mfritz

Noticed Hyatt was getting a lot of PL wins around this date so took my chances and bid $85 in this zone thinking I had a good chance of getting this hotel. Received Hyatt on first bid for $85. Thought about starting lower but didn't want to end up with Hilton on South Michigan Avenue, which is always a possibility. Booked through BB PRICELINE link.

Hi there. I'm thinking I wouldn't mind driving the bulk of the trip to New York on the first day. Maybe 8-9 hours or so. Then get up in the morning and drive the rest of the way to Hyde Park and be there by 1pm. That night, after I leave Hyde Park, I think I like the idea of staying in Springfield, MA. I'd love any advice you can offer on how far to drive legs of the trip and best areas/places to stay. This trip out east was actually planned for quite some time as I'm running a race in Providence on August 7. Thought my daughter was going to go to school in either Chicago or Denver, never thinking it would be New York. I guess I kind of got lucky with her choosing New York and since she starts August 1, I'm just moving my trip around a bit and heading east earlier and coming back earlier. It works out quite well. When I leave Providence, i have two days to get home. So I'm open to any suggestions on where to stay/route to take, in order to somewhat continue my vacation all the way home! Maybe drive about half way or so and stay in a place that allows for a good dinner, some sight seeing, etc. Then the next day I can take my time getting home as well.

Thanks. I'll keep trying! Another question. When HOTWIRE says that they have a hotel that is, say, recommended in 85% of Hotwire customer reviews…where are those reviews? Do they not post them? Are they talking about BB reviews? Trip Advisor reviews? Not sure. It may help with hotel selection. But who knows if that means there was one reviewer or twenty. Makes a big difference. There's a 2* in one of my areas that the zone has not been reported that says it has received great reviews, and is in my price range, but a little cautious about it as a 2*.

It looks like the airport is 10 miles south out of my way. I guess if I'm going to go an extra 10 miles, I'd rather head that much further towards Boston. But I think I'll be exhausted from driving so much, so I'd prefer not to if I don't have to. Probably better rates by the airport?

Yes, that is correct.

I checked a both the HOTWIRE and PRICELINE history bids for the Worcester/Sturbridge area (same date plus/minus a month). Looks like I could get a 3* for around anywhere between $50-$75. I did the same for Springfield and it looks like maybe that could go for a little less. The reason for the trip is that I'm leaving Holland, Michigan on July 31 and dropping my daughter off at college in Hyde Park, NY. (Will be looking for a hotel along the way to spend the night but will work on that later. Any recommendations are appreciated). Have to drop her off on August 1 and then that early evening headed to Boston. Don't really want to drive the whole way there as I'll likely have driven a long time during the day already and then have moved my daughter in to her dorm. Was thinking I'd go maybe half way or a little more to Boston on August 1. Already pricelined the two dates for Boston (August 2-4). Then I have two nights reserved in Nantucket (August 4-6), another two in Providence, RI (August 6-8) and then headed back to Michigan on August 8. I'll also be looking for a room somewhere between Providence and Holland, Michigan to make that drive in two days. Will be searching for that night in the future as well. As with the day I originally leave Michigan, I still haven't figured out the route, so again, any recommendations would be appreciated. I could head home a variety of ways, either through the US or through Canada.

Still trying. Here's an update. Maybe I am bidding too early. 2nd attempt: Worcester 3* bid $51 Added Sturbridge 3* bid $52 Added Auburn 3* bid $53 Rejected 3rd attempt Worcester 3* bid $54 Auburn 3* bid $55 Sturbridge3* bid $56 rejected So, I decided then to try a new area

Ok. Sorry about that. Thought I had to separate by Hotwire and Priceline. Thanks!

Sorry my first post was Priceline, second is Hotwire. Thought I put them in two separate locations.

Looking for hotel in Worcester area for August 1-2, 2011. When I request Worcester area, a variety of others come up, including "West Loop." I don't see that area listed on any of the hotel lists so I'm having a hard time identifying this hotel. West Loop Area (came up when I put in Worcester) $53 Amenities include: Pool Restaurant Laundry Facilities It seems like this whole zone breaks down in to areas that don't appear to be listed on the hotel list. It's recommended in 90% of hotwire customer reviews. For that same date, another hotel I can't identify is a 2* in the Sturbridge/Southbridge area, which also comes up when I put in Worcester. It's showing for $44 and recommended in 85% of hotwire customer reviews. Amentities include: Pool Restaurant Golf Nearby Tennis Nearby Any idea what these hotels are.

Bid $42 3* in Worcester/Auburn in hopes of getting Residence Inn. Bid was rejected. Added Auburn as a rebid zone and bid $45. Again bid was rejected. Added Sturbridge 3* and raised bid to $50. Sounds like I would also open up the option of getting the Sturbridge Host Hotel, which also sounds ok. Bid was rejected. Will try again later. Went back through history of bids of these areas and it looks like for the dates I'm wanting, this price is in the area of acceptance. Any advice?

