Priceline Hotel: 4* NYC (MTE) InterContinental The Barclay

[Momma Joe]

Family (2 Adults , 2 children: 13 yr old & 15 yr old) travelling to NYC May 14-18, 2009

(Flying into Newark)

What we are looking :

- prefer complimentary breakfast

- nothing fancy, as long as it's clean, comfortable AFFORDABLE , and in a not so busy area

Interested in MTE , or would even consider Jersey City if other members thought that transportation to and from NYC was "doable" .

Would appreciate if you could make a few suggestions .

Thanks

[Momma Joe]

Please ID the following

HOTWIRE $209

May 14-18, 2009

2 Adults 2 children

3-star hotel in Chelsea - Madison Square Garden Area

This hotel features the following amenities:

[*]Complimentary Breakfast

[*]Fitness Center

[*]Business Center

[*]High-speed Internet Access

Thanks

[AaronJB]

Personally, I like MTE - it's convenient and yet doesn't have the overcrowded feel of the Times Square area.

Keep in mind that a hotel that offers breakfast cannot be specified on PRICELINE and a hotel w/breakfast may not be available on HOTWIRE for your dates.

What would your budget per night be for these dates?

[AaronJB]

The HOTWIRE listing would be a match for what's been reported for the Hampton Inn 35th.

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

The Hampton Inn Herald Square is slightly cheaper via Orbitz. It's $228, but if you use the coupon code FABSAVE10, you get 10% off = about $205 and change. This is also non-refundable, though.

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

[AaronJB]

Additionally, the Ace Hotel is $209 via Quikbook.com.

[thereuare]

NYC rates have been so inexpensively lately that i don't think Jersey City is a good alternative at the moment... the savings currently aren't worth the commute (although we'll see what happens as the new Westin opens in the coming weeks)

If you bid on PRICELINE are you looking for one room or two?

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

[Momma Joe]

How "risky" would it be to book a Hotwire hotel for 2 adults.

Then call that hotel and request two double beds.

This would cover the sleeping arrangement for 2 adults , 2 teens .

May 14-18, 2009

There's a 4* for 2 adults available for $126 in the MTE area (Fitness Ctr,Restaurant, Busn Ctr,Hi-speed internet,Tennis Nearby)

Query the same time frame, but I put in 2 adults - 2 teenagers, and the best I can come up with is a 4* in Midtown Central

for $305 (non-smoking,Fitness Ctr,Restaurant,Busn Ctr,Hi-speed internet)

That's double the cost !

Has anyone done this with no hassle ?

Thanks for all your help.

I have been running my query bookings thru your links - and will book that way when I'm ready.

[AaronJB]

There is a definite risk that they can say no, and doing this would be at your own risk. However, you may be able to request a rollaway.

It's a matter of what is the risk worth to you - is it worth having to pay nearly double to assure bedding for four? You could take a couple of mats, as well.

If you do try to book 2 for a party of four, I'd not make the fact that you're a party of four obvious at check-in..

[thereuare]

You could also consider booking two rooms via PRICELINE... we've seen some great deals lately at the 4* leave for under $120/nite, which even booking two rooms, would be cheaper than the $305/nite that you're quoting for quad occupancy... not to mention more space, a little privacy for each room, and an extra bathroom/shower to use for getting ready in the morning which should make getting out the door and starting your day a little easier too.

There would be no guarantees of getting connecting rooms, but if you call ahead you should at least be able to get rooms right near each others... if the kids to have their 'own room', you know best how they would behave in such a situation.

Thanks for using our PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links :)

[Momma Joe]

This may be a dumb query ......... but here goes, If I request two rooms on PRICELINE , is there any chance at all that the two rooms may not be in the same hotel ? Thanks for your suggestions and insight - it's been very helpful.

I've passed along your website to friends and colleagues.

[AaronJB]

If you bid on two rooms on PRICELINE at the same time in the same transaction, if accepted, you will get the same hotel.

If you bid on one room and are accepted and then try to bid again for another room, then you may be accepted at a different property.

[Momma Joe]

Hotwire Rate $ 176.00/night May 16-18

3.5-star hotel in Midtown East

This hotel features the following amenities:

Fitness Center

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-speed Internet Access

Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply.

Hotwire Rate $145

May 16-18

3-star hotel in Empire State Building Area

This hotel features the following amenities:

Smoke Free Rooms

Fitness Center

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

High-speed Internet Access

Guestrooms are equipped with high-speed Internet access; an extra charge may apply.

[Momma Joe]

Decided to divide and conquer and try my luck on both sites.

HOTWIRE : Purchased 4* in MTE May 14-16 for $129/night

PRICELINE :Bid $121/night and won for a 4* in MTE May 16-18

Turns out I got the same hotel .........INTERCONTINENTAL THE BARCLAY ..... :)

I booked both using your PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links.

Thanks so much for the help and information.

Cheers !

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success(es)!

Please only use one thread per win... we'll use this thread for your PRICELINE 5/16-5/18 thread, please start a NEW TOPIC for your hotwire purchase, and include the amenities shown before your purchase (you can still view this information by going ot HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top right of their home page)

How did you resolve the double occupancy issue... did you reserve the HOTWIRE hotel room for quad occupancy and/or get two rooms for either stay?

Thanks for sharing your win(s) with the board and for using our PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links for your purchase.

Enjoy your stay in NYC.

[Momma Joe]

As a follow up note, w.r.t. quad occupancy . I called ahead (several times, each time got a diff desk clerk, eventually hit the right one who was willing to help out) and requested two double beds, and they noted the request on my reservation. When we arrived everything worked out perfectly. Well worth the gamble for the money saved - it helped to have joined the hotel's free membership program (Priority Club) in advance. I think this improved my chances of them honoring my request. They even made sure that the two separate reservations (one via HOTWIRE and the other via PRICELINE) were linked so that we could stay in the same room and not move after two nights - which would have been the case had I not called ahead. Hope this helps fellow "crafty" travellers :)

[thereuare]

Well worth the gamble for the money saved...

Because it worked :)