paintergirl

So, staying in the suburbs could be an option because it would save us so much money. Which suburb would you suggest? My other concern is looking at where the train station comes in to the city we would probably take the Union Pacific NOrth line? It looks like that station is not very close to the Merchandise Mart. Is this distance walkable? My concern would be walking this at night, because we could be trying to catch a train after 10pm to head back. Splitting up could be doable as well. the 29th and 30th we could stay in the suburbs and then do the 1-5 downtown. I could leave the vehicle anywhere as long as it was safe, we won't be needing it to drive while we are in town. Also, if we split it up we would have to see about an early check in at the hotel on the 1st, because my work day starts early in the morning, and won't be finished until the evening late. Or, we would have to be able to do a late check in after the work day is over. I am not sure if hotels allow that.... Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!! I will look at the Hyatt on wacker in the mean time...

Sorry, also I would be willing to do a 3 1/2 *. Maybe, a 3* depending on the options that I could get. In my experience 3* can be ok, but you take the chance of them being not good.

I am still looking for a hotel, and now my time is running thin! Yikes. I like your suggestion of saving money in the North Burbs. However I am concerned about a commute because I am in town on business where I am going to have very long work days, that start early in the morning. There is a hotel block offered through the show I am doing. It is $156 a night for the Holiday inn chicago mart Plaza +parking, $159 for the Amalfi +parking, or $140 for the Best Western parking included. The hotel locations are great options since the show is at the Chicago Mart. But, this is more than I was hoping to spend. I could do the Best Western, but the hotel doesn't look very nice to me via the internet. Do you think I can get a better deal than this bidding? So far last night I bid up to $95 for NMA-River NOrth, and Millennium Park. 4* Is there an option where I could park my vehicle in Chicago during the stay and not at the hotel that is cheaper than hotel parking? I appreciate your help, and sorry for so many questions!

I would like to stay under $100. I am assuming I am going to have to pay something for parking as well. I am in town for business and would like to keep my expenses as minimal as possible, not sure how much money I will make while I am in town. ;) My preference in 4* hotel. (maybe 3 1/2) I will pay what I have to. But, like no one else, I am trying to keep my costs at a minimum. Thanks for any help/suggestions!

I would like some help bidding. I am searching for a 4* hotel 11/29 - 12/5 I have bid twice $55 for the Millenium Park, adding $60 North Michigan Avenue. I am trying to get a 4* hotel that is not too far from the 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza. The two areas I bid in seem the best. If you have some other suggestions I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!

Won 8/31 - 9/5 San Rafael, Four Points by Sheraton 3 1/2 * $92 Thanks for your help in getting a hotel for my stay. I had a lot of problems getting a hotel through priceline bidding.

AWESOME! Thank you so much for the tip! I will get on that! (and of course use the HOTWIRE link) You have been so kind to help me!

Well, I have gotten my bid up to $95, for 3* san Rafael. and they didn't accept it. I am not able to switch hotels. So, I am not sure what I am going to do. I really need a hotel in this area. I really don't want to go any lower than 3*. (I am a little picky).

Ok, sorry for the confusion. I am bidding in San Rafael-Larkspur zone. I am trying to get the 3*, since that sounds like my best option. I am adding the two other zones to allow myself to bid again. I took my bid up to $86, and have not "won" yet. I am hoping to get a room there. If not my other options are not looking too good. I think you are right the SF would probably be WAY too expensive. I will try again tomorrow. (side question.... if I accidentally didn't wait a full 24 hours to bid. It might have been 30 minutes shy of it, would that make a difference? Would it tell me if I was bidding too soon?)

Thanks for the tip! Any suggestions if I have to be taking my automobile? Also, is parking really difficult/expensive? i will be in a cargo van. Thank you in advance for any advice!

I have started bidding in the Sausalito area. 3*, I started with 50 and I have gotten my bid up to $75. I have not had any success. Do you have any suggestions? Is there an area in SF that would work? I need something that would be no longer than a 20 min. commute via automobile to Sausalito, and ideally would like somewhere that parking is easy and/or provided with the hotel. Any help would be awesome!

I might bid in Sausalito. I had a friend tell me that she got a 3* in Sausalito for 55-60$ in the past. So, I could attempt this. I like getting hotels that are atleast 3 1/2* normally. But, it doesn't sound like that is available. If I were to be in SF, what area is closest to Sausalito? Thanks!!

