Priceline Hotel: 3.5* NYC (ESB) Affinia Shelburne

[joshuatree]

Got the deal on 11/12/09 through Priceline bidding. New to all of these... Sorry that I didn't check into this site until today; will use the link from Better Bidding from now on.

Since Priceline couldn't guarantee the number of beds in a room, and we have two petite girls of 8 and 11. Should I try to get another room now, or should I call ahead and see what room will be available to us, or wait and see what kind of room they give us at check-in? What if another adult wants to join us, definitely another room (was thinking maybe could get away with two on a sofa bed, then one adult and 2 children on one-bed)?

Thank you so much for your advice!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to the site. :)

Before getting another room, I'd strongly advise calling the hotel first. The Affinia properties do have larger suites (PRICELINE reservations get a regular guest room) and while it would almost certainly require an extra fee to upgrade, my guess is that the upgrade fee would definitely be less than the cost of another room. Call them, be polite (as whether or not they work with you may depend on the person you talk to) and ask what your options are.

Please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start future purchases.

[joshuatree]

I will call ahead first. Have my fingers crossed... Thanks again.

Welcome to the site. :)

Before getting another room, I'd strongly advise calling the hotel first.

[AaronJB]

Best of luck; let us know what they say. Thanks. :)

[joshuatree]

I was told by our hotel (Affinia Shelbourne, Murray Hill, NYC) that the Valet Parking costs $55 (small car) or $65 (SUV size) per day. For four nights/5-days, it would cost us $260 or $325 for a van parking (not sure how they define "per day".) I researched public parking garages nearby the Hotel, for the hours/days specified, it would only cost $144. It seems to make sense to toll our luggages for a block or two to get the saving, right? Does anyone know any problem with using garages instead of hotel parking? Thank you!

[joshuatree]

Just called the hotel about room upgrades... Was told that he will put in a request, but no guarentee for either a two-beds room or upgrade to an one-bedroom suite. Will be additional fee if upgrade to a suite, can't give me price now because they need to figure out how much I paid on Priceline (I guess charge me the difference).

Anyway, I think I am going to take a chance. In the worst case, we will get on Priceline there and get another room... hopefully still rooms available.

[thereuare]

No problem parking someplace other than the hotel (it's done all the time). In fact, NYC hotels don't typically own their own garages anyway, they have worked out a special rate with a local garage to park their guests there and have in/out priveleges... the hotel simply bills the guest and pays the garage themselves (often marking up the rate they get from the garage :) ).

If there is more than one person traveling, save yourself the aggrevation of hauling your luggage a few blocks... stop in front of the hotel, have one person go inside with the bags and check-in while the driver of the car goes to a nearby garage to park (which also allows you to expand your garage search further since you don't even need to be within close proximity since you'll be walking 'luggage free')... then upon departure just have one person wait with the bags while the other retrieves the car.

Do note that NYC parking tax is ~18.75% so make sure the rate you're being quoted is inclusive of tax in order to avoid any surprises and to make sure you're comparing apples-to-apples when getting rate quotes.

[joshuatree]

Excellent idea! Thank you!