Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (Millenium Park - The Loop - Grant Park) Swissotel Chicago

[HOGnBOSS]

This week I'm planning to book a 4 star hotel in the Chicago Millenium Park/Loop/Grant Park area for the dates 8/21-8/24.

 

I see a PRICELINE EXPRESS deal for $119/night with an 8.0 guest rating and guaranteed to have the following amenities: Indoor or Outdoor pool, Fitness Center, Business Center.

 

When, I go to Name Your Own Price and preview my request, the only guaranteed amenities listed are: Guest Score 7/10 or Higher.

 

I have a few questions:

• Do the Express Deals and Name Your Own Price have different guaranteed amenities?  It appears so.
• Would a sub $100 bid be reasonable?
• We are driving, but plan to use public transportation once we arrive.  I reviewed the list of parking prices here.  There are a couple lots for $22-$24 for 24 hr.  To use those lots, do you need to be staying at the associated hotel?
• We have four people in our group, but would like to share one room with two beds.  I see priceline only searches for double occupancy.  Any idea how likely getting two beds is?

Thanks.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Do the Express Deals and Name Your Own Price have different guaranteed amenities?

The guaranteed amenities on the 'bidding' (name your own price) side of the PRICELINE website are amenities that are offered at every hotel in the zone at that star rating... not a specific hotel that you're bidding on. The PRICELINE EXPRESS list are amenities that are offered at the specific hotel being offered.

Would a sub $100 bid be reasonable?

That would probably be 'on the bubble' meaning that it could go either way... but if you let us know your maximum bid we can suggest a strategy for you to follow which will start low and gradually increase your bid amount, making sure that you don't overbid. If you're ready to move forward and commit to this stay now, what would be the maximum bid you'd like to use and is the Loop zone the only zone which is acceptable for this trip? (including as many zones that are acceptable gives more hotels the opportunity to accept your bid price and also gives you more bidding opportunities)

**However, be sure to read the comments below, as i wouldn't necessarily recommend PRICELINE for quad occupancy in Chicago.

There are a couple lots for $22-$24 for 24 hr. To use those lots, do you need to be staying at the associated hotel?

The hotel lots are more expensive than $22-$24 per 24 hours... the lots near the lower part of the first post are the less expensive ones and are generally non-hotel affiliated.

We have four people in our group, but would like to share one room with two beds. I see priceline only searches for double occupancy.

As you point out, PRICELINE only guarantees double occupancy, after that it's at the discretion of the hotel, and you could receive a room with only one bed. While you can call the hotel you win and request a room with two beds, the hotel may not be able, or willing, to honor your request. If this is not a risk you're willing to accept, HOTWIRE would still be an option as they allow you to search for up to quad occupancy and ensure sleeping accommodations for everyone you include in your search (although this usually means two beds, the second 'bed' could be a sofabed, rollaway, etc)

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

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

[AaronJB]

Hotel lots are as high as $60-70. The city lots are more reasonable and generally are in the $30 range. If you're not familiar with Chicago, there is no need whatsoever for the car if you're just going to be downtown. 

 

Do you have a particular reason on wanting to be in the Loop? It's certainly a fine choice, but I'll note that there's more going on at night North of the river. In terms of cheaper hotel and free parking, I often recommend the North suburbs, but the difference in price for these dates doesn't really appear substantial enough to warrant the added effort of staying outside the city.

 

Unfortunately, I'm not seeing any listings with bed choice available on PRICELINE EXPRESS.

 

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

[HOGnBOSS]

If you're ready to move forward and commit to this stay now, what would be the maximum bid you'd like to use and is the Loop zone the only zone which is acceptable for this trip?

I'd be willing to take the $119 express deal, but if there is money to be saved by naming a price I'll take that route.

 

The reason I chose only that area is because my wife has stayed there before and enjoyed the attractions within walking distance of the hotel.  This will be my first visit.  We'd like to check out the Lake Front Trail, Shedd aquarium, Navy Pier, Millennium and Grant Parks, the Magnificent Mile, a Cubs game, etc.  I'll add the North Michigan Ave - River North area too.

