Used the PRICELINE link. I was looking for a 3.5 star or better in the Oak Brook/Downers Grove area for three nights. Began with a bid of $30 and was rejected. At this star level, there are 12 rebidding zones. Using them, I upped my bid by a dollar or two until I got accepted. Room price: $36 for three nights ($108) Taxes and fees: $21.57 Total: $129.57
While there have been some reviews/comments about Hotel Felix on the bidding pages, nothing has been posted here in the Hotel Review section. I stayed there for one night in December 2009 reserving two rooms. I was pleasantly surprised. Some of the comments from the bidding forum raised concerns about small rooms. I felt that the rooms were adequately sized and not at all claustrophobic. The front desk was friendly and helpful. Pop and ice machines are on the even number floors, so if their noise is an issue, request a room on an odd number floor. There are no coffee machines in the room; instead there is free coffee and tea in the lobby. The rooms were very modern and clean. The bathroom is large but did not have much shelf space. No closet to speak of, just a bar hung about three feet off the ground. There are storage drawers under the bed. There is a safe in the room. Bed was nice. Pillows were rather hard; I called to see if they had any feather pillows, and they had exactly one available. I couldn't figure out how to set the alarm on the clock, but set a wake-up call using the phone. The other couple did the same, but left their phone on and off the hook (oops) and missed their wake up call. As noted on the bidding forum, there is a GREAT breakfast restaurant just two blocks west and 1.5 blocks north of the hotel called "Yolk". They have just about anything you might want. They open at 8 am on Sunday and by 9:30 there was a growing number waiting for a table. I believe they have a second location in the south loop. There was no problem checking bags for the day or retrieving them. The CTA red line is two blocks east and two blocks north. Whether this is a 4 star or a 3.5 star hotel can be debated, but it was a good deal on Priceline. I'd happily stay here again.
Using the PRICELINE link, and three days of bidding, I obtained two rooms. I was looking for either a 3.5 or a 4 star, in either the Loop or NMA areas. Started bidding at $58, did two rebids, waited a day and started at $64, did two rebids, waited a day and started at $68, did one rebid at $70 and was accepted. Room charges $70 each ($140 total) Taxes and fees: $29.90 Total: $169.90 I hear from others that the rooms are small, but it's only one night.
First of all, this is the Minneapolis Crowne Plaza Northstar (not Northwest) and is located in downtown Minneapolis. I stayed here for three nights the weekend after Thanksgiving 2009. The parking garage for the Northstar block can be access through 2nd Avenue or 5th or 6th Streets. Rates if you enter Friday after 2:30 pm or Saturday are $11 per day; other days are $20. There are in and out privileges. Upon arrival, I asked if they could give me a room in a quiet location. They asked if I'd like the 16th floor where they put no children or groups. This was great. Even the vending and ice was behind a closed door. The room is of moderate size, but in good condition and well appointed. The bed was fine and there was an assortment of pillows of different softness. Heating system worked well. The hairdryer didn't work (creating a crisis for the wife) and was replaced within 5 minutes of calling. Business center, with two computers, was free to guests. Priceline definitely underrates this hotel. They list it as a 3 start; it is at least a 3.5 star property. A number of good restaurants are nearby. Good breakfast options include Hell's Kitchen (make a reservation) or the 8th Street Grill. About 1.5 miles away is "Eat Street" with a number of ethnic restaurants (some better than others). A big Macy's is a couple of blocks away. The Metrodome is within easy walking distance. Many of the buildings are connected by walkways, but figuring out which direction to go can be confusing. I stayed at the Hyatt Regency last year (listed as 4 stars) and I'd have to say I prefer the Crowne Plaza.
I stayed at this HI for one night on 11/22/09. This was the third time I stayed here in the last several years. The property has gone downhill and I would no longer consider it a 3 star. I know Holiday Inn is going to cancel a number of franchise properties that do not keep up the required standards and it's likely this property will not be a Holiday Inn much longer. The first room I was given was smokey, so I asked for another. The second room smelled better, but was quite doudy. The interior curtains were yellowed and the heavier curtains had holes in them. The walls had bolts where artwork probably once hung. Even though the hotel was nearly empty, I could only get lukewarm water in the shower. The TV was an old model and the reception was terrible. The monitor of the computer in the Business Center was an old CRT. I haven't seen anything that old in the last couple of years. There are a number of newer hotels in the area (such as Tinley Park) that I"m sure would be nicer. The hotel is well located, just off of I-57. Several restaurants and a Panera are across the street. The Metra train into Chicago is just down the road.
Using the PRICELINE link, I started bidding for a 3* for three nights at $38. I was rejected so I added a region without a 3* or better and rebid at $40. I did this three more times until I was accepted at $46/night. Room total $138 Taxes and fees $26.97 Total $164.97
Using the PRICELINE link, I started bidding for a 3* in Matteson, Illinois, which I anticipated would be the Holiday Inn (only 3* shown in that area). First bid of $40 was rejected; I added a zone without any 3* or better and rebid at $42 and was rejected; I added another zone without any 3* or better and rebid $44 and was accepted. Rate: $44 plus $12.65 for taxes and fees.
Using the PRICELINE link, my first bid for a 3.5 star was accepted. Total charges: room ($76) taxes and fees ($17.06). While this seems like a steal to me (nice two room suites; stayed here twice before), I wonder if I should have started bidding even lower!
