andypt7

Looking for a place to stay anywhere in the downtown area this weekend. 8/21-8/23. First search on Hot.wire comes up with: Downtown-Millennium Park-Grant Park 4.5* $154 Boutique hotel Business center Fitness center Indoor pool(s) Internet access Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Spa services Tennis nearby This comes up when searching for 1 or 2 guests. When I search for 3 guests, the following comes up: $129 Downtown-Millennium Park-Grant Part 4.5* Business center Fitness center Internet access Pet friendly Restaurant(s) Smoke-free rooms Accessible for visually impaired Accessible for hearing impaired Accessible path of travel I figure the first ($154) is the Swissotel. Not sure about the 2nd. This location isn't my first choice, but it'll work. Thoughts?

Was looking for something for a combo work-fun trip. Was open to North Michigan Ave/River North areas or Lincoln Park (knowing that the Hotel Lincoln is the only known 4* in this zone). Having stayed (full price) at Hotel Lincoln in the past I have been wanting to get back and most of my plans this trip made this a reasonable place to stay. Having seen a 4* Lincoln Park property on hotwire for around $110 I was thinking I could possibly get it a little cheaper on priceline--but again was open to NMA zone as well. Used the PRICELINE links above and started with North Michigan Ave/River North and Lincoln Park zones clicked for 4* or better. Started bidding at 60 and rebid in $5 increments until it hit at $80.

Planning an anniversary weekend to Chicago April 3-5 (Easter weekend). Finding some decent rates but having a hard time narrowing down which hotels they potentially are. Looking to stay North Michigan Ave areas for easier access to Red Line and more stores/restaurants/bars. Would also consider Lincoln Park but 4* likely Lincoln Hotel showing up as $159/night--love that hotel but cheaper options downtown. Anyways, here's what's coming up on Hotwire bidding helper link above: 4* Mag Mile-Water Tower $59 FULL AMENITIES: Boutique hotel, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Accessible for visually impaired, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking, Roll-in shower 4* Mag Mile-River North $85 FULL AMENITIES: Free Internet, Boutique hotel, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Internet access, Spa services 4.5* Mag Mile Water Tower $102 FULL AMENITIES: Free Internet, Boutique hotel, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Accessible for visually impaired, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Roll-in shower 4* Mag Mile Water Tower $99 FULL AMENITIES: Free Internet, Pet friendly, Boutique hotel, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Golf nearby, Tennis nearby, Accessible for visually impaired, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking, Roll-in shower There are several others. Would prefer a location with free internet because we need the WiFi to skype with the kids at home among other things. So I omitted a few 4* in similar price range without free internet listed. The $59 4* is cheap enough to offset the cost of 2 nights of paying for internet. Thanks in advance!!

Another that I should have posted awhile ago. This was a great hotel. The bathroom/shower was amazing. Great location right off Michigan Ave. Smaller property where the front desk staff recognize you can address you by name when you walk through the lobby. Would love to get this property again.... Free Internet Boutique hotel Smoke-free rooms Restaurant(s) Internet access

Catching up on a few wins from the previous months This was a day-of purchase via hotwire (did it while on my way down from Milwaukee on the train) Boutique hotel Smoke-free rooms Fitness center Restaurant(s) Business center Internet access Accessibility Accessible for visually impaired Accessible for hearing impaired Accessible path of travel In-room accessibility Accessible bathroom Accessible parking Roll-in shower

Sorry for the delay!! These are the listed amenities for the Hilton Fort Collins. It was a prefect location for us in Fort Collins, and is now just steps away from the new MAX transportation system to get you to Old Town Fort Collins. Free Parking Pet friendly Indoor pool(s) Fitness Center Pool(s) Restaurant(s) Business Center Self service laundry Internet access Accessible for the deaf Accessible path of travel In-room accessibility Wheelchair accessible Accessible bathroom Handicapped parking

This was a tough one due to a lack of recent reported wins in Fort Collins. Also, FC now has zones-North and South, with Loveland, Greeley, Estes Park having their own zones as well. The North Zone's southern end is just south of Prospect Ave. Two different 3 star options came up (depending on when I was checking, sometimes only one of them came up): These were for the Fort Collins-North zone: 1. 3 star $59 (regular price $119) 85% recommended Amenities: Free breakfast, Pool, Business center, Self-serve laundry, Internet 2. 3 star $58 (regular price $150) 90% recommended Amenities: Free parking, Pet Friendly, Indoor pool, Fitness Center, Pool, Restaurant, Business Center, Self Serve Laundry, Internet I was hoping for the Hilton and figured #2 was it based on the Restaurant and the $150 regular price, and I was correct. Not sure what the other 3 star would be in the north zone. The only other 3-star listed in the fort collins forum page is the Holiday Inn Express, and that would fall into the South Zone. Maybe the Comfort Inn? Anyways, hope this helps anyone looking for FC in the future. Oh, I was unable to use the quick quote or bidding helper links on this page as they are blocked by my employer :(

Ended up using PRICELINE and getting the Sheraton Hotel and Towers for $156/night. Posted details in Priceline forum. Thanks again for the help!

Have been looking for a room for Oct 18-20 for a few weeks now. Missed out on some good potential Hotwire deals. Tried Priceline several times, working my way up from $120 by re-bidding, waiting 24 hours, and trying again. Got to $150 and was offered the chance to re-bid instantly if I raised my bid by $30 to $180 (higher than the Instant deal for same star level/area). No thanks. Kept at it in $2 increments and finally hit at $156. Pretty happy with the Sherton, although I'm still bummed that I missed out on a likely win for the Thompson on Hotwire for <$130 because I waited. Location will be good for my needs and plans. Never stayed there but reviews are good. Thanks for the help!

