Priceline Hotel: 4* NYC 11/21-11/25

[klam]

Wow, what a great site! I've been using another board for my PL info & posts until someone just told me about this one. I LOVE the atmosphere and the pretty cool tools (e.g., Calendar of Wins).

I'd like to use PL to secure 1 room, 4*, preferably in MTS or MTW.

I've checked all the websites of the probable PL 3* & 4* hotels and rates are mostly $295 to $399 with it averaging in the upper $300s, with 20+% already showing no vacancy. I don't want to chance getting the Jolly Madison so I'm sticking with 4* only.

I know it's over Thanksgiving W/end and prices are crazy so I'm wondering if my expectations are reasonable. My cap is $200, but I noticed that someone got Parker Meridian for $174 for many of those nites off Hotwire. I've not used Hotwire before but checked out their site and currently there are no such deals showing.

I'm not new to PL so I know I have 2 free re-bids.

I will be sure to use your links for my bid. I do have a backup for $266/nt pretax.

thx for maintaining this forum and for any insights! :)

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding... we're glad you found us :)

I think bidding on this, based upon current rates, is going to be a tough win. However, there are some options...

Far from a 4* hotel, but from what i have heard it's clean, and it's in your prefered MTS zone, is the ThirtyThirty which can be had for your complete stay for $190/nite thru Quickbook.

A step up in quality, but in the MTE zone, is the Tudor Hotel at the UN for $221/nite.

If you're willing to SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID your options open up a bit more (as the last two nites of your stay will likely be cheaper than the first two nites):

Besides the above options, you could also pick up the last two nites of your stay at the brand new 6 Thomsom Circle for $190/nite (this is a new, hip and trendy hotel, so expect the rooms t be small but with highend linen and amenities)... a slightly larger room is avialable for $225/nite if you want to splurge :)

If you go this route there are a plethora of 3* and higher hotels at the $200 and under range... although i'd sooner recommend the Affinia Manhattan for $216/nite which has great reviews.

Of couse if you split you could also do either of the above and then try priceline or HOTWIRE for the balance.

Let us know your thoughts on any of the above and we'll take it from there.

PS- most of the above thru Quickbook are cancellable, so you can at least use it as a cancellable back-up... although the Affinia Manhattan is a "pre-pay" rate and that one is NOT cancellable

[klam]

thereuare - thx a mint for the reply! I did look into all the hotels you suggested - great suggestions!, and ones I had seen before like Affinia Manhattan had no vacancy before and when I rechecked today, seemed the same, which confirms your thoughts that the mkt might be tight for PL for this timeframe.

Since we're only in town for 4 nites, we don't want to split our PL bid, and have to move hotels mid-way. Well, actually I'm fine with it but my DH says it would be too much bother.

"doulos" posted the 6 Columbus on another thread that I lurked and I hadn't heard of it before so looked it up. There's an anomoly on their website with pricing, and as you pt'd out a pod is available for <$200 - that seems incredible to me. Plus, all other dates I checked right to Christmas had Queen rooms priced from $395 to $515 (no pods avail). I've taken a look at the rooms and while they are VERY small, the locale just can't be beat for me as we plan to head to the TGD nite-before balloon blow up and parade, 3 Broadway shows, Tenement Museum, etc. Being right on the Metro line will be a major bonus since we plan to take transit in/out from EWR.

Of course 6 Columbus will JUST be finished so staying there while everything is brand new and the rates low makes sense, while probably not much will change with staying at 70 Park on a later visit, and I'll probably be able to get a low rate again there too, but not so likely at 6 Columbus. My DH isn't that concerned with the savings but I think $300+ is pretty signficant, esp. since there's not much downside other than a smaller room (but we don't hang out in our room much in NYC - just sleep & shower).

So I'll stick with my booking there.

Thx again for all your expertise - enjoy-la!