What would a 3-4 star hotel in this area be? If I were to bid on Priceline, what area would I choose to do so?

Anyone? Sheraton Manhattan? Hilton Times Square?

I'm not sure why no one has answered this here. I know nothing about Priceline and don't use it as I want to select my hotel and not risk losing the total payment if I have a change of plans (which is always a distinct possibility with me).
But I do know the best place for you to get this information is biddingfortravel.com

Thanks Patrick
The reason I asked is because I secured a hotel via priceline in SF for April AFTER reading biddingfortravel.com and do not like what I got and must take it, and am leary of trying it again. Maybe I'm just a slow learner.

CD, I'm not sure what your question really is either.
There are many Priceline zones that would be condsiered part of the theater disctict ot within a 10 -15minute walk. The zones are called things like Midtown west, midtown east, etc. YOu can pull up maps on Priceline that show you the exact street boundaries.
Whatever you thing of the site otherwise, BFT has the best list I've seen of what people actually have gotten on Priceline in the various zones.But DO remember that you might get something that you don't want--either something that's already been given to other people, or a hotel that isn't listed on BFT.
You decide if the uncertaintly is worth it to you. From what you're saying, you weren't happy with your result before, so you may need to do more research on the exact neighborhood or skip Priceline this time

CD:
Biddingfortravel is the only good resource for priceline bidding information.

Your questions can be answered by just reading the information on that site - you don't even need to ask for advice if you don't want to.

You seemed to imply that you got 'bad' or 'incomplete' information from BFT with regard to your SF hotel. Your displeasure with the SF hotel you got is with Priceline - not with BFT. BFT is informational - if you ACTUALLY read the information on that site, you should not have been surprised at what you got in SF, nor should you be annoyed at BFT.

With regard to your NYC trip - again, READ BFT - and if there are hotels that you don't want to get, don't bid in those areas. And if there are hotels you don't want in all of the NYC zones, then you probably shouldn't use priceline.

Hi cd, of course you should read biddingfortravel.com but that is NOT the ONLY forum for Priceline and Hotwire information. There is a new site started by one of the posters on Fodor's, it's http://www.thenassaus.com/forums it's new, so info is just starting to be compiled, but it is a helpful and friendly site. I read about it here in a previous post and found the listings and tips very informative.

Also, note that PL (and hotwire) hotel possibilities can change, and the lists you see on ANY website are only meant to be a guide. 4* Midtown West hotels could be Marriott, Warwick, Hilton & Towers, NY Marquis, Renaissance, Millennium Broadway, Hilton Times Square, Shoreham, etc.

If you want the Broadway/Times Square area bid on Midtown West and keep your stars high--not anything less than 3*.

Thanks EVERYONE for your information! It's been over 20yrs since we've been to NY to visit so Gretchen, I was hoping someone would just take my hand and tell me what part of town and what stars to bid and I thank you for doing that.

It's simply a part of the territory with PL that you may not get the hotel you hope for. I have yet to be disappointed with the price/value proposition for 4* properties when I have bid and won a hotel room. There have been a couple 3* properties that weren't what I'd hoped for but they were still good for the price. If I travel with my GF and we plan to spend time in the room and want a specific type and quality level of property, I don't use PL and just look for the best direct booking price. For all other travel I use PL and have generally had great luck but there's never a guarantee.

I have read bad things on the internet about the SHeraton Manhattan, but we stayed there right after Christmas and had a good experience. Big big indoor pool was great. Good service for the minor things we needed- but it's not a hotel for high maintenance travelers. Only bummer, as posted in numerous places, is the elevators can be finicky, give yourself time to catch them. The club level breafast in the club was just excellent, if you can get that included in your plan. Close to the theaters.

I read bad things about the Hilton NY on BFT, but we found it to be just fine.

I've used both Hotwire and Priceline. I've gotten better rates with Priceline, but I've always been much more pleased with the Hotwire hotels. Try your dates on Hotwire for Times Square, Midtown Central and Midtown East for closest proximity to the theaters.