I tend to make very generic room requests, such as close transportation, ground floor, top floor, etc., because I feel a location that is convenient is more important than the view. The only time I pay to book a "view" is if I'm there for something special, like July 4th, where a big part of the reason for being there is to view something special from the hotel. I don't think my July 4th stay would have been as special with a garden view as it was with a TPV room. But if I were booking a stay for say, next week, budget and location would trump view for sure.