Priceline Hotel: 4* Newark (Jersey City) Westin

[captnamo]

1. We're first timing it. Wife and I are flying from Lansing MI to EWR for 98.40 round trip on JetAmerica. We're CHEAP!

2. I've used priceline before, though not as expert as most of you here, with good results. Have enjoyed the posts about staying in NJ and "commuting" into the city. Things on our busy weekend: a) Ellis Island. Grandpa came through there from Hungary back in 1911; :) See a show if we can get discount TKTS; c) step foot in Central Park (maybe a carriage ride?); d) Brooklyn Tabernacle on Sunday morning; e) if the weather's nice, walk the Brooklyn Bridge back to Manhattan. And somewhere in between, eat and sleep?

3. I'm leaning toward staying in Jersey City: either 4* if I can get $70 - $80 or I've seen some posts for 2* Candlewood Suites, which has some good reviews on Trip Advisor, at $45-$55 (Priceline I presume). I would just be afraid of getting something less or worse location in the 2* category.

4. Transportation concern: If I get a hotel near Exchange Place station, looks like PATH gives direct route to World Trade Center area, then its subways to get north. Or a more convoluted PATH ride to get up to 33rd st. area. Which would you say is faster? Which is less complicated for the newbie?

Also, is there a way to get to Ellis Island from the NJ side, or is it only accessible via Ferry from NYC side?

Appreciate any thoughts, suggestions, advice. M go blue!

--Steve

[thereuare]

The 4* hotels are a little more convenient to the PATH and give the best bang for your buck in this area, imo. However, you may have to incrase your bid slightly to more than $70-$80 to land one one of these for your dates. Receiving something other then the Candlewood Suite is a 'concern' if you do try to bid at that star level.

If you get the Hyatt i would take the PATH to World Trade Center and then Subway uptown... but if you're already in midtown and near the PATH train then you'd be best to just take that and make the PATH transfer. If you're at the Westin the Newport Station would be closest (which would have different advise) so let's just see where you end up first before too many "what if" scenarios.

There is a ferry from Jersey City to Ellis Island and the line is infinately shorter than the equivalent lines from Battery Park... but it's not the easiest place to get to via mass transit (although do-able weather permitting). However, given all you want to do in a given weekend, be aware that Ellis Island will take the better part of 1/2-3/4 of a day... there is no "do it quick" as there are lines to get on the ferry to Ellis Island and then lines on the way back too.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed regarding the hotel and we'll advise accordingly.

[captnamo]

Let us know how you'd like to proceed regarding the hotel and we'll advise accordingly.

I'm going to try for the 4-star hotels on priceline. HOTWIRE has a 4* Hoboken/Jersey City at $116. Start on PRICELINE at $78?

[thereuare]

What is your maximum bid?

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

[captnamo]

What is your maximum bid?

My budget is somewhat flexible. Just looking for the best value for the dollar :) . Since I can get a Jersey City/Hoboken 4 star for $116 on Hotwire, I probably wouldn't bid beyond that on Priceline.

On the other hand, if someone said I could get get Candlewood for $55 (as one of your posters did), I'd book it in an instant :) (trip advisor reviews are good).

I'd like to stay at or under $125 if I can. What are you thinking?

EDIT:

I rec'd e-mail from Priceline indicating someone bagged a Jersey City 4 star for $85. Just tried it for that and was rejected (using your link, of course). Is there an area without a 4* that I could add and bump my price up?

[thereuare]

I asked your maximum bid since i didn't want to suggest a strategy that went higher than you were willing to bid... and i thought it would take more than the $80 you previously posted.

If you're willnig to bid up to $100, you have SIX re-bid zones when bidding 4* in this area. If you're not familiar with re-bidding please read Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and feel free to ask questions and/or confirm your re-bid zones with the board before proceeding.

Seelct 4* Jersey City...

Bid $85, if rejected add re-bid zone... (this already bid)

Bid $88, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $90, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $93, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $95, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $98, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $100.

You can stop at whatever price point you choose, but i suspect that you'll have a pertty good chance if you bid up to $100 (hopefully successful ~$90)

Any questions feel free to ask (especially if you're unsure of your re-bid zones)

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[captnamo]

Thanks for your guidance. I refreshed my re-bid knowledge at your link above. Went to PRICELINE to double check that of the 7 Newark zones, only the Jersey City zone had a 4 star hotel and kept bidding up after each rejection by adding a zone.

Priceline struck at $95 at the Westin Jersey City Newport. Rooms start at $199 per the Westin, Travelocity, and Hotels.com sites and this is $21 cheaper than the 4-star hotel offered by HOTWIRE.

:) WHOOO HOOOO! :)

Thanks again for your help, for all the great info. in all the posts on your site. And, of course, I used the PRICELINE link from your site.

Last two questions, I think. (1) What's your favorite restaurant in NYC and (2) What's your recommendation for travel from the Westin to EWR for an 8:30 am flight that monday morning?

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your win!

Glad to see you were successful and received a very nice deal for this property.

For restaurant recommendations you'll need to provide a little detail about what type of food you like and your budget... none of my favorites are "destination meals" as i'm not that fancy (my favorite food is pizza).

As far as getting to EWR on Monday morning, take a local cab company who are currently running $25 specials (send me a PM as you get closer to your stay and i'll give you the name of some companies who are running that promo at that time)

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using our PRICELINE link to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay.