Priceline Hotel: NY in Sept. Or NJ?

[bam054]

Hello.

Me and my girlfriend are going for a three day visit to New York City in September. We are now looking around for a place to stay. We have checked with regular travel agencies, but Manhattan hotels seem far too expensive for our budget.

Is staying in Jersey City or Hoboken a good alternative? We do not mind taking bus/train/taxi to visit Manhattan.

I hope that someone could give some advice about how to use Hotwire or Priceline for a good deal.

Dates: September 15-17 or 16-18

Budget: Max 180 USD/night/doubleroom

Thank you!

(Ps. I am writing from Sweden and my English is not that good

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

As you're discoving, NYC is an expensive place in the Fall.

There are no hotels in Hoboken (yet... a W Hotel is due to open Jan '09) and unforatunately i think most Jersey City hotels are currently out of your budget as well.

However, another option is the North Bergen/Secaucus/Rutherford area where i do believe there are hotels within your budget... it's a 15-25 minute bus ride (depending upon traffic and time of day) into Manhattan and at first glance will likely run you about $100-$125/nite. However, you'll probably want to use HOTWIRE rather than PRICELINE to ensure that you're near a bus stop (unless you intend on renting a car). As well, getting from the Airport to this area can be a little bit of a hassle via mass transit... or you can use a taxi which, from EWR (Newark Airport) will run about $50 or so.

There may be other options we can look into further, but the above is my current assessment.

Let us know your thoughts and we'll take it from there.

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

PS- one more option, which is a shared bath situation, which i don't necessarily recommend but may work for you depending upon your demographic... you could book The Pod thru Quickbook for $159/nite. As noted, it's a shared bath, but it has a great located in Manhattan and generally gets very good reviews (from those that know what to expect when booking... clean and budget accomodations). If you go this route please use our Quickbook link.

[bam054]

Thank you for the fast reply and for your comments!

I have been looking around on TripAdvisor and BetterBidding for hotels in the Jersey City area. The

[thereuare]

Wins at the Hyatt are not typically seen when hotel direct rates are nearly $400/nite, so i'm doubtful you'll be successful at the levels of the previously accepted bid ranage you've posted above.

If you do decide to bid, you can't target the Hyatt... the Doubletree would be a possibility as well (as well as any other yet unreported properties) Would $180 be your maximum bid?

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

[bam054]

Both the Doubletree and the Hyatt Regency seem to be suitable places in Jersey City. To get a room in one of these hotels I am willing to spend 250 USD/night (incl tax and fees).

But I am unsure about the best bidding strategy. Is that possible?

[thereuare]

You should try, but i'm doubtful you'll be successful based upon current rates... the Hyatt is currently $479/nite so your $250 'all-in' budget is still less than half of the going rate. The other hotel, Doubletree is sold-out for your dates.

If you'd like to pursue this please let us know your maximum bid before taxes and fees as well as your check-in/check-out dates (above you mention a 3 nite stay, but your check-in/check-out dates indicate a 2 nite stay) and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[bam054]

Hello again.

It looks like hotels in NY this fall are really expensive

[thereuare]

If you can stretch you budget a little i would book the Pod Hotel for $249/nite (Double Pod which has a private bath) and has very good reviews. They also have a shared bath for only $159/nite, however i don't recommend these, but mention so that you can make your own decision. Both of the above are "Book Now Pay Later" rates so they're cancellable up until a few days before your stay thru Quickbook (please use our link)

I would then use the above as the "deal to beat" and try PRICELINE and HOTWIRE in the weeks/months ahead.

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

Let us know your thoughts and/or if you book the above and we'll take it from there.

[bam054]

Thank you for all your assistance!

We will probably follow your advice and book the Pod Hotel as a back up (via your link to Quickbook).

Later I am going to try to get Hyatt Regency on the Hudson or Doubletree thru PRICELINE. Is here only one re-bid zone I can use in New Jersey for these hotels? All zones except "Elizabeth" seem to have 3 star hotels?

[thereuare]

Yes, only one re-bid zone available when bidding 3* in Jersey City.

Since the Quikbook rate is refundable i would book that asap, since there isn't too much in your budget thereafter should that rate disappear.

Let us know how the bidding goes or if we can be of further help.

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