Hotwire Hotel: 3.5* NYC (Chelsea-MSG) Doubletree

[Andy Dunlop]

Hey guys ... very useful forum, so thanks for that!

Anyway, I'm looking to stay in NYC for 7 nights (8-15th Jun), somewhere relatively central (TS, MTE/W, MSG or CPS probably)

I'm not really wanting to spend more than $120 a night ... what could that get us.

Also ... there's 3 adults going, but we only want one room ... is it possible to book a room with 2 doubles in it, or even a sofa bed? How would you go about this?

Thanks in advance

Andy

[Andy Dunlop]

I should have added ... we don't mind the star rating, but would prefer a hotel, rather than a shared bath!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to the site.

You cannot guarantee two beds via PRICELINE; the service only guarantees 1 bed. While some people have successfully requested two from a Priceline reservation in other markets, New York City hotels remain notorious about this due to small rooms and the fact that rooms with two doubles generally go for a premium over rooms with 1 bed. If two beds are a 100% must, then I wouldn't recommend PRICELINE. If you can somehow work around the possibility of not having two beds, then PRICELINE is the cheapest option.

Otherwise, your only other option is HOTWIRE, where prices are going to be higher due to the third adult. Unfortunately, the only HOTWIRE option I'm seeing in Midtown is a 3* in the Empire State Building area for $156 (which would appear to be the Wyndham Garden.)

[AaronJB]

Unfortunately, I'm not seeing anything on other services (Quikbook.com, Orbitz.com, etc.) in the $120 range. PRICELINE would definitely be the best bet, but it's a matter of whether you're willing to take the risk of not having two beds.

[Andy Dunlop]

I'm willing to take the risk ... I'll happily sleep on a floor for a week!

[AaronJB]

If you are interested in a 4*, I would recommend starting with a bid of $90 and working upwards.

If you are interested in a 3*, I'd start at $75 and work upwards.

The above are certainly low-ball offers and do not have a strong chance of being accepted. However, given that you have 5 months until your trip, you certainly have some time to test bidding at lower levels. If $90 isn't accepted for a 4*, try $95 24 hours later, etc.

While I think you will probably have to raise your bid, based upon what's showing on HOTWIRE (which has a 4* in MTE for $139, which is likely the Intercontinental Barclay or Grand Hyatt), I'm guessing a likely range for 4* acceptance is $100-115.

Please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases.

[thereuare]

Are you interested in the highest rated you can get for $120 or less or simply the least expensive hotel you can get for these dates? If the latter, i would highly recommend setting a minimum star level as there may be some hotels at the lower star ratings that are acceptable to you... there may be many more which are not, and with PRICELINE and HOTWIRE you can't choose which type you will get.

As well, while there are single-bedded rooms at all star levels, i think you're likely to get a smaller room, as well as one with only one bed, at the lower rated hotels. Similarly, if you're sleeping on the floor, you'd hopefully want one which was well cleaned regularly :)

Let us know your thoughts and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[Andy Dunlop]

Am I better bidding early, or leaving it nearer the departure time?

[thereuare]

See the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.

Let us know when you're ready to proceed and we'll take it from there.

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

[Andy Dunlop]

Just secured it for $102 per night, 8th - 15th June 2009.

Thanks for everyones help!

[AaronJB]

Thank you for posting your win! :)

What amenities were showing when you made the purchase?

Please use the site's HOTWIRE and PRICELINE links to start your purchases.

[Andy Dunlop]

Sorry, should have added all those. I did use the HOTWIRE link on the forum.

The amenities listed were Fitness Centre, Restauraunt(s), Busuness Centre & High Speed Internet Access.

This booking was for 3 adults sharing one room.

[AaronJB]

Thanks for the follow-up, and for using the HOTWIRE link. :)

[Andy Dunlop]

Just been informed that the Doubletree will not be ready in time for our stay.

Hotwire have booked us with the Crowne Plaze, Times Square at no extra cost to us. My confirmation shows this at being over $300 per night.

[thereuare]

Nice trade-off! :)

Sorry to hear your original plans were changed, but hopefully it you're happy with this new property and HOTWIRE's handling of the situations.

Enjoy your stay.