I am still planning on taking this trip. Still working Hotwire and Priceline to find the best possible deal. This morning there is a 4 Star hotel in the Loop-Theater district for $148 Amenities listed include: Pet friendly Fitness Center Restaurant(s) Business Center High-Speed Internet Access Golf Nearby Accessibility Accessible for the blind Accessible for the deaf Accessible path of travel Seems like everytime I search there is a new page layout, but I think I got all of the amenities. Any ideas on this one?

Lesson learned...you snooze, (sometimes) you lose. Due to uncertainty of the work aspect of my trip, I was not able to book when prices were low. Now the 4.5 star (presumably Thompson) is 160+ for these dates. Have also struck out on Priceline up to $150. Will keep fishing and hope I get something, but for now closing this thread out an unfulfilled. :( Thanks for the help.

OK, I've been sitting on this for awhile now, waiting for confirmation of my plans (combo work/fun trip). Work confirmed dates that I need to be in Chicago, so I'm ready to book. Linked to HOTWIRE thru betterbidding and tonight found: $122 3.5 star Mag Mile/River North Amenities Free Internet Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Restaurant(s) Laundry Facilities (self-service) High-Speed Internet Access Accessibility Accessible for the blind Accessible for the deaf Accessible path of travel My original Gold Coast/Lake Shore Drive hotels still show up, but have gone up slightly. $136 for the 4* (presumably Public Chicago) $143 for 4.5* (presumably Thompson) Thoughts on the 3.5* Mag Mile hotel?

Just was wondering if anyone has noticed a trend in price comparison for Hotwire vs. Priceline. For example, I have booked several times in Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison, WI using the strategy of checking prices in certain neighborhoods on Hotwire, then going to Priceline and using the price from Hotwire as my "ceiling" for bidding. Using the multi-zone re-bid strategy, I have been able to get accepted bids on Priceline for similar neighborhood and same star levels for $10-15 less on Priceline vs. Hotwire. Hasn't always worked, but at times it has. Also, along the same lines, am I correct in assuming that Priceline's fees/taxes are slightly less than Hotwire? I am currently looking for a hotel in Chicago (see post in hotwire forum), and have an offer of $132 on Hotwire for a 4.5* for 2 nights. The taxes and fees on Hotwire are approx $64. I went over to Priceline and put in a bid of $132 and clicked on "Preview Offer" and the fees were listed as $52 and change. Not sure if this is the case with all cities but just something I noticed and will take into account.

Thanks for the input. I hadn't noticed the "See all" link under amenities, but when I search again now I do see all those that you listed. I may play around with Priceline a little to see if I can find something around $125 but otherwise will likely book either of the properties on Hotwire. I have stayed at Public Chicago in the past (booked thru conference I was attending). Very nice property and they do offer free wireless internet in guest rooms. Looks like Thompson charges for wireless access. May be a consideration for me. I'll post when I confirm.

I travel to Chicago for work and fun often. Since I no longer live close enough to Harvard, IL to make Metra worth my while, I have lately been parking at the Cumberland CTA ramp off of I-90 (The Kennedy) just past O'Hare. Parking is $12/night in a covered ramp. Probably is slightly less secure location than hotel parking ramps would be but I have never had a problem. From there, it is about a 30 minute Blue Line train ride to the Loop.

Looking for a room for Friday-Sunday october 18-20. Flexible on location in the city. Prefer to be close to public transportation but really just looking for best deal possible. Using the links on this page, I'm coming up with several options. Cheapest are in McCormick Place/South Loop areas, which is the one area I would rule out for my needs. Was burned once before on the McCormick Hyatt (nice hotel, but ended up spending what I saved on hotel in extra cab fares) I'm coming up with 2 properties in the Chicago Gold Coast/Lake Shore Drive areas: $133 4 star. Amenities include: Free Internet, Pet Friendly, Smoke Free, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Business Center, High Speed Internet access, Golf, Tennis; 90% customer review and 4/5 Trip Advisor $129 4.5 star. Amenities include: Pet Friendly, Boutique, Smoke Free, Fitness Center, Restaurant, High Speed Internet My best guesses based on the awesome info you all provide here are The Public and the Thompson. Thoughts? Advice? Other viable options?

Just got an accepted bid for $77/ night for The Denver Hyatt Regency @ Colorado Convention Center for June 23-25th. Originally bid $60/ night, was declined, but was able to re-bid without changing options if I added $17/ night. Incidently, checked Hotwire for same dates/location. 4* came up at $96/ night, and based on amenities was likely the same Hyatt.

Milwaukee hotel rates can be very fickle depending on what is going on. I'm thinking Irish Fest is that weekend (maybe that's what you're coming up for?) and that is a tremendously popular festival, especially with people from chicago. I'd check the other travel sites to see if there's even availability downtown for that weekend.

The wife and I just got back from our stay last night (4/15-4/16). Should have posted when I first got the bid, but it slipped my mind. Anyways, I bid on this on 3/22 Milwaukee Downtown 3*'s $40 Was accepted at the Hyatt first bid. Ironically, we were celebrating our 1st anniversary, and most of our wedding guests stayed at the Hyatt last year (same wkend) and got a group rate of $99. Love the site! (this is my first post).