Hotwire Hotel: First visit to NYC 8/14-8/16-seeking hotel advice

[hcmom]

Hi:

I just discovered this wonderful forum today...I have never posted to any forum before, but I would much appreciate some advice.

I am looking at Hotwire to book a 4 star hotel for my daughter and me for 2 nights next week. (NYC college visits). The Hotwire results are Midtown East, South, and Central. We are looking at Barnard and NYU, but we also want to take in a Broadway show. Would any of these Hotwire Midtown locations work?

We are flying into Newark (based on frequent flyer miles I had) and are using public transportation/taxis/etc. We are cutting costs where we can, but I would like a clean room, as this trip is a "big treat" for us.

Thank you so much for any help you can provide.

[AaronJB]

Welcome to the site! :)

In terms of Hotwire offerings, there is a 3.5* in the MTE area with the amenities: Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Tennis for $239 (the price you see may differ slightly), which would appear to be the Millennium UN. That hotel is a little out-of-the-way in Midtown East, but it is a nice area and the hotel is the lowest priced of the nicer (3.5*/4*) Hotwire offerings. It also gets good reviews as NYC hotels go.

More expensive is the 70 Park Avenue Hotel in MTS, which is $298.75 on Orbitz.com, although if you use coupon code FABSAVE10, you get 10% off the final total. You also get a free wine reception in the evening at this property.

You may also be able to get a 4* in Midtown via PRICELINE for around $175 (based upon regular rates I'm seeing, $175 seems like a fairly reasonable guesstimate as to what would be "in the neighborhood" of an acceptable bid price for a Midtown 4*). With PRICELINE, you would have to be willing to accept any of the 4*'s in the areas you bid on if you bid for a 4*. If you are interested in PRICELINE, we would be happy to suggest a strategy based upon which Priceline zones you would be interested in.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could use the site's links to Orbitz.com, HOTWIRE.com or PRICELINE to start the purchase process, as clicking the links to start a purchase helps support the site.

[thereuare]

Approximately what is your target budget? (per nite before taxes and fees)

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

[hcmom]

My target rate is $300 - $350 per night. Since I am not familiar with the city, I am basically looking for something safe and clean; of course, since this a mom/daughter getaway, a little atmosphere (like a view or a nice bed) would be nice...but not really necessary.

I appreciate each of your responses, AaronJB and thereuare. I just tried Hotwire again, and there is now a 4-Star hotel in Times Square for $335. (fitness, restaurant, business center, and Internet.) I think that I will book one of the Hotwire or Orbitz options. (I appreciate your offer to help with Priceline, but it's kind of intimidating to me.) I know that I have waited until the last minute...I will make a booking before midnight.

Thanks again for your time and help!

[AaronJB]

Personally, I'd rather recommend the Orbitz 70 Park Ave offer, as at least it's a 4 star under your budget, in a very nice location, free reception, very good reviews (4 out of 5 on tripadvisor.com) and is refundable with a $25 fee, although please do DEFINITELY CONFIRM this before booking.) With the 10% off Orbitz FABSAVE10 coupon, the per night total would be just under $270 per night.

If, when the dates come closer, there's a much better HOTWIRE offer, you can cancel the Orbitz with the $25 penalty and rebook on HOTWIRE. Plus at least having a refundable reservation will give you the flexibility. If nothing better comes along, then at least you're set with a very nice hotel.

[hcmom]

Thank you, so much AaronJB...I will take your advice! It sounds like a great deal.

HCMom