Priceline Hotel: upper/midtown New York Hotel

[jc21]

Hi

Just joined not sure what to do.

We are travelling to New York City 8 th September for 5 nights.

Looking for a good Hotel in the area Central Park. Celebrating 29 years marriage.

Price between $350 -$450 per night. Any advice or how do I bid?

Joe

[AaronJB]

Given that this is an important occasion (congrats!) I have to ask whether or not Priceline or Hotwire (where you cannot select a specific hotel) is the best option, especially considering the fact that your budget range is definitely high. I wouldn't rule out using Priceline or Hotwire, but given your budget range, you may have specific options @ regular rates.

Some regular rate suggestions: The Fitzpatrick Grand Central ($331, Quikbook), Fitzpatrick Manhattan ($291, Quikbook) and the Millennium UN ($349), as well as the Affinia 50 ($350, non-refundable).

Additionally, the Empire Hotel, which is in the Central Park area and was very recently extensively renovated (according to the website, I haven't been there) is $319 (10% off special) via Quikbook. The Empire features Frette Italian bed linens, and tropical rain showers with teak floors. Additional amenities include MP3 docking stations, large flat-panel TVs, and complimentary wireless Internet access. The Empire looks really pretty and while it's location is not particularly Central, it is a pretty area and would be a convenient for a romantic walk through Central Park.

[AaronJB]

Board moderator thereuare will be along shortly to help with a Hotwire or Priceline strategy, but I'm not seeing a ton of stuff on Hotwire.

Essentially, what I meant to suggest with the regular rate hotels is that, since there are regular rate options in your range, you may want to consider some options that are a little more towards the boutique side, which may be nicer for the occasion than a huge convention hotel - and given that you don't pick the exact hotel with Hotwire and especially Priceline, you may end up at somewhere not suitable for the occasion.

Both Fitzpatrick Hotels get very good reviews and are well-located. The Empire looks very pretty, but has just undergone renovations (it used to be a more basic hotel) and you may be there as things are still getting tweaked/worked out. There are no reviews of the new Empire that I can find - yet.

Additionally, I can find a "stay 4 nights, get 2 free" non-refundable deal at the Westin Times Square if you are willing to stay an additional night. There's also a non-refundable deal for 25% off 5 nights, which would mean a $299 rate. Not sure how to link to these promotions using the site's code, though. The 25% off deal would give the option of a regular room w/2 beds (that's all they have in terms of reg. rooms) for $314 or a Club Floor room for $366 a night.

The cheapest total when searching for the stay 4 nights, get 2 free is $1,676 for a regular room w/2 beds, so the average would be $279 and change.

EDIT by THEREUARE: links to Starwood deals above:

Westin Buy 4 Get 2 Free

Westin 25% OFF 5 Nites

Sheraton Buy 4 Get 2 Free

Sheraton 25% OFF 5 Nites

[thereuare]

AaronJB offered some good ideas thru Quickbook, and give the special occaision, it depends what you're really looking for. Plenty of excellent hotels within your price range, the question is if you're looking for forego choosing your own hotel in exchange for a better rate.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there.