Priceline Hotel: 4* NMA-River North or Millenium-Loop-Grant Park 9/9/11-9/11/11

[raldogg22]

I am trying to help my friend get a 4* hotel at a good rate for the weekend of September 9-September 11. Do you have any suggestions as to where we should start the bidding for this weekend? Also, my friend and his wife have three small children so they will need two beds. In the past, I have had success requesting two beds after I have won a bid on priceline, but there is no guarantee, correct? Do you have any suggestions? Or should they just try to book two rooms? If they decide to bid, I will have them go through this website. Thanks for your help.

[AaronJB]

If the friend's party is a party of five, I'd definitely suggest HOTWIRE instead of PRICELINE. There is absolutely no guarantee for bedding for the entire party, especially in a major city during a busier season. Some 4* properties in the NMA area recently have had users report some trouble in regards to two beds (the Knickerbocker).

What would be their desired budget per night? Rates are definitely above-average for these dates.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[raldogg22]

I think they are willing to pay in the $150 range per night if necessary. Are they guaranteed a two bed room if they book through HOTWIRE? Also, could you please help me potentially ID some of the hotwire hotels? 3.5* Chicago Loop-Millenium Park-Grant Park (amenities include a fitness center and high speed internet access) (90% recommended in reviews) ($109/night); 4* Chicago Loop-Millenium Park-Grant Park (amenities include that it is a boutique hotel, it has a fitness center, restaurant, business center and high speed internet access) (90% recommended in reviews) ($142/night); 3* Chicago Loop-Millenium Park-Grant Park (amenities include complimentary breakfast, fitness center, pool, business center, laundry facilities and high speed internet access) (95% recommended in reviews) ($134/night). Thank you again for all your help.

[thereuare]

I think they are willing to pay in the $150 range per night if necessary. Are they guaranteed a two bed room if they book through HOTWIRE?

They'll need to search HOTWIRE for 2adults/2children (which guarantees accommodations for quad occupancy, even though they'll be five it's a risk they'll need to accept if only looking to purchase one room) which will ensure two 'beds'... but the second bed could be a pullout sofabed, rollaway, etc.

Also, could you please help me potentially ID some of the hotwire hotels?

Are the hotels listed above showing when searching for 2adults/2chidlren? (as the offers and prices will often differ when searching for double occupancy vs. quad occupancy) If you didn't, please do a HOTWIRE search for 2adults/2chidren and let us know any properties they're interested in which are within their budget.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[AaronJB]

3* Chicago Loop-Millenium Park-Grant Park (amenities include complimentary breakfast, fitness center, pool, business center, laundry facilities and high speed internet access) (95% recommended in reviews) ($134/night)

I'm seeing this when searching for 2/2. This is likely the La Quinta Loop. I'm also seeing what appears to be the Hyatt for $150. Unfortunately, rates are on the high side for these dates. The suburbs are significantly cheaper (I see $69 for a 4* in one of the areas) and are very nice, but are about a 35-45 minute trip into the city and I'd really only recommend them for someone driving. That would be a cheaper option though, and does offer some sights (Chicago Botanic Garden, for example.) They would then drive to the nearest Metra station (metrarail.com) and take that in.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[raldogg22]

I apologize for not responding earlier, but we did not end up taking this trip with our friends. Thanks again for your help.

[thereuare]

Sorry to hear the trip didn't materialize for you.

Thanks for the follow-up and closing this thread.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... or thru our sister site MAPS and HOTELS.com for your regular rate purchases.