travellar Posted February 21, 2009 Report Posted February 21, 2009 Hi guys. I'm quite new to Priceline and Hotwire, even though I have known about them but hadn't taken the plunge. I'm going to NYC from the 5/22/09 - 5/30/09. I would like to stay in MTE, MTW, TS (although I'm in two minds about that, having read comments) or even MTS. Originally, I was going to stay in 2 1/2 * but when I saw the prices 4* could be had for, I thought Iwould give it a go.I have placed bids up to $122 but have been unsuccessful. I checked the calendar and people have won bids for 4* at $113 and $118. I kept adding different zones but to no avail. My question is: Do you think there are limited 4* available for particular dates or should I lower my bid for 3 - 31/2 * hotels? I would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.This site is fantastic by the way and keep up the good work!
AaronJB Posted February 21, 2009 Report Posted February 21, 2009 Welcome to the site.TS isn't bad to include in your bidding to give you a greater range of possibilities, but what I recommend to people is to not make it the primary focus. What would be your max budget per night?Unfortunately, while some people have had bids accepted in this range, if their bids are not on the same dates, then you cannot look to those as a guide for your dates. The difficulty may also be because you have a longer/8 day stay.HOTWIRE is showing a 3.5* in the Chelsea/Madison Square area w/the icons "smoke-free, restaurant, internet, business" for $109 (the price you see may vary slightly) for these dates. This would likely be the Wyndham Garden Chelsea. You could take that for the entire stay orSpend half your stay there and half your stay at the new Ace Hotel, which would be just a few blocks away from the Wyndham Chelsea. The Ace Hotel is $99 for these dates via Quikbook.com.Or:Just take the $99 rate for the Ace via Quikbook.com.Please use the site's Quikbook.com or HOTWIRE links to start your purchase/s.
AaronJB Posted February 21, 2009 Report Posted February 21, 2009 I suggested splitting your stay between the two hotels simply for a change of scene during an 8 day period.
travellar Posted February 21, 2009 Author Report Posted February 21, 2009 Thanks AaronJB for the welcome. :) [What would be your max budget per night?]I would probably go up to $130. I'm bidding from the UK and the exchange rate with the pound is getting dire!If I can get lower, I won't complain! As I said before, I don't mind bidding for a lower class hotel. [unfortunately, while some people have had bids accepted in this range, if their bids are not on the same dates, then you cannot look to those as a guide for your dates. The difficulty may also be because you have a longer/8 day stay.]The bids were accepted for the dates that I want to go to NYC. I'm actually leaving NYC very early in the morning to go to JFK, so I'm thinking that i can do the last night at an airport hotel.
travellar Posted February 21, 2009 Author Report Posted February 21, 2009 Thanks Aaron. Just saw your replies and I'll get looking at these hotels. :)
AaronJB Posted February 21, 2009 Report Posted February 21, 2009 If you booked the Ace, that appears to be refundable (there is no "non-refundable" designation, but please do check the fine print.), so that would give you some flexibility if it is indeed refundable.The reason that the Ace is $99 is to get people through the door to try out the hotel. From what I've read, those rooms will otherwise go for $209 normally.
AaronJB Posted February 21, 2009 Report Posted February 21, 2009 My mistake - the Wyndham Garden Midtown Convention Center is the HOTWIRE listing; the Wyndham Garden Chelsea is a 3* in the same area. Sorry about that. :)
travellar Posted February 21, 2009 Author Report Posted February 21, 2009 No worries Aaron, everyone makes mistakes and you're taking your time out to help me. :) The Ace @$99 is a bunk bed room and there are two of us, (should have said originally). Don't think my boyfriend will fancy sleeping in two separate beds :) Do you think it's worth bidding on Priceline for a 3 - 3* or just book the Wyndham through Hotwire? Thanks!
AaronJB Posted February 21, 2009 Report Posted February 21, 2009 I actually quite like the Wyndham possibility. That Wyndham gets very good reviews (reviews) and given the $224 rate, the $109 HOTWIRE rate is a bit more than half off.The other idea would be to try one more time for a 4* for your max at $130 via PRICELINE and if that isn't accepted, then take the potential Wyndham for $109 via HOTWIRE.
JoTrav Posted February 22, 2009 Report Posted February 22, 2009 @travellarNice to see another traveler with nearly the same travel dates :) Will be in town from 05/22 - 05/29 coming from Germany, so i'll follow this thread with great interest :o@AaronJBPlease can you tell me what i'm doing wrong because i cant find the $109 HW Wyndham :) That would be an interesting option for my stay but i only see a 3,5* in Chelsea - Madison Square Garden Area with the icons "smoke free, fitness, business, high-speed" for $105 ... thanks!
travellar Posted February 22, 2009 Author Report Posted February 22, 2009 Hi JoTrav,I didn't see the $109 deal either but I did see a 3* for $119 and a 31/2* for $112.Good luck with your bidding. Let me know if you find anything.
