Priceline Hotel: 4* NYC (MTE) Grand Hyatt

[InfinityMI]

I am planning on arriving to New York at noon on Friday December 31st 04 ' and will be departing early morning on Monday Jan 3 05' (3 night stay). My first and last visit to new york was great but the hotel was dissapointing (Raddison) and expensive. This trip, Im looking for **** 4 Star hotel which is clean, has good customer service and will be easy to walk to on New Years Eve (Im sure the streets & subways will be very busy on New Years).

Ive tried to make a bid thru priceline for the following:

105 - MTE (Rejected) ****

150 - MTW (Rejected) ****

160 - Financial District (Rejected) ****

I've also looked at the Hotwire website and found several 4**** in Midtown East area with prices that range from 212-366.

Ideally, I would like to spend ~ 200 but I am willing to spend more for a peace of mind that the hotel quality and service is good.

The posting on Hotwire that fits my budget (based on my search on Dec 1,04) includes the following details:

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Midtown East (Midtown)

$212 per room per night

Selected amenities include: Restaurant(s), Fitness Center, Tennis Nearby, Business Center. View complete amenity list and description

Ref No. 5971462312

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I believe it's the Grand Hyatt based on my research, any insight? Also, I have also read that this hotel has been completly renovated as of Sept 04.

Any insight would be appreciated.

I would like to complete my hotel purchase by today or tomorrow to avoid any booking issues for the New Years period.

Thank you again.

Isabel Frechel

[WillTravel]

I'll take a stab at this even though I'm not a NYC person, just in case thereuare is a little preoccupied. :) Yes, the amenities do match what is shown in the Hotwire list for the Grand Hyatt. The only risk is that there is some other 4* hotel, which may or may not be on the list, which also has these amenities. "Tennis Nearby" seems uncommon, but it's possible that this tennis place, or another tennis place, is close to some other 4* hotel in Midtown East.

If you do a search for a random hotel/air package that includes your dates, the Intercontinental Barclay comes up as a 4.5* with the same, exact icons including tennis. But due to the star rating difference, the hotel you are looking at *probably* isn't the Barclay.

The Millennium UN Plaza, also in MTE, lists Restaurant(s), Pool, Tennis Nearby, Fitness Center, and Business Center. So this could be the Millennium UN Plaza but without the pool listed.

The Crowne Plaza NY is, I think, another MTE hotel, and is on the packages list, but it doesn't list Tennis Nearby. It's possible there still is tennis nearby, though.

There may be other options I'm not thinking of.

In short, there's some risk this isn't the Grand Hyatt but you have fair odds.

[thereuare]

This is very likely the Grand Hyatt.

One suggestion if price is also a factor... you can get 'about' this price for the Grand Hyatt for 12/31-1/2 and then a much cheaper hotel for the nite of 1/2. You will in all likelihood have to change hotels if you choose to split the bid in this fashion, but it will save you a few dollars. Whether the savings is worth it to you or not depends upon how much you consider changing hotels an inconenience. (so that you can value the 'inconvenience' of changing hotels... i'm currently seeing what i believe to be the Westin in Times Square for $140 on the nite of the 2nd).

If you decide to split the bid like this i would recommend you make the purchase for 12/31-1/2 first as that is the much more difficult side of the purchase. Make sure that goes thru smoothly and you get a confirmation before making the purchase for the individual nite of the 2nd.

Let us know if you have any questions and what you ultimately decide to do (and how it works out :) )

[InfinityMI]

Thank you both for your input. The hotel possibilities sound good. Any negative feedback for the **** Stars you mentioned?

[thereuare]

I think you read the comments about the Grand Hyatt; although i have never stayed there, i have been in the hotel, and would have no problem staying there myself or booking friends there if they offered the 'right' price.

The Westin generally gets very favorable reviews from board members (and usually goes for a bit more money than it is offered for on this date).

[InfinityMI]

I went ahead and booked the $212 rate for the hotel which was the Grand Hyatt New York - Park Avenue at Grand Central. Your information on this website was very helpful and I appreciate the response time.

Thank you

Isabel Frechel

[thereuare]

Glad it worked out as planned and you are happy with the results.

Have a great time in NYC!