've never used Priceline before but it seems to be a good way to save money on NYC hotels if you know what you're doing - and I don't.

I'm going for 6 nights 9/29-10/5 with my wife & 1yr old whom we don't mind to sleep with us during this trip. I want to have no smaller than a queen size bed. Since it's my first time in NYC, I'm going to hit the major tourist attractions so I would like to stay near the hot spots if possible. I'm not planning to rent a car - we're going to use public transportation so free parking isn't very useful.

We're looking to stay somewhere nice without going too far over the budget of $150 a night. I don't mind to stay in a 2.5* hotel if it's in a nice, safe location.

Can someone help with a bidding strategy to land the price (or cheaper) I'm looking for?

Should I wait til closer or is now a good time to start bidding?

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

If you haven't seen it yet, start here: I've Never Used Priceline or Hotwire.

There are a few things your going to have to 'concede' if you're going to use the opaque suppliers:

I want to have no smaller than a queen size bed.

You can't dictate this with an opaque purchase. I'm not sure if two doubles would be ok or not, but regardless, it would be rare, but possible (especially in NYC), that you could receive a room with only one double bed.

so free parking isn't very useful

Good, because in NYC free parking doesn't exist.

We're looking to stay somewhere nice without going too far over the budget of $150 a night

This is an expensive time in NYC and based upon current rates i'm doubtful this will be enough for a 3* or 4* property. Have you researched rates for your dates at all? I'm showing 3* and 4* properties and starting in the high-$300's to $400+... have you found anything close to your budget that would be acceptable?

I don't mind to stay in a 2.5* hotel if it's in a nice, safe location.

You can't choose the hotel you receive, so you would need to be comfortable with any 2.5* property in the zone(s) you choose to bid. While some may be more than adequate and exceed your expectations, there may also be others that you wouldn't find up to your standards.

Let us know your thoughts/comments after reading the above.

[NYCtravel]

Thanks for the reply. I actually am familiar with the risk involved and how Priceline works. What I'm not familiar with is how to get the BEST out of it by bidding wisely.

I have seen some 1* and 2* hotels that I wouldn't mind using... I'm really not picky as long as the neighborhood is safe and it's near public transportation.

I've researched the dates and saw the $300-$400 prices. I was hoping I can land a better deal than that. Do you think the prices will go lower if I wait a bit? Or will they go higher?

[thereuare]

What I'm not familiar with is how to get the BEST out of it by bidding wisely.

So if you open yourself to receiving, and do receive, a room with only one double bed... would that have been bidding wisely?

I have seen some 1* and 2* hotels that I wouldn't mind using...

... and some you probably wouldn't want to stay in. Again, you don't have control over which type you will get. As well, as you get lower in the star ratings, and more of budget accomodations,i think your chances of getting a room with one small bed increase.

Do you think the prices will go lower if I wait a bit? Or will they go higher?

See the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.

[NYCtravel]

A double bed equals a king size bed right? As long as their's room for the 3 of us I don't mind. I think one twin size bed would be too small. I think we can fit in a full size.

Based on your experience, what do you recommend I start my bidding at? Do you think we'll get a room with one twin size bed and no chair?

[thereuare]

A double bed equals a king size bed right?

Nope. I always get confused between a full/twin/double... but essentially a double is a small bed.

As an example,

is the Paramount, a 3* hotel, wtih notoriously small rooms. While this may be an extreme example, it is certainly a possible outcome (note the bed size in the room too). I don't think I could stay in a room like that with my wife and daughter... and certainly not for 6 nites!

As long as their's room for the 3 of us I don't mind. I think one twin size bed would be too small. I think we can fit in a full size.

This is what i (repeatedly) am trying to stress to you... you can't guarantee that the room will be able to fit all three of you as priceline only guarantees double occupancy. In almost any other city i would tell you it's "fine" since your child is an infant, but in NYC it's a different story... i'd recommend showing the above to your wife before deciding if a room like this would be satisfactory to you before bidding. If you choose to bid anyway, that's your option, and we'll still be happy to help, but i'm not sure if you're comprehending the risk involved in doing so... i think HOTWIRE is a better option to avoid a room such as the one above.

[NYCtravel]

Thanks for the link. I'll show my wife and see what she thinks. I'm actually pretty shocked that a 3* hotel has such small rooms. But believe it or not, I've stayed in smaller rooms when I went to China.

Do you think we'll get a better price using HOTWIRE instead of Priceline?

[addictedtomaui]

If you are indeed flexible, there are locations in Jersey City right near the Path train. (Hyatt) That would get you to WTC in just a few minutes and possibly save you a lot of money. The Hyatt is a nice place and probably could be had on HOTWIRE.

