Priceline Hotel: 3* NYC (MSG-Convention Center) Affinia Manhattan

[jadebutterfly]

Hi all,

I came across this forum as I was planning my last minute vacation. I have never used any sites like this before so this is all new to me. I did some of the readings in the FAQ to get a better idea of how this bidding works. I've also browsed thru Priceline and Hotwire to get an idea how the site works.

I want to try to bid for a hotel with priceline first. I don't mind 3* or 4* hotel. I'm not familiar with NYC, but any area around Time Square/Theatre district would be nice. Preferably close to NY Penn Station is good too since I will be taking the bus back to Toronto on the evening of 29th.

What kind of prices should I be looking at? I've checked Expedia and prices seems to start from low 200s to mid 300s depending on location and hotel rating.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

What is your maximum budget for this stay? Are you willnig to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3* OR are you looking for the least expensive 3* or better hotel for this stay?

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

PS- what hotels are you seeing in the low $200's... most 3* properties i'm seeing start in the mid/high $200's and the mojority $300+

[jadebutterfly]

my maximum budget for this one night will be $300.

unfortunately when I was browsing Expedia last week, the prices of the hotels were a bit lower as stated on my first post.

I just checked Expedia and you are right, it appears hotels are around mid 200 to 300+

I am going to call tomorrow to see if The New Yorker hotel has a full refund policy for cancellation, and make a booking there via their website. They are located at the same intersection as Penn station, and after taxes, one bedroom is $308.

I am trying to bid on something lower than that pricepoint. I'm more for the price and convenience than the hotel star rating as I will be spending most of my time around town since I'm only there for 2days/1night. That being said, I do want to have an enjoyable night, so 3*+ is preferable.

Since I'm just touring Time Square district and possibly getting a citypass, I am trying to not spend any money on cabbing from place to place, and will be spending most of my time walking or by bus/subway(depending on citypass)

I just used PRICELINE posted on this site and made a $200 ~($250) bid on Madison Sq. 3* (I think the only hotel is Affinia Manhatten in that area) and it DID NOT go through

Any advice?

[thereuare]

Not sure if you bid $200 or you started at $200 and went as high as $250, but regardless you can do much better than the New Yorker, imo.

Go to Quickbook (please use this link) and book the 6 Columbus Circle for $245/nite, this is cancellable up until 2 days before your stay. Assuming this is acceptable and you book this, you can use this as your 'price to beat'. This hotel is not located next to Penn Station, but it's an easy subway ride on the 1,2,3 or 9 to Penn Station, it's fairly new, and gets very good reviews.

Will this work for your needs? Let us know and we'll take it from there.

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

PS- if you're looking for a City Pass see our sister site Things To Do 411.com where there is currently a 5% off code for city pass, visitor pass, hopon-hopoff busses, etc, etc.

[jadebutterfly]

sorry i meant to say I started a bid at $200 and it did not go thru. ignore the 250 :)

I will definitely consider booking thru Quickbook once I get back from work.

and thanks for the link to your sister site :)

otherwise, does anyone have any strategy for me to start the priceline bid?

I'm thinking of choosing MSG, MTW, and TS as by three areas. I'm ok with 3* and 4* (or should I start with 4* first?)

[thereuare]

To suggest a PRICELINE strategy we need to know your maximum bid... which if the Quikbook hotel above is acceptable then we can stop at $250... otherwise you stated you were looking to do better than the $300 back-up. Sometimes in order to start you need to know where you're going to end, so once you decide upon your back-up we'll be in a better position to suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. (and Quickbook if you reserve the 6 Columbus Circle property)

[jadebutterfly]

sorry, i mentioned my max bid being $300 earlier.

But if the 6 columbus is costing 245, my max bid will be 250

I am willing to pay for a more convenient/closer hotel to time square.

thanks,

[jadebutterfly]

checked Quickbook using the link on this thread. 6 Columbus is $289 on Aug28th, I don't see the $245 as mentioned earlier :)

[AaronJB]

The Carlton on Madison Ave is $269 via Orbitz.com.

Please use the site's link to Orbitz if this is of interest.

HOTWIRE has a couple of 3.5* Midtown options around $225. Please use the site's link to HOTWIRE if this is of any interest.

[jadebutterfly]

Decided to place one last bid before looking for a hotel on Quickbook.

Up my bid to 210 for MTW, MSG, and TS on Priceline

Won the bid for Affinia Manhatten!

I am happy with the price and the reviews on tripadvisor for this hotel seems great. It is located close to Penn station and time square. So I'm all set for hotel.

Thank you guys for your help and advice :)

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success and thank you for sharing your results with teh board.

Glad to hear you received a hotel in your desired locations... this property if right across the street from Penn Station so should work out well for your needs.

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

Enjoy your stay.