Hotwire Hotel: advice please: 4* nyc 7/25-28

[rogerm]

hello savvy travellers!

my 11 year old son and i will be in nyc 7/25-28. i usually stay at the washington square hotel in greenwich village but have become a recent convert to the wonderful deals on priceline.

i'd like to book a 4* that is in an area convenient to the subway. i prefer the west/east village and soho, but am open to staying anywhere in nyc below central park. we have tix to see mama mia and shrek.

is it possible to book a 4* hotel through priceline or hotwire in nyc that has a pool? i'm guessing priceline is a no. hotwire i don't know as i have not used this site yet. a pool is an essential part of travelling with an 11 year old.

any advice or suggestions gratefully accepted.

--rogerm

[thereuare]

It's not possible to choose a hotel with a pool when using PRICELINE, but it is possible with HOTWIRE. However, the number of hotels in NYC that have a pool are few, so your options may be limited (and the hotels offered by HOTWIRE may not show a pool selection)

The Washington Square Hotel doesn't have a pool, does it? :)

What is your maximum budget per nite (before taxes and fees) for this stay?

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

[rogerm]

wash sq hotel does not have a pool. the rooms are very sparse but the location is fantastic with everything within easy walking distance.

rates are $240 at wash sq hotel for a room with two double beds.

so i'd like to find something cheaper that is nicer and has a pool.

[rogerm]

okay, i called hotwire and asked for the highest * hotel with a pool in nyc. the only hotel with a pool was a 3.5* in MTE at a rate of $129 a night. can anyone help me identify which hotel this might be?

[AaronJB]

A 3.5* MTE w/fitness, pool, restaurant, business, internet and tennis (which is the 3.5* MTE showing for these dates on the HOTWIRE website) is a likely match for the Millennium UN.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE link to start your purchase.

[rogerm]

hi aaron.

thanks for your detective work. i was able to match this hotel up by listed amenities and agree it is most likely the millennium.

i've since ditched my idea of staying at a hotel with a pool. now i'd like to stay at the nicest hotel possible (ideally 5*). the 5* on priceline's list view are the ritz carlton battery park at $361/night or the ritz carlton central park at $595/night. both are outta my price range. i'd like to pay less than $200/night (ideally under $150/night).

i can bid for a 4* on priceline (in the areas i'm interested in: mtw, mte, cps, etc) vs. hotwire offers a 4 1/2* hotel in mte for $179/night.

is hotwire's 4 1/2* hotel going to be better than priceline's mystery 4* hotel??

is there anyway to improve my chances of getting a priceline 5* via bidding??

thanks for any input!

--rogerm

[thereuare]

PRICELINE does not currently offer 5* bidding in Manhattan, so a 5* hotel is not going to be in the cards for this stay if you go the PRICELINE route.

Regarding the 4.5* HOTWIRE property, what are the amenities that HOTWIRE associates with this property?

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

[rogerm]

fitness center, restaurant, high speed internet, business center, spa.

4.5* mte at a rate of $179/nite thru HOTWIRE.

thanks for yr help.

--rogerm

[AaronJB]

The 4.5* MTE has not yet been ID'd, but I believe (?) it was guessed that this may be the Benjamin. If it is, that hotel is $228 full price.

The Michelangelo, which is one of the top rated hotels in NYC on tripadvisor, is $218 on Orbitz.com for these dates, and the deal0hotel coupon code takes 10% off each night. The Affinia 50, another top-rated hotel, is $197 on Orbitz (and you should also still be able to use the coupon code.

The link below is a "Stay 2 Nights, Get 1 Free" deal, and the Le Parker Meridien is $249 x 2 nights, third free = $498/divided by 3 = $166 per night average.

Stay 2 nights, get 1 free

Finally, another idea is the Lowes Regency Hotel (a 4.5*), which is $219 on Expedia.com (and one can use the 10JUN coupon code for $10 off per night.) Additionally, if you use your mastercard, you get $300 in Expedia coupons for future trips (details on the website.) Other 4.5* options on Expedia (and you can also use the 10JUN coupon) that are more conveniently located are the Palace ($222) and the Essex House ($219.)

Please use the site's Orbitz.com, Expedia.com, HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links.

[rogerm]

wow aaron. thanks for all the helpful info. i'll research it in the next day or two and let you know the results.

[rogerm]

i just booked le parker meridien for $199.33/night. room has 2 beds. hotel has a pool and is very close to central park. thanks for all your help.