[thereuare]

Do you think we'll get a better price using HOTWIRE instead of Priceline?

No, HOTWIRE usually costs a little more than Priceline (but less than booking conventionally), but it gives you the advantage of having an educated guess (which we can help with) of the hotel you'll likely be receiving... thus avoiding hotels with notoriously small rooms such as those above. :)

[NYCtravel]

How often does the train run from New Jersey from this location and how long does it generally take? I would assume during business hours the commute could get hectic... but as long as it's not a long commute, I'm open. Can you give me more details about this location so I can search?

I'm open to using Hotwire too. Obviously my first choice is within NYC, but if I can get a 4 star hotel just a few minutes away in Jersey at a very good price, I'll be willing to take the ride. :)

[thereuare]

The PATH train is very convenient and will have you downtown in under 10 minutes and midtown in just over 15 minutes. The trains run very frequently (3-5 minutes during rush hour, usually every 15 minutes or less at most other times, every 30 minutes in the wee hours of the morning (after 2am)).

However, rates for your dates at the Hyatt are high ($400+ some nights of your stay above) and i don't think you're going to be finding any bargains there.

[NYCtravel]

Perhaps I should find a backup hotel first. Any recommendations for finding a backup hotel? I will not mind using a 1* or 2* hotel as a backup as long as the reviews are good and the location is good.

[thereuare]

Use our BetterChecker to help find a back-up hotel... also check EasyClickTravel, Quickbook, and GTA Hotels.

Most of the above will have refundable and non-refundable rates offered (clearly marked), so just make sure you're booking a fully refundable rate.

Let us know what you find... for if you're unable to find anything suitable (or if it's more expensive than you otherwise expected it to be) you may decide to raise your maximum bid.

[NYCtravel]

When I use the link from your sig to lookup hotels, I keep finding some near airports, Long Island and NJ. Are these ideal spots for a backup? How's the transportation into the city from these hotels? It's my first time in NY, so I'm unsure exactly what I'm getting into when I look at a hotel in Long Island, NJ or one of the airports even.

[NYCtravel]

GTA Hotels had this 4 star hotel for about $149 a night. Do you think you can guess which hotel it is?

The hotel is mid-rise hotel located opposite the Airport and six miles from Manhattan. The hotel is Only 1 Mile from Shea Stadium and the US Tennis Center (US Tennis Open). The hotel offers spacious and elegantly appointed guest rooms designed w...

[thereuare]

In my opinion the Airport hotels are not good alternatives for a Manhattan stay.

My guess on the above GTA Hotels is the Crowne Plaza (at $147/nite... not $149, correct?)

[NYCtravel]

In my opinion the Airport hotels are not good alternatives for a Manhattan stay.

My guess on the above GTA Hotels is the Crowne Plaza (at $147/nite... not $149, correct?)

Thanks... I thought it maybe too far away. I found a few 1.5* and 2* hotels for about $200/night in the middle of Manhattan and Times Square. I will likely reserve them as backups within the next few days if I can't find any better deals.

[thereuare]

Let us know which one(s) you find as some of them can be very sketchy.

[NYCtravel]

I sent you a message. :)

[NYCtravel]

3* Mid Central

Here are the amenities.

Fitness Center

Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply.

Restaurant(s)

Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary.

High-speed Internet Access

Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply.

[thereuare]

Dates and price (and quad occupancy?)

Is this for the same stay as your other Priceline NYC thread?

[NYCtravel]

Yes, $259

[NYCtravel]

St. James Hotel, Belnord Hotel, The Pod Hotel New York, & Quality are the 4 backups i"m looking at... any idea if they're okay?

[thereuare]

The one i'm most familiar with is the Pod and i'd recommend the private bath rooms... not so sure of the "shared facilities" (not sure which you're seeking)... i've heard that the rooms are small, basic, but clean. Not at all familar with the Belnord but i'm not a fan of the loction... UWS isn't where i'd want to stay in Manhattan. This property, as well as the St. James (which has a better location), both get "love it or hate it" reviews, which is probably expected at this quality level. I also don't know much about the Quaity Hotel other than a "budget chain".

What are the prices of each of the above? (and which type of room are you considering at The Pod?)

[NYCtravel]

The prices range from $199-$250. I'm not sure which order. I think the Pod was more along $250. Is there a big convention going on in NYC around these dates? I'm actually shocked to see the prices go this high so early before November. :)

Also, what's wrong with UWS? Is this a high crime area?