Priceline Hotel: NYC - 11/28-11/30

[bantha23]

Thanks for this great forum. I've been using it every time I have needed a hotel room and have found it very benificial.

I'm needing a room in NYC for just the two nights. I'm flying in to JFK on 11/28 but would like to actually stay in Manhatten for our short stop. Location in Manhatten isn't all that important other than just wanting to be in a safe area and a decent hotel as I'll be traveling with my 5 year old daughter. I'd prefer a 2.5 - 3 star hotel.

I recognize pricing varies wildly in NYC so I'm not sure what to expect. Would ike to be in the $150/night range but I might be dreaming. I do not have a firm budget.

Thanks again for the help.

Brian

[thereuare]

For starters, i would re-consider your 2.5* minimum star rating in NYC. While some of the lower star rated hotels may be 'ok', some may not, and you can't choose which type you will get with the opaque providers. If you want to look at the lower star rated properties i would sooner consider a non-opaque option.

With the above noted, I'm guessing that $150 will not be enough for a 3* property (and not likely for a 2.5* proerty either if you did choose to bid at that star level). You should base your maximum bid upon what your best deal thru traditional booking services... that is, your best deal if you didn't use the opaque providers (use our BetterChecker to help reserarch rates.

I took a quick look and the best i could currently find is The Pod for $268/nite for a room with a private bath (a shared bath can be had for $147/nite i probably wouldn't recommend that, especially traveling with a 5 year old). The provider thru the previous link doesn't get a lot of rooms to re-sell, so you may want to book that as a back-up if that is currently your best option since it's cancellable up until a few days before your stay.

Let us know what you're able to find as your 'best deal' and if you'd like to adjust your maximum bid accordingly, we'll then suggest a strategy to follow.

[bantha23]

I spent some time on the BetterChecker as well as looking at non-opaque providers. I appreciate the tip regarding not going below a 3 star in NYC.

We are actually just going in to Manhattan for one day (the 29th) for a show and a Knicks game and then renting a car at JFK (the airport we flew in from and will be flying out of on Dec 2nd) to visit family in the surrounding areas. Given your information and what I've found I'm beginning to think that I may be better off staying near JFK and then just catching some public transit in to Manhattan on the 29th. A quick search yielded some much cheaper options near JFK (Holiday Inn/Doubletree) but I'm wondering if this area is a bad area or what you might recommend? (I know you aren't a travel agent but I'm flying a little blind here.)

Thanks again.

[thereuare]

The area around JFK is uninspiring... there's not really much in the immediate area (other than the airport). Have you aleady reserved the rental car (refundable/non-refundable) and what area(s)/city(s) do you need to be in order to visit relatives?

My thought process is to maybe pick up the car rental a day early (day of arrival) and choose another area which would provide easy access to the city as well as have you in the vicinity/direction of where you need to travel to see relatives.

What is the budget you're targetting?

[bantha23]

I did pick up the rental car already, non-refundable, from JFK as part of my flight package. My relatives don't really live in "surrounding" areas as much as they live within a few hours. Here's the full story as it may help in your recommendation.

EDIT: My car reservation is for a Friday pickup and Sunday dropoff from Hertz at the JFK airport.

Flying in Wednesday afternoon (3pm) to JFK and thought originally we'd like to stay in Manhattan Wed/Thur night. Thursday is actually the only day we've got stuff schedule in Manhattan as Wed we'll be getting in at about 3 PM and don't have anything on the docket(recommendation for a night on the town with a 5 year old?). Thursday as stated we're headed to the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall and to a Knicks game.

I am headed up Friday morning towards Southbridge, Mass. and then turning around and driving back Saturday towards Hillsborough, NJ. Sunday we fly out of JFK (which is why I thought a pickup from and drop off of the rental too that airport was probably the easiest rental car deal).

In regards to budget on the hotel room, I'm not really wanting to spend $270+ on a Manhattan hotel if I can spend ~$120 near JFK and pay $80 on a taxi the one day we're headed in to the city (or is there good subway access from JFK to the city?). With that being said, if I was getting good value for the $270+/night in Manhattan I'd gladly pay it.

All this is going beyond the call of duty in regards to giving advice on bidding. It's very much appreciated.

Brian

[thereuare]

If you stay out by JFK there is a good chance you won't want to head to the city on Wednesday after a day of traveling... by the time you get settled into your hotel room and ready to head out i bet it will be at least 5:00pm... not sure how late your little one will stay awake (but if it's late then by all means head in to see Times Square at nite, maybe stop at the M&M store in Times Square as well?) What else to do with a 5 year old... the American Doll store (if she's into it) seem to be a hot spot these days. A meal at Mars2112 or Jekyl and Hyde?

There is 'ok' mass transit from JFK for a one/two trip via Airtrain, but you wouldn't want to stay there for a week and intend on commuting into the city from there (this info provided for future readers). One 'issue' is that you'll need to return to the airport (or a nearby station if your hotel is closer) so this can add to your travel time trying to 'time' the shuttle back to the airport... fare is $5 for Airtrain (children under 5 are free) and $2 for the subway ride (or if you take LIRR the fare is a bit more). The train is recommended vs. taxi, not only due to cost, but you never know what type of traffic you'll hit on the highways... Airtrain would usually be faster (exception might be late at nite, where you might want to take a taxi if you're not comfortable with the subway/train system during late hours)

Most JFK hotels will have a shuttle to the airport, but this is not guaranteed with Priceline... is this a risk you're willing to take, or would you prefer HOTWIRE where you can see beforehand of the hotel offers shuttle service?