Hotwire Hotel: 4* NYC (MTE) Grand Hyatt

[trippin]

Howdy,

My wife and I are headed to NYC and need a room for Dec.17 and Dec.18.

If anyone can offer bidding advice for a hotel in MTW or UM-CPS, it would

be greatly appreciated.

I've already taken a shot on Priceline for MTW on those dates. I selected

a 3* and went up as high as $185.00. After reading some posts on this site,

I'm a bit surprised my bid wasn't accepted.

thanks in advance,

trippin

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Is this one nite of 12/17 or two nites of 12/17-12/19?

When did you last make the bid in the MTW zone?

[thereuare]

I tried taking a quick look at both scenarios above and i'm almost certain you're looking for a two nite stay.

One nite is much more expensive than the other, and that could be part of the problem, in addition to the week before Christmas being a busy time in NYC.

Once you confirm that this is for a two nite stay we'll advise further, but is staying at a different hotel each nite a possibilty you would consider?

[trippin]

This is for a 2 night stay - 12/17-12/19.

The bid for MTW that I mentioned on my original post was made 11/23 at approximately 11:30pm EST.

I would not be opposed to staying at a different hotel each night.

Thanks.

[thereuare]

Here is what i see as current possibilities:

For a complete stay (12/17-12/19) a 1BR suite is available at the Beekman Tower for $159/nite.... this is also available for each individual nite as well if you decide you want to only stay here on the 2nd nite.

For 12/17:

Marriott Financial Center for $139/nite. This hotel is not located in the zone you mentioned, it is located downtown, but i mention it because it's a great hotel (reviews) and for $139 is a great value (website rate is $269 for this nite!). Given that the nite of the 18th i believe is going to cost you significantly more, i figured i'd at least present this to you as an option.

Millenium UN for $159/nite. REVIEW / review

Drake Swissotel for $189/nite. REVIEW / review

Millenium Broadway for $193/nite. review

For 12/18:

Grand Hyatt for $230/nite. REVIEW / review

The Grand Hyatt is the only thing i can currently find that is remotely reasonable (other than the Beekman mentioned above at $159, but that is considered a 3* hotel by Priceline i believe)

So let us know what combination of the above you think would best suit your needs, we'll then use them as a basis for the price we are trying to beat. You can then try Priceline again in attempt to beat those prices, and if unsuccessful, book the above (assuming still availalbe). Since you'll be bidding each nite individually, you can bid immediately since it is for different dates than your previously rejected bid... it won't be treated as a duplicate.

Note that some of the hotels above are in the MTE zone... dont' know if you were intentionally avoiding it for some reason, but it does represent some of the better value in the city.

Let us know. Of course if there are any questions, feel free to ask.

[trippin]

I took a look at the Marriott Financial Center - it looks like a great place at a good price, but I'd prefer to have something a little closer to the action. I hadn't really checked into the MTE zone, but I have no reason to avoid it.

Beekman Tower looks like a decent choice. I'm going to continue looking, and will keep this one in my back pocket for now. There is still availability on Friday, according to their website, but no longer has availability for Saturday, 12/18.

I'd consider Grand Hyatt for Saturday if no better option were available, but I'd rather spend a little more on a better hotel, as some reviews I read were not positive.

Looks like it's going to be a bit of a challenge.

[trippin]

My original post requested 4* hotels, but I'd be open to 3* as well if you have some good recommendations.

thanks again.

[thereuare]

All of the above hotels, with the exception of the Beekman, are 4* rated. I didn't restrict myself to only 4* hotels in my search for you, the above is the best i could find at 'better' hotels.

I know some of the Hyatt reviews are not great, but if you focus on the ones from users of this board (the 'REVIEW' above in capital letters... they're all positive... in fact, many mention aprehension due to the negative reveiws they had read but encountered no problems... the hotel is also recently renovated which may have helped more recent reviews). You'd be willing to spend more than $230/nite?

Although the website may show sold-out for Saturday nite, you can get the Beekman for both nites of your stay at the $159/nite rate.

