I have been to Better Bidding and BiddingForTravel, but I find better advice on this board. Does anyone have tips for bidding on Hotwire or Priceline for NYC? Any specific hotels you could identify close to Central Park?

Bidding blind means there is no guarantee what hotel you are getting. What star level are you looking at? What type of hotel do you want and what are you willing to pay? Andwhen are you coming to NYC (prices vary tremendously by season).

We've been very satisfied using Priceline for NYC hotels--I think because the zones are relatively small, we never worry about being too far from what we want to see/do.

I am looking for one night in July, in between July 9-11. I would prefer to be close to the Central Park. Budget not more than $300 all inclusive. 2 adults, 1 child.

Please be careful using Priceline in New York for more than two people, unless you are planning on having the child sleep on the floor, and even then it may not work due to fire codes (not sure on this). Priceline only guarantees a room for two people. In many areas this is not a big deal, but in New York and other big cities, it can be.

Our child is 4 and could sleep with us in the same bed. I am considering limiting myself to Hotwire only. I have had a previous thread where I asked for recommendations for hotels and am weighing the savings on Hotwire vs. the comfort of knowing what we are going to get. It is only 1 night, so I am leaning towards the savings.

I'm confused. You can buy a room at full price at that time for less than $200/night and know exactly what you're getting. You can even get a 1 bedroom suite and have a separate living room to be able to stay up after the your child goes to bed!

The Doubletree Guest Suites in Times Square is $199/night plus tax on hotels.com
There's a special on the Affinia Shelburne (near Grand Central) on travelzoo.com A 1 bedroom suite is $259 plus tax bringing it just in around $304 total or get a regular guest room for less.

I'm a big fan of using Priceline and Hotwire but in this case, with so many good options well within your budget that you can pick, I think it doesn't really make sense to use them. Sofitel at $235 on hotels.com (a prepay non cancelable price) is also a great value.

On Priceline, the hotels near the south end of Central Park are called Central Park South area. The danger of bidding there is possibly winning 6 Columbus which has some TINY rooms (called pods) that you could win. I wouldn't be happy, especially since they can be bought on the hotel's website for ~ $190 and the better rooms are still within your budget. On Hotwire they don't have a separate area for the hotels near the park. They're included in the midtown central area.

You should be able to decipher the hotwire hotels on the betterbidding.com lists. All said, the suggestions of travelzoo and other websites is very valid. also try www.trivago.com.

Sofitel for $235? I'd grab it, wonderful hotel in a great location.

You can't use Priceline for 3 people. What if you get a room with 1 double bed (quite common in NYC) and not room to add a cot for a child (never mind what they would charge for that).

Agree with so many decent options in your price range why wold you risk bidding?

mclaurie and DebitNM, I will check out your suggestions. I have not found the same places on my own yet. this is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Thank you all!

Got a nice hotel, close to Central Park, Thanks!

Maclaurie, where is the travelzoo deal for the Affinia Shelburne? I looked on travelzoo and din't find it (it's probably right in front of me) can you post a link? Thanks!

Margo, that was 2 weeks ago. It's probably gone.

so people here give you all kinds of good advice and you don;t even report where you booked? Rude.

sf7307 - oops, didn't notice that, sorry!

mztery, you are right, that was rude. I booked Excelsior.