Using the PRICELINE link, bid $40 per night (2 nights) for 3.5 stars and was accepted. I've stayed here once before and this is a great deal!! Total cost, including taxes and fees, was $97.69.
Using the PRICELINE link, I started bidding at $60 for a 4-star in Greater Chicago, Millenium Park-Loop-Grant Park, or North Michigan Avenue/River North for two nights, August 9-11, 2009, and was rejected. Rebid by adding Lincoln Park area and upped the price to $62 and was accepted!
Used the PRICELINE link and requested a 3 star property. Based on other bidders' experience and the best HOTWIRE rate for those days/stars was $61, my first bid of $58 per night (plus fees and taxes) was accepted.
Booked on 6/4/09. Amenities: Suite, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, High-speed Internet Access, Golf Nearby. Used the HOTWIRE link. Rate: $39 plus $11.15 taxes and fees.
3.5*, Hilton Suites, Oak Brook, IL. Amentities: Suite, no smoking, fitness center, pool, restaurant(s), business center, high speed internet, golf, (tennis). $59 per night for two nights (3/20-22) plus $20.59 in tax and fees for total: $138.59.
The hotel did turn out to be the Hilton Garden Inn in Evanston. Booked three nights (2/19-2/22) on 2/17. Price was $52 night plus fees and taxes for a total of $183.56. Hotel parameters: 3 star classification, Trip Advisor rating of 4 out of 5 (20+ reviews), amenities: fitness center, pool, restaurant, business center, laundry, high speed internet, golf, tennis. Booked through your HOTWIRE link.
I'm planning a trip to Evanston, likely dates Feb. 19-22. Hotwire has two options, a four star which I'm guessing is the Orrington based on the Trip Advisor information (which would be my second choice) and a 3 star which might be the Hilton Garden Inn also based on the Trip Advisor information (which is my first choice). I don't want to be in Skokie or Niles. Can the Trip Advisor information be used to accurately identify the hotel? Any suggestions for further identifying the options? Thanks!
I had one shot at a computer on January 11 for fifteen minutes to book a room for one night, January 16, 2009. I looked over the bidding history, requested three possible locations (airport area, south strip, convention center/unlv), 3.5 stars, bid $45 (more of a guess), and to my surprise it was accepted at the Las Vegas Hilton. Used the PRICELINE link. Total with fees was $56.84. I had previously booked a room at the government rate ($68) at the Comfort Inn on Paradise Road, but having stayed there on January 10, decided to look elsewhere for my return night. The Comfort Inn was right on the flight path for planes taking off from the airport and planes were roaring overhead at all hours.
Sorry this has taken so long to post...I just found the paperwork. Booked this room on 9/26/08 through Hotwire for $79 plus fees of $17.06 for a total of $96.06. As you will note in the separate hotel reviews section, I did not think much of this facility or the rating that Hotwire assigned to it.
Stayed at the Hyatt for three nights, Nov. 28-Dec. 1, 2008. Well appointed hotel. Room was clean and well serviced. Front desk staff extremely helpful. They provided directions wherever we needed. We asked for softer pillows and they sent 8 of them up! We also complained about a noisy heating system which they sent up an engineer quickly (but didn't solve the problem, unfortunately). Parking is expensive ($17/day) but includes in/out privileges. Wonderful breakfast buffet, but also expensive at about $18 per person plus tip. Hotel is convenient to all downtown locations (generally walking distance and there is a good public transit system) and close to museums. A real bargain overall (through Priceline for $49/night--see bidding page for details). Business center provided free computer/internet connection which was unexpected!
Stayed here in early October for one night. This used to be a Sheraton property until two years ago. However, they haven't taken down the signs on each floor and when they give you a room key, it is wrapped in a Sheraton folder. Large lobby with only one staff member on duty. Room was 63 degrees when I arrived; I turned on the heat and it just blew cold air. I called down and they told me that the heat was "seasonal" and not yet turned on. This was after the previous several nights has been in the low 40s. They did send me up a space heater and after running full blast got the room up to 68 degrees. It would have been a nice view from the room, but the outside of the windows were smeared and greasy looking. There is a restaurant, but few patrons. Hotwire sold this as a 3 star property...no way!
Well located hotel in downtown St. Louis. Parking is $10 per day with in and out privileges. Front desk staff is friendly. The rooms are absolutely huge, almost as if they tore down the wall between two rooms. The basic room is of old vintage but the bathrooms are nicely updated. Big kitchenette in the room with full sized sink, refrigerator, microwave, and coffee/teapot. Beds and pillows are great. St. Louis Bread Company (Panera) is two blocks away and is a good choice for breakfast and/or lunch. Elevators can be slow when the hotel is full. Heating system is ancient; the fan is constantly on and there is no thermostat, just a turn valve that doesn't seem to respond. Restaurant is overpriced, but there are many choices nearby. Priceline rates this as 3.5 stars; I'd rate it at 3 based on the heating system.
First bid of $46 for two rooms and a 3.5* or better was rejected. Second bid of $49 for a 3.5* or better was accepted at the Crowne Plaza. Booked throught the PRICELINE web link provided...thanks! $49 per night for two rooms for two nights: $196 fees/taxes: $40.32 Total: $236.32
I first bid $45 for a 4* for three nights 11/28 to 12/1/08 and was rejected. I added 3.5* as an option and raised the bid to $49 and was accepted at the Hyatt Regency. I used the PRICELINE link from the betterbidding web page and hope this is helpful! Total room charges: $147 Taxes and fees: $27.98 Total: $174.98
