Scooter55

I did not bid Loop and Millennium Park yet and I did not see that 4* on HOTWIRE for 98.00. I'll take a look and let you know.

The first time I asked for help on this board my son was getting ready to make the move to Chicago to attend college. Well, graduation day is May 15. We are looking for a 3.5 or 4 star in the North Michigan-River North area, second choice- Millennium Park, Loop & Grant Park Area. Trying to hold the cost to 100 a night. The dates are somewhat flexible as we can consider checking in on May 14. I know there are some fairly nice 3.5's in the area, but the problem is that I think a few of those are completely non-smoking and the husband can't give it up. I travel with an air cleaner! So far I have bid 90.00 on a four star in North Michigan-river North. Nothing. Included Lincoln park and bid 95.00. Nothing. What's my next move?

I am very excited to stay there. The boys live just a short redline trip to Lincoln Park. I am almost temped to book the two nights prior and commute to their apartment to cook. Yeah !! Thank you once again for all of your help. Joette

It was indeed the Hotel Indigo and we are very pleased. Thanks and I did use the HOTWIRE link!! Joette

Hi all!! What is your best guess on a 4* Hotwire North Michigan Ave for the above dates at 74.00 Fitness Restaurant Business Internet. Also the 3.5* Boutique listed for 79.00 same area Thought I'd try the area on priceline first see if I can get a better deal and use this as back up. Of course I will use your links. Going to see the boys for Thanksgiving. Of course I have to cook. Sleep on their futon for a couple nights. By then I will need a real bed for a few nights !! Joette

Palmer House Hilton April 30 to May 3 (added an extra day at same price) 75.00. Might have been able to get it for a few dollars less because I started with the North Michigan Ave/River North area added a few rebid zones and didn't add the Loop until I reached 75.00. All in all very happy. My husband and son stayed there last year and had a very nice double with two bathrooms. I'll put in my request with them Monday and see what happens. As for the van...no it's not a moving van but our old Chevy Astro may as well be as that is the only reason we still have her. Thank You for all the help and support. And yes I used the PRICELINE link. Joette

HMMMM... There is another hotel listed on HOTWIRE that specifically says no smoking for 105.00 could this be the Ambassador and if so what is your best guess as to the 79.00 hotel

The Ambassador sounded great so went to their website to check out the parking situation. I would love to stay there but my husband smokes a bit and their rooms are 100% non smoking. Parking is a bit of an issue as we will be going in and out helping with the move. I appreciate the little tidbits of information you give me in your replies, for some reason it makes me feel a little closer to my boys. I will put some more thought into this and hope to hear any suggestions you have, Joette

My husband and I will be traveling to Chicago by van April 30 and returning May 2. I believe I understand the Priceline rebidding strategy, but wanted to clarify a few things. A four star in the south loop or River North area will be fine. But what I'm really leaning toward is the Lincoln Park area. I believe the 2.5* listed there is the Days Inn, and I think I would enjoy staying in the same neighborhood as my sons. The problem is I don't quite know how to go about bidding on two fairly opposite star levels without paying way too much for a lower star rating in another area. (I hope that made sense) Also does anyone know for sure what these hotels are in Lincoln Park?

Very Sorry it took so long for me to close out this thread. Didn't remember until I had another question, which I will post shortly. Well the trip was canceled because my son didn't need us. :) His friends and girlfriend helped him move into a nice high rise studio sublet in the Bronzeville area. He and my other son will be moving in together next week. They found a Lincoln Park apt that suits them. Thanks for all the help and I will be sure to use your PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links for our up coming trip.

Thank you, as usual you have cleared things up. About the car though, he will have to do some driving to check out apartments i think. But I do think one of the other areas you mentioned will be better for the nights stay. I will check back after bidding and will of course use the links!

Well my eyes are getting a little bleary from trying to figure this out and you guys were such a big help last time I needed you, I think I'll pick your brains again! I have been put in charge of finding a room Dec 29 for my oldest son who has just taken a job in the Burbank area. He will be going up for a night to check out a permanent place to live. He is thinking about the south shore area and would like me to find a room near that area for him to carry out this search. I'm thinking the Ramada South Shore because of the parking and location. How do I begin that search on hotwire or priceline. Also any suggestions on where a new college grad working in Burbank (car mandatory) would enjoy living and would be a safe area? Funny how both of my boys are ending up in Chicago. Wish they could live together ,but timing and location make that not an option. So Dec 29..East and a little north of Burbank. Where should I start.