JoTrav Posted February 22, 2009 Report Posted February 22, 2009 Good luck with your bidding. Let me know if you find anything.Dont think this is an option for you, but i'll split my stay and got this for the first four days:05/22 - 05/23 - 3* Sheraton JFK Airport Hotel - $80 via Priceline05/23 - 05/25 - 4* Westin Jersey City - $95 via PricelineChoosed an airport hotel for the first night, because i'll arrive late and dont want to search my hotel in an unknown city at night :)Hope to find a hotel in the city from 05/25 - 05/29 ... wish you good luck, too!
travellar Posted February 22, 2009 Author Report Posted February 22, 2009 Glad you got something for the first four days. :) I'm arriving late on the Friday but I'm not bothered about going into the city, as it will be buzzing on a Friday. I didn't want to stay in Jersey and commute in, as the prices for a 3 - 3 1/2 * were comparable, especially taking into account convenience and travel costs. although I had considered it.I might book an airport hotel for the last night, as I have an early departure or I might just enjoy my last night (being a Friday) and just catch up with sleep on the plane. :) I can't bid until tomorrow, so I'll let you know how I get on.
travellar Posted February 23, 2009 Author Report Posted February 23, 2009 I placed bids which were all rejected. :) I did however fail to go up to $130 before I ran out of zones. My mistake! I was bidding in pounds and miscalculated one of my bids in dollars I am going to bid 4* again and if there is no joy, then I will bid for 3.5*. If I want to try and get Wyndham Garden Chelsea, do I bid Chelsea or MSG area? Hotwire has a 3* hotel in Chelsea MSG for $119.Are most of the areas good for 3.5* or are there any to avoid? I was going to do similar to my 4* bids - MTE, MTW, ESB, TS, CPS, CHELSEA, UTW
AaronJB Posted February 24, 2009 Report Posted February 24, 2009 I'm still seeing a 3.5* in the Chelsea-MSG area for $109 on these dates when I search for 2 people on HOTWIRE for 5/22-30. Are you searching for 2 people?While board moderator thereuare can comment much better on the current state of this area of the city better than I can - things may be different now - I remember it being fine when I visited NYC a few years back, and you're not far from Times Square (yet not right in TS.)
travellar Posted February 24, 2009 Author Report Posted February 24, 2009 Hi AaronJB,I am searching for two people. I thought the 3.5* might be the Convention centre hotel, which isn't meant to be as convenient.I think you said in an earlier post that the 3* in Chelsea MSG might be the Wyndham.I will rebid and if there is no joy then I will book through HOTWIRE.Thanks for trying to help. Any more info or tips will be greatly received. :)
AaronJB Posted February 24, 2009 Report Posted February 24, 2009 Unfortunately, no - I confused the two Wyndhams; I thought the 3.5* was the Chelsea, but it's the convention center location.Hopefully bidding will go well - have you thought about splitting your stay?
travellar Posted February 28, 2009 Author Report Posted February 28, 2009 I have just boooked the Wyndham Garden Hotel - Manhattan Chelsea West for 5/22 - 5/30 for $119 per night through Hotwire :)Bids for 4* kept getting rejected and I was worried that the prices were actually going up!I used the link to HOTWIRE to book, so you can be credited. Thanks for all the help! :) I will post in calendar of wins and also put in the Hotwire section.
travellar Posted February 28, 2009 Author Report Posted February 28, 2009 Booked the Wyndham Garden Hotel -Manhattan Chelsea West 5/22 - 5/30 for $119 per night.Thanks all :)
thereuare Posted February 28, 2009 Report Posted February 28, 2009 Congratulations on your success!This looks like a good deal for an extended stay such as this one. Glad to see you received the hotel you were hoping for and that you're happy with the results.Thank you for sharing your results with the board and using our HOTWIRE link to begin your purchase.Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
AaronJB Posted March 1, 2009 Report Posted March 1, 2009 Glad you were able to get the Wyndham Chelsea! :) Great deal, and enjoy your stay.
JoTrav Posted March 2, 2009 Report Posted March 2, 2009 Really nice to see that you've found a good deal for your stay!*** Congratulations ***Maybe i'll try to get the same hotel for my last five days... :)
travellar Posted March 2, 2009 Author Report Posted March 2, 2009 JoTrav,You never know, you might get a better deal if prices fluctuate. I just didn't want to take the risk of the prices going up, as the bids for this time of year seemed to be getting higher and I thought this was a good deal.Good luck!
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