[trippin]

I did some more checking on the Beekman Tower. All things considered, this hotel seems to have the best

combination of value, service, cleanliness, and location. It's not right in the middle of the action, nor is it a 4* hotel, but it is close enough, and the reviews were good. I'm going to give this one a shot.

It was mentioned previously that I should be able to get it for $159/night. Would you suggest simply selecting the MTE zone and entering $159, or is there more strategy involved?

I checked the Grand Hyatt reviews from users of this board as you suggested. After reading them, I was considering placing a bid for the Hyatt, but then I recalled that it was ~$230/night and decided against it in favor of the Beekman.

[thereuare]

The Beekman is available thru EASYCLICKTRAVEL.

Enter your dates, scroll down to an "Off The Record" selection (their opaque version) that has a 1 Bedroom Suite offered at $159/nite. Click on 'more info' and the description should begin.... "Built in 1928... Art Deco." Elsewhere in the description it mentions the Zephyr Grill, the Gernot Bernroider Trio, and the Top of the Tower Restaurant.

The above is the Beekman.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Let us know how it goes.

[trippin]

I don't see the description for the Beekman as you describe it on the EASYCLICKTRAVEL website. The only listing for $159 is in the JFK Airport area. I'll check again ...maybe I missed something.

[thereuare]

It was there yesterday and it was there when i typed that last message at 6:34... gone by your message at 7:12 :) Not only is there no longer availability for the two nite stay, but there is no longer availabilty for either nite.

I'll check again in the morning to see if it appears once again OR if anything new appears, but this one may have to be removed from your potential possibilities. ECT actually owns inventory which is why they could have availability on a date that the hotel otherwise shows sold-out, but with both nites disappearing there is a very good chance that somebody else came along and bought the last room(s).

UPDATE: i've spoken with the board's contact at ECT and indeed the last room was sold between the time i posted and the time you tried to access it (it was a 3 nite stay sold at 6:52pm)

[thereuare]

I've re-checked the other options above and they still seem to be available. Here is some additional (new) info:

QKBOOK still has availability at the Beekman but it's $179 for a Queen Studio suite and $199 for a Queen 1BR suite.

The Grand Hyatt for the second nite is now at about $210 on my search. There is also now availability here for both nites at a rate of about $205/nite.

I have also found another possibility (although a bit on the high end but it will give you a complete stay at one hotel).....

The Millenium Broadway is available thru one service for the first nite at $193, thru a different service at $289 <yikes>... giving you an average of about $240/nite. This may be a bit high, but at least it gives you another option if you're not happy with the others. It also gives you the ability to figure out how much you'll save by being open to changing hotels.

I obviously don't know what your plans are while in NYC, but in my opinion the best option is the Marriott on the first nite and the Grand Hyatt on the second nite. A second choice would be the Beekman at the new prices listed above... but it's always hard to pay a bit more than you were prepared to pay just a few minutes earlier.

[trippin]

Where can I find the Grand Hyatt for about $205/night for both nights?

I'm leaning in that direction.

[thereuare]

If you search for both nites thru HOTWIRE there is a 4* property in MTE (appears for me between $200-$205) which matches the description of the Grand Hyatt. You can see the 'known' amenities associated with the Grand Hyat in the New York HOTWIRE HOTELS list.

Since Hotwire is now showing availability for both nites together, i would also consider giving Priceline one last shot in attempt to get a 4* hotel for less than Hotwire is offering (assuming you are open to any 4* hotel, which i believe you are).

If you want to do that you can do so as follows. (the strategy presented uses PRICELINE RE-BIDDING, if you're not familiar with the concept of re-bidding please read the prior thread and ask any questions you may have... you're also encouraged to confirm your re-bid zones (there are two re-bid zones when bidding the 4* level) with the board):

Select 4* MTE and...

Bid $140, if rejected add MTW and...

Bid $160, if rejected add UM/CPS and...

Bid $170, if rejected add re-bid zone and...

Bid $180, if rejected add re-bdi zone and...

Bid $190.

