Priceline Hotel: 3* NYC (MTE) Beekman Tower

[Jerry D]

I have been bidding trying to find a room in all the Manhattan zones with no luck. I am trying to stay within a price range of $160. We are tourist planning our first trip to the big city. I am willing to look at other zones, but will need subway transportation available. Are there any other zones surrounding Manhatten that has good subway availability that you would suggest?

[thereuare]

Based upon current rates, even going outside the Manhattan, i think your budget is going to be tough for something 'nice'.

What is the minimum star rating you've been selecting?

[Jerry D]

The minimum star rating I've been selecting is 3*. After reading your posts, I'm hesitant to select anything lower, although I would consider going to a 2 1/2*. I prefer staying in Manhatten, but I was thinking that trying different zones would improve my odds, so I was looking for zones outside Manhatten that would still get good subway coverage.

[thereuare]

Is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option?

HOTWIRE has a 3* hotel in the MTC zone for $169/nite (unfortunately i'm not able to ID this property... but it does have a 4 out of 5 star rating from over 800 Tripadvisor reviews, so hopefully at least a little confidence in the property). The retail price only shows a $10 savings, but this figure is sometimes wrong (hopefully it is in this instance?) since hotwire states that this isn't the retail price of this particular hotel, but rather a similarly rated property in the zone.

If the above works for your needs then we can focus on your options for the last nite of your stay.

Let us know if the above scenario is a viable option and we'll then try to search for something for the last nite of your stay. If you happen to purchase the above before posting back, please use this HOTWIRE link to begin any purchases you make.

Let us know your thoughts on the above.

[Jerry D]

I have already split my stay from the 3rd to the 5th and would rather not split twice.

[thereuare]

I think you're going to have to find a suitable back-up and then continue to try to bid in the next few weeks as i don't see anything else that currently fits your criteria.

One "risky play" would be to book the HOTWIRE hotel above... then try to purchase an additional nite there thru conventional means, but the risk(s) are:

1) the hotel could be prohibitively expensive for the last nite (as most hotels i'm finding are)

2) the hotel could be sold-out, making is unavailable at any price

[Jerry D]

I think I will book a backup. I've read where you have recommended the beakman. I'm thinking I will give them a try.

[thereuare]

Please use this Beekman Tower link to make your reservation... but notice it's listed as "on request" for your dates, and this property has almost never given EasyClickTravel additional inventory to sell once their allotment has been depleted. (see our PRICELINE FAQ for a further explanation of "on request" status)

[Jerry D]

I tried, but received a response that they were unable to complete my request. Do you have another suggestion?

[thereuare]

Nothing that doesn't seem "outrageously" priced :)

I didn't even bother suggesting the Beekman Tower as they never give additional inventory.

[Jerry D]

I worked my way from $130 for a three star hotel and on my final bid was accepted at $190. We will stay at the Beekman afterall. The details are as follows:

Beekman Tower Hotel

3 Mitchell Plance

New York, New York 10017

Check-In Date: Sat, Sep 5, 2007

Check-Out Date: Tue, Sep 8, 2007

Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $190.00

Subtotal: $570.00

Taxes & Service Fees: $105.52

Total Charges*: $675.52

Thanks for your help!

[thereuare]

All is well that ends well... they couldn't just give the additional inventory to EasyClickTravel and save you the bidding process :)

Glad to hear you were ultimately successful. Do you recall the amount of your highest previously rejected bid?

I forget where the other half of your stay is, but if i didn't recommend it earlier, this property is close to my constant breakfast recommendation Ess-A-Bagel on Third Ave at 51st Street... one of the best bagels in the city and makes for a great, and inexpensive, breakfast.

Enjoy your stay.

[Jerry D]

I started at $130 and worked up in $5 increments. The amount of my previously rejected bid was $185. Its more than I had hoped to pay, but It seems that this time period is pretty expensive. At this point I'm quite pleased to get the room.

The other half of our stay is at the Hudson.

Again thanks for your assistance.