Priceline Hotel: I need help- and quick!

[GerrNumber2]

Hello,

I have a flight booked for my trip to NYC arriving on July 26th and leaving July 31st. I am traveling with 3 other people (one of my largest concerns) and need help booking!

We are open to staying in Brooklyn but not Long Island and NJ as the transportation is not as readily available. We like to keep the cost around $200 a night and were wondering what was suggested that we do.

I've checked HOTWIRE and the prices are ridiculous (as are most of NYC hotels!) and was considering bidding on PRICELINE. My only fear with this is that we will not have enough accommodations for 4 people.

We're open to different star ratings but 2 or above is preferable.

Please help! :)

[AaronJB]

PRICELINE does not guarantee bedding for more than 2, and that becomes a serious issue in New York City, where rooms can be infamously small (see the 3.5* Hudson Hotel, where rooms are probably around 160-180 square feet.) Rooms with two beds in NYC also generally go for a premium. You can take the risk of bidding on PRICELINE, and while you may have a nice hotel in a good location if you are accepted, you wholly and completely run the risk of having the room be a tight fit.

I'm guessing there is something going on in NYC during these dates, because prices seem rather high. What airport are you arriving at?

[thereuare]

...was considering bidding on PRICELINE. My only fear with this is that we will not have enough accommodations for 4 people.

A legitimate fear as using PRICELINE for quad occupancy in NYC is generally not recommended.

Is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option?

What is the best rate you're able to find for an acceptable hotel for the above stay? Do you have a back-up plan?

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

[GerrNumber2]

Do you have a back-up plan?

Our back up plan at the moment is the Hotel Alexander that is in the Upper West Side that would be a little under a grand for the 5 nights we will be there. Good price in theory but there's a shared bathroom situation that we would like to avoid but it is not something I am a stranger to.

I was reading through different posts and it seems that staying in NJ is just too much of a hassle to get back to at night. I also considered the JFK area because I was looking into the AirTrain options.

I think that after all of this we are willing to up our budget to $300 a night, especially since we were able to pay only $49 for roundtrip airfare. We are arriving in Long Island though, and will be taking the LIRR, any tips for this? Given this new budget, are there any new suggestions or should I just stick with the backup plan?

[AaronJB]

Beekman Tower (which is in Midtown East) via Orbitz.com 1BR suite w/1 bed/1 sofabed (+ kitchen in room) - $314.92. Use coupon code SUMMERFAM and take 10% off each night = $283.43

If this is of interest, please use the site's link to Orbitz.com.

While the likelyhood of being accepted isn't great, you could also try to bid for 2 rooms at a 3* or 4* (start trying for 4*, then go for 3*) at $150 per room in the midtown zones on PRICELINE.

If that doesn't work, I figure at least the Beekman Suite will have a kitchen, which may save some on food cost (being able to take leftovers back, etc.)

[thereuare]

Note that on my own Orbitz search when selecting quad occupancy the rate goes up to $314/nite. :) You could try booking for just two people and receive the rate above but you'll have to be 'smart' about it and not have everyone show up at the desk at check-in (and the lobby at this hotel is extremely small... so best to have two people wait at a Starbucks around the corner if really want to play it safe)

If you're going to try to only book for two then a better option may be to use HOTWIRE and search for 2adults/2children and a 3* in the MTE zone for $283/nite (believed to be the Beekman Tower)... at leasst with this route you're declaring quad occupancy vs. double occupancy. Unfortunately entering 4adults drives the price up to $345/nite.

When searching 4adults there is also a 2* hotel in the Downtown zone for $249/nite which includes breakfast and allows you to declare all 4adults... but this property has not yet been identified and i think you're giving up a lot relative to the 3* property and location.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. (or our Orbitz link if you go that route)

[AaronJB]

With the 10% Orbitz coupon though, it does drop the price from $314 to $283 - and I'd much rather recommend booking the Beekman via Orbitz for $283 than HOTWIRE for $283.

[thereuare]

I'd much rather recommend booking the Beekman via Orbitz for $283 than HOTWIRE for $283.

Agreed (little slow on the math today :) )

Thanks for explaining.

[GerrNumber2]

Wow, this sounds perfect to me! I'll discuss with the rest of the group and let you all know what happens! Thanks again!!

[AaronJB]

Glad to help! :)

Unfortunately, it is more expensive than you initially planned, but it is a good location and at least you do get the benefit of a larger-than-normal suite-style room and a kitchen.

[GerrNumber2]

I'm sorry it took me so long to respond I had forgotten about this thread given the events that came up after I posted it. I unfortunately had a family emergency and was not able to go on this trip. The group that did go decided against my (your) advice and booked at the budget hotel I mentioned. They were pleasantly surprised. I can give details to those interested but don't want to post them on here in fear of "advertising" for something.

Anyway, thanks so much for everything! Hope I can be of service someday too!