KatiesMom

Thanks some good points there. I think cabbing will work and will be much much cheaper and easier than the expense and hassle of parking a car. So, I'll just need to get a car for when we go to Wisconsin.

For the past few years I have planned baseball road trips that include people who have physical disabilities. Trips to Boston and Baltimore required extensive planning but went very smoothly. The group had a great time. When I decided to check out Chicago this year I didn't expect the same people would want to go (a couple years ago, only my husband and I were willing to make the trek to Toronto). But surprise, once I started planning this trip interest was expressed, so I am thinking the rental car could come in handy. But then again, maybe it wouldn't and we could utilize cabs if public transportation is inconvenient for some members of the group. Still fleshing this out.

DaHammer, thanks. I plugged my travel dates into Southwest (LGA to Midway) 6/15 and 6/23 and was surprised that their cheapest fares were substantially higher than the others, around $300 per person, compared to $200 - $220. Thanks for the tip on Spirit. I'm crossing them off the list (for now). Your idea for the magnetic potty swipe doesn't sound as bizarre as it should to me. That's just sad. ;-)

Thanks for the tips Romelle!

Thanks for the tip, perhaps we won't need to rent right out of the gate. In which case I would be getting the rental from somewhere other than the airport I imagine?

I'm thinking of renting it when we get there now just to keep our sightseeing options open.

I'm putting together a trip to Chicago, 6/15/12 - 6/23/12 and could use some advice. Some of us are traveling from the Connecticut/New York City area (LGA may be cheapest but open to other airports including HPN, BDL, JFK, EWR). The rest of us will be leaving from BOS. Dates are not totally carved in stone and can be changed one day here or there if it is cheaper. Using the airline checker on this site and kayak, it looks like a round trip, non-stop, will cost around $200-$220 per person from either LGA or BOS. I have not flown in several years and am woefully out of touch. The last time we flew (to Arizona) my husband got quite sick with Lyme disease. Our travels since have been mostly car trips to places like Toronto, Cape Cod, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and such. But we want to fly for this trip. If you can help with these questions, I would appreciate it: 1. There are a tot of airlines to choose from in the same $200 to $220 price range: US Airways, United/American, Continental, JetBlue, Spirit... Any of these considered generally better than the other? Any that should be avoided? 2. Any other sources to look at for good airfare deals? 3. Will be looking to get a rental car in Chicago. I assume ORD would be fairly easy to deal with for that and have a lot of options? Thanks for any help and guidance. Trish

Thanks Thereuare for clarifying the opaque/transparent listings question. If others are going they are staying in their own rooms. Just two to a room. I'll definitely report back. Also going to post on another thread about airfare. Thanks, Trish

So far two hotels have caught my eye on Hotwire: 6/15 - 6/19 4* NMA, $162 a night, 95% positive reviews. Looks like it is either the Affinia Chicago or The Drake. I'm guessing it's The Drake because more people report getting that hotel. Amenities: Boutique, Smoke Free, Fitness, Restaurant, Business, Hi Speed Internet, Tennis, Spa. 4* Mag. Mile, $171 night, 80% positive. Looks like it could be either Hotel Felix, Palomar, or the Sax. However, I am guessing it is NOT The Felix, because when you click on other hotels available The Felix pops up as a named hotel. Does anyone know if a hotel is named, then it is not be one of the opaque ones? Seems like The Sax is won more than the Palomar. Amenities: Boutique, Smoke Free, Fitness, Restaurant, Business, Hi Speed Internet. Now I have a new wrinkle. A friend of mine also wants to go and she may have access to her sister's timeshare in Chicago. She's going to check that out. So we'll see how this develops. Thank you so far for the tips. Open to suggestions.

Thanks for your help. I will start searching and will purchase through here. We are fine with taking public transportation: The "L" no problem. My preference is to stay somewhere fun where we can enjoy the city, 4*. In addition to baseball, we are museum, garden, historical types. We want to try Chicago pizza, dogs, and Italian beef. My budget is pretty open but I like to get the most bang for my buck. I enjoy Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, sometimes Sheraton and such. We do have a few Starwood points saved up if we don't go opaque. Priceline: Is the neighborhood I want Greater Chicago? Are there other neighborhoods to consider? Any stinkers to try to avoid at 4* level? Hotwire: Is Magnificent Mile area where I should focus? Likewise, any stinkers to avoid? Thanks!

Hi all, hope you don't mind me joining this thread at this late time, but I have a similar question. I am completely unfamiliar with Chicago. Never been before. We are planning a trip to see the Red Sox play the Cubs June 15 - 17. We are flying in and will not have a car at this point. We also plan on staying in Chicago a couple more days June 18 and June 19, just to sightsee. Then we plan to rent a car and visit my mother in Wisconsin and fly back home to Connecticut from there. I'm definitely considering Hotwire, but Priceline only if there are no stinkers in the bunch. Looking for 4*, public transportation from airport to hotel. Hotel near public transportation to go to the ballpark. I don't even know if that is doable or practical in Chicago. Please help me. Thanks, Trish

Thanks for the confirmation Aaron. Unfortunately it was "you snooze you lose." My daughter had to check with the others in her party to see if they would be okay with the Helmsley because it was slightly higher than the Travel Inn. When I went back to HOTWIRE tonight, the deal was gone, so it was all for naught. Nothing booked. We'll see if any other last minute specials pop up for this weekend.

