Priceline Hotel: NYC-Manhattan: 2/19-2/26

[broadwaybaby81]

Hi everyone! I've been to NYC 3 times and am planning my 4th visit this coming Feb. 2005. So I'm giving Priceline.com a shot this time. I hope it work out! Here some questions from a first time-bidder:

1) What are my chances for getting a good rate (less than $120 per night) if my stay is for 7 nights? I've heard the concept of splitting, but what's the best way to split up my vacation? Ideally, I'd love not to have to change hotels though.

2) I've stayed at the Algonquin Hotel and the Broadway Plaza before and was pretty content. Which star ratings are comparable to those? Of course I'd love a 4* or 5* for under $120!

3) Are my chances of low bids good since I'm going in an off-season, like end of February?

Thanks so much! You guys rock!

Sincerely,

Rosalynn

[broadwaybaby81]

Oops...I forgot to list zones I'm interested in. Midtown West, Upper Midtown/CPS, or Midtown East.

Thanks again! :)

~Rosalynn

[thereuare]

I think $120 for a 4* is currently going to be tough for these dates, regardless of whether or not you SPLIT YOUR BID. The closest thing that i see right now at the 4* level is the Millenium UN @ $159/nite (but no booking fees, so equivalent to about $155 on Priceline).

You could:

1) wait and see if rates come down

2) lower your star rating to 3*

3) stay part of the time in Jersey City NJ for much less, thereby freeing up some money to spend on a higher quality hotel for the other part of your stay in NYC (ie- Jersey City is a subway ride away, 8 minutes to downtown/17 minutes to midtown, cost $1.50/each way)

If you're ready to bid now we'll advise of a strategy to follow for a 4*, but as i'm doubtful you'll be successful at the price i'm currently seeing, i think you should start to consider your back-up plan.

[broadwaybaby81]

Thanks for the advice! I'm still a little uncertain where to go from here though. Maybe you can help me out. I checked Expedia.com and Milford Plaza is offering $95 per night. Sounds like a good deal, but I'm hesistant to book it because 1) what if I find a better deal on priceline and 2) from the mixed reviews I've read, I don't know how the room will turn out.

Do you think I have a better shot of scoring a great hotel at a great deal on priceline? Or should I just wave my white flag and book via Expedia.

I would really appreciate your input. Thanks again! :)

~Rosalynn

[thereuare]

I would think that the mixed (with a negative bias) reviews are accurate... at the lower star ratings you're not going to find hotels with 100% rave reviews. In NYC in particular we see many higher rated hotels with less than stellar reveiws too... i atribute this to guests expecting more and 'top tier' service when they're paying top tier prices, but in NYC all things are simply 'expensive'.

I don't know much about it but when searching for another user i discovered the Arlington Hotel which is available for $89/nite for your dates. The exterior doesn't look that appealing (and there is an old neon 'motel' sign hanging down from the exterior of the building), but the inside pictures look nice as if it's a regular hotel room and the REVIEWS are better than those for the Milford Plaza. It is located in the midtown south area, at 25th St and 5th Ave, but if you plan on traveling by subway there are 3 major subway lines nearby that will get you just about anywhere you need to go. This is available thru: EASY CLICK TRAVEL

I'm a little bit more familiar with the Milford Plaza and it is a bit more 'hotel-y' (if that makes any sense) and from what i understand a lot of airline crew stay here. If you decide to book this please use this board's Expedia link.

My Take:

I think it's a toss-up between the above two and a metaphor if i may: From the cover the Milford Plaza appears to be a better book, but the Arlington has better comments from people that have actually read the book.

The Expedia rate comes with a $25 cancellation fee, which for a 7 nite stay only amounts to $3.50/nite. Although nobody wants to pay fees unncecessarily, i'd imagine that if successful on Priceline the deal would be good enough that it would be worth the cancellation fee. I believe the Alrington thru EASY CLICK TRAVEL has no cancellation fee, but i've put a message in with my contact there in order to confirm that for you.

Let us know your thoughts on the above.

[broadwaybaby81]

Well I just booked Milford so I can be sure that I have a place to stay while I'm there. I guess I could always change it if a better deal comes along. :)

Thanks!