Priceline Hotel: Help w/ 4* in NYC 05/11 to 05/14

[cypha99]

Hi,

My friend and I are going to NYC this May. We are prepared to stay in a hostel, but thought for fun, we'd see what sort of deal we can get on a 4* in NYC from Priceline. As noted below we're happy to stay in any area that has a 4*, so does this change the strategy you suggest or is it the same re-bid strategy even if there's no preference for a specific zone?

Dates: 2008 05 11 - 2008 05 14

Star Level: 4

Zones: Downtown - SoHo - Financial District , Midtown East, Midtown South, Midtown West, Times Square - Theatre District, Upper East Side, Upper Midtown, Upper West Side

Budget: $140 / night (Are we completely off-base with this sort of budget for a 4*?)

Thanks for any suggestions on this - and we'll be sure to use the links from this page to make our bids!

Cheers

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

(Are we completely off-base with this sort of budget for a 4*?)

For this time of year... most likely.

What is the price of the hostel?

[cypha99]

What is the price of the hostel?

The hostel (Big Apple Hostel) costs $125 / night (plus we'll need to find parking since we'll have a car). So I think we could be looking at $150 and up - perhaps we should make another attempt at a bid on Priceline with an adjusted price?

We're considering including zones outside of Manhattan - especially because of the parking issues. Do many (or any) hotels in NYC offer parking? (Is it a separate cost at most hotels?) Or would you have any other suggestions for parking strategies (such as parking the car further out and then commuting in to spend our time in NYC...)

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Where are you driving in from?

[cypha99]

Where are you driving in from?

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Approx 7.5 hours)

[thereuare]

The Jersey City waterfront is the best area outside of NYC in terms of convenience, but i don't think you're budget will currently be enough to stay in this area.

Next is the Secaucus and Meadowlands areas... and there are not 4* hotels in this area, and the nicer ones will currently be over your budget. (although prices can change)

Basically you need to choose between hostel accomodations and the convenience of staying directly in the city vs. a nicer hotel and outside of the city.

I also think that you should be more realistic in your star rating... there is such a wide margin between a hostel and a 4 star hotel, would a 3* hotel be sufficient and better than your current hostel accomodations?