Priceline Hotel: 3* Newark (Jersey City) Hyatt Regency on the Hudson

[mahousuki]

First time using this site for a hotel and looking for a bidding strategy for the one night. Ideally, I'd like the hotel to be in the Midtown South area, though I'd accept MTE, MTW, Times Square or UMCPS. I'm hoping for a 4* at a budget of $200, but it seems this particular weekend is a bit tricky, so I'd be willing to go down to 3* for a little less ($170?).

I haven't reserved a backup room yet, and was hoping to get suggestions on that too. From what I've read in the forums here, a good tool is Quikbook. We're driving up, parking in Jersey and PATHing into the city, so just in case I end up falling back on this backup I'd prefer something in the immediate area of 33rd and Broadway. Tempted to book Red Roof Inn because of convenience + rating on tripadvisor despite the 2* class.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Did you want to try for a 4* first in all acceptable zones up to your limit or only in the MTS zone? (if price is a factor i'd recommend all zones, but don't know the needs of this stay)

Also, any interest in staying in Jersey City instead of Manhattan and taking the PATH into the city? (looks like the Hyatt on the Hudson may be available for a decent rate)

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know the above and we'll advise accordingly.

[mahousuki]

I guess to make things easier, I would like a strategy with all acceptable zones up to my limit for 4*.

I wasn't sure if PATH was open 24/7 so I didn't mention Jersey City. If getting back at any time is not a problem, then I would happily take a room at the Hyatt.

[mahousuki]

OK, so I just semi-inadvertently won the Hyatt on the Hudson for $100 through Priceline. Searching the forum, I saw canada08 had gotten $85 for a couple days before me and blkjck1 won $140 for a few days after me. Seeing HOTWIRE offering Hyatt for $166, I bid PRICELINE and won with $100. Totally surprised me! Thanks for the help.

I used the PRICELINE partner link.

[mahousuki]

Started out looking for something in NYC, and stumbled upon a HOTWIRE rate of $166 for Thursday through other forum posts. Jumped over to PRICELINE and won the night of the 15th on first bid. Though we were going to stay with a friend Friday night, I figured at this rate I'd take the chance at the extension offered and succeeded getting Friday night.

I presume "rack rate" is what is found on hyatt.com which is $399 for Thursday and $259 for Friday. $200 as opposed to $658 makes me very happy! Now to figure out parking for the weekend...

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win!

Not sure if you found out, but the PATH is indeed 24/7. Service gets slow to every 30 minutes very late at nite (in the wee hours of the morning), so you may want to check a schedule to try and time it correctly to ensure that you don't "just miss" a train and then have to wait the full half hour.

Glad you were pleasantly surprised with your win and thank you for using our PRICELINE link to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay.