Priceline Hotel: 4* Newark (Jersey City) Westin

[TamCaP]

Dear all,

I hope you can help me out a bit. I am looking for a sub $85 /n + tax room in Manahattan, 2*+ star category (although until now I stayed with 3* + ). Dates 8/21-8/23, splits welcome. If I can't find anything, I will probably decide for NJ, where such amount should be sufficient (hopefully). The bidding strategy I used today was:

4*

cps/esb/mes

cps/esb/mes + ues 75

cps/esb/mes + ues/chel 76

cps/esb/mes + ues/chel/brook 77

cps/esb/mes + ues/chel/brook/lic 78

cps/esb/mes + ues/chel/brook/lic/msg 80

3.5*

cps/esb/mes/mw/ts 75

cps/esb/mes/mw/ts + chel 80

cps/esb/mes/mw/ts + chel/lic 85

3*

cps/esb/mw 65

cps/esb/mw/ts 70

cps/esb/mes/mw/ts 75

cps/esb/mes/mw/ts/msg 76

cps/esb/mes/mw/ts/msg/chel 77

cps/esb/mes/mw/ts/msg/chel/uws 80

cps/esb/mes/mw/ts/msg/chel/uws/soho 81

I obviously did not explore all the combinations / re-biddings possible, but I think I tested the waters enough. I would probably want to avoid lic/brook, unless the price justifies the extra hassle (it's a touristy stay). Any hints / ideas? Or is my request too unreasonable even for PRICELINE?

Best,

TamCaP

PS. Just in case: cps - CentralParkSouth, esb - EmpireStateBuilding, mes - MidtownEast, mw - MidtownWest, ts - TimesSquare, msg - MadisonSquareGarden, chel - Chelsea, uws - UpperWestSide, soho - SOHO + Financial District, lic - Long Island City

[thereuare]

I don't think sub-$85 for a 3* (up to what you've already bid) ist very realistic for this trip, and with good reason (imo), we don't see much 2.5* bidding and below for NYC. While some 2.5* rated hotels may be acceptable, there are some which are not, and with PRICELINE and HOTWIRE you can't choose which type you will get.

Is your budget at all flexible? Rates are not that high for these dates and you can probably get a 4* hotel for ~$120 and a 3* for ~$110... it would seem 'reaching' for the higher star rating hotels at these prices could be a much better value than say a 2.5* hotel at $85/nite. If you're not flexible on your maximum bid, i'd question whether you'd be better off with a high quality hotel in NJ vs. an unknown low rated hotel in Manhattan.

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

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

[TamCaP]

My "sum total" is fixed, what can change is the amount of nights (slash 8/23) or, as already mentioned, location (to NJ Waterfront). Thanks for the hint thereuare about the low quality 2*s in Manhattan - will try my luck on the other side of the Hudson for now.

[TamCaP]

The battle was fierce and will be remembered for generations to come:

jc - 65 *warning, low chance*

jc + eliz - 70

jc + eliz/mead - 75

jc + eliz/mead/new - 78

jc + eliz/mead/new/sec - 80

jc + eliz/mead/new/sec/shills - 83

jc + eliz/mead/new/sec/shills/wor - 85

Hits Westin Jersey City at $85, hotel best prepaid rate (website) is $189 - I am happy. I am also happy it's not Hyatt, because even though it was a nice hotel, I am willing to try something new!

Used the PRICELINE link.

[yellowdog]

Congratulations on your success!

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

Have a nice stay.

Yellowdog.