Priceline Hotel: Help needed. New user trying to get good rates for Soho or Tribeca Gra

[Christoffer]

Until today I had never heard of priceline (we dont have it in sweden...)

Me and my wife are going to NY for our honeymoon 14/11-17/11 and we really would like to stay in Soho or Tribeca Grand for a good price. We are willing to pay a total of 380 dollars (tax and service charge included). Do you think its even possible to get the any of these hotels for that price. Since this is completely new to me I feel a bit nervous when placing the first bid. I havent done so yet and figured I would ask for some advice before doing so. I really dont want to stay downtown on Hilton. Is there any way to insure yourself that we dont get this hotel if placing a bid on a 4* in Downtown-Soho-Financial district?

So I guess my question is. What strategy should I use and what kind of starting bid is recomended for these two hotels?

Thanks alot for your help!

BR,

Christoffer

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I really dont want to stay downtown on Hilton

If there is a hotel in the zone at the star level you are bidding that you don't want to stay at then you shouldn't bid that zone.

There is no way to target, or avoid, a particular hotel when bidding on PRICELINE. If there is a hotel you're trying to target, or avoid, then HOTWIRE can often be a better option since you can often identify, or at least exclude, certain properties based upon the amenities shown. However, with the above noted, your budget above amounts to about $110/nite and that's not going to be nearly enough for this time of year in NYC.

Since you can't target the hotel(s) you want, nor avoid the hotel you don't want, what is your back-up plans and where do you intend to stay and how much is the rate? (i'm guessing you haven't begun to look at rates for your dates yet)

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

[Christoffer]

Hello.. Thanks for the fast reply.

380 dollars was per night not for the entire stay..

The reason I am worried about getting the downtown hotel is because its a bit cheaper per nihgt than the others and it seems like they would be rather fast at accepting bids.

Lets say I could live with the fact that we stay down in financial district. What should my strategy be with a 380/day budget?

Thanks alot for your help

[thereuare]

I think you have a good chance at success at your limit of $325, but as the odds favor you ending up in the Financial District rather than Soho/Tribeca, i'll also ask how familiar you are with NYC? For the average visitor the midtown zones often work out better for getting around and seeing/exploring the city than Downtown (or Soho or Tribeca)... are you familiar enough with NYC or have a specific reason you want to stay in the Downtown zone?

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

[Christoffer]

Hello

Well I have been there once before and spent most of my time uptown or close to Times square. We really loved NY and decided that next time we went we would stay in the Soho/Tribeca/Chelsea (which only seems to have 3-3,5* hotels on pricewire).

So you think the odds are higher on me getting a financial district hotel if I bid on the soho/downtown 4* hotels? What are the chances you would say?

/Christoffer

[thereuare]

I can't put a percentage on it, but try this...

Enter "NYC Downtown" without the quotes in the QuickSearch box at the top of the page (inside the blue banner)... scan the reported wins for the 4* hotels and see how many receive the Millenium Hilton vs. the others. This isn't to say that you will/won't receive this property for your own bidding, but it gives a feel how the other 4* hotels in the area are won much less frequently.

HOTWIRE has what is likely the Inter-Continental in the MTE zone for $289/nite for your dates if that is of any interested.

As well, if you want to go up to your limit, you could book the Affinia Dumont thru GTA Hotels for $347/nite (1230 total all-in... just over your budget) but is one of the top ranked hotels in NYC.

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

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

[Christoffer]

Thanks for the tip. I did the research and it seems like there is a 10-15% chance we get a reservation at 60 Thompson, Soho Grand or Tribeca Grand. Since the chances are quite slim I think we need to think this thru and decide what to do..

Thanks a lot for your help and quick response.

BR,

Christoffer

[Christoffer]

I have browsed the HOTWIRE site and am a bit interested in the 3,5* Midtown south property they offer for 339$ any idea what hotel that might be? Its amnities is Fitnes center, Internet access and restaurants.

Thanks for your help

/Christoffer

[thereuare]

This HOTWIRE property has not yet been identified, but i see that there are higher rated hotels for about the same price in the MTS zone, as well as numerous other properties throughout the city which are higher rated and/or less expenisve... what exactly is it that you're looking for in this stay?

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

[Christoffer]

The Hotwire site seems to be down due to maintanence at the moment. I am looking for a nice stay in either Soho/Tribeca/Chelsea or the southern parts of MTS. We would like to stay at either a 3,5 or a 4* hotel and are willing to pay approximatley 380$ a night tax included. I would prefer a boutique hotel but can definetly consider a larger hotel as well... Would have booked a downtown hotel imidietly if I didnt think that we would end up in the financial district.

Any clues or wild guesses of what hotel the 3,5* in MLS might be?

Thanks a lot

/Christoffer

[thereuare]

Not sure of the HOTWIRE hotel above, but how about the Desmond Tutu Center for $318/nite thru GTA Hotels (please use this link if you go this route). The 'downside' of this hotel is that it's about a 10+ minute walk to the subway but it's in the meat packing district of Chelsea which is an 'up and coming' area with some boutiques and galleries popping up (from what i've read... not really my scene, although i did walk by the general area a few weeks ago and was surprised by the changes it has gone thru). Most of the online sites rate this property 3 stars, but the reviews have been excellent and seems to fit your geography preferences (15th St and Tenth Avenue). Best of all, it's cancellable up until 4 days before your stay so you can use this as a back-up, know you have something within your budget, and use this as the "deal to beat".

Will this work for your needs?

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. (or our GTA Hotels link if you book the above)