Priceline Hotel: 150$ Wanting MTW, what to ask for? 7/3/08-7/8/08

[andy4958]

Hi, im going to nyc in the summer and have a low budget. Im a student hehe.

I really want to be in that area. What should i ask for with that budget? it will be from july 3 2008 to july 7 2008, 4 nights.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Before moving forward, if i may ask, why do you want to be in the MTW zone? Have you been to NYC before? The city is so compact, and mass transit cheap and readily avaialble, that most midtown locations work out quite well for the average visitor. Since you mention budget being an issue, i'm not sure why you wouldn't inlcude other zones... increasing the number of hotels able to accept your offer as well as giving you more bidding opportunities; both important aspects when trying to get the best deal.

[andy4958]

People have told me that to be as close as possible to times square. What other zones near would you also recommend? I have been twice to nyc, when i was younger with my parents, this time its on my own.

Do you really get good deal in priceline?

I really like the radio city apartments and can get one for 220$ for 4. Is it beatable?

[andy4958]

Maybe Midtown East and could be ok? but i'd rarher MTW... what you you recommend?

[AaronJB]

I'd recommend MTE. As mentioned in another thread, I stayed in MTW last time I went to NYC, but preferred other areas of the city and really ended up spending more time in other areas than Times Square/MTW. Next time I go, I'll stay in MTE, which I found preferrable. And really, MTE is certainly not far from MTW. Downtown, on the other hand, I wouldn't recommend. However, MTE/MTS and Upper Midtown/CPS are certainly worthy of consideration and, as mentioned, opening up your bidding to other nearby areas would give you more potential for a win.

[andy4958]

yeah i could go for Upper Midtown - Central Park South, Midtown East and Midtown West. What do u think i can get for 150$??? a 4 star hotel???

[AaronJB]

You may not be able to get a 4* for $150 right away since it's so far out date-wise, but be persistent and keep bidding for a 4* in the desired areas. I would start a little lower though - maybe $115-125 - and gradually, over time, work up towards $150. If you get to $150 and aren't accepted, don't give up - keep trying.

[andy4958]

So you do think its to early to bid for a hotel?? I'm afraid of not getting a good one. You also think its possible? wow i'll be very impressed if i get a room for 115$!! How does priceline work? imagine i get a hotel for 120$ and i dont like it, what do i do?? cancel and keep looking?

[andy4958]

Should i book some where else to have a backup plan? does priceline work better getting close to the dates required?

[thereuare]

People have told me that to be as close as possible to times square.

:) See our comments regarding Hotels Near Times Square

How does priceline work? imagine i get a hotel for 120$ and i dont like it, what do i do?? cancel and keep looking?

You need to do some reading before you're ready to bid... start here: I've Never Used Priceline or Hotwire.

[andy4958]

hi read it all... about how it works i still have those clues:

- should i wait some time to get closer to the date i want??

- Should i have a back up plan??

- Can i really get a deal for 150$??

- What happens if i get a hotel and dont like it? do i have to keep it???

Thanks!

[AaronJB]

If you get a hotel you don't like, you're stuck (which is why I'd really try bidding for a 4* only, if possible, less chance of getting something you don't care for). If you are ready to bid, I would start bidding now.

[thereuare]

- should i wait some time to get closer to the date i want??

See the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.

- Should i have a back up plan??

I would try bidding first, then if rejected, find a suitable back-up.

- Can i really get a deal for 150$??

Plenty examples of such on the board, you won't know if available for your dates until you try :)

- What happens if i get a hotel and dont like it? do i have to keep it???

Yes, as priceline and HOTWIRE purchases are non-refundable and non-changable... those are the conditions of the deeply discounted rates we often receive.

If you'd like to bid let us know and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

[AaronJB]

Potential Back-ups include:

1. The poorly-reviewed Radisson Lexington ($151, Expedia.com)

2. The superbly reviewed Hotel 41 ($159, Expedia.com)

3. The bizarre (but neat) looking Night Hotel, which gets good reviews, for $200 (Quikbook.com)

4. Studio Suite @ Shelburrne Murray Hill via Expedia ($199)

Hotel 41 gets the best reviews of the bunch: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g6...y_New_York.html

The rooms at Hotel 41 are tiny, but I have to say, any hotel that has rooms that small and can get a 4.5 out of 5 on tripadvisor from people who stayed there has to be doing something VERY right.

[andy4958]

Been checkin the hotels you tell me. Hotel 41 look pretty good. The thing is we may be a party of 3 or 4. And i still dont know. I really like the radio city aparts. which are 220$ for 4 people, with kichenette and sofa area. What are your thoughts on this place? At hotwire i could get a room for 3?

[AaronJB]

If you have 4 people, there's no way I'd recommend Priceline unless you want to fit 4 people in a tiny room with 1 bed, as Priceline only guarantees 1 bed.

Rooms in NYC are tiny - if you had 4 people in a room at Hotel 41 for example, you would have 4 people sharing 100-135 sq ft.

You can search for 4 on Hotwire, but it's going to cost you more in extra person fees for the other 2 people. You will also rack up some high extra person fees at any hotel in NYC with 4 people in 1 room.

Hotwire has options for 2, but really nothing aside from a 2* for 4 people.

$150 for a room with 1-2 people will not be difficult. $150 for a room with 3-4 people will be significantly more difficult and makes a 4* unlikely.

[andy4958]

Sorry, i did not explain well...that 150$ budget would be for 2. If we'd be 4 around 290$ with taxes included.

[AaronJB]

Hmmmm, let me see what I can find. be right back

[AaronJB]

The Hilton New York is approx $317 w/tax and 2 extra person fees included on Orbitz. That would be a bit over your backup, but this would be just a "backup" and, if you did end up staying there, it's extremely well-located.

[andy4958]

And 3 in 1 room? hotwire is my best chance? budget 220$ with tax.

What would be my real plan for 4 people if my back up could be the hilton??

[AaronJB]

Oops, nevermind - the Hilton's non-refundable on Orbitz. Cheapest Hilton refundable rate is $299 + tax, so about $350 on the Hilton website.

[AaronJB]

You can get the Courtyard Marriott for $244 plus $36 tax for 3 people. That gets terrific reviews.

[andy4958]

Where it that one located?

[AaronJB]

Courtyard Marriott Midtown East.

Reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g6...y_New_York.html

Location: Midtown E.

Nearby (taken from Expedia; distances may not be 100% accurate)

Madison Avenue shops - 3 blocks

Rockefeller Center - 4 blocks

St. Patrick's Cathedral - 4 blocks

Fifth Avenue shops - 4 blocks

Museum of Modern Art - 5 blocks

Bloomingdale

[AaronJB]

The Courtyard rooms would be 330 Square Feet - above average for NYC.