I am needing a hotel for 8/30 - 9/5. I need to be either in Sausalito, or a close commute to. I was looking for a list of hotels in Sausalito. Is there one? Also, if I were to bid in San Fran what is the closest region to Sausalito? Any suggestions would be great. Thank you!!

Finally got a room! Bid 60$ for a 4* Bloomington West. It offered me to rebid right away if I raised it to $75. I decided not to do that. I moved my *to 3 1/2, and bid $55. I got the Doubletree by Hilton Minneapolis. Dates are 8/4-8/8 I appreciate everyone's help! (and yes I used the PRICELINE link) One question. I am confused. This is the hotel that it says that I won. Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Minneapolis-Bloomington South 7800 Normandale Road Bloomington, MN 55439 952-835-7800 Why do pictures of the Sheraton come up? It also has pictures of the Sheraton, and the same address as the Sheraton. Anyone understand this? Which hotel am I actually staying at?

Thank you so much for the information. I think I will go for another zone. I took my bids up on the midtown zone attempting to get the 3* and I couldn't get it. I stayed in Bloomington for another show. It really wasn't too far. So, I think i will try that! Thanks so much for the info about midtown. It is nice to have some insight on that. I REALLY appreciate you taking the time to help me! I will post my findings!

Wow, thanks so much for the info! That is super helpful. I will post what I find! I might have to try another zone that is a little further away.

I tried midtown region 3*, bid $45, $50, and $55. I added regions with out a 3* hotel. I will have to try again tomorrow.

Thank you so much for the tips! I think I will go for the 3 star in midtown. A Sheraton wouldn't be bad at all. Hopefully that is what it is, and I can get it on a bid. I will post back what I find!

I decided to try to get a 4* downtown region. I started at $50 and went up by $2 until I reached $74. I kept adding regions with out 4* rated hotels. I still did not get my bid accepted. 8/4-8/8 I didn't want to go much higher than that. I might try 3 1/2 * downtown, but I read a review that wasn't so great for one of the options in that range. suggestions? Thanks!

Well, I don't want to be too far from "Midtown". No more than maybe 10-15 minutes at the most. I am afraid of bidding for a 3* in that area. In my experience the 3*'s can be pretty borderline, and I prefer to stay in somewhere nicer. However, I also travel in a large van, and sometimes downtown parking can be expensive and difficult to navigate. Do you have any idea what the 3* property might be in midtown? Thanks for your help! (btw, I did click the PRICELINE link)

I am needing a hotel for the Midtown Minneapolis area. I am looking at the hotel list, and I don't see the region labeled "midtown" like it is on the Priceline website. Can you tell me which section on your list would be considered Midtown? On priceline that region only has a 3 star rating as the highest. I prefer a 3 1/2 or 4 star. Can you tell me also if there is another region that is close enough to midtown that could work for me as well that has a 3 1/2 or 4 as an option. I need a room 8/4 - 8/8. My event I need to be close to is the Uptown art fair, which is basically at Lyndale and Hennepin. Any suggestions on region will be helpful! Thank you!

I got 4* hotel for $66 per night. (3 adults) 5/6- 5/9. Amenities were Fitness, Pool, Rest., Biz, Laundry, Internet, and golf. Hilton @ the Ballpark. I called ahead for parking, and they assure me that meters are free on the weekend, and there is 5$ lot next door as well. I think this should work out well. Thanks!

I decided to go with Hotwire for this hotel, so I can insure I have two beds big enough for 3 adults. I am going to take my chances with the downtown commute so I could have a nicer hotel. It looks as though it will take about 20 minutes to get to where I need to be. I got 4* hotel for $66 per night. 5/6- 5/9. Amenities were Fitness, Pool, Rest., Biz, Laundry, Internet, and golf. Hilton @ the Ballpark. I called ahead for parking, and they assure me that meters are free on the weekend, and there is 5$ lot next door as well.

I need 1hotel room for 3 adults 5/6-5/9. I am in town on business that is "South" St. Louis. It looks like there are a lot more options for hotels in near by areas, specifically downtown. I would prefer a 3 1/2 or 4 *. Can someone help me if downtown is a bad commute to travel South? Is parking tough/expensive in downtown? If not, I will start bidding in the downtown location. Is Hotwire a better option for 3 adults in one room, since you can specify that? I appreciate any help! Thanks!

So, I added in the Round Rock location, along with the Downtown location. Failed bid for 4* at $105 per night. Accepted bid for 3 1/2 * at $100 per night. (Sheraton Austin @ the Capitol) This is more than I wanted to pay. But, at this point I am happy that I at least got a room. Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice!