This mini-series explores stellar properties available through Priceline’s opaque bidding process.
Part 1: The Carolina Inn – Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Part 2: Little America – Salt Lake City, Utah
Part 3: Tarrytown House Estate & Conference Center, Tarrytown, New York
My husband grew up in Irvington-on-Hudson, one of those cute little river towns about 20 miles north of New York City. His family lived in a development of mid-century modern homes just up the hill from Washington Irving’s Sunnyside home.
Irvington and its neighbor Tarrytown make a good base for exploring the Hudson River valley. Scenic views, historical reenactments, art, and hiking opportunities abound, with attractions that will appeal to children and adults. Tarrytown is easily accessible by car and by train, making this a great region for a weekend getaway.
Sometimes when we visited family in Irvington, we would get a Priceline room, most often ending up in the 2.5 star Hampton Inn in Elmsford, NY.
Once in 2008, we bid $50 on Priceline and were upgraded to the 3 star Tarrytown House Estate and Conference Center.
This property is a 26-acre full service resort with several historic mansions and cottages, beautifully landscaped grounds, a magnificent view of the Tappan Zee bridge. There are numerous recreational opportunities on site. Several low-rise buildings discreetly sited on the property constitute the conference center.
The funny thing is that this place is is less than a five-minute walk to my in-laws place — yet until our Priceline experience, we did not know they had hotel rooms, much less availability on Priceline. When my husband was growing up, the estate was owned by the Embassy of Mali, and later, it became a corporate conference center.
For $50 a night, this was the bargain of the century. We susequently stayed there several times, always booking rooms through Priceline at $50 per night.
The rooms are comfortable, the amenities upscale, and the facilities fantastic. Tarrytown house has both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a whirlpool and sauna, indoor racquetball, tennis, basketball, volleyball and badminton, horseshoes and ping pong, as well as a comprehensive fitness center.
The estate sits high on a hill with views of the Hudson river and the Palisades. It is comprised of eleven separate buildings (some dating back to 1840) separated by beautiful gardens. Tarrytown House is part of the Destination Hotels & Resorts vacation properties.
Tarrytown house is conveniently located across the road from Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, and the Lyndhurst Castle, once the home of railroad baron Jay Gould.
Visitors to “Sleepy Hollow Country” also enjoy touring Kykuit, the Rockefeller family estate in Pocantico Hills and Philipsburg Manor, a colonial farm. Philipsburg Manor offers pirate reenactments and other programs that will appeal to children. Kykuit is only accessible via formal tours that emphasize the Rockefeller family’s exceptional collection of twentieth century art and sculpture.
The Tiffany Reading Room in the Irvington Town Hall has recently been restored, and may well be worth a visit.
There are a number of easy walks for hikers in this area. The Croton Aqueduct just across the road from Tarrytown House, is a level pathway for walking or biking. The Town of Irvington has a scenic riverside park with playgrounds, walking paths, and a view of Manhattan. The Rockefeller State Park and Preserve in North Tarrytown offers wooded hiking trails with River views.
Priceline Bidding Strategy
Tarrytown House is now listed as a 4 star hotel on Priceline, in the Tarrytown-Elmsford zone in Westchester, NY. There are now a couple of other 4 star hotels in the Tarrytown zone (a Sheraton and a Marriott), so don’t bid unless you would be happy winning a room at these other properties. If you are traveling with children, also note that Tarrytown Houses assesses a $10 fee for a third person in the room.
The most recent report of a successful Priceline win for this property was in November 2012, for $101 per night.
Logistics
Members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation can purchase discounted tickets for visits to Lyndhurst and Kykuit.
For reasonably priced dining, locals recommend Lefteris Greek restaurant in Tarrytown for grilled fish, and Haru Hana Japanese restaurant in Irvington for sushi.
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What a gorgeous place; and for $50, too!
On weekends, you practically have the whole resort to yourself unless there is a wedding going on.