Priceline Hotel: 4* NYC (Downtown-Soho) Millenium Hilton

[sparky86]

We are planning a trip to new york for the holidays (nov 28-dec 2) and do not want to pay a fortune for a hotel, maybe that's unrealistic at that time of the year!! All that we have looked at are at least $300, it was suggested that we try here. Any advice for a first timer?

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

As you you've discovered these are expensive times in NYC.

What is the best rate you're able to find thru conventional methods? Are any of the Starwood Promos avvailable for your dates and what does it bring the cost down to?

What is your maximum budget (per nite) for this stay? What is the minimum star rating you're willing to accept?

[sparky86]

thanks

I have tried the starwood but the rooms are 800...way too much

the cheapest that I have found elsewhere is about 300,i thinkthat was the milford plaza...listed on here as a 2 star. Looks ok to me despite that . I would take a 2 star is that is what they are like.IDeally I would like topay 150 per night...unrealistic??? As high as 225-250/night. DO u suggest that I try to get a higher star rating first or start as low as I will go??

thanks

sparky

[thereuare]

I would take a 2 star is that is what they are like.

That's the issue... there may be some 2* hotels which are acceptable to you, but there also may be some 2* hotels which are unacceptable to you, and with an opaque purchase you can't be sure which type you will get.

IDeally I would like topay 150 per night...unrealistic???

Probably so for these dates.

As high as 225-250/night. DO u suggest that I try to get a higher star rating first or start as low as I will go??

It depends upon what is most important to you and what you value... would you rather spend more money on a higher rated hotel or less money on a lower rated hotel? This is personal preference and depends upon what type of properties you're accustomed to staying in.

Is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option? Are your plans flexible at all? (any chance you could change your check-out to 12/3?)

[sparky86]

on the list of hotels for midtown manhatten, there is one 2 * and 2 x 2.5* hotels listed, they seem acceptable to me. so if i bid for a 2* it will be all listed there, right up to 4*???

I can maybe extend the checkout,, but we want to be there for the 28Th of nov. We have been considering a 5 day stay if the hotel is not too much. Would that help any??

sparky

[thereuare]

so if i bid for a 2* it will be all listed there

No, the hotel list is only hotels reported to the board (and we don't see much bidding at the 2.5* and under level in Manhattan, for reasons posted above). Read the comments at the top of the Priceline Hotel List.

I asked about extending your stay simply because there is a 4* hotel in the Downtown zone for 11/30-12/3 for $249/nite... but it only shows for the three nite stay, and not for just the first two nites; although this would still leave things up in the air for the first two nites of your stay.

[sparky86]

how did u find that? We are hoping to be there for the lighting of the tree on Nov 28, and stay for 4 nights (n28, 29, and 30 and d1 and check out on the 2nd) We would like to stay for the 5th night if the hotel is reasonable. I may start to bid tonight or tomorrow. I guess I will start with at least a 3 star maybe 200 and go from there. So you are saying that of the 2 and 21/2 hotels that are listed, there could be others that are not on the list?

ANd is there anything that I need to be aware of with regard to extra charges at the hotels above what I would pay here??

BTW you are VERY helpful for a green new york tourist!!

[thereuare]

So you are saying that of the 2 and 21/2 hotels that are listed, there could be others that are not on the list?

Yes. From the Priceline Hotel List:

This list is NOT a complete list of all hotels that Priceline offers in this area, it is ONLY a compilation of hotels that have already been reported on this forum. Hotels are added/removed by Priceline all the time, and star ratings can change at ANY time. As well, the geographic boundaries of an area are subject to change, so it is always a good idea to look at the Priceline map before purchasing. DO NOT USE THIS LIST to determine what areas to add when attempting to bid again within the 24 hour window (CLICK HERE for information on how to add cities in order to bid again).

I guess I will start with at least a 3 star maybe 200 and go from there.

If you list the zone(s) you're willing to accept and your maximum bid we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

BTW you are VERY helpful for a green new york tourist!!

:)

[sparky86]

I was thinking that we would have to be in times square, but I have read some post that being in the "fish bowl" is not neccessry. So I was trying to figure out what other areas we could stay but not be too far from everything. So I guess midtown (if that is times square) and MTE (is that farily close?) and what other area do you suggest.

I will probably start with 200 for a 3 * and go from there. hopefully not more than 300, is that a possiblility.

We are planning to book the hotel first before the plane tickets because I dont want to get stuck with a hotel for $500!!

[sparky86]

I was thinking that we had to be in times square but maybe that is not necessary. What other areas are close to the action, I see MTE, what what others. I guess we will start with 200 for a 3* and go from there. We are hoping to get a decent priced hotel first before we book the plane, so that we don't end up with a 500/night hotel!!

[sparky86]

:) Also considering midtown (times square) for the 1st two nights Nov 28 and 29, since the prices go higher on the weekends, then move to a hotel somewhere outside times square. Do u suggest this and what areas outside times square would still be reasonably close?

thanks again :0

[thereuare]

I was thinking that we had to be in times square but maybe that is not necessary.

See our thoughts here: Hotels Near Times Square

MTE, MTW, UM/CPS, and MTS are all usually fine for the average visitor.

I guess we will start with 200 for a 3* and go from there

Your starting bid will take care of itself and not what you should be thinking about... what is your maximum bid?

[sparky86]

max bid would be 300/night for hopefully 4* but would take 3* at this price.

So what do u sugggest for a bidding strategy, I will probably take a go at this tonight.

Also what are u thoughts about 2 nights in one hotel and then trying for a different (further out location) for the second 2??

[thereuare]

Also what are u thoughts about 2 nights in one hotel and then trying for a different (further out location) for the second 2??

