Priceline Hotel: Looking Lower Manhattan 12/11 and 12

[chocdiggity]

I'm searching through here and getting a little spooked since it seems this is a really high rate date for some reason. My dates aren't flexible (unless I drop the 12th). We're going to a (small) event in Tribeca but figure anywhere south of Central Park should be fine (since as someone said on another thread getting around is part of the experience up there). Hotwire looks to be $250+ per night? I see a number of low-$100 wins but unfortunately not on my date/s. I'm not liking the idea of having to go up to twice the possible rate (though that nevertheless seems quite a bit below rack).

This is a bit difficult due to the sheer number of zones and hotels... Any ideas on the best zones (for value) or specific likely hotels within them we may wind up with?

The Embassy Suites Downtown seems to be a good budget win and well liked and would be very close for the event, though may be out of the way for other potential activities there.

It looks like from Priceline's zones maybe Soho-Tribeca or Chelsea-Village may be the most interesting, but Wall Street the most affordable. The two Midtowns further north are also probably OK, though may also be expensive. I think we prefer a 4-star but at least a 3. We'd like a pool (I forget if that drives a 3.5 or higher?). I've noticed elsewhere the stars seem more targeted to amenities than actual quality of the hotel so sometimes one can do very well in a 3 to 3.5 if you're just looking for a clean comfortable place to sleep.

Any thoughts. There seem to be some NYC natives about. Thanks.

[AaronJB]

Happy Thanksgiving! :)

"The journey is the thing" is something that I've felt about NYC the few times I've been there (although it's not as easy in the Winter), as I'm from Chicago, where the downtown is almost entirely chain stores. NYC's neighborhoods have a lot of cool little NYC-specific stores and markets/restaurants. There's a great deal of public transit that can zip one from one area to the other, but Manhattan is a great deal of fun if you have the time to stroll the streets.

If you are interested in the Embassy Suites, it's $229 via Orbitz.com for these dates, plus coupon code REVIEW10 gets an extra 10% off per night, putting it at about $206 and change. You could potentially try bidding for it, but then there'd be no guarantee of getting a different 4* in the same area. The Millennium Hilton's actually showing at a surprisingly low $169.05 for these dates on Orbitz (it initially shows $228, but when clicked, the service notes a much lower rate on the detail page.), plus, an extra 10% off via the coupon. So, that would certainly be a great option for about $152 after the coupon.

If you are flexible on which 4* you get, you could bid $125 (normally I'd suggest a little less, but I'm skeptical of the extent of discounts on these dates) for these dates for a 4* in the Downtown-Soho-Financial District area in an attempt to get the Millennium Hilton.

If you would like suggestions regarding other areas (although they will likely be more expensive) please let us know.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE or Orbitz.com links.

[thereuare]

If you can get the Orbitz Millenium Hilton ~$150/nite offer to appear, that seems like an excellent deal for these dates, but unforutnately i'm not currently seeing this on my own search... are you able to see on your own Orbitz search?

If the above is not showing on your own Orbitz search and you're flexible, there is a 4* hotel in Hoboken-Jersey City for ~$165, which would be less than staying in Manhattan, but would require an easy commute via PATH train.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. (or Orbitz if you go that route)

Let us know what you find on your own search and your thoughts regarding the above options.

[chocdiggity]

I've never really used Orbitz so will certainly have to check that. That may be as good as it gets for these dates and at least that way I know what I'm getting. Jersey City at $165 may be good for this date seems like I should be in Manhattan for that much. Doing that maybe I should think Newark and really try to save something?

I haven't tried the trains/subways up there but it looks like I should get an introduction.

Also I'd think parking is extra. Is there any way to know what that will be attached to a blind option or is that kind of a surprise later? We're likely driving up...

I gather it's SantaCon that weekend, so that must be the problem...

We're now trying to decide what to do.

[AaronJB]

Unfortunately, not seeing the Millennium deal anymore, but the ES deal is still there.

[thereuare]

Parking is an "unknown" factor, but you don't necessarily need to park at the hotel, as there is often cheaper parking in the immediate area.

Unless you want to try from Newark to Hoboken/Jersey City (or directly into Manhattan)... where you'll then need to pay for parking while you're out and about for the day, it's not worth the hassle as there is no cheap and easy commute into the city from most of the airport area.

While Jersey City/Hoboken at $165 may seem like a lot to be outside of Manhattan, rates are somewhat high for these dates, and that is still a fairly nice deal considering current rates.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes or if we can be of further help.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. (or our Orbitz link if you go that route)