Priceline Hotel: Manhattan 03/05-03/10, 2,5-3*

[Helena]

Hi :)

I'm very new to the Name Your Own Price bidding, so I thought maybe someone can help me here.

When? 03/05-03/10

Where? NYC, Manhattan, Midtown area... or somewhere close to the touristy staff, not somewhere up there.

Why? Tourism and sightseeing.

How much? I'd like to pay around $80-90 plus taxes for one night.

Is this price possible? I read someone got a similar price for Ramada, the location of which is quite good. I'd be happy with a 2,5* or 3* hotel/hostel. Of course, the more * it has, the better.

I'm not very good at the geography of Manhattan but I guess the preferrable places would be Downtown-SoHo, Chelsea, Madison Square Garden, Central Park, Midtown, Times Square area. Not sure if Upper East/West side would be too far or not...

Should I pick just one area first and then add others if rejected?

Can I know before hand if there is 1 bed or two beds on the room? Also, will I know beforehand if it is a non-smoking room or not?

How much lower should the bidding price be compared to the median retail price? If it is $150, would it be too crazy to bid $90?

I'm sorry, I know I have a lot of questions and no idea what I'm supposed to do.

Thank you in advance :)

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

For starters...

All that PRICELINE guarantees is a room which will accomodate double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel. You can call the property after you win a bid and make a request for nonsmoking/smoking, one bed vs. two beds, etc... but it's just a request and the hotel may not be able, or willing, to accomodate your request.

Is this acceptable? (if not, HOTWIRE may still be an option for you but we'll cross that bridge if the above is a dealbreaker)

If so, the most central locations are:

CPS, Chelsea, ESB, MSG, MTE, MTW, Times Square... Downtown is a bit 'out of the way' but do-able, so this zone ends up being a trade-off between budget and convenience. As well, the MTE zone has at least two hotels, the Millenium UN and the Tudor, which are a bit far each, again, do-able, but about a 15 minute / 10 minute walk respectively, to the subway... would these be acceptable outcomes?

Based upon the above let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[Helena]

Hmm... well, closer to the center would be better. But does walking to subway really take so long? I thought the stations were closer to each other... :) or that there are a lot of stations.

I found a 2* hotel in Upper West Side for a very reasonable price and the subway station is 2 minutes away. With the express line you can get to times square in 8 minutes.

Walking is not really a problem, I'm used to it, so maybe it's not that bad.

I have no idea which would be better. Staying closer to city center but walking to subway station or staying further away but then again having quick access to city center...

What would be reasonable?

Anyhow, let's suppose I will still bid for a hotel in the areas you recommended. Even if it is a room with two beds, we'll just push them together :) Smoking option is not that good, though. But I hope it would not be that bad...

What do you think of Hotel Pennsylvania? Is that on the list as well? It has a great location...

What would you recommend?

Thanks for your reply!

[AaronJB]

What is the price of the 2* UWS Hotel, and which hotel? Additionally, personally I'd recommend trying to get a hotel within Midtown first and then looking at the UWS/UES if a Midtown property is not available in the desired price range. Additionally, as mentioned above, using PRICELINE to get a room with double beds in NYC is a definite risk, as there are a limited amount of rooms w/2 beds in NYC.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[Helena]

It's Days Inn, 215 W 94th St. $79 per night plus taxes.

OK, I could try with a low bid for MT then? If it doesn't work, I can still get that one.

What should I start with?

[AaronJB]

If you can get the DI for $79, I'd rather suggest bidding in MTE, MTW, CPS and TS for a 3* for $79, and see if that is accepted. If not, then try for a 2.5* for $79 in those areas. The goal would be to try and get something better - and better located - for the same price. Keep in mind if you bid though, 2 beds would not be guaranteed.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[thereuare]

Using the zones i previously mentioned (but not Downtown just yet), I would first try for a 3* as follows:

Select 3* CPS and Chelsea and ESB and MSG...

Bid $60, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTE and MTW and TS...

Bid $60, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTE and Chelsea and ESB and MSG...

Bid $65, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS and MTW and TS...

Bid $65, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS and MTW and ESB and MSG...

Bid $70, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTE and Chelsea and TS...

Bid $70, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS and Chelsea and TS and MSG...

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTE and MTW and ESB...

Bid $75, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS and Chelsea and TS and MSG and MTE...

Bid $80, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS and Chelsea and TS and MSG and MTW...

Bid $80, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* CPS and Chelsea and TS and MSG and ESB...

Bid $80, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTE and MTW and ESB and CPS and Chelsea...

Bid $85, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTE and MTW and ESB and CPS and TS...

Bid $85, if rejected close browser and use our link to re-access PRICELINE

Select 3* MTE and MTW and ESB and CPS and Chelsea and TS...

Bid $90

I would start with the above, if rejected post back and we'll weigh some of your other options (lower to 2.5*, add Downttown to the bidding mix, etc). I went a bit higher than your $80 back-up as it would be worth at least $10 to me (probably closer to $20) to not stay at the Days Inn on the UWS, but you can stop at whatever amount you're most comfortable with. Any questions feel free to ask.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.