You can bid the above immediately, it won't be rejected as a duplicate bid based upon your prior rejected bid (you're starting with a zone that you have never bid... so that bid and all future ones which include the MTE zone will go thru).

Any questions feel free to ask.

[trippin]

thereuare - thanks so much for all the info. It's greatly appreciated.

I'm going to get busy on the procedure you provided in hopes of getting the Grand Hyatt.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again.

[thereuare]

OK, any questions on anything (especially your re-bid zones) feel fee to ask.

Good Luck and keep us updated... i'm looking forward to hearing seeing this one completed. :)

[trippin]

I haven't yet had any luck in booking a hotel for Dec.17 and Dec.18. I went up to $195 or $200 on Priceline by using the strategy you outlined previously, but each time the bid was rejected.

I'm now out of tries with Priceline, so I am checking other travel sites that may have good deals. If nothing turns up in the next 2 days, I'll give Priceline another try.

[thereuare]

I still think this is currently going to be tough going on Priceline given the difference in demand for each nite.

If you're willing to split your bid i would do so (but don't follow the same strategy outlined above, ask for a new strategy for each nite); if not, i would seriously consider the 4* Hotwire offering (which is believed to be the Grand Hyatt)... once that is gone the next available rates at that star level jump to the $300's.

Are you finding anything even close to a $200 rate for a 4* property thru other travel sites?

[trippin]

After thinking about your latest post, I decided to try the Hotwire route rather than take a chance and wait for another shot at Priceline. I'm very pleased to say that you were right on the money - I got the Grand Hyatt for Dec.17 and Dec.18 at $209/night. Great call!

Thanks again for all your time and effort. Your advice was very much appreciated.

-trippin

[thereuare]

I think you did the right thing; the consequences of the Hyatt disappearing would have meant a LOT more money would have needed to be spent... the potential to save just a little bit more by waiting wasn't worth the risk of spending much more if it disappeared. I bet you're also somewhat relieved to have your hotel plans taken care of.

As you may (or may not) know, i and a few others on the board are local to the area so if you need any help with your itinerary or things to do feel free to ask.

Have a great stay.

[trippin]

I'm very relieved to have the hotel plans taken care of, and I'm happy with the price. I checked Hotwire earlier this evening and it looks like the same hotel descripton is now offering rooms at $267/night. Your suggestion saved me a good bit of money. Thanks.

And no, I was not aware that you are from the area, and would definitely appreciate your help with a couple things. For example, places to eat that may be off the main drag and not well known to tourists, but are favorites of people such as yourself who live in NYC. A chinese restaurant in Chinatown, or a pizza shop in Little Italy. Things like that. Deli's, pubs, etc. Also, if you had friends/family visiting from out of town the weekend before Christmas and you were going to show them around the city, where would you go?

[thereuare]

I'm a little pressed for time tonite but i would start with these thread:

THEREUARE's Local Things To Do in New York City

SIMILAR POST by KatiesMom

LWitchels New York City Guide

Please read thru some of the above and we can bet into more specifics in the next couple of days.

Thanks.

[KatiesMom]

Chinese food in Chinatown-- Congee, NY Noodletown, and there's Jing Fong (for cart service dim sum).

Pizza--- The top places for pizza in Manhattan are Lombardi's, John's and Patsy's. Lombardi's is the closest to Little Italy. Generally, Little Italy is considered far inferior to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, which is italian food heaven.

Deli's--- For pastrami only--- there's Katz's on the lower east side. They seem to be a one trick pony, but their trick is delicious!! Other delis of note are Second Avenue Deli and Carnegie Deli... I prefer 2nd Avenue, old school in every way, great soups.

Pubs and bars are everywhere would need to know more info from you such as location, ambiance, etc...

For more info about the menus/locations/prices for the above places, go to menupages.com.

[trippin]

KatiesMom - Just wanted to say thanks a bunch for your response to my questions about places to eat in NYC. I really appreciate it. My wife and I are looking forward to trying out some of the places you mentioned.

thereuare - Thanks again for the help with selecting a hotel, and for the links to things to do when in NYC. This is an awesome site and your advice has been greatly appreciated.

-trippin