Just booked through the BB HOTWIRE link and it was the Sheraton. $100. Changed my dates to August 2-4.

Wondering what your best guess is on this hotel. I'm thinking either Sheraton or Hilton Back Bay. If so, does one appear in wins more than the other? Is $100 a good price? Amenities are: Smoke Free Rooms Fitness Center Pool Restaurant Business Center High Speed Internet Do not know anything about Boston, but from what I can tell this is a decent price for this time of year in this area.

Here they are: Fitness Center Business Center Pool High Speed Internet Restaurant

For a friend I have been watching this hotel/trip on Hotwire for about a week for any combination of dates from September 3-7. All days for this hotel were $93 with the exception of Saturday, September 4, which was much higher, around $150 give or take a few dollars. The Saturday was really pushing the rate up for a stay that included September 4. Went to try again yesterday (Tuesday) to see where rates were coming in at and the rate was lowered for $93/night for combination of 3 nights (including Saturday) from September 4-7. So, grabbed it while it was available. And figured it was the Palmer House which it did turn out to be. I had decided to use Hotwire after September 3 bid was awarded on Priceline for the Hilton on Michigan Avenue in the Loop (see Priceline winning bid posting). Didn't want to get that hotel again but wanted to stay in Loop, so decided to do HOTWIRE to pretty much ensure a different hotel. Was happy with this hotel as it is a larger one and good for a family, especially with the pool and close to Grant Park, Millennium Park, State Street Shopping (for school clothes) and more reasonably priced downtown restaurants. Will be taking Northern Indiana Commuter Train in and this hotel is just a few blocks from Millennium Station, so can do it with a walk. A nice spot for one adult and two kids for a few days away. Used BB HOTWIRE link of course.

Bid on this for a friend who is going and was hoping to get closer to State Street shopping area. Said it was the only 4* hotel on the list (of all those most active) that he did not want. But he ended up getting it. Price is great ($75) and his trip is actually a 4 night trip. We had decided to break it into sections so he could change hotels if need be. Turned out to be good. The remaining 3 nights we ended up doing Hotwire. See Hotwire post for into on that purchase. Used BB PRICELINE link as always.

You know what? I think I made a mistake. After reading your post I realized that the Hyatt is listed under Millenium/Loop area. All along I was trying NOT to bid in this area because I didn't want the 3.5 star hotels in that area. So, either one of two things happened. Either Prieceline moved the Hyatt into the Mag Mile area or I clicked the wrong button. My bet is I clicked the wrong button. That's what happens when you go back and forth between Priceline and Hotwire! Lesson learned.

Have continued bidding on this trip via the BB site on PRICELINE and also watching the HOTWIRE rates. Figured I would spend a few days trying. Ended up getting 10/night PRICELINE Bonus Cash on Priceline. Was hoping to get the Embassy Suites for less than $89. Here are a the bids I made over the last few days: Bid July 13 for 11/24-11/26 4* nma $50 4* franklin park $51 4* loop $52 4* hyde park $53 4* lincoln park $54 DECLINED Bid July 19 for 11/24-11/26 3.5* nma $50 3.5* franklin Park $51 3.5* hyde park $53 3.5* lincoln park $55 DECLINED Bid July 20 for 11/24-11/26 Using $10/night bonus cash 3.5* nma $50+$10bc=$60 3.5* franklin park $52+$10bc=$62 3.5* hyde park $54 + 10 bc=$64 3.5* lincoln park $60 + $10 =$70 ACCEPTED HYATT REGENCY was upgraded to 4 star Final price is $60/night with $10/night Priceline Bonus Cash for a total of $70 per night. I'm just ok with this. I got a great deal, I know that, but was trying to actually get one of the 3.5 star hotels. I've stayed at the Hyatt several times before, so I am very familiar with the hotel. They are always seem very accommodating to those that use Priceline. Every time I've used Priceline and been awarded this hotel I've asked for a double bed room with a view of the river, and have been given that every time. Last time I was in Chicago I discovered a great Indian restaurant right next to the hotel in the basement of the building to the east, called Khyber Pass. Very good! And being right on the river and pretty centrally located makes it easy to get around the whole downtown area. Anyway, not totally thrilled with the Hyatt, but since I got a great deal I can't complain too much. After all, I low balled the bid! And, as always, I used the BB link to PRICELINE for all my bids.

Hi there, I see the Embassy Suites come up for 11-24/11-26 for $89. It's one of the grayed out hotels so it let's me see the actual hotel. Anyway, my question is this

Hi there, I was having the same difficulty with this weekend, but from the 17th-18th. Rooms are VERY high and nothing shows up on Hotwire. So, I called the Chicago Convention & Visitors Bureau to see what was going on. They told me that there are two conventions in town, one with 20,000 attendees another smaller on with 5,000 attendees.

