PeterC2609 Posted November 4, 2009 Report Posted November 4, 2009 Hi there,I've been to NY a few times, the last 2 times staying at Marriott Marquis & Millenium Broadway.I've never used Priceline or Hotwire but want to for this trip.We wil either be going from 10th Dec for 4 nights, ot 17th Dec for 4 nights.I'm happy to stay in Times Square again, as that is where we have stayed the past 2 times and we 'know' the area and felt safe there. But I'm open to suggestions about elsewhere, i.e. closer to shopping or park etc... but not sure of the areas.I thought the Marriott Marquis was fantastic and we had a fabulous view... but I did pay full price - it was a special occasion. I thought it was a waste in the end as we were never in the room!The Millenium Broadway was just as nice and better as I got a travelzoo special!So I would be looking for something around a minimum of 3.5* but am happy to go 5* ha ha haSo I guess the point of this post is to first say 'Hello', secondly ask about locations etc, and thirdly to ask what kind of price I should be looking at, I'm happy to pay arond
AaronJB Posted November 4, 2009 Report Posted November 4, 2009 If you would like a hotel you are familiar with, what appears to be a potential match on HOTWIRE for the Millennium Broadway (a 3.5* in the Times Square-Theatre District w/fitness, business, restaurant, internet) is showing for $209 (the price you see may vary slightly) for 12/17-21 when searching for 2 adults.There's a 4* in MTE for $195 for 12/17-21, but it's likely the W, which is not exactly a "family-friendly" property.There's also a 3* suite property in the Empire State Building area for these dates for $159. This property has not yet been reported to the board/ID'd, but my guess would be the Eastgate Tower. Well-reviewed, nice area and more space (as well as a kitchenette), but more basic.The Fitzpatrick Grand Central is a very good deal for $231.75 on Orbitz.com, but you can also use coupon code FABSAVE10 for an additional 10% off. In terms of bidding on PRICELINE, there would be a bit of concern regarding some (not all, just some) bids, as with PRICELINE you would have to accept the hotel that the service gives you. For example, if you bid 4* MTE, you could possibly get the W, which - and maybe I'm wrong - just doesn't seem like a good fit. The Hudson in CPS (3.5*) would be another example. If you wanted to bid 4* for TS or MTW, I would think those properties would be fine.If you bid 3.5* TS, there are a number of possibilities, including the Marriott Marquis and the not-as-desirable Sheraton (although those who have stayed at the Sheraton and reported back have said it was not as bad as some of the reviews indicated.)12/10-14 are considerably more expensive.Let us know your thoughts.Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE or Orbitz.com links.
PeterC2609 Posted November 4, 2009 Author Report Posted November 4, 2009 If you would like a hotel you are familiar with, what appears to be a potential match for the Millennium Broadway (a 3.5* in the Times Square-Theatre District w/fitness, business, restaurant, internet) is showing for $209 for 12/17-21 when searching for 2 adults.There's a 4* in MTE for $195 for 12/17-21, but it's likely the W, which is not exactly a "family-friendly" property.There's also a 3* suite property in the Empire State Building area for $159. This property has not yet been reported to the board/ID'd, but my guess would be the Eastgate Tower. Well-reviewed, nice area and more space (as well as a kitchenette), but more basic.The Fitzpatrick Grand Central is a very good deal for $231.75 on Orbitz.com, but you can also use coupon code FABSAVE10 for an additional 10% off.In terms of bidding on PRICELINE, there would be a bit of concern regarding some bids, as with PRICELINE you would have to accept the hotel that the service gives you. For example, if you bid 4* MTE, you could possibly get the W, which - and maybe I'm wrong - just doesn't seem like a good fit. The Hudson in CPS (3.5*) would be another example.12/10-14 are considerably more expensive.Let us know your thoughts.Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE or Orbitz.com links.What do you mean by the W being not 'family friendly'?I had a look at the calendar of wins on this site and people seem to have got the Grand Hyatt for around $120 through Priceline... now I'm happy to accept any 4* hotel for that price...!Looking at Locations, I was thinking that if I did bid on Priceline, that I would choose Times Square, MTE, MTW.... does that seem reasonable or would it be beneficial to add in the area at the bottom of the Park?
AaronJB Posted November 4, 2009 Report Posted November 4, 2009 W = small rooms, probably loud music in the lobby (the lobby of W properties essentially turns "nightclub-like" at night), probably smoking in the lobby. Things like that.
AaronJB Posted November 4, 2009 Report Posted November 4, 2009 The Grand Hyatt win that another poster had was only for part of your stay, which may mean that rate isn't going to be enough for your dates. The problematic (most expensive) date for your stay would be the 17th. The other dates - especially the 19th-21st, which is part of the time when the other poster won the GH - are less expensive.
