I used priceline's name your own price feature for a 4-star hotel in NYC and got the Park Central Hotel. In reading the reviews around the web I got some pretty horrifying ones like bedbugs, cockroaches, and unauthorized room entry. I tried to get P. to cancel the reservation as the hotel is not, from what I have read, a 4-star establishment. P. disagrees and says their competitors also rank it 4 stars.

Does anyone have experience with this hotel, or any words of...support? I am really uneasy about this place.

It's a perfectly respectable, albeit large, hotel in a good location. I can't imagine why you'd cancel. Do realize, however, that stars do not denote quality but rather available facilities and services. Rooms have been carved out to create a boutique hotel-within-a-hotel with a separate entrance, but I think you'll be fine there.

Also gets consistently good marks on TripAdvisor, with the vast majority of travelers rating it "excellent" or "very good".

Thanks for this. But how does a hotel without room service get 4 stars?

Priceline * ratings are not necessarily going to match your own. I think in quite a few cases they are overly generous.

Have not stayed at this hotel but it does seem to have reasonably good ratings for a tourist - rather than business - hotel.

Stayed there a little over a year ago. The room was really very nice, perfectly clean, nicely decorated -- seemingly very recently -- in good taste. My only complaint was the long lines for check in and check out, although be be fair, an agent started walking down the line at checkout and offered to expedite, which he did for us.
I'd have no qualms about staying there again.

I sort of ignore those star ratings with Priceline. I think the old Milford Plaza is also a four star -- now called Row.

Whew. 2 more replies from people who have given great advice in the past. Wish me luck.

Priceline's website re: 4-star hotels

4-Star

These are the world's deluxe hotels, offering premium level service and amenities for the most discerning traveler. Rooms and public spaces are beautifully furnished with attention to detail. Hotel rooms often feature upgraded amenities, bathrobes, and in-room safes. Multiple dining options are frequently available as well as room service. Comprehensive business services, fitness centers, and concierge services are usually offered.

That's truly laughable. Clearly Priceline has no idea what "most discerning traveler" even means, yet alone "world's deluxe hotels".

Sorry - 4* is NEVER the world's deluxe hotels - it is primarily business hotels and more pleasant tourist places. The world's deluxe hotel are rated either 5* or 5* palace

A lot of hotels are starting to phase out room service because it's a particularly expensive amenity that is hard to get right, and people complain alot. There's a Starbucks in the hotel, though it may be accessed by a separate entrance. There's a not-so-bad deli directly across the street where you can get hot breakfast and sandwiches. There are dozens of restaurants within a block or two. And there's a good coffee cart in the morning on the NW corner of 55th/7th Ave by the subway entrance if you want cheap coffee (bad donuts, though). I think you'll do ok.

There is a restaurant in the hotel, an amenity generally expected in a 4-star hotel (a 3-star hotel typically doesn't have a full-service restaurant). But I have to say I haven't ever eaten at the restaurant, so I can't really comment on that.

I don't mind leaving the hotel for food...under normal circumstances. But with weather in the teens, the lack of an attached restaurant for breakfast really REALLY irks me. I am also displeased with the 4 pm check-in time coupled with the statement that they will only hold luggage until 9 pm. And the numerous complaints about long elevator wait times along with the need to leave the hotel for breakfast annoys me to no end.

The complains about the cockroaches and unauthorized room entries just cap of the unease.

Scratch that, make that weather in the single digits.

Welcome to priceline - it is a roll of the dice. You chose to take the roll, and now seem to be searching out problems ahead of time. Early check in is always worth inquiring as is late check out. Hotels set these things to protect them during very busy times. And really, how late should they hold onto your luggage after what I am assuming is a noon time checkout? 9 hours is not satisfactory?

No offense, but you started with a reasonable question and are now whining.

There is a price-value matrix. If something is selling for a low price, you can assume that there are areas in which it is lacking. If amenities are important, you must expect to pay for them.

" I am also displeased with the 4 pm check-in time coupled with the statement that they will only hold luggage until 9 pm. And the numerous complaints about long elevator wait times along with the need to leave the hotel for breakfast annoys me to no end."

It's a Priceline room.

Next time book a hotel room at full price and after exhaustive research on the hotel of your choice so you won't be "irked". Good luck with that and let us know what hotel and price meets your non-irk standards.

I'm surprised that they aren't serving breakfast in the lounge/coffee shop -- they did two years ago, but I guess things change. But if you go out the front door of the hotel, and go right next door, you'll find Tisserie, one of the best, bakery and coffee places in midtown. They also do some egg dishes. You might actually have to walk maybe 6 steps outside between the hotel door and the door to Tisseerie. Is that too much of an inconvenience? Frankly I'd choose that over a typical hotel coffee shop ANY DAY! Even having to walk a whole 6 steps to get there.

And honestly, I know the hotel was completely full when we were there, but I don't recall an elevator wait any different from nearly any hotel in New York -- well, actually it was a lot less than most!

Now you're just being picky. I agree with others -- pay full price and never use Priceline again.

Oh, and if you need them to hold luggage longer than 9 PM, I suggest when you give the bellman the bag to check, slip him a couple bucks and say you need to leave it longer than that. Problem solved. Do you think they're going to sell your luggage on EBay at 9:15?

You have all made your point.

I telephoned the hotel and they have a small attached cafe for breakfast in the morning, so that is ok. They are unwilling to be flexible about check-in time.

I have done Priceline for at least the last 10 years and have always been very happy with the experience. I am sure it will all work out. Thanks.

"They are unwilling to be flexible about check-in time."
"I have done Priceline for at least the last 10 years and have always been very happy with the experience."

I used to use Priceline a lot and only experienced sub-par room or service twice that some complain about when complaining about Priceline.

I imagine that hotel staff get tired of complaining guests but get tired more quickly when folks getting a great deal on the room complain the most. A picky guest paying rack rate has to be easier to listen to than a picky guest who paid a fraction of the price.