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Hi all, I have a quick question for a trip I am trying to help plan for my daughter and her friends. (Her back up right now is a cancellable reservation at the Travel Inn.) Prices for her travel date are extremely high. Need help identifying the following if you can: Check In: 9/24 Check Out: 9/25 One night. I plugged in four adults on Hotwire and got the following: $205, Super Savings, 3.5*, Amenities: Restaurant, Business Center, Hi Speed Internet. Recommended 90% Hotwire reviews. At first blush, this seems to match the Helmsley. I am a little surprised though that any Helmsley would get 90% positive reviews. What do you think? There was an offering last week that I am certain was the Beekman Tower but we passed on it because it was $255 and with $30 for parking, it drove the cost over $300 when taxes were figured in. The price is rather nice on this new one, but I want to make sure it is a good hotel for my daughter. Thanks for your thoughts. I won't hold you to your guesses, I know better. As usual I will use the HOTWIRE link on here for my purchase.

Update, Decided to book a travelzoo special for The Morgans Hotel for this trip and not risk hotwire. Prices are generally high in NYC that weekend, I think because of the Tribeca Film Festival. Thanks for your help though.

Thanks Aaron!

Sorry if it wasn't clear from my post above. I booked the Sheraton using the "pay your birth year" special rate.

Hi Yellowdog, Sorry, I thought it was clear from this post that I had booked the Sheraton...but I will post a follow up as per your request. From that thread: April 15, 2010 Update: Travel dates changed to 7/8 - 7/11 (One day less than originally planned to spend a night at the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford.) I suspect the HOTWIRE offering listed above is most likely the Sheraton Centre, which is hovering on HOTWIRE around $99 - $103 night, with an extra $6 a night if you want to choose your bedding option. The Sheraton receives mixed reviews on TA, mainly because it has one older, unrenovated tower that a lot of third party buyers are getting. The newer tower gets good reviews. Starwood Preferred Guest members on TA said by flashing their cards they were able to get rooms in the newer tower. I am a SPG member too. I noticed on the Sheraton Website they have a special - Buy one night at $199 and pay your birth year rate for remaining two nights. In our case that means $199 for first night and $58 each the next two nights, for a total of $315 (plus taxes). At last, it pays to be old! This rate is about the same (a little less if you count the $6 bedding fee) as HOTWIRE, so I booked it though a special guest member reservationist who confirmed the rate and was able to make extensive notes about my room and location preferences. The reservation is fully cancellable with no penalty up until the day before check in, so I plan to continue to look for bargains on HOTWIRE over the next couple months.

For 4/30/11 check in, 5/1/11 check out. There is a 3.5* hotel on hotwire for Times Square (current price $176 a night) Noted as "Super Savings" amenities are: Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Restaurant Business Center Hi Speed Internet Access Any guesses? Thanks.

I just returned from a trip with a three night stay at the Sheraton Centre. Feel free to PM me with questions you might have.

Brado, I got The Shaw Club on HOTWIRE for my trip in July. Looking forward to it. Sounds beautiful. I was concerned about the type of room/bed I might be getting for the price paid, so I called the hotel and we've been assigned a standard king, which is just what I wanted. Nice staff.

I've been looking at the same offering myself. I think it is likely to be the Sheraton but there is a chance it could be the Renaissance. Let us know if you go for it.

April 15, 2010 Update: Travel dates changed to 7/8 - 7/11 (One day less than originally planned to spend a night at the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford.) I suspect the HOTWIRE offering listed above is most likely the Sheraton Centre, which is hovering on HOTWIRE around $99 - $103 night, with an extra $6 a night if you want to choose your bedding option. The Sheraton receives mixed reviews on TA, mainly because it has one older, unrenovated tower that a lot of third party buyers are getting. The newer tower gets good reviews. Starwood Preferred Guest members on TA said by flashing their cards they were able to get rooms in the newer tower. I am a SPG member too. I noticed on the Sheraton's Website they have a special - Buy one night at $199 and pay your birth year rate for remaining two nights. In our case that means $199 for first night and $58 each the next two nights, for a total of $315 (plus taxes). At last, it pays to be old! This rate is about the same (a little less if you count the $6 bedding fee) as HOTWIRE, so I booked it though a special guest member reservationist who confirmed the rate and was able to make extensive notes about my room and location preferences. The reservation is fully cancellable with no penalty up until the day before check in, so I plan to continue to look for bargains on HOTWIRE over the next couple months.

Thanks Yellow Dog. I've been out of the HOTWIRE / PRICELINE loop for a time now and I see there's been a lot of changes.

I decided to gamble on the above, and it turned out very well. The property is The Shaw Club, ranked #2 on TripAdvisor for properties in NOTL. Reviews are wonderful. HOTWIRE INFO: Niagara On The Lake July 6, 2010 -July 8, 2010 4*, $116/night Smoke Free Complimentary Breakfast Fitness Restaurant Business Hi Speed Internet Golf Nearby Spa Lowest advertised Internet price for The Shaw Club for our stay is $275 a night. I was surprised it wasn't The Oban because the Oban is the only 4* property in NOTL listed in the Hotwire packages. However, since it hadn't been identified I knew I was taking a big gamble. The Shaw Club is ranked higher and reviews are terrific. This sounds like a great place for my husband and I to stay for a trip to the falls and surrounding wineries and countryside. As always, I used the HOTWIRE link on BB. Now back to work on the Toronto leg of our vacation.