Wanted to come back and close off this thread. Overall we were pleased with the Chicago Hilton, especially it's convenient location to our son's dorm. I didn't think it was really worthy of 4 stars though. The room was small, the television was old, The windows were filthy, a hole in the lampshade and the drain was broken on the sink. Maybe I'm just nitpicking. And I didn't really feel I could say anything because the price was right. I did love the area. A combination of tourist and students. Concerts and Dances in the Park. The lake nearby. And I did not encounter one rude person. Everyone was kind and helpful. My son is on cloud nine. I am so happy for him. Thank You all for the support and information. AaronJB You should write a guide for college students in the South Loop. I'll buy one!

Success! Bid 83.00 for 4 Star in Loop for Aug 21 and check out Aug 23 Accepted! Chicago Hilton 720 South Michigan Ave. I most certainly used the PRICELINE link. You guys have been so helpful. So tell me what you think of this Hotel.

Well here was my thinking. My son has to move in August 22. We were going to leave home and arrive in Chicago the 21st spend the night in the loop or someplace less pricey ( I was thinking Midway since it is south of the city. Move him in on the 22nd and then stay somewhere nearby (hopefully a 4 star) so I can check out the area and get him settled. That was one option. The other was to find a great deal on a 4 star in the loop and spend both nights there. Hence my bidding strategy so far. And if it is difficult to find a less expensive hotel/motel in the midway area as you say, then maybe I will keep trying for both nights in the loop. I would have added another area,but I'm just not as sure about the lay of the land. Hope this explains. This has turned into a very long thread and I apologize. I will post my final plans and use the link from the site. Thank You!

If I decide to split the stay, What would be a reasonable starting bid for midway area for August 21 ANY Star

Here is what has happened so far with my bids for 4 star in the chicago loop Aug 21 to Aug 23 yesterday Bid 65.00 for 4 star in chicago Loop rejected Bid 70.00 for 4 star in Chicago Loop and added Midway rejected today Bid 75.00 for 4 star in Chicago Loop rejected with counter offer of 97.00 rejected counter offer Bid 80.00 for 4 star in Chicago loop and added Midway rejected and no counter offer Hotwire has 4 star in Loop for the two nights at 95.00 Wondering if I should take it or play a bit longer. Any suggestions?

I have the feeling if we met it would be like looking into a mirror! I live for a bargain. With the two mooses I have raised it was and still is a necessity. Lets hope it has rubbed off on my youngest. I think it has. He had to have a certain sweater at the Gap and waited 2 months for it to be marked down to 70% off. Of course it was almost too hot to wear it, but at least he will have it this fall in Chicago. I will be sure to make the rounds and gather the discount cards. I will also have him read this thread. Lots of good info. Well I'm off to bid. Will let all know what happens.

Our oldest son is an engineering student so I know all about cheap books. Amazon is great as is Half.com. International Editions have been a real savings at sometimes 25% of a new US edition and my son has never had a problem with them. Thought I would give the link to University Center Residence Hall. Looks like a great place and you never know when all of the Chicago Hotels will be booked. http://www.universitycenter.com/building/guest-suites.html Now before I start bidding can you tell me if the Midway area is a rebid zone for a 4 star? Thank you for all of the help and I will be sure to use the link from this site and report back.

Wow So much Help! We did think about my son and his buddy getting an apartment together but chose the University Center Residence Hall for this year. Yes it is expensive, about 11,000 for the year, but includes a great meal plan, local calls, cable and internet, and utilities. Security was important too. We live in a rural area and Chicago is the Big City. Heh did you know you can book a room there too. I think it is about 120 a night. You would have to check their website. I haven't even tried it yet because I figure it is booked do to parents staying over after moving their kids in. It is the tuition at Columbia that has me crying! As far as where we stay, my original plan (because we are coming from the south up US 90) was to stay south of the city the first night, move him in the next day and stay in the city, if I can get a great rate, the next night. In May he and his father went to look at the school and stayed at the Palmer House for 111.00. I booked this for them on Hotwire before I found this site. We want to stay the second night because I am sure he will need to pick some things up at the local stores and because I have never been to Chicago. Total for the two nights I was hoping no more than 180.00 plus the parking. I would like a four star for at least the second night. There will be three of us the first night and I understand my son may not have a bed at a 4 star booked with priceline, but he is 20 and sleeps on the floor more often than not anyway. Aside from that he will probably be too excited to sleep! As far as parking is it true that if we can find a spot street parking is free after a certain time on Friday and the weekend? So any help or strategy would be appreciated. Greatly appreciated.

Wondering if there is a rebid zone for a four star in Chicago. We will be checking in August 21 and check out August 23. I prefer the South Loop area as that is the location of my son's school. We are moving him into a dorm :) and may be taking two cars so the cheaper the better. We had also thought about staying in the Midway area the first night and then driving on into the city the next day, but some of those motels are as much as a 4 star listed on Hotwire. There is one listed for 96.00 but if I can get it for less on priceline I would like to try. So any help with a strategy would be helpful. I will most definitely use your link.