Citygal

I checked dates of 6/18 - 6/20 and see this Express Deal: Millennium Park, Loop, Grant Park - $129. 3-star, 8+ guest favorite rating, with the following amenities: Free internet and breakfast, swimming, pets, restaurant, fitness, wifi, free breakfast, business center, and bed choice. Any ideas? We are going to the United Center so thought we would choose a hotel south of the river, but in actuality it doesn't matter that much. Would prefer a 4-star but this rate with breakfast included seems sweet. :) Any other comments according to Express Deals offered at that time would be welcomed. I can't remember what other ones popped up, but thought I would first inquire with you on this one. Thanks so much!

Thank you so very much! We will research the Navy Pier parking!!

I apologize if this question is not in the right spot. We will be staying at the Residence Inn on Dearborn and are going to have two vehicles...that adds quite a bit to the cost of the weekend! ($47/day) Is there a more reasonable lot that we could consider somewhat near the hotel?? (We don't need in/out privileges over the weekend.) Thanks for any suggestions you may have for us!

The Residence Inn that we selected is the one on Dearborn. Thank you for clarifying the zones for me. I will most definitely come to this site for searches and input before I choose a PRICELINE EXPRESS Deal. I really appreciate all of the help! If we decide to come to the city on 11/28, I will start a new thread for my questions. :)

In our Express Deal searches (Hotwire or Priceline) for downtown Chicago hotels, I tend to put "River North" just to be sure we don't get stuck in an area south of the river where they roll up the sidewalks in the early evening. ;) However, before I knew of the possibilities of where we could end up, we were lucky to book some Express Deals with the "Renaissance," "Hyatt on Wacker," "Fairmont" and "Grand Wyndham" (when it was "Hotel 71") and those areas were wonderful. Could you tell me if there's another search box I could check that might include THOSE hotels, or is the "Loop/Grant Park/Millennium Park" always grouped together, therefore we run the risk of getting in an area extremely quiet at night? Thank you!

Thank you again, AaronJB. Loved reading your comments and advice. After discussing everything with our group of ladies, we decided on a direct booking with Residence Inn to guarantee a "suite" set-up. The reservation agent made a mistake on my booking of two rooms, so the manager of the location took care of us and gave us a great deal. We're all set for that trip. Now hubby and I are considering a trip to Chicago on 11/28, so I may begin another search. As always, I will be sure to use the BB links, and may consult the pros here again if I'm stumped. Thanks again for everything. :)

And one last question....would anyone have a guess as to the 4-star River North hotel for $81 that is only listing a 7.0 guest score? (Priceline) Amenities listed: Restaurant, Business Center, and "bed choice" assigned at check in. Mega-thanks!!

Thanks so much, AaronJB! Much appreciated. I don't know why, but none of those hotels bump me! I haven't stayed at any of them yet, but I did spend time reading a lot of reviews. I know people will find goofy things to complain about, but it seems some of them would be deal-breakers for me too. I realize the prices are great for what you do get, but we were hoping for the most bang for our buck...spacious room, view of some kind, updated and refreshing! Breakfast would be wonderful too, but I don't see that offered much. (gratis) My next question for you is if you have stayed at any of them and if so, of the ones you mentioned, are any of them stand-outs? (I forgot which one does not offer a mini fridge in the room, but we would rather not consider that one.) OR is there a hotel not listed in your summary that is a stand-out to you and perhaps you see it available on Priceline Express? We LOVED our stays with Hotel 71 (now Wyndham), Marriott Renaissance, and Residence Inn. Would love an experience much like that. Thank you in advance for any other suggestions or comments you have!

Thanks for keeping me in-check! I went back and updated my previous post. The trip I am currently asking for help with is for myself and friends -- 6 women total. Yes, two nights...12/12 and 12/13. We would LOVE something in the River North area (hopefully not super-close to the lake, or all the way to the northern tip of Michigan.) That said, we loved Hotel 71 which I know is now Wyndham, but would rather request "River North" than to chance being stuck in the business area that we could get if we request "Millennium Park / Loop" (or whatever the exact name is.) We're hoping to book 2 rooms to put 3 girls in each room, but figure we should check Hotwire, as I know Priceline only books for double occupancy. We would also be hopeful for 2 queen beds rather than double beds, as putting two in doubles is tight, but I know it's not a given. I may have to book 3 rooms and put 2 girls in each, but even then, we might risk getting a double bed. As I mentioned in my previous post, if you experts have a good guess for me, I may call the hotel to check on bed sizes before I book. I'd love to grab one of the 4-star listings I see under $100, but was surprised that the one listing yesterday only had a 7.0 favorable rating. (that was on Priceline) Surprising to me a hotel can have a 4-star rating and only have a 7.0 favorable rating! This morning, I still see the Hotwire 4-star listing for $97 with the amenities listed in my post from last night, but the only thing I saw today that I didn't notice yesterday, was the clue it has "1843 reviews" on Hotwire. We could definitely consider the Priceline listing (shown in last night's post) for $81 -- and take 3 rooms, but the 7.0 rating is not as enticing as the $97 listing with 90% favorability. ;) Any advise or guesses you have for me would be much appreciated!! Have a wonderful day! :)

I gave them all of the information, but in the end they decided not to be as adventurous as hubby and I, and chose to use some points and book a "sure thing" with a Marriott. : / As always, the help from this board is much-appreciated!

