Priceline Hotel: 4* MTE 4/29 - 5/2

[BBhawk]

My husband and I are taking a trip to NYC for his birthday - 4/29 to 5/2. It's his first time to the city (my second) and we plan to be major tourists ... hit all of the sights, including a night with the Yankees and Billy Elliott. I am hoping to secure a 4* in MTE and would like to stay under $220/night - all in. I've been using the re-bidding methods and have tried up to $165 with no luck. I'm not against MTW and even considering 3.5*plus ... but am a bit hesitant about the Roosevelt (some pretty negative reviews on Trip Advisor).

I'm thinking I may just book something as a back-up and keep working on a 4* in MTW - any suggestions? Do you think given this time of year I need to raise the $220/night all in?

LOVE this forum ... thanks for the help!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I think you have a chance at a 4* in the MTE zone at $220 'all-in' which i estimate to be about a $185/nite bid... are you willing to bid this high at this point in time?

I'd also ask why the MTE zone? Nothing wrong with this zone, but for the average tourist, there are usually other nearby zones which work just as well, and including more zones gives more hotels the chance to accept your bid, which increases your chances of landing a great deal.

Let us know the above and we'll advise accordingly.

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

[BBhawk]

Thanks for your help.

I am definitely willing to consider other zones (MTW and perhaps TS), but would like to stay around Midtown. I am more open to including other zones before dropping the hotel class. Are there other areas I should consider?

I have only bid up to $165 in MTE for 4* and would like to stay around $220 all-in, as I mentioned. If this is still a bit early in the game (I thought I was running out of time!), I can keep trying to stay under the price max. I also figured that late April/early May could lead to lower discounts given the start of spring travel.

[AaronJB]

This would be a non-refundable idea, but Orbitz has the Affinia 50 - which gets outstanding reviews - for $225 non-refundable. However, coupon code FABSAVE10 takes 10% off that price, bringing it down to near $200. Morgans is another option for $228 (and the coupon code also works for that hotel) - but that 4* boutique property in the ESB area - just a bit south of the MTE area - also offers breakfast, which is a nice added value (and it gets 4.5/5 on tripadvisor.)

Please use the site's Orbitz.com link if either of these ideas are of interest.

[AaronJB]

Additionally, HOTWIRE has a 4* in the Empire State Building (ESB) area for $172, with the amenities boutique, smoke-free, fitness and business, which would likely be the Roger Williams. The Morgans for $228 (-10% = $205.20) seems like a good refundable (although check the fine print!) alternative. The 70 Park Avenue (a Kimpton boutique property) in the ESB is also $220 -10% on Orbitz, as well.

[BBhawk]

Based on the properties that are listed as 3.5* in MTE, I would not be opposed to bidding in this category with one reservation - the Roosevelt hotel. I know there is no way to avoid getting this property ... so wondering if I should stick with the 4* or use other sites (Hotwire ... then Orbitz, Expedia, Travel Zoo, etc.)?

Our priorities are location and comfort of the actual bed - don't care about most of the other luxury amenities in a 4/5* hotel.

Thanks in advance!

[AaronJB]

If you must avoid a particular property, I would instead go with 4*, bid in another area or use a different service (HOTWIRE, or Orbitz w/coupon.)

[BBhawk]

I have bid up to $170/night for 4* MTE for a few days, always using the PRICELINE link and using my re-bidding zones. I think I will add 4* MTW and 4* TS to see if I'm successful. I may end up eating my words and adding 3.5* for these zones before I go too far over $180ish/night (not all-in).

Is anyone else having luck in these zones (MTE, MTW, TS) around this time of year?

Thanks for the help!

[thereuare]

You can use the Priceline and Hotwire Calendar of Wins to see wins for date(s) near your own.

Will you increase your bid for the MTE zone or do yo intend to keep it at $170 when you try again?

Thanks for using our PRICELINE link to begin your bidding :)

[BBhawk]

I have to share - I ended up booking the Affinia 50 through Travelzoo. They are offering a deal if you book by end of February and travel by end of April. I was able to secure a non-refundable rate of $169/night for a one-bedroom suite (junior suite at $149/night). Therefore, after taxes (and remember this is non-refundable rate) the total for three nights, April 29-May 2, is $604. A good deal in my opinion ... and the property has great reviews on Trip Advisor.

Thanks to everyone for your help - and will continue to use this site (and links) when future bidding on PRICELINE / HOTWIRE.

[thereuare]

Glad you found something that you're happy with and thank you for 'closing' this thread with your results/decision.

Enjoy your stay.