Priceline Hotel: 3* NYC (Times Square-Theatre District) Room-Mate Grace

[adysworld]

Hi everyone, Great forum!

I have been trying on Priceline to book a 4* hotel in CPS, ESBA, ME and MW, TS for Sun Sept 21- Sun Sept 28 (7 days). Although I haven't tried yet, I'm willing to go down to a 3* for the same period (adding Chelsea and MSG to my list). Probably willing to split the dates too. Right now the hotels in NYC appear to average $500+ per night for that period. I've been bidding from $160-$215 using the techniques mentioned in this forum (adding areas with each bid that do not have a 4* hotel option), in $5 increments. A few questions:

1. When do you think would be an appropriate time to try the 3* hotels?

2. What would be the best split in the dates?

3. Is $215 as a max too low given that the average price is $500+? I'm willing to go higher (perhaps up to $300 if necessary), but I'm not sure when to do this.

I've been bidding through the PRICELINE link in the forums.

I have a backup reservation at The New Yorker (Ramada) at at average price of $330 per night, which is by far the cheapest room I could find for this period.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Of your options (SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID, lower star rating, increase bid) which would be the option you take next?

Another option to the New Yorker is The Pod for $249/nite thru Quickbook. It's definately budget oriented, but functional, and gets good reviews. This is also cancellable up until a few days before your stay.

[adysworld]

Hi thereuare,

In order of preference:

1. Drop to 3*

2. Increase Bid Price

3. Split Dates.

I'll check out the Pod Hotel.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Since SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID is the least prefered option, i think a full one week stay for under $215 is going to be tough for the dates above.

If you find The Pod acceptable then i would hold-off trying for a 3* until a month before your stay since i don't think the savings vs. the $249 Pod rate would be worth locking it in now. If that's not acceptable then i'd begin trying for a 3* now as i think $330 is too much to spend for the New Yorker... it would be a step above the Pod, but based upon value, not sure if it's worth $80 more per nite.

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

[adysworld]

Thanks thereuare,

I checked out The Pod and unfortunately I don't think a Double room is going to work - it looks too small (if a Queen room was available that would have been better). The NYC trip is for our honeymoon - I'm pretty sure my wife won't be comfortable with the Double room.

Based upon your advice it looks like I should split the dates - based upon what I've read so far, it looks like the best initial split is Sept 21-25 (4 nights, Sun-Thurs) and then Sept 25-28 (3 nights, Thurs-Sun). I think I should also try 4*, and then 3*. Let me know what you think.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

I think I should also try 4*, and then 3*.

You haven't bid for a 3* at all yet, correct? Did you prefer to SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID for a 4* hotel vs. trying for a 3* hotel for your complete stay? (there's no right or wrong answer as everyone would prefer something different... just want to make sure you have considered all your options first)

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

[adysworld]

After trying on PRICELINE for a while with no success (up to $250 for all central NYC zones), I jumped at this HOTWIRE 3* with the following amenities:

Boutique Hotel

Complimentary Breakfast

Pool

Business Center

Spa Services

Pleased to find out it was Roommate Grace (Thereuare guessed it might be this in another post).

Was trying for 9/21 to 9/28 but before I could pull the trigger someone took the night of 9/22. Ended up taking 9/23 to 9/28. For 9/21 to 9/23 I have now booked at the Sheraton New York Towers using points. This is a very expensive week to be in NYC!

Booked using the HOTWIRE links here. Thanks.

[adysworld]

Well, after spending hours bidding on Priceline for 4* and 3* hotels up to $250, I had no luck. Ended up booking the Roommate Grace (3*, TS) using Hotwire for $249, 9/23 - 9/28. Staying 9/21 - 9/23 at the Sheraton New York Towers using points. I had to split the dates because I was too slow in booking on Hotwire and someone took 9/22 for Roommate Grace. Boy, this is an expensive week in NYC!

Good luck to everyone.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you received the hotel you were expecting and that you're happy with the results.

The pictures of this property seem very cool, please report back as to your experience at the property.

Thanks for sharing your results with the board and using our HOTWIRE link to begin your purchase.

Enjoy your stay.