amberlo

Congrats, we got a winning priceline bid for the same place (2nd most rooms in Chicago!) for the same price for some of the same days. I enjoyed the River Tour (there are lots of companies that do this - see here for a comparison chart) and we plan to go again while we're there. I've been told to avoid the Navy Pier by locals because the tourist trappishness is too much.

After seeing someone else get the Hyatt for $65 around this time, I was hopeful, but we didn't get it for 5/4-5/7, 5/4-5/8, 5/4-5/9 - finally gave up trying to get 5/4 and changed check in to 5/5-5/9 and it worked for the Palmer House. Now we'll be trying to get something for the 4th.. and in addition, the TripAdvisor reviews for this place are really mixed. I see through research it underwent a $150 million renovation from 2007 - 2009, but it seems some rooms weren't upgraded - they couldn't have possibly been, with peeling wallpaper and old tube TVs. So, as with the Hyatt, we'll have to carefully do our research to land in a good room that's undergone the upgrades.

Huh. I was told $20 at the counter for a view room. No matter - the way the hotel is situated, my king room overlooks the river toward the west, and I just watched the sunset through the large windows. Quite picturesque but not that "ideal" view overlooking the bend in the river and the downtown buildings.

Per yellowdog's request, this is the price a friend of mine was able to get on Priceline for this hotel for one night, 5/7 - 5/8/10.

First of all, I used the Priceline link from BetterBidding. Having stayed at the Hyatt Regency (4*) and the Hotel Cass (2 1/2*), I was eager to try something different. I put in $45 for 5/8 - 5/9, 3 1/2* and up, River North only, and came up empty - so I went down to 3* (which this property is) and bumped it up to $49. Currently, in Chicago, that seems to be the magic number as there are hotels at all star levels that will accept a $49 bid. I'd never heard of this one but the reviews sound very positive. It's a bit further from the most attractive tourist areas, but stands high over the river and so I'm hoping to get a great view.

I can't see where to edit my post, so the dates are wrong - I was here @ Hotel Cass from 5/5 - 5/8. Great place, perfect for single travellers or couples. Incidentally, my friend got it on Priceline for $45 for one night, 5/7 - 5/8 only, while I was paying $49 for the same.

I am very happy to have scored this deal. This hotel was recommended to me by a friend who's stayed there several times, and she was able to get it for $42 the first week of March on HOTWIRE. Sadly no such deals are available at this point, but it would appear by chance I got it when I used PRICELINE instead. I stayed at the Hyatt Regency on Wacker last time I was in Chicago (for $60/night, three nights, December 2009), found it to be an uninspiring experience due to the isolated feel of its location, and hoped I'd be able to get something else this time. I was resigned to getting the Hyatt Regency again but yay, this popular boutique hotel instead. Very happy. Thanks for helping me to know what price NOT to go above ($49). :) Priceline reviews of this hotel: http://travela.priceline.com/holiday-inn-e...ws-hotel-guides TripAdvisor reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews...HECK_RATES_CONT