My husband and I just returned from our trip to NYC and our stay at the Renaissance Hotel could not have been better. We had bid through Priceline at $140.00 per night for 7 nights back in February. The rates posted online at the Renaissance were never less than 259-279 for the nights that we were staying there. I think we got a great bargain. As soon as we knew we won our priceline bid I had called the hotel direct to verify our reservations and also had requested a non smoking room with a queen size bed or better. They reserved a King size deluxe room, non smoking. On arriving, I asked for a room on a higher floor hoping for a good view. At check in, the clerk mentioned our rooms were prepaid via priceline. We left a credit card for incidentals, whick amounted to 14.33 for the 7 days and included a local tax of 2.00 per day. Our room was on the 14th floor which appears was the 10th floor, since the numbers jumped from lobby to the 4th floor, and the room had a view over Broadway. We overlooked the Hershey's store, the double decker bus departure site and the never far away Starbucks.
We didn't feel like inferior customers because we used Priceline. EVERYONE was helpful, pleasant, efficient. The Concierge was always ready with subway suggestions or walking directions.
The hotel is really really nice. Mahogany and marble everywhere. The real plus was the help staff.
The room itself was classic, clean. The TV included an interface to the internet, which we didn't use. It was a flat rate of 11.95 per day if you used it. Also had movies. We enjoyed watching the news on New York One, TV station. There were two upholstered chairs next to the window with a small table. The room was of a nice size, moderately sized bathroom, coffee maker. The mini bar! Don't touch it if you don't mean it. Just opening it generated a bill of $20.00. Apparently it's on a REAL sensitive sensor. Twice we had to have our bill adjusted. We didn't want $4.00 cokes or 3.50 candy bars. We had no problem getting our bill credited.
Another feature we liked about the hotel was it's size. Our room wasn't down long corridors. Easy access to the street. And EASY access to all the theatres. We went to 5 plays while we were there and all were an easy walk even in chilly weather.
We didn't eat at Foley's. We couldn't imagine wanting to overlook Times Square. By the time we left, I was quite tired of the Times Square scene. We ate the fixed price menu's in an Italian restaurant on Restaurant Row. There was a wonderful little deli, The Stage Door deli where we went for breakfast almost daily. By the second time there, the deli waiter remembered had remembered our order, right down to the pulp free Tropicana OJ. Very impressive. Breakfast was 10.31 cents including coffee, juice, eggs, toast, home made potatoes for both of us. SERVED. Beat that, Denny's! (you can order downstairs and carry it upstairs to eat or go upstairs and be waited on. Either way, it's plastic forks and paper plates.)
Oh, and for a finale, we were leaving the hotel at 2:30. We requested a courtesy late check out time which they accomodated with grace. On a Saturday. We left with a very good feeling about the Renaissance Hotel.

Thanks for the review,Petal. I usually stay at the Marriott Marquis when I'm in NYC for theater,but I'm going to try the Renaissance next time,since I'd like something smaller and you give it such a good review.

What were the specifics (eg stars) when you bid on Priceline?

I stay at the Renaissance every time I'm in NYC and always have at least one meal at Foley's. If you love seafood, DON'T miss it!

The people working at this hotel are some of the nicest I've ever dealt with. It's a quiet and friendly oasis in the middle of Times Square.

I am sorry that I didn't see this question about the priceline bid.
I made a high bid (at that time) hoping I would be picked up by the smaller expensive hotels. I don't think that logic works but it did for me that time. It was my first bid $140.00 and was accepted. I believe it was 4*. You should check biddingfortravel.com for the going rates.

"Our room was on the 14th floor which appears was the 10th floor, since the numbers jumped from lobby to the 4th floor,"

When hotel elevators skip numbers, it usually means that the lower floors of the building have another use. There's one hotel in Midtown East where the first 12 floors are a hospital!