nefertitisfeeties Posted March 18, 2008 Report Posted March 18, 2008 Hoping to get help: Looking for one night, Times Square or nearby area, Wednesday, March 26, 2008. My 13 year old daughter and her father are flying into NYC and want to just walk around Times Square touristy area and hope to stop by the Today Show - they don't mind a short cab ride to get there. He does not like spending money - a kitchenette would be great but I'm probably dreaming. He is really hoping to keep it at $200 or less/night. My daughter loves all things artsy and modern and cool as in the "W" but we know that's not possible here. They both want something as "clean" as possible w/ the most "wow" factor for the buck. So I think they'd prefer a 15 minute cab ride if that means staying in a more interesting hotel. I know we can't choose the hotel - just wondering what types you get at 4* I guess or if there's a way to play it to get a better chance of somewhere interesting.Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
thereuare Posted March 18, 2008 Report Posted March 18, 2008 Welcome to BetterBidding!This is an expensive nite in NYC and most ideas i have thought of are arleady sold-out (or too expensive).Most of the higher rated PRICELINE and HOTWIRE hotels are 'business' class hotels and are not going to be boutique-y and/or have that "wow" factor (and therefore also don't typically have kitchenettes). There are a few exceptions, as well as hotels i know of that are converted apartments and therefore have a lot of space and kitchenettes, but again, they're either sold-out or too expensive for this nite, and not the hotel you should expect when using PRICELINE or HOTWIRE.My advise would be to give up the 'wants' as $200 may be a stretch for this stay at a higher rated property, and just go for the highest star rated hotel you can get for $200 or under... starting with the Midtown areas (MTE, MTW, TimesSquare, UM-CPS, and MTS)... from there if rejected consider downtown or lowering your star rating to 3 stars and trying again up to your maximum budget.That is how i would play it, as i think it's going to be difficult to get anything within your budget where you could choose the hotel and select an 'interesting' hotel.Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
nefertitisfeeties Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Posted March 19, 2008 Thank you so much for the advice. We'll go with what you advise and try in those areas for up to the $200. Three star I'm sure will be fine if that's what we have to work with. They can go back some other time when the prices are lower!Do you think we can still even try 4 star? Do you have advice for how to progress in the bidding and where to start?Again, thank you so much for your help! We'll be sure to use the link to PRICELINE when ready and to post our results!
thereuare Posted March 19, 2008 Report Posted March 19, 2008 At the 4* level you have four re-bid zones. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.Select 4* Times Square and MTW...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and UM/CPS...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTS and Times Square...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* Times Square and MTE...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and UM/CPS...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTS and MTW...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* Times Square and UM/CPS...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTW and MTE...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTS and MTE...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 4* MTE and MTW and UM/CPS and MTS and Times Square...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200.Any questions feel free to ask. If the above is rejected we'll revise to try for a 3 star.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Good Luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
nefertitisfeeties Posted March 19, 2008 Author Report Posted March 19, 2008 I just finished bidding exactly as you showed for 4 star hotels although on the last set of bids w/ all the regions I went up to 230 on the last bid :) (180 to 190 to 210 to 220 to 230) but was denied on all requests. I'm hoping you can give me bidding advice for the 3 star hotels so I can get to work on those. Thank you again for everything!