I used the Hotwire link within this site and see a very tempting deal, and one that puzzles me. There are 6 of us interested in 2 rooms (3 gals per room) and I know that Priceline books only double occupancy, so upon checking Hotwire, I see they WOULD allow me to ask for "2 rooms, 6 people." I am HOPING that means two beds will for sure be in both rooms, but of course, I could be dealing with double beds instead of queens -- which isn't what we desire. I thought if the helpers on this site thought they could peg the right hotel, I would call the hotel and ask about bed sizes before I booked. This is what I see via Hotwire: 4-star, Mag Mile River North: $97/night, 90% recommended. Boutique hotel, Business Center, Smoke free rooms, Internet access, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Accessibility for the blind, Accessible path of travel, In-room Accessibility My Puzzlement: On Priceline, I see a 4-star, North Michigan Avenue - River North, that's only rated 7.0 out of 10 (or higher - it says), for $81. It only lists a restaurant and business center for amenities. How can a 4-star only have a 7.0 rating?? Any guesses on these two listings for me? Thank you in advance for your time. REALLY appreciate it! Mary

There is no listing for anything under $200 on this site for those dates / that location. :( I checked an hour ago...I can check again shortly. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.

I forgot to put "Tennis nearby" in the amenities. Is the Hampton still your guess? And thank you so much for your reply. Really appreciate it! I will tell them and see what they want to do. I would gladly have them use the BB Priceline or Hotwire, but this particular rate / listing is not on the BB site. Bummer!

Friends are asking my help to find something within their budget (<$200), and just today I see Hotwire has listed a 3.5 star for their dates of 10/17 - 10/19 for $173. The ONLY one under $200 in the area they desire. Hotwire says "The last person got the Allerton" but I know that's not definitely the one. Amenities are: Internet access, Pool(s), pet friendly, fitness center, business center, smoke-free rooms, restaurant(s), & access for the blind. Accessing Hotwire through Better Bidding does not produce this hotel listing for $173. Do any of you pro's have a guess for me!? :) Thank you in advance!

You were right, Aaron....it was the Doubletree. :) Great job. Very pleased! $74.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 2 Room Subtotal: $148.00 Taxes & Fees: $32.82 Total Charges: $180.82

I appreciate your comments on the "Public" and I was actually thinking myself that it was a tad too far north for my liking. I may take my chances on the $74, Mag Mile, 3.5 star being the Doubletree. I think that would suit us well. I read some reviews and they're basically good. I'll let you know and thanks again, everyone!

Yes...2 nights 4/30 and 5/1. Sorry, I did put the star ratings in a previous post, but neglected to do it again. Yes, the first property was a 4-star, second one a 3.5, and last one another 4 star. My guess for the last one is the Public as well. On the first property, I copied and pasted exactly as I saw the amenities so likely pet friendly wasn't there.

83.00USD Magnificent Mile North - Water Tower FULL AMENITIES: Fitness Center, Restaurant(s), Business Center, Internet access 74.00USD Magnificent Mile Area - River North FULL AMENITIES: Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Internet access $101USD Magnificent Mile North - Water Tower 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 the blind, Accessible for the deaf, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Handicapped parking, Roll-in shower ***These are the 3 that look most reasonable for our budget. I think the first two listings are too vague to guess, but you guys are the experts! :) Thank you for any help you can provide. Much appreciated and thank you to all who are helping me! Mary

Thank you so much. I'm new to this site...love it! The hotel I'm most curious about is actually in the Hotwire listing as a 4 star Mag Mile North -- WT area, for $83 for my dates of 4/30 and 5/1. Said 75% recommend and Amenities say: Internet access, fitness center, restaurant(s), Business Center, & self-service laundry. Curiously, when I clicked ahead a bit, a window popped up and said something like, "Hurry and don't let it get away...the last person who booked this got the Allerton." So basically, even though it's a "secret hotel" were they pretty much telling me it was the Allerton? (Not sure I'm interested in that hotel.) Also, I was interested in a 4 star, Mag Mile - River North, 90% recommend, pet friendly, indoor pool(s), smoke free, fitness, pool(s), restaurant(s), Business Center, & internet access listed for $102. Lastly, there's a 3.5 star via Hotwire listed as Mag Mile - River North, for $74. 90% recommend, with Internet access, pool(s), fitness center, business center, & restaurant(s). Any guesses or comments for me? Thank you!

Would love to see if I could land upon a great deal for the above two nights in downtown Chicago via "Express Deals." Desire 4* if possible, but I do see one on Express for 3.5* and that may be just fine too. Would love to be in the core area, rather than near Union Station, or way down by the lake. We do love the former Hotel 71 (now Wyndham), Hyatt, and Renaissance -- all on Wacker, and the new Godfrey. Any of those would be lovely. Would love to duplicate the approximate rate of $80/night we just paid at the Godfrey. :) Does anyone have any tips for me on current Express listings for those dates? Thanks so much!