Priceline Hotel: Strategy for 4* in MTE (Goal=The W)

[jcricket]

I need to be in MTE from Dec 28-Jan 1, and really like the W hotels. Anyone have any strategies? Based on the W description in the Hotwire forum, I think I could get it anonymously for $299 (only 4* with a spa in MTE) but I was hoping to pay half that. What's a good bid to start at for this date range? 120 or so? I figure I have a while to get the bid accepted. Thanks for any help.

[slick_gd]

It seems like you might be a little confused with PRICELINE and HOTWIRE.

The only site that you bid for hotels is PRICELINE and bidding is only based on a zone and a star rating. The amenities of the hotel do not impact which hotel you are going to get.

HOTWIRE works differently by offering a hotel by listing it's amenities, star rating, and zone. You don't know the name of the hotel, but you have a better chance of guessing which hotel you are going to get because of the information you are given.

If you are set on getting a W hotel then HOTWIRE may be the better option, with PRICELINE there is absolutely no way to target a specific hotel. You get what you get and there are no cancellations (HOTWIRE also does not allow cancellations).

With that said, I think $120/night for a hotel anywhere in Manhattan is just not going to happen, unless you are willing to stay in a 2* or less which can get really sketchy in NYC (I know first hand from experience - my worst ever hotel stay). I think you would be wasting your time starting at $120. What star rating are you looking for?

The cheapest hotel I see on HOTWIRE for your dates is a 3* in the Empire State Building Area for $235 with amenities: fitness, laundry, and kitchenette. This one looks to be the Murray Hill East Suites, and has pretty good reviews with a 4/5 tripadvisor traveler review rating.

HOTWIRE is showing a 4* in the Midtown East Zone for $309 with amenities: fitness, restaurant, business, internet, and spa which looks the be the W hotel you are aiming for.

While you can typically get better deals on PRICELINE than HOTWIRE, I have never seen PRICELINE be 70% less than HOTWIRE. I would say 10-20% is a more typical range, but even then, that is just a guideline.

What is the maximum you are willing to pay for a night? and what is your minimum star rating?

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I'll just add that i agree with most of the above... while we have seen some 4* wins in NYC lately around the $120 level (and some 3.5* actually below $100!!!) it seems doubtful that such ultra low rates would be available for a stay which includes New Year's Eve. (and HOTWIRE rates as $250+ would support this thesis)

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

Let us know your thoughts regarding the rest of slick_gd's comments and we'll take it from there.