thereuare Posted March 19, 2008 Report Posted March 19, 2008 At the 3* level you have three re-bid zones.Select 3* Times Square and MTW...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTE and UM/CPS...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTS and Times Square...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* Times Square and MTE...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTW and UM/CPS...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTS and MTW...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* Times Square and UM/CPS...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTW and MTE...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTS and MTE...Bid $160, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $165, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $175, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* Times Square and MTW and UM/CPS...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTS and MTE and Times UM/CPS...Bid $180, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $185, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $190, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTE and MTW and UM/CPS and Times Square...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $210, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTS and MTW and UM/CPS and Times Square...Bid $195, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $200, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $205, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $210, if rejected close browser and re-access priceline however you did previously.Select 3* MTE and MTW and UM/CPS and MTS and Times Square...Bid $215, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $220, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $225, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $230.Since you previously went up to $230, i went that high as well for this round of 3* bidding, but you can stop at whatever amount you feel comfortable.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Good luck and let us know how it goes. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
nefertitisfeeties Posted March 20, 2008 Author Report Posted March 20, 2008 Darn - I just finished bidding as you advised for 3* and again went even higher on the last four attempts: 220 to 230 to 250 to 260 and was declined on all. So....seeing as that's the only day they can go and someone is REALLY looking forward to this trip I would like to try 2.5 stars - I hope you can help me again and there is an open hotel room thru PRICELINE somewhere! Any other advice on what we can do?Thank you so much!Edited to add: I was getting offers for the 3* for $335 while bidding FYI
thereuare Posted March 21, 2008 Report Posted March 21, 2008 Before bidding for a 2.5* consider this...Since you have already bid up to $260, consider the Gild Hall thru Quikbook for $279/nite? (please use this previous link if you go this route)This hotel is located downtown and is going thru a 'soft opening' (so no restaurant, room service, and a few other amenities), but... it's going to be a high end hotel and the reviews (even with the soft opening) have been very good. Sure it's a lot of money for a hotel that isn't even fully completed and functional yet, but it is 'chic' and may give your daughter the 'wow' factor she origially wanted (although some of the 'wow' is in quality beds and high end linens, something which may/may not be lost on your daughter). From the Quickbook website regarding this propery:Gild Hall - A Thompson Hotel is located on Gold Street in the Financial District. The hotel's interior is designed by famed Jim Walrod; it features a bi-level private library and champagne bar, a modern English tavern restaurant by Todd English (April 2006), and 126 sleek, cosmopolitan rooms and suites. Effortlessly blending classical European sensibility with American contemporary style, Gild Hall serves as a modern-day gentleman's club for the movers and shakers of Wall Street.As well, this is cancellable up until a day or two before your stay (doublecheck on your reservation) and you can continue to try PRICELINE and HOTWIRE for any last minute availability.Your thoughts? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
nefertitisfeeties Posted March 21, 2008 Author Report Posted March 21, 2008 Thank you for the idea - I looked over the Gild Hall information - if it were right in Times Square I'd say we'd go for it because as you said it does have the "wow" factor I was hoping for her and it has openings :) but considering it's so far away from everything they plan to do (trying for: Today Show, touristing in Times Square) and $260 was already pushing it for me and really pushing it for her dad, I think I'll try for the 2.5*'s. It seems the 2.5's aren't bad but I don't think we want to go below that level. I'll talk to them tomorrow - maybe they can revise the plans and do the Statue of Liberty, Chinatown, Soho, Little Italy this time and do Times Square in a more "off" time.Do you mind helping me w/ a 2.5* strategy in the meantime? I think they would prefer a 2.5 in Times Square area and maybe we can reserve this and continue bidding in the meantime as you suggested. I really do appreciate all of the help you have given to us!Update ** I just reserved at Gild Hall thru Quikbook but still want to try for 2.5* thru Priceline
thereuare Posted March 21, 2008 Report Posted March 21, 2008 We're happy to help...How high are you willing to bid for a 2.5*? Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
nefertitisfeeties Posted March 21, 2008 Author Report Posted March 21, 2008 I talked them both into staying at the Gild - my daughter is now really excited about seeing the sights in that area and about the hotel. Her dad is just happy she's happy and hoping the weather is good and there are no flight issues (he's a pilot so they're flying standby.) Thank you so much again for the great advice! We will definitely be back - you have a wonderful site and have been so helpful. Maybe they can stay at the Pod sometime - that looked interesting.
thereuare Posted March 21, 2008 Report Posted March 21, 2008 Glad to hear it should work well for their needs.As an FYI, NYC is very compact and they need not restrict themselves to that immediate area... if they get on the subway (near this hotel) they can be in Times Square in 15-20 minutes... there is really no reason to feel confined to this immediate area. (and although we discourage users from staying directly in Times Square, i do recommedn that they go up there and see it... especially at nite)Thanks for the compliments on the site :) Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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