Priceline Hotel: 2.5* NYC--anywhere for under 110? 3/18-3/26

[franniemeow07]

Hi;

My boyfriend and I are traveling to NYC 3/18-3/26 (for his interview) for the first time, and we are newly graduated college students, so we are on a rather tight budget. I'm trying to find 2.5* hotels anywhere on Manhattan island for under $110, but for some reason that particular week in March (3/18 to 3/22) seems to be a very popular traveling time. I've looked into many many many hostels, most of which are full, and only the crappy ones are left (i.e. Whitehouse Bowery in East Village). Sorry, no bugs for me thanks.

Anyway, I've been pricelining for the past week or so with no luck. Past posts have bragged that they've found incredible deals (i.e. 2.5* Holiday Inn Express Chelsea) for under $100. I know I probably won't get that lucky, but what is a reasonable price to be bidding to? Right now we are holding cancelable reservations at a 2* hotel in Queens for 90/night (right on the LIRR).

Rack rate for that Holiday Inn Express Chelsea is currently $288/night.

Thanks for any help!!

[AaronJB]

I'm guessing the high rates are because this is Spring Break for some people.

If you need 3/18-3/26 (as indicated by the subject/title of the post), are you willing to break up your stay between two hotels? $110 is going to be difficult, but if anything, breaking up your stay will help.

[franniemeow07]

Definitely willing to break it up. Am trying that now, as we speak :)

How close to our dates of travel do you guys think rack prices will start to drop? Is looking on the hotel's main website a good indication of possible rate drops at the last minute?

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

You're inside 2 weeks so i woudln't expect too much of a major change in demand.

How many times are you willing to change hotels?

You can book the Thompson Hotels Gild Hall for just $99/nite for the three nites 3/21-3/24 thru Quickbook (please use this previous link if you book this)

You may have to end up in Queens (or Brooklyn) for the other nites of your stay, but if the above is an option i'll begin to look at the other nites.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin any searches, bidding, and purchases you do thru either service.

[franniemeow07]

Thanks for the great tip, thereyouare. I booked for one night at this place (used the Quikbook link)! Excited to spend one night in a really nice hotel!

[thereuare]

Which nite did you book?

At that price, why not book more than one nite since it's cheaper than your current back-up hotel, and it's not as if you're creating an extra 'move' from hotel to hotel since you will already be there.

Do note that the reviews for the hotel have been favorable, but they are in the middle of a 'soft' opening, meaning that some services (on premise restaurant, room service, etc) are not yet available (although i suspect that once available these rooms will go for substantially more)

Thank you for using our Quickbook link to begin your purchase.

[franniemeow07]

I booked Friday (3/18). Sorry, I forgot to mention earlier in my original post, that we're staying with friends from 3/22 to 3/25. Still gotta find a room for 3/26 though!..