saf2002

I have stayed several times over the past five years at the Ramada Conference Center/formerly Holiday Inn. It is OK. Would prefer not to stay there but wouldn't dread it, either. I will say that the barbecue place across the street is incredible, FWIW. Stay away from the two star hotel. The three star hotel probably is a Courtyard or something similar. Much nicer! Hope this helps. Oops. Just saw you were seeking for a date that has passed. Perhaps this will help someone else who is searching, though.

Office assistant made reservation through priceline for $40 an received this hotel on first try. All the reviews from different sites have been mixed, with most saying it was just OK. Some reviews seem like hotel employees submitted them after seeing comments that weren't so favorable. Quick personal gripe to get off my chest. I tried to get assistant to make reservation for 2* because my research indicated I most likely would get Fairfield, which I love for the traveling I do. She felt like let's go for something even nicer. I'm trying to teach her how to use priceline, but she thought she knew better. Feel better now. In her defense, she's usually great. I'll let folks know how the stay goes. Thanks again for all the help.

Bid $65 first time for 3 * and was accepted and bumped up to the 4 star. Knew I should have started lower because the hotels are not nearly filled this time of year. Oh well, my kids and I will have a great time. Check-In Date: Wednesday, December 20, 2006 Check-Out Date: Thursday, December 21, 2006 Hotel Name: Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 East Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60601 312-565-1234 Summary of Charges Your Offer Price: $65.00 Number of Rooms: 1 Number of Nights: 1 Subtotal: $65.00 Taxes and Service Fees: $17.38 Total Charges*: $82.38

Thanks for the info. We've decided to go with the regular rates. We're only going to do this one time, and figure it's best to know what we're getting. Don't want to wind up in a hotel that is primarily business oriented. We are considering the Swissotel, although her first choice right now is the Fairmont at Millenium Park. Will continue to check out some others. We will be using better bidding and Savings Barn for planning the rest of our travel, however. Stan

I've loved using priceline and this board. I'm getting married December 22 in Chicago and want to spend the night in one of the nicer hotels. I know there is the NMA and Loop Zones. I'm fairly familiar with the area, and since I live here, I can check out whatever hotel. Probably would prefer NMA but not a big difference to us. I'm wondering if you think it is a good or bad idea to use priceline for a room. We don't really need any kind of special pkg. But I don't want to get two double beds either :) Thanks Stan

Thanks for the input on the credit card situation. When renting, I asked the person behind the counter if they knew what credit cards provide insurance. I figured I don't get charged for asking and when I've called credit card companies to see if they offer this, they acted as if they had no idea what I was talking about. The person behind the counter told me the same thing about the credit card not being the primary but also said that if I don't have primary, the credit card company won't provide the coverage generally. Don't know whether this is what they're told to say. If anyone knows of specific credit cards that offer this coverage, I would be interested to hear. Or if they know where I might check. Until then, I also will keep spending the $22 a day. I try to console myself with the fact that I don't own a car since I live in Chicago, which has convenient public transportation, and am not making any insurance payments at all. Thank you again for your input.

I've never had a bad experience at a Fairfield Inn, and this hotel is no exception. I will be staying in Salina April 13 - 16. Bid was $40. I tried several lower bids but don't remember what they were as it was some time ago. Having stayed at this site before, I've found $40 to be the minimum. The hotel lists at $79. The priceline rate is probably higher here than in the posts for Wichita because the 2* is the highest level and there are only a couple other selections. Priceline always has given me this hotel and I'm not complaining. It has free wireless, a pool and hot tub, and a fine free breakfast.

oops. February 11 :)

I had an excellent stay. The hotel must have improved since the earlier posts. I found it clean and the staff helpful. It was nice to be able to sit next to a fireplace in the lobby while reading the morning paper. A free breakfast that included eggs, sausage and french toast, was very good. I stayed with three teenagers, all of whom had a good time and enjoyed the jacuzzi and free wireless. Excellent bargain for $32.

Got the hotel for the same price listed below. I saw the review below and wondered if I might get that hotel, but figured there would be a better chance of getting a decent hotel than with the two stars. Besides it's more just a place for me to flop with my teenage son for the evening. On some sites I've looked, there have been several two stars that didn't get such hot reviews in Wichita. Perhaps I should have tried there since the fairfield is in that category and I have gotten them before elsewhere. Are there some hotels that are more likely to accept the priceline price? I'll let you know how the one-night stay goes. BTW - used savings barn.

If I get a car through priceline, can I still purchase the insurance. I don't have a car since I generally don't need one and insurance rates are nuts here in Chicago. Anyway, I have to purchase the collision and liability insurance when I rent since my credit card doesn't cover it. Thanks for the help.

Had a good stay. The hotel was clean and pleasant. The staff friendly and helpful. Didn't use any of the facilities because too busy out shopping. That being said, I would prefer to stay at hotels such as Fairfield, which has a great free continental breakfast and the internet is free. The room still is nice. The Courtyard may have the same set up, but I'm not sure. Thanks again for the help. I'll be in Wichita in February and definitely will use your sponsor.

We had a good stay. We were able to check in early. The staff was warm and friendly. The room was nice and clean. My daughter was excited by the surprise. That being said, I think I would prefer to stay at "lesser" properties, such as the Fairfield Inn or Courtyard, given my personal preferences. The rooms stilll are nice, both also tend to have indoor pools and hot tub, you get a great breakfast as part of the cost and the internet is free. At the Hyatts etc., you pay for breakfast and internet access. Thank you again for this service. I hope this information helps others.

Thanks for the reply and all the assistance you give. :) I tried to use a strategy I read somewhere on here about basic percentages, although I know that always isn't exact. I also didn't see any posting for this site on the board. Next time I'll ask for recommendations. I did try to use the zone strategy, but it would not have worked for the area because they all off the same stars. Still, I'm happy. I appreciate the encouragement and love the board! Thanks again, and I'm sure my teenage daughter will find some way to spend that money. Stan

I am staying here the day after Thanksgiving. I initially bid on a 2.5 star hotel but was automatically upgraded to the 3 star hyatt, which advertises rooms for $119 a night. This will allow me and my daughter to shop at the large Woodfield Mall and return across the street to the hotel when we need a break. This was my first bid. I can only guess there aren't too many people staying at hotels the day after thanksgiving. I also think this one tends to cater to business customers. I have been there for a conference during the day, and it is nice, although I've never been in one of the rooms. I'll let you know how the stay goes.