Priceline Hotel: Hotel Advice Requested - NYC 9/18 - 9/21/09

[Shazza]

Back in April I was successful in getting a great deal for NYC in May (thank you betterbidding!). I stayed at a the Affinia Dumont hotel in ESB and loved the area as while it was in Manhattan it felt residential and I was still within walking distance of everything and close to the subway. I would like to stay in the same area again but I am flexible.

Airfares are so great I decided to visit again and have booked flights for September 18-21. Unfortunately I think I have been spoiled by low season hotel rates and I may have unrealistic expectations so I have some questions for NYC Priceline experts.

I would prefer to stay in a 3.5* (or above) boutique hotel vs some of the bigger chains but I also know that PRICELINE is a gamble and you get what you get. ESB is my preferred area and I definitely want to avoid Times Square but I am open to suggestions for other central areas.

I started bidding this weekend and bid (and re-bid) ESB 3.5* to $140 so clearly there is either nothing available in ESB or the Priceline rates are high. I havent reached my maximum bid yet but ideally it would be $150 for a 3.5*. I have found the Affinia Dumont online for $212 per night for that weekend and currently their best rate for the weekend I want through the hotel website is $240. I think the $240 rate is fully refundable if cancelled within 24 hours of check in so I could use that as my backup plan.

Am I bidding too early for September 18-21? The calendar of wins shows no wins for that weekend at this time.

From my research on betterbidding it seems September could be considered high season and I am worried that prices will rise while I wait to start bidding - is this a fair assumption?

I believe fashion week is September 10-17 so can I assume that the weekend will be busy because of that?

Advise away - all comments appreciated :) and of course I am using the betterbidding PRICELINE link to place my bids.

[thereuare]

Has your $140 bid only been for the ESB zone? If so, did you want to try up to your maximum bid of $150 for just this zone before adding other zone, or is price ultimately the most important factor and you'd prefer to add other zones now (at less than $150)

Let us know and we'll take it from there.

Thanks for using our PRICELINE links to begin your bidding :)

[Shazza]

Since I am bidding six weeks out I have only been bidding ESB (and using areas with no 3.5* or 4* for rebids) and I have now reached my maximum bid of $150 in ESB with no success. My lack of success may mean that there are no hotels in ESB on priceline at this time.The Affinia Shelburne is available for around $200 per night online so I dont want to go above $150 since that and the Dumont are the only 3.5* hotels in ESB.

My back up is in ESB and only just over $200 before taxes.

So I am willing at add other zones and start lower because I would be willing to change areas for a real deal (but am I being realistic about a deal in September?). My minimum star rating is 3.5.

I am not familiar with all the NY zones but I know I dont like Times Square (too touristy), I dont want to go down to the Financial District and I dont like the area around Penn Station and the garment district (is this MSG?). So I guess that leaves me with MTE, MTW, CPS for options. I read some of the reviews of 3.5* hotels in MTE and its a bit hit and miss so if I am taking a gamble I definitely want to get a good price.

Hopefully this all makes sense! and I hope I am not being too difficult.

Thanks.

[thereuare]

My lack of success may mean that there are no hotels in ESB on priceline at this time.The Affinia Shelburne... and the Dumont are the only 3.5* hotels in ESB.

Keep in mind these are the only reported hotels and there are likely more as 1) this zone is not bid as often as many of the others and, 2) this zone is often more expensive than others so users bidding multiple zones usually end up in a neighboring zone.

I read some of the reviews of 3.5* hotels in MTE and its a bit hit and miss so if I am taking a gamble I definitely want to get a good price

For this time of year what do you consider a 'good price'? Would you keeep your maximum bid at $150 at the moment? What about trying for a 4* hotel first in any of these zone at $150 or less?

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

[Shazza]

I failed to have any luck on PRICELINE for this trip and in the end booked directly with the hotel (Affinia Dumont) and paid about $240 per night for my stay in NYC. I think to be successful on PRICELINE for NYC in September you have to be willing to take your chances - and that wasnt a chance I wanted to take.

[thereuare]

Thanks for the follow-up and closing this thread.

Pricey, but a very nice hotel, hope you enjoyed your stay.