Was looking for date of 7/31-8/1 to fulfill first day of two day trip. (8/1-8/2 bid on earlier and separately, was awarded Doubletree Magnificent Mile for $72). This is a very busy time in Chicago, Rock N Roll Half Marathon with 25,000 entrants (sold out) and right before Lollapalooza. Was going to do a Hotwire bid for a hotel that looked to be The Amalfi for $119. But thought I'd wait till a rebid chance tonight for Priceline just in case. Well, The Amalfi had disappeared from Hotwire. Could have kicked myself for not grabbing it earlier! Not to mention all Hotwire rates have now gone up again. Anyway, decided to try Priceline again and bid as follows (through BB link of course!) Bidding for Saturday, July 31-Sunday, August 1 3.5 nma $86 3.5 added rebid zone $94 3.5 added rebid zone $96 3.5 added rebid zone $98 3.5 added rebid zone $101 Much to my surprise and delight (I figured chances were that I'd get the Swisshotel) I was awarded a winning big for $101 at The Wit. Very pleased. Have been checking this hotel out and am excited about staying at this hotel. Love the location on State Street and close to River, plus not too far of a walk from Buckingham Fountain (around a mile) for start of Rock N Roll Half.

Still working on this one and decided to split up the nights. Did these bids today, Thursday, July 8. Here's where I am: For July 31-August 2 (both nights are needed) 3.5* $75 nma 3.5 $80 added franklin park 3.5 $85 added Lincoln Park 3.5 $90 added Hyde park REJECTED For July 31-August 1 (trying for first night 7/31-8/1, which looks to be the more expensive night) 3.5 $95 with nma, fp, lp, hp 3.5 $93 all above and adding Loop REJECTED For August 1-August 2 (second night of trip 8/1-8/2) $69 4* nma $72 4* and 3.5* AWARDED DOUBLETREE CHICAGO MAGNIFICENT MILE ($72) Tried to then add the previous night on as you can with Priceline and it was rejected. So, I'm still going to work on the first night. I'm ok with switching hotels. Actually I like that, then I get to discover a new hotel (maybe) and also stay in a different area of Downtown. I do see that Hotwire has a hotel that goes back and forth being either $109 or $119 that looks to be the Amalfi. It has a free continental breakfast and also a free evening reception with appetizers. Wondering about this. I was in Chicago yesterday and this morning and stayed at the Sax and walked past the Amalfi a couple times. Looks to be ok, but not sure as I know nothing about this property. Do you know anything about it?

Here's another unsuccessful bid tried today, July 6 for 3.5* 3.5* $70 NMA $75 added Franklin Park $80 added Lincoln Park $85 added Hyde Park I know that the night of July 31 is keep prices high due to big events happening, but had hoped the August 1 night would help keep prices within the $85 range.

Thanks Aaron. I'll try a rebid again as soon as my 24 hours is up. What do you know about Club Quarters and Wacker and River Hotel? Are they both ok or should I be worried about getting them? In reading about them it seems as if they are in the same building. Is that correct? I've stayed at the Sheraton before and agree with you. It's not great, but it's not terrible either. Seems like a little updating would be nice.

Hi there, Sorry, I started a post on this several months ago and can't seem to find it. My apologies for starting over. Anyway, I've been looking for a hotel for these two dates in Chicago. Have been watching prices on Hotwire and other sites. Have bid a few times through Priceline over the months and always failed. Here are a few of them: Tried on June 27 $60 4star Loop added Mich Ave 4star $65 added Franklin Park $67 added hyde park $70 added linc pk $75 added midway $78 added skokie $81 NOT SUCCESSFUL Tried on June 30, 2010 $75 4-star Mich ave and all rebid zones except Loop added Loop and bid $82 NOT SUCCESSFUL Tried on July 5, 2010 $82 4 star Mich and Loop $84 added Franklin Park $86 added Hyde Park $88 added Skokie/Niles $90 added Lincoln Park $92 added Midway NOT SUCCESSFUL I noticed today that LizaM was quite successful over the last day with the following: 3.5* $75 NMA + 1 rebid zone - rejected 3.5* $80 NMA + 2 rebid zones - rejected Finally won 2 nites at the Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown with: 3.5* $85 NMA + 3 rebid zones Anyway, I know it is impossible for you to tell me if I did the same bid if I would get this hotel. I would love to be in the Embassy Suites for these two days! Have you had any experience with anyone getting the same hotel with the same bid when it comes to bidding within the same 24 hours? What are your thoughts on the other 3.5* in NMA area? And also, what about the 3.5* in the Loop area? Of all those I've only stayed at the Hotel Allegro. The Wit looks great but as far as Club Quarters, Hotel 71, Hotel Blake, River Hotel and Silversmith Hotel