I was on a mission yesterday. Secure accomodations for the May trip to New York. It is notoriously difficult (I discovered while sleuthing around the net) to get a good deal in May with "springtime in New York" in full swing and all the graduations taking place. First, I bought the train tickets so we were locked in. Then I tried the "permutation" strategy on Priceline. I'm not going to explain it here, but it enables you to make multiple bids for the same area. Once I reached my limit of permutations and was declined up to $145 a night, I called mom. We used the "permutation" strategy under her name up to $225 a night for a 4 star and were refused. She threw in the towel then and sprung for a $285 "special prepaid rate" for the Sheraton Times Square. I refused to follow suit.
Now I would be fine with (maybe even prefer) shared facilities and seedy locations, but spouse won't hear of it. So I took his credit card (why hadn't I thought of that before?) and started a new session on Priceline. At $157 for a 3 star, we finally had success. And then it turns out we're staying at an Ian Schrager Hotel, designs by Philippe Starck. Spouse nearly creamed at the news. (And then got on Google earth to look around the neighborhood) I was creaming at the $269 special web rate the hotel was offering for the same room - we saved $112 a night. The big drawback is the tiny rooms from what they say, but location and hip factor make it worth it.
More sleuthing. $27 for breakfast. (I can't describe the nausea such robbery induces) $6.50 for the Snickers in the Mini bar . Whole Foods at Columbus Circle just outside. CVS across the street. Hole in the wall places for sandwiches and breakfast outside the hotel. (whew, okay. I know NYC is expensive, but I want to spend on shows and nice dinners - not on $27 eggs.)
This bidding for travel thing is like going to a casino. A casino where you always WIN! I fracking love it.
21 comments:
That is a great rate! And who cares about small rooms, Your in New York! You won't be in the room that much!
That is an amazing rate for NY. Buy a box of pop tarts at CVS for breakfast and spend the rest on shows
When the end comes -- and it will, sooner than we can imagine -- I hope that, just before your last rattle, you experience a surge of pleasure from the memory of the $27 breakfast you didn't eat. :-)
Oh, and because you teach English, let me add that your mom sprang (not sprung) for a special rate.
Have a fabulous fling (flang? flung?) in the City of Cities, my preciously beautiful boys!
The spouse is a smart man - I hear this place is unbelieveable! WHAT A FIND! Like you tell your students, all that hard work pays off in the end!
According to Regis Philbin and who would know better? LOL. Grey's Papya near Columbus Circle is the best place on earth to eat. It is both Cheap and very good food. He wouldn't eat there if it wasn't a bargain and tasty. I think he has his first dollar.
I'm so excited for you guys. May will be here before you know it. Spring has Sprung and Fall has fell, This year it's hotter than...it was last year. LOL.
Your hotel looks fabulous!!
Glad it all came together for you.
Jane
If there's anything this New Yorker can do to help you guys out, let me know! :-)
Remember that food prices in New York include a type of short-term rent for sitting in the restaurant.
You should have called this post "A Whole Lot of Creamin' Goin' On" or "Which Came First, Me or the Park Avenue Chicken"
You know, one of the reasons we like each other so much has to be because of our love of the bargain.
I am so with you on the internet search for the cheap. Now, if you link through fatwallet.com, you get even more money back. I just got $7 back from my New York trip at Thanksgiving. I know, doesn't seem like much, but it's free money!
Whoo hoo!
Prices, like everything else, is relative I guess. It sounds like you got a reasonable deal ("for NYC", we qualify) but WOW! It's expensive to live these days.
Whee-doggies, does that look nice!
Next time, might I suggest looking into some of the gay B&B's? There are some very nice, non-sleazy ones that are ridiculously reasonable (Colonial House in Chelsea, Incentra Village House in the West Village), clean, decent sized rooms and you get private bathrooms. Last time we were there a few years back, we were only paying around $130 a night.
that's a great hotel...the lobby bar is incredible and it's like a constant party... there's a great rooftop deck too with views of the hudson river... and if you think the rooms are tiny, wait til you see the bathroom... enjoy, we did..
I'd ask for a room fridge and stop at a grocery store and stop up on raw foods and prepared foods.
But that is an awesome price.
Do you remember the good old days when you just picked up the phone and booked a room?
You are obnoxiously cheap. And you are proud of it?
I had no idea it was that expensive in NY.
Awesome job on the bargaining. I am no good in that department.
Yay! You're coming to NYC! When and for how long? Can I meet you guys for a drink? What shows do you want to see? I might be able to help you with some bargains or with seat locations.
omg i'm getting so excited and i'm not even remotely going on vacation. i'm happy for you guys!
Hudson's rooms are incredibly tiny (yet pretty).
Make sure you pack some body-padding for all the bumping you'll be doing while in your room... because of the size of it, not because of, well, you know.
That's a good hotel, and a short walk from us. Hope we get to spend time with you guys.
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