Priceline Hotel: 2 Adults + 8yr old - 8/3 thru 8/7

[GorMac]

Good afternoon all,

My wife and I are trying to plan a trip to NYC with our son in early August, dates are flexible as we are driving, but looking at staying 3 or 4 nights from from either Aug 2nd or 3rd. I'm trying to search for a hotel, but there are soooo many options it is getting to me.

I've read that Priceline may not be a good idea as we are 3 people, but we like the idea of bidding on a hotel. I've looked on Quikbook and it lists the Desmond Tutu for a reasonable price but says 2 ppl max, despite putting in that we have a child. Hotwire doesn't list too many options.

What are the odds of getting a 4* in MTW, MTE or TS for around $150/night that could take the 3 of us? Should I try it...just wondering.

Thanks...

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

If you intend on "booking for 3 people" (to which i'll add that we do not recommend PRICELINE in NYC when looking for more than double occupancy) then i would say that your chances are somewhat low for a 4* under $150.

I would be using HOTWIRE for triple occupancy in NYC.

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

[GorMac]

I agree, so I'm looking on HOTWIRE now. I found a 4* for $139/night (Hyatt on the Hudson, from what I've read). I'm curious about available parking in Jersey City though - any recommendations?

There is also a 4* in Mid Town Central New York for $219 that I can't seem to translate to a hotel on the list. It has Restaurant(s), High-speed Internet & Business....any idea what this one would be?

Thanks for the help, this forum has some of the best info I've ever seen about hotels...

[thereuare]

The 4* Jersey City hotel (Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Busienss) is a match for the Hyatt so that would be our best guess. Parking at the hotel is $32/day. On sunday you can probably find street parking, but some Monday morning you'll likely need to pay for parking. There are some private lots in the nearby area but i'm not sure how much you'll save by using them... i would think they too are at least $20-$25/day as there are lots of office buildings in the area (with little place for employees to park).

However, with the hotel adjacent to the PATH station, there are other options such as parking near a different PATH station and then 'commuting' to the hotel or parking elsewhere along your trip towards the city and then taking the train closer to the hotel... where you are traveling in from? Of course these other options are only viable if you don't intend to use your car during your stay.

The 4* NYC MTC hotel has not yet been reported, but i'd also caution with the 3.0/5.0 TA user review rating, which isn't really that high.

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

Let us know your thoughts and how it goes or if we can be of further help.

PS - not sure if important to you, but the Hyatt also has an indoor pool which your 8 year old might enjoy, which you probably won't get in Manhattan

[GorMac]

Thanks again thereuare,

We are driving in from Ottawa, Canada so will probably just take the parking at the hotel.

I think I read before that for the PATH train it is best to get day passes, thus we can hop around. Are we able to get to the Bronx Zoo via the PATH? The little guy would love the zoo.

The pool is also a VERY good point, thanks.

[thereuare]

Few things...

You could park at one of the other PATH train stations, as low as $5/day (i believe... maybe $10 since previously written) and then take the PATH to the Hyatt. As well, you can always drive to the hotel, drop off your bags, and one adult stays with the 8 year old (nap, pool, explore the hotel/area, etc) while the other drives to a different PATH station to park the car and then 'commutes' back (without luggage or child in tow). This is a little time consuming, but everyone values their time differently and to some 'beating' the parking fee is half the fun.

The PATH Train only goes from NJ to Manhattan. Once in Manhattan you need to ride the subway, which is a different system than the PATH Train. PATH fare is currently $1.75 and the subway is $2.00... a daily unlimited metrocard (for the NYC subway/bus only... NOT the PATH) is $7.50... a weekly unlimited pass is $25 (again, NOT the PATH).

You do lose a bit of the "NYC feel" by staying across the river in NJ, but for many the savings are worth it, and it's a bit easier to get triple occupancy on the NJ side as well.

Let us know whatever you decide to do or if we can be of further help.

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

PS- here are directions directly from the Bronx Zoo website

[dahammer]

PATH trains will take you into the city, you will need to transfer to the #2 subway to get to the Bronx. The PATH fare is $1.75 each way and the Subway fare is $2 each way. Children under 44" are free with a paying adult. An Unlimited Ride Metrocard is $7.50 for one day up to 3am the following day, but this can only be used on NYC subways and busses, and can't be used on PATH Trains.

You can purchase a "pay per ride" Metrocard from a vending machine at the PATH station and receive a 15% bonus if your purchase is $7 or more. For example, $10 will get $11.50 worth of value on the card. This Metrocard may be used in the PATH stations as well as Subways and Busses, the fare ($1.75 PATH or $2.00 subway/bus) will be deducted from the card when you go through the turnstile. You only need to buy one card because it may be used for up to 4 people. You can re-load the card with additional fare with cash or a credit card. The card will also allow you a free transfer from Bus to Subway, Subway to Bus, or Bus to Bus within 2 hours of paying your fare.

If the weather is nice, you might want to take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, its a short walk from the PATH WTC station and it just celebrated its 125 birthday :)

and to some 'beating' the parking fee is half the fun.

was this directed at me? :)

[thereuare]

was this directed at me? :)

Not directly... i think it applies to many of us here. :)