Planning our first trip as a family of four to NYC. It has been suggested that I try Priceline out for hotel accomodations. Does anyone know which hotels Priceline works with for the three star and up category. We think we want to stay Upper East side. Two kids 8 & 11. Any suggestions for our trip in April?

With kids 8&11 I'm guessing you'll not want them in a room of their own.

Priceline hotel rooms in New York City with more than two people is very very risky.

Double/double rooms are the exception and not the norm.

I've had rooms so small in Manhattan that my luggage would not fit on the floor and two people barely fit in my room.

Priceline is not for your family on this trip.

Hotwire.com on the other hand does have an option where you can book four in a room.

Hi,

Go to

www.biddingfortravel.com

and click on New York (city) Hotels... then on "hotel list"

and almost all of the ones they work with will be listed.

there will also be trial and error Priceline "bids" listed for many of those hotels, so you can see what savings others are coming by.

Hope this helps.

I'm no Priceline expert, but one basic I DO know. Do not bid Priceline for a room if you have 4 people -- or else bid two rooms. What would you do if you won a bid and you only had one bed? There is no way to get out of it.

I'm with GoTravel, Priceline is risky if you need space for 4 people, they only guarantee room enough for two and don't even guarantee what kind of bed you'll get. Sometimes hotels will take special requests (I requested and got two beds on my recent trip to LA) but they don't have to accomodate them if they have higher paying customers who want those rooms.

And don't even think of bringing a couple of sleeping bags. Those rooms for two are restricted by fire laws, and the hotel will not allow extras at all. This is one of those cases where our old favorite, Priceline, is not going to work.

Take a look at the Murray Hill East suites, plenty of space, cozy furnishings, and a full kitchen for a reasonable price; we spent $135 per night last summer.

Check out affinia.com - a group of moderate all suite hotels. They sometimes offer special rates. Of - if you do Priceline you will have to bid for two rooms - I guess with one adult and one child in each - unless you're comfy with the kids in a room of their own.

You can look at the vacation packages under Priceline. We did that for our trip to NYC (at the time you could bid on vacation packages, but no more -- they are a set price). But, you can purchase the vacation package by the number of people that will be in the room, so you are guaranteed bedding for 4 in this case, two double beds.

So at least give that a look, you might be able to find something reasonably priced under Priceline yet. We choose the NY Hilton Towers for our trip because they generally had the larger rooms with two doubles than some of the other hotels. It worked out great for us.

Why don't you try the MANHATTAN CLUB by RCI (you know , the timeshare company).
The location is great (right accross the street from Carnegie Hall!), and owners usually do rent their apartments when they don't use it.
I did once , we were 4 adults and had a tiny really nice place with a double bed , (in a separated part , though not a bedroom , we call it "alcôve" in French , I don't know the English word for it), a small living room with a couch were two others slept , a dinig table , a microwave , dishwasher, fridge and sink , a very comfortable bathroom , all so clean and neat and very central !the address is Broadway and 56th .So you can have breakfast at home , dinner even if the children are tired , you'll be close to Central Park and Toys R'us ....We rented it in January 2002 , and enjoyed it so much!
Someone would come in everyday to clean the apartment , there's a doorman etc , we never felt insecure and probably will use it again!
Try google to find the private renting websites , or also check www.ratestogo.com for good bargains