The problem in doing so is that since this trip isn't confirmed (you'd cancel if you can't fight reasonablly priced accomodations), what if you're successful for two nites near your limit, and the remaining two nites are prohibitively expensive?

If you choose to split the purchase, you need to have a back-up for the nites you plan on bidding for last. For example, for 11/28-11/30 i have found:

3* on HOTWIRE, believed to be the Wingate Inn Manhattan, for $292/nite

or

6 Columbus Circle thru Quickbook for $315/nite (this is also available 11/28-12/1)

So if either of these were acceptable, you could then go ahead and bid for the last nite (if the Quikbook 11/28-12/1 option is acceptable) or for the last 2 nites (if both options are acceptable). Since i'm not able to find anything reasonably priced for the Saturday nite of your stay, you wouldn't want to bid the first 2-3 nites first, as if you're successful, you could then end up on a situation that i described above, where you are committed to a 2 or 3 nite non-refundable purchase, and no place to stay for the last nite of your stay. (hope you're following this)

Going back to my previous example of extended your stay one nite... you could put the following together:

11/28-11/30

3* on HOTWIRE, believed to be the Wingate Inn Manhattan (excellent reviews), for $292/nite

or

6 Columbus Circle thru Quickbook for $315/nite (thru Quickbook cancellable so makes it 'risk-free' to try beating on priceline)

11/30-12/3

4* downtown hotel via HOTWIRE for $249/nite (believed to be the Millennium Hilton)

Your thoughts? (if you happen to purchase before replying please use this links in this thread to begin each of your purchases)

PS- no pressure from my end, but i wouldn't think about this too long, as i'm not sure how long it will last given how this latter option 'breaksdown' if the Downtown hotel on HOTWIRE suddenly disappears... it's almost a 'fluke' how that hotel gets cheaper and only appears by including the additional nite of 12/2

[sparky86]

Can't see that 4* on HOTWIRE,For $249 (the Hilton would be excellent) I did see a 4* In SoHo for a total of 846 for Nove 30, Dec 1 And Dec2 (Pretty Good Deal I Think) What Hotel Do U Think This Is?

I Think We Will Arrive Nov 28 And Check Out (Of Whereever) On Dec 3 So It Will Be 5 Nights

Look forward to hearing from u :)

[sparky86]

so heres what i plan to do. Book that 4* in soho on HOTWIRE and book a back up for times square area for the first 2 nights (wed and thurs, 28 and 29 ) should be ok given that it is midweek. Then try to beat that price for those 2 nights at priceline...worst care is that the first 2 nights are 300,, (the back up) the milford plaza i can get for 289, and 309 for nove 28 and 29.

Hows that sound??

I was ready to give up all hope yesterday till i saw that 249 for a 4*!!!

[thereuare]

I assume you're now seeing the 4* in the Downtown-SoHo zone for about $245/nite (your price will differ slightly) which comes to about $850/nite after taxes and fees are added in, and has Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business icons associated with it? If so, that is believed to be the Millennium Hilton.

Please remember to use this HOTWIRE link to begin your purchase.

As far as the first two nites, i would NOT book the Milford Plaza for $292/nite... you can do soooo much better with the other two properties suggested for these nites (one for the same money, the other for just a bit more but big jump in quality). If you want to have something cancellable i'd book the 6 Columbus Circle thru Quikbook (again, please use this link) as it's cancellable and you can then still try to beat it on priceline, for which we'll suggst a strategy to follow. Once you have it secured (but cancellable) you can try priceline, if that is rejected, you can then make a decision between this property and the 3* hotel on HOTWIRE for these dates.

I understand you want to be in/near Times Square, but there is absoluately no need to be in the middle of it all... 6 Columbus Circle is only about 10 blocks from the start of Times Square (on the North end) and if we're correct the ID of the Wingate Inn Manhattan, that is only about 7 blocks from the start of Times Square (on the South end)... i think you'll be much happier with either of these. The 6 Columbus Circle is brand new... recent reports i've read is that it's "high end" but the rooms are very small (this is NYC afterall... so just have your expectations prepared if you go with this option)

Let us know how it goes or any questions.

[sparky86]

Starting to get really excited that we will be seeing NYC for xmas!!! I have booked the Milford plazafor the first 2 nights but can cancel that. I am gooing to take the 4* in so ho, and try priceline for the first two nights. I will let u know what happens.

What should i start with for priceline. DO u have to change some for the next bid if the first is rejected?

:) sparky

[thereuare]

First, you must purchase the HOTWIRE hotel before bidding on priceline (just incase HOTWIRE comes back and says that the hotel is no longer available... it's rare, but it does occaisionally happen). You need to secure that hotel before bidding for the first two nites of your stay... otherwise if something goes wrong you could be left with a 2 nite non-cancellable stay with nothing affordable for the balance of your stay. Have you bought the hotel on HOTWIRE yet?

If so, please confirm the hotel received in this thread and the price you paid (per nite before taxes and fees, as per the HOTWIRE offering page). We'll then edit the topic title of this thread to reflect the hotel received, dates, and price.

Then start a NEW TOPIC for the first two nites of your stay (this will enable us to ultimately reflect the hotel ultimately received for that leg of your stay in that new thread, since this one will reflect your Soho win)

[sparky86]

HOTWIRE

Millenium Hilton New york City-Soho

$244 per night per night

Taxes $114.18

Total $846.18

[sparky86]

So excited about the Millenium Hilton for that price!! Now I need a strategy for the first 2 nights...i may try 200 and start for a 4*....any advice?

BTW I have to say thanks for all the valuable info and great advcie!! :)

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your <partial> success... now for the other leg of your stay.

We've edited the topic title to reflect your win, please start a NEW TOPIC for the balance of your stay (so that any win can ultimatley be reflected in the win of that new thread) and we'll take it from there.

Thanks.