sp82 Posted April 29, 2008 Report Posted April 29, 2008 Hi, I am coming to New York from London for part of my honeymoon and thought about trying priceline. So far, we have booked the empire hotel at a price of
thereuare Posted April 30, 2008 Report Posted April 30, 2008 Welcome to BetterBidding!Few things...In US dollars, what is the rate of your back-up property? Does that include taxes?As far as location, see our thoughts regarding Hotels Near Times Square. For the typical tourist the MTE, MTW, UM-CPS, and Times Square zones all are convenient (especially at the 4* level... at the 3* level some 3* hotels are a bit less convenient, but still certainly quote do-able). Would you want to bid all of these zones in hopes of getting the best price, or do you want to focus on the Times Square area only?I think your budget will likely be enough for a 4* hotel (depending upon the flexibility in your zones as well as whether your back-up hotel above includes taxes or not) but woudl you want to pay more for a 4* hotel vs. a 3* or are you looking for the least expensive 3* or better hotel for this stay? (i wouldn't bid less than 3* at this point, as i don't think you'll have to, and it is your honeymoon, afterall)Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.Let us know your thoughts regarding the above and we'll advise accordingly. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
sp82 Posted April 30, 2008 Author Report Posted April 30, 2008 Hi the price I have for the backup hotel is $1285 (inc tax) for 5 nights at the Empire Hotel (4* I believe).I dont mind too much where we stay but would like to stay in as good a place as possible. I would also only want a 4*+ hotel. I am happy to pay what I have been quoted already, but if I could save some money it would be great. Thats more money to spend on eating, drinking and shopping..Thanks
sp82 Posted April 30, 2008 Author Report Posted April 30, 2008 Also, having read the information on times square, I am happy to stay in other areas. i would just like to be in a decent walking location some places but also near transport if needed. Id rather stay in a nice are with good hotel than in a lesser hotel in a very busy area. Also, I'm assuming that area is very expensive because of its tourist nature? I imagine its like places in central london that are very expensive..
thereuare Posted April 30, 2008 Report Posted April 30, 2008 If i recall correctly NYC hotel tax is ~14% which would make your room rate ~$225/nite... take our the PRICELINE or HOTWIRE fee and we're looking at a maximum bid of ~$218/nite so i'll use that as the 'price to beat'. As NYC is generally slow season in the summer, i woudln't even suggest bidding this high at the moment (but realizing you may have other wedding plans in limbo right now and other things to take care of, we'll try to be realistic in order to 'get this done' and not lowball too much)Times Square is often a little more expensive than the other areas, but not terribly so, and we do see wins there. However, it just doesn't make sense (imo) to restrict yourself to that area, as you will <hopefully> find that once you see it there are other areas of the city more interesting.I'd suggest starting with MTE, MTW, UM-CPS, and Times Square as there are all generally very central areas with good access to mass tranist subway stations.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* MTE and MTW...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE.Select 4* UM-CPS and Times Square...Bid $110, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $115, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $120, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $125, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE.Select 4* MTE and UM-CPS...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE.Select 4* MTW and Times Square...Bid $130, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $135, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $140, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE.Select 4* MTE and Times Square...Bid $145, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $150, if rejected add re-bid zone...Bid $155, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE.Select 4* UM-CPS 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 use our link to re-access PRICELINE.Select 4* MTE and MTW and UM-CPS and Times Square...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 add re-bid zone...Bid $180I wouldn't bid more than $180 at this point since if the above is rejected, i think there is a good chance you'll see lower prices (and be successful with the same) in the weeks ahead as you get closer to your check-in date.Any questions feel free to ask.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
sp82 Posted April 30, 2008 Author Report Posted April 30, 2008 Thanks for this. Is there any reason in particular to starting with those 2 areas? Are they known to give cheaper rates?I will give it a go and let you know..Thanks again
sp82 Posted April 30, 2008 Author Report Posted April 30, 2008 also, could you give me the list of re-bid zones..i cant seem to find it. im probably being dumb..
sp82 Posted April 30, 2008 Author Report Posted April 30, 2008 having looked, are the re-bid zonesupper westupper eastlong islandbrooklyn?Is there any 4* in the area you suggest that are pretty bad, ie it would be a disappointment to get them? or are they all fairly good. Thanks again for all your help. will try tonight and let you know how i get on
thereuare Posted April 30, 2008 Report Posted April 30, 2008 All the 4* hotels are 'pretty good'... there are obviously some which are more liked than others, but for the most part any 4* hotel in the four zones above should suit your needs well. Of the top of my head the W New York has notoriously small rooms, but other than that the hotel has W 'chic'.You have your four re-bid zones correct, but make sure you doublecheck them tonite before bidding to make sure nothing has changed.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
sp82 Posted May 1, 2008 Author Report Posted May 1, 2008 Thanks, didnt have a chance last night so will try again later..Just wondered, does anyone have any experience of the empire hotel and how it compares to the 4* hotels on PRICELINE that I may get?
thereuare Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 Most here (at least not the newbies) use PRICELINE exclusively, especially in large cities such as NYC, so there's probably not going to be much firsthand experience at the Empire. With that said, i've read the reviews, and while each person has a different experience, i would think the average 4* hotel on PRICELINE is better rated/reviewed than the Empire.Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
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