Priceline Hotel: Help bidding for New York City 4* hotel

[travel16]

Hi,

We (2 of us) are traveling to New York City on Sept.16 2007. This visit is primarily to see tourist attractions. I would like to stick to 4* hotel in area near to tourist attractions. I have used priceline just once ( did not make informed bidding that time!!) for Niagara trip. I would really appreciate if someone could help me strategically use priceline to get something between 150-180 dollars :)

Thanks a lot.

Best

travel16

[blindman]

Welcome to Betterbidding.

How long is your intended stay, is it just that one night?

Whilst waiting for thereuare to wake up :) have a look at HOTWIRE to see what availability and prices come up for your dates.

You also may be able to identify some hotels too.

[travel16]

Thanks for your reply. The stay is for one night for 16 September. I am new to this process so please excuse me if I have not written information in correct format. I checked hotwire.com and I see the following results:

1. 3.5* hotel in Midtown Central (it looks like Hudson on your list.. I might be wrong)

Area: Around Rockfeller center, Madam Tussaud's, ESPN zone, Carnegie Hall etc.

The amenities shown are: Fitness, Business, Internet, Restaurant

The cost is 150.90 after taxes.

2. 4* star hotel in Midtown East (E 42 street to E 57 Street)

Area: Grand Central, UN plaza, Rockfeller center, Chrysler building

Amenities: Fitness, Restaurant, Internet, Pool business center, tennis

Cost: 233 after taxes.

3. 4* star hotel in Midtown Central

Area: Around Rockfeller center, Madam Tussaud's, ESPN zone, Carnegie Hall etc.

Amenities are: Fitness, Business, restaurant, Internet

Cost:283

4. 4* star hotel in Times Square Theatre District

Amenities: Fitness, Business,restaurant,internet

Cost 278 after taxes

[thereuare]

I would think that you'd be fine with a 4* in MTE, MTW, and/or UM/CPS... and if things get tough MTS either.

Are all three (or four?) of these zones acceptable to you? If you're not familiar with the city you can read a bit about each in this thread: Priceline NYC Zone Descriptions.

Let us know the above and we'll suggest a strategy for your to follow.

[travel16]

Thanks for your replies. The description of zones helped a lot. I was so confused. After reading about them MTE, MTW seemed close for tourist attractions. Not sure about Upper Midtown-CentralPark South but if well connected and we get a good deal I would not mind. We have never ever used the NY subway but I guess it would not be too bad. What about Upper East side? Is it far off or difficult for a first timer?

Also do you think I should only bid for 4*star hotel because it is a safe bet or should look into 3.5* 150 dollars options too?

--travel 16

[thereuare]

...do you think I should only bid for 4*star hotel because it is a safe bet or should look into 3.5* 150 dollars options too?

Priceline doesn't use a 3.5* classification in their rating system.... they go from 3* to 4* (there is Boutique that lies inbetween these star ratings but Boutique is not offered in NYC).

Whether or not you drop to a 3* rating depends upon what type of hotels you are used to staying at, your budget, and what you expect from your hotel stay. You can view the Priceline Hotel List to get an idea of the 3 star properties which have already been reported and read the corresponding reviews to see if you think that category will be sufficient for your needs.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.