Priceline Hotel: What are the five stars in Manhattan?

[Orion]

Hi,

I am wondering if anyone knows what are the five star hotels on Priceline in Manhattan? I am particularly interested in The Waldorf but just read on here that the Waldorf is only a four star. I am interested in getting two rooms for the dates January 28-30, preferably in MTE. Also do you know about bidding on two rooms (that is the plan for these dates) will the hotel be kind enough to place them next door to one another?

So any tips on bidding for this weekend would be helpful. As mentioned five stars would be great (we're willing to spend $200.00 per room per night) but the Waldorf would also be fine, even if it is a four star, which I find hard to believe.

Thanks, Geof and Orion (my dog)

[thereuare]

The only known 5* in NYC is the Waldorf Towers, which is different than the Waldorf Astoria. The Towers are usually only availalbe very close to check-in, and neither has come up very recently.

At the 4* level in the MTE zone i think a very likely result would be the Millenium UN. Of course you could receive any hotel in the zone, but i think this is a strong possibility at this time so i would make sure you're "ok" with this property if you're going to limit yourself to only the MTE zone. The hotel generally gets good reviews, but it is a bit east (but also has the advantage of a pool, which is rare in NYC). I think you can have success at under $150/nite for these dates... especially if you are willing to expand your zones to the other midtown zones.

We'll be happy to supply a bidding strategy, but i figured i'd state the above first just so that:

1) you understood the difference between the Waldorf Astoria and Waldorf Towers

2) you could decide if you still wanted to try for a 5* at this time and having an idea of the price difference between your limit and a realistic price for a 4 star

3) you could take a look at the Millenium UN and decide if it's acceptable should it come up (here are some REVIEWS as well as MORE)

4) you could consider also bidding the other midtown areas

Let us know your thoughts and we'll suggest a bidding strategy according to your preferences.

[Orion]

Thanks for responding so quickly, this is a great website as I love this type of bargain hunting. I'd rather not stay near the UN. It's too far out from the activities that we will want to do more in the center of the island. I am willing to try other areas in Midtown, though Times Square would be my least favorite.

Are there 4.5* properties in these other areas? The regular Waldorf Astoria would be great but from what you said it sounds like it would be hard to guarantee that property through the bidding process on Priceline. I am open to Hotwire but know from experience that the better deals are usually found on Priceline, though from reading your website, it can be easier to identify certain properties on Hotwire and then pay a little more for what you want.

So any suggestions you have for something 4* or higher, preferably not in Times Square, would be great.

Geof

[thereuare]

OK, here are my thoughts for this stay....

You seem to have definate opinions about where you'd like to and not like to stay (ie- center of the island but not Times Square, not too far east in the MTE zone, etc) so i don't know if Priceline is the best option for you... unless all of these are preferences and ultimtely savings win out. It seems as if there would be a problem with the MTE zone (if you end up too far east) and a problem with the MTW zone (if you end up in Times Square)... that only leaves UM/CPS (but not sure if all of this area is fine with your or not.

Here are some other options which may be able to help you weigh the cost vs. location.......

The Drake Swisotel is available HERE for $189/nite and the REVIEWS are pretty good (once you get passed the first two) and here are a few from OUR USERS.

The Parker Le Meridien is also available for $179/nite. What i know about this property is good and this user's REVIEW is quite good, but those HERE are a bit more mixed.

So, the above i think are the two best options (relative to price and a location i think you're interested in). If so, here is another take on it depending upon how much risk you like:

HOTWIRE has a 4.5* in the MTC zone for $215/nite. Using our HOTWIRE HOTEL LIST this is likely the Le Meridien (although the Hotwire selection doesn't show Customer Favorite which this property previously was... as well it's also possible that the Westin Essex House added an internet icon and that is this property... or some other hotel not yet identified).

So, if you choose to take a chance on this being the Le Meridien, you could purchase it HERE and then apply for Hotwire's "Double the Difference Guarantee" which, if all goes well, would bring your cost down to $143/nite (plus Hotwire fees) as follows:

$215 (Hotwire rate)

$179 (better rate)

$36 (Difference)

$215 - $36 - $36 = $143

(Hotwire's fee will add about $9/nite to the above, so the savings would be about $25/nite... not sure if this is worth the risk and/or work to your or not)

Feel free to ask any questions that you may have regarding the above. If you still want to give Priceline a try let us know and we'll outline a strategy for you to try.