Priceline Hotel: Illinois hotel-Downtown/River North/ Medical district

[davinj1984]

I started yesterday bidding on Priceline for a hotel room (semi romantic) getaway for Oct 4-6. I started the bidding at $60 for a 3 star hotel... No luck. I attempted to broaden the area to the medical district still no luck. However priceline emailed me afterwards stating it had express deals in the medical district *** for only $70... However it was for the day before my trip.

Any suggestions? Is $65ish to low for anything in this areas? I would even take a 2.5 star hotel...(I tried that also with no luck)

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding.

I would recommend *not* bidding for McCormick Place-Medical District. The best case for this zone is the Hyatt McCormick, and even that is not very convenient to the city (although is certainly good if you're going to a convention at McCormick.) $65 in Chicago is really a price seen during slower periods. Unfortunately, early Fall is busy and you're likely looking at the $100-135 neighborhood for downtown Chicago (although more likely the $115-135 area.) There are some terrific areas in the suburbs where $65 for these date/s would appear to be no problem for something nice (3.5-4*), but it becomes a matter of a bit of a trek into the city and I'd recommend driving for those staying in these areas. In fact, I think you could probably get something in the $45-52 area in the 'burbs.

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

[davinj1984]

Thanks so much for the insight! I'll try again next week and maybe up the bid by about $20-25. I am used to getting rooms in NYC and Vegas waaaay cheaper :)

How far away is the medical district from downtown? We really don't want to rent a car... And is flying in from MDW.

Davin

[AaronJB]

It's not that the medical district is terribly far from downtown (although it is certainly a trek - it's not walkable), it's just that this area - as well as the McCormick Place area (which is not really walkable to downtown either) - really are not something I'd recommend for tourists. Some of the areas near both aren't great and there's not much going on in these areas - the Medical District area is really for those who need to be there or going to UIC, while McCormick is really for those who are coming in for a convention. I'd recommend staying downtown instead, or if you could get something relatively inexpensively, the Lincoln Park area to the North of the downtown area. Lincoln Park at least offers some shopping as well as a very wide variety of restaurants and nightlife.

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

[davinj1984]

What suburbs are fairly close to the city? Someone recommended Schaumburg? (However I'm not sure how close in it is) or how easy public transit is to access from there?

I've always stayed in Aurora when visiting with my uncle (who has since moved back here to KC)

My plans include Navy pier boat tour/ aquarium and shopping on Michigan Ave and a coupe nice dinners..

Davin

[AaronJB]

The problem is that public transit is not terribly convenient to a lot of suburban hotels - many of them are not far driving distance from a train line, but they're not walkable. Evanston is the closest suburb to the city, but the issue is that Skokie is also part of the zone. Evanston is incredibly convenient to public transit; Skokie hotels are generally a ride to Evanston plus a whole additional bus ride.

What would be your absolute max bid per night for this stay?

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

[davinj1984]

For Evanston/Skokie? Maybe $75 or $80? I don't know what the highest star level is in that area? We want to be somewhere semi nice though...and again close to transit.

This may be a good idea for a romantic trip if Evanston is quiet?

For downtown/Michigan ave my max bid will be $115 a night with the lowest star rating at 2 stars..

[davinj1984]

Also I just noticed on your website that the only 1 star for Chicago river north/ loop is the redroof inn? I looked at its reviews and it didn't look to bad? I may try that...

I was thinking super 8 or motel 6 type of hotels were 1 star.... So I was turned off. This one might not be too bad. I wonder if I can bid on it for $80-90 a night...

[AaronJB]

As noted in the list, the hotels are only the ones reported to the board, there may be others not yet reported to the board and at the 1* level, I'd be cautious.

Unfortunately, the issue with Skokie for these date/s is that there's considerable overflow from downtown - a Holiday Inn in Skokie that gets mediocre reviews is $220 for these date/s and HOTWIRE is showing next-to-nothing in the zone.

I do see what appears to be the Public on HOTWIRE for $150 for the first night, as well as a possible Swissotel for $147 for the first night. I'm thinking you could possibly get a 4* for $125-135 for the first night via bidding, at least - the second night is unfortunately much more expensive.

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

[thereuare]

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

... and please click each of the links above before replying.

Thanks.

[davinj1984]

I ended up staying at the Hampton Inn downtown using points.

Thanks!

[AaronJB]

Thank you for closing the thread.

 

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