 

In regards to the quad occupancy.  I see that Hotwire offers accommodations up to 4 adults, unlike Priceline.  However, I was reading a post where someone booked through Hotwire for 4 adults and the room only had 1 bed.  If there is a risk of only one bed through both Priceline and Hotwire, I think I'd prefer to take my chances with Priceline.

 

I did look into staying in Evanston, but like AaronJB mentioned I didn't feel the savings were worth the inconvenience.

 

We don't plan to drive our car at all once we've checked into the hotel until we're ready to leave.

 

Thanks again.

[AaronJB]

For a future stay, if you are into hiking/biking, there are some wonderful trails in the 'burbs, such as the Green Bay Trail, which runs from just North of Evanston up to Wisconsin (although the main area of interest is the North Shore, as the trail runs through all of the North Shore suburbs), as well as the Skokie Lagoons trails, which connect to the Chicago Botanic Garden (which is in the 'burbs - chicagobotanic.org) and runs most of the way to the city.

 

That said:

 

Hot.wire does not guarantee two beds, but it should ensure bedding for the party - that may mean 2 beds or 1 + sofa or 1 + rollaway. If you were to get to the hotel and there was an issue, I'd call Hot.wire.

 

With Navy Pier, as an alternative I'd really rather recommend the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is a beautiful zoo (and somehow still free.) Walking up there is a longer walk, but takes you through the beautiful Gold Coast area and the NMA area. The Old Town area (Second City) is also an easy walk from the zoo.

 

Cubs game - take the subway and go early before everyone else also tries to pile on the subway. The nice thing about the area around Wrigley is that it is actually a nice area with a lot of restaurant options, so if you were to get there early, you could just go have a drink or even go to the batting cages at Sluggers.

 

Shedd - get there early. I just don't find it as enjoyable when it's packed there.

 

In terms of bidding, I think you could likely start at $80 and work higher by $5's for the MP-Loop-GP area. Given the rates I'm seeing, I think a 4* in the Downtown-Loop-GP area is likely going to require around a $95-105 bid (there's the express deal for $119 and a Hot.wire listing that shows with two adults for $112). You could also try for the River North-NMA area, but based on the rates I'm seeing that will likely require more towards the $125-140 range.

 

Let us know if you have any questions before bidding.

 

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

 

[HOGnBOSS]

OK, thanks for the advice.

 

I understand now that accommodations for 4 via Hotwire doesn't necessarily mean 2 beds, but could be 1 bed and something else to sleep on.

 

I see a deal on Hotwire for 2 adults for $112 for a 4 star hotel in Downtown - Millennium Park - Grant Park, but that deal doesn't appear when I search with 4 adults.

 

I think I'll try Priceline bidding tonight from $80 at 4 stars in both the Millennium Park and River North areas.

[AaronJB]

Good luck on your bidding and please let us know if you have any questions before bidding.

 

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

[thereuare]

If you haven't bid yet (or if you did and your bids were rejected) and would like help with a suggested bidding strategy let us know your maximum bid and we'll advise accordingly.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes/went.

[HOGnBOSS]

Won in the Millennium Park - The Loop - Grant Park area at $105 after being rejected at $100 and under.

I called the hotel to see if the room had one or two beds, and was told that the reservation is for a single king bed room.  The receptionist said she was unable to request a two-bed room since it was booked through Price.line, and that if I want that I'll need to talk with Priceline.

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

 

The good news is that you got a fantastic rate for this property, plus it is in an awesome location by the river. Perfectly central location plus some of the hotel's rooms offer pretty decent views. There is a Mariano's grocery store right nearby at 333 Benton - that's a beautiful store (great for snacks/drinks to take back to the hotel or along during the day), plus there's a great park next to it.

 

Sorry to hear about the hotel's response in regards to two beds. Hopefully Price.line will be able to help or talking to someone else at the hotel will be more successful.

 

Let us know if you have any questions about Chicago.

 

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

 

Enjoy your stay.

[HOGnBOSS]

I called Price.line's customer service and they were able to change the reservation to two double beds which will be perfect.

 

Thank you AaronJB for all the helpful tips.

[AaronJB]

Fantastic! Glad Price.line was able to make the switch. 

 

Thanks for keeping us updated and definitely let me know if any city questions come up.