PeterC2609 Posted November 4, 2009 Author Report Posted November 4, 2009 The Grand Hyatt win that another poster had was only for part of your stay, which may mean that rate isn't going to be enough for your dates. The problematic (most expensive) date for your stay would be the 17th. The other dates - especially the 19th-21st, which is part of the time when the other poster won the GH - are less expensive.Thanks for that....Those dates are slightly flexible as I haven't booked flights yet...!!
AaronJB Posted November 4, 2009 Report Posted November 4, 2009 Ah, excellent (regarding flexible dates.)12/19-23 would be the cheapest set of dates, and for those dates, while $120 would seem unlikely when just looking at retail rates, that appears to be a set of dates where hotels are discounting more heavily (and I'm guessing stores in NYC will be having last-minute sales) and $120 would be a good possibility (although I doubt a 4* can be had any lower than that.)MTE (if you don't mind the possibility of the W), CPS (Central Park South), MTW and TS (and ESB, as well, as while there are few 4*'s in that area, they are all pretty nice) would all be fine areas to bid on.Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links.
PeterC2609 Posted November 4, 2009 Author Report Posted November 4, 2009 OK.... quite a big change.I will be flying on a 'reward' flight, i.e. with airmiles....The availability has gone really bad, so it looks like I will now need a hotel from 6/12 - 9/12 (3 nights)What are my chances now?
AaronJB Posted November 4, 2009 Report Posted November 4, 2009 12/6-9 is quite a bit more expensive, and in terms of a 4*, will likely require pushing towards your max. Somewhat above your max is a 4* Suite property on HOTWIRE in Times Square for $269. This is likely the Doubletree Suites TS. The added space might be a nice option. This property has not yet been reported as a PRICELINE win. If this is the DTree TS Suites, the regular rate is about $105 more on Orbitz.I think a 4* on PRICELINE in any of the midtown areas is probably going to run $250, while a reasonable 3.5* range is probably going to be in the $225 region (although one note regarding bidding 3.5* in MTE; the Millennium UN, while having solid reviews and quite a few rooms with views, is a bit too far E in MTE.)
PeterC2609 Posted November 4, 2009 Author Report Posted November 4, 2009 Oh well.... Flights booked... I enjoy a challenge.We arrive into Newark at midday on 6th Dec and leave at 21.20 on 9th... so we have really good flights and only need hotel for 3 nights....So... is there a kind of 'strategy' for Priceline?I'd LOVE to be able to get Marriott Marquis again, as I paud around
PeterC2609 Posted November 4, 2009 Author Report Posted November 4, 2009 Hi,I've got my flights and am just about to start Pricelining for the above dates....I notice that people have got the Crowne Plaza for around the $130 mark... is this still possible?How do I start about using priceline? I've seen people post tactics and strategies, such as this:Using multiple zones etc...Should i do this or just simply do one zone at a time?
AaronJB Posted November 4, 2009 Report Posted November 4, 2009 The $130 price was had months ago. Prices have unfortunately gone up substantially since then. You can use a re-bidding strategy, as detailed here, or - if you do not feel comfortable with re-bidding (and it does require concentration and care, as some people have, in the past, accidentally selected areas they did not mean to), you can go one at a time.As I mentioned before, I think you're looking at $250 for a 4* for these dates.
AaronJB Posted November 4, 2009 Report Posted November 4, 2009 Please also do keep all posts regarding this trip within this thread.
PeterC2609 Posted November 4, 2009 Author Report Posted November 4, 2009 Sorry about the post, I thought because I was ready to bid then I should put it in the other section!!I'm ready to go now...I'll report back shortly!! ha
PeterC2609 Posted November 4, 2009 Author Report Posted November 4, 2009 ALL BOOKED!Got the Sheraton at Times Square for $225 a night.... Cheapest on the Sheraton site was $415. So I'm happy!As long as it was an OK hotel I am happy!Aaron... thanks for your help!Peter
AaronJB Posted November 4, 2009 Report Posted November 4, 2009 Congratulations on your success!Certainly a FANTASTIC discount for these dates, which are very expensive (and I'm actually a little surprised $225 was accepted; I thought it would require a slightly-to-moderately higher bid than that.) Glad you are pleased with the results, and happy to help. :)Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using the site's PRICELINE link.Enjoy your stay.
PeterC2609 Posted November 4, 2009 Author Report Posted November 4, 2009 Reviews aren't great on Tripadvisor, but nothing I can do now ha ha
AaronJB Posted November 4, 2009 Report Posted November 4, 2009 Many of those who have reported back have said they were satisfied with their stay. Keep in mind that many of the tripadvisor reviews are from people who did pay as much as $415 (to use your dates as an example, although the hotel is often $300-500+ during busy times of the year) and may have had differing expectations.
PeterC2609 Posted November 4, 2009 Author Report Posted November 4, 2009 Thats the problem with Tripadvisor... people who are satisfied generally dont feel the need to rant about the hotel... so it only gets the bad reviews....We'll only be sleeping and washing in there so I'm fine with it!Thanks again.
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