Booking this as a gift for a friend who doesn't get a lot of luxurious trips, so I felt like it was worth the splurge even though there were some much cheaper decent options. And although it's not cheap, it's an enormous saving over rack price. (And I did get the 7% off coupon!)

The Reveal Hotels tool is so incredible, by the way.

Restaurant

Boutique

Fitness

Free Internet

Smoke Free

Room Accessible

$25 Resort Fee

Free internet, Pet friendly, Indoor pool(s), Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Spa services

I knew there were only two River North 5* hotels, but one of them is the Trump and I really wanted to avoid it -- and they often show exactly the same amenities. Fortunately the BiddingHelper.com predicted the Langham, and then showed me an 'actual photo', so I was totally confident. (That would have been an extremely expensive mistake!)

This is an absolutely amazing deal. I stayed one time at the Langham, and I think it is the best hotel I have ever stayed in, anywhere. But I'd never be able to afford it at rack price!

(And I even got Bed Choice!)

Thanks!

I got him the Central Loop, for its location.

Free Internet
Boutique
Smoke Free
Fitness
Restaurant
Business
Laundry
Hi-Speed Internet
Golf

(Used your link of course.)

Hi guys,

My son has an interview the morning of July 20th, and it's at 190 South Lasalle. I asked, and he says he'd like to stay near there rather than somewhere more fun for nightlife. So I need a suggestion for the night of the 19th.

He's not very fussy, but I'd like to find him the best option -- I'd be willing to pay more to get a significantly better hotel, that is to say. I guess a major point is that he would not be hanging out in the room a lot -- just sleeping there, getting up early, checking out.

Do you guys have any suggestions? Aaron? I see a few in the Loop for that night but I can't identify any of them (and your cool analysis tool isn't coming up with anything either). Or if there happens to be a great deal over in Millennium Park or River North that's a few blocks further, that would be great too.

Thanks in advance!

Followed your advice and simply tried again later (using Bidding Helper)... Success!

This search repaid a little extra time for me. I think the Omni Riverfront is significantly better than the similarly-priced alternatives, and quite a bit cheaper than anything as good I could have bought.

For the final record, the amenities shown on my purchase:

Pet friendly, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Internet access

Accessible for visually impaired, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking, Roll-in shower

Thanks again, guys!

Hm, I tried to book this one (that looks like the Omni Riverfront), but when I hit "Confirm Payment" I get "We couldn't process your request".

Does that mean HOTWIRE ran out of inventory?

I see a FQ/Mississippi 4* for $143 too. The amenities are:

Pet friendly, Casino, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business center, Self-service laundry, Internet access, Golf nearby, Accessible bathroom, Roll-in shower

So the Casino means it pretty much has to be Harrahs. It costs more but I think I might pay it if I really can't get the $116 likely-Omni-Waterfront.

Hi,

I'll be in New Orleans May 13-16. I'd take any of these areas: French Q/Miss., French Q/Bourb., Warehouse, Superdome.

Searching for a 4*, two people, there's a large bunch of possibilities and I don't know what to choose. I guess I'd like to grab one of the ones that's around $100. Does anyone spot any particularly good value there?

FQ/Bourbon $99

Free Internet, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Golf nearby, Accessible for visually impaired, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking, Roll-in shower

FQ/Miss. $116

Pet friendly, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Internet access, Accessible for visually impaired, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking, Roll-in shower

Downtown Superdome $101

Free Internet, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Golf nearby

Warehouse $95

Free Internet, Pet friendly, Boutique hotel, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Internet access, Golf nearby, In-room accessibility, Roll-in shower

I also see three in the Central Business District, which I think has been carved out of the Warehouse, Superdome, and maybe FQ/Miss regions. Could one of those be the Intercontinental or the Omni?

Thanks for this; I'm usually more focused in my questions, but the area is so small and the inventory is so large I can't narrow it down.

The Priceline Express deal that Thereuare linked to was indeed the Blackstone Renaissance. (So I guess this thread should be moved to the Priceline side.) Booked it through that link, of course.

PRICELINE EXPRESS named the zone "Loop-Grant Park" (not "-Millennium Park").

The listed amenities were:

Pets Allowed
Business Center
Restaurant
Free Internet
Fitness Center
No Smoking Rooms/Facilities

Handicap Accessible

Thanks for the advice!

Great. Yeah, the Blackstone seems like the best deal. No reason to go elsewhere to save four dollars.

I'll check with my son, then I'll book something and close the thread.

Both of those suggestions (the likely Blackstone and the Hilton booked transparent) sound like good options to me.

I hadn't tried the MAPS and HOTELS.com tool before, either, so that's useful.

Thanks! I'll wait to see what Aaron thinks and then book something in the next 24 hours.

My 21-year old son is going to a concert at the Adler on the evening of Feb. 11th and I'd like to book him a room for that night.

First question: is the Loop the right area to look in? I figure there should be better deals there than in the livelier sections and he won't care much about other nightlife since the concert will go late. (On the other hand he wouldn't mind walking a little to Millennium Park, etc.)

Second: do you see any particularly good deals? I was thinking 4*, but there's a 4.5* for $93 listed for that night in the Loop. I don't see any 4.5* hotels in the Loop/Theater hotel listings. When I click your "Full Amenities" button here's the list I get:

 Pet friendly, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Internet access, Spa services

Basically just looking for the best value approximately 4* and fairly close to the Adler that night.

Oh -- and a 21-year old will have no trouble, right?

Thanks, guys!

Yep, the $100 HOTWIRE was indeed the Sofitel. Even though you weren't sure, it seemed smart to pick that one, since it was cheaper and you thought it was more likely to be the one I preferred.

Thanks! I think I got a great deal.

Booked through your site's HOTWIRE link, of course.

Hi Guys,

Looking at a couple of 4.5* hotels in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, for the nights of Feb 19 and 20.

For $100, Pet friendly, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Children's activities, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Roll-in shower.

For $110, Pet friendly, Boutique hotel, Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Accessible for visually impaired, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Roll-in shower

I figure one is the Palomar and the other *probably* the Sofitel. Is the one with Children's Activities the Palomar?

(I'd take either of those, but I would *slightly* prefer the Sofitel -- I guess I'd prefer it enough to pay the extra $10.)

Thanks!

For some reason the price dropped to $145 when I clicked 'buy'; it was listed at $146 before I clicked.

FULL AMENITIES: Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Spa services, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking, Roll-in shower

This was the hotel I wanted, so even though you guys only had a guess, since it matched my guess I decided to go for it. Pretty nice price for a 5*, and it's very well reviewed and is in a great neighborhood.

(Of course, I did the search and the purchase with your HOTWIRE links.)

Oops.

August 20-21

5*

Manchester City Centre Northeast

$146

FULL AMENITIES: Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Spa services, Accessible for hearing impaired, Accessible path of travel, In-room accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Accessible parking, Roll-in shower

I know it's a long shot, but does anyone happen to have an educated guess at this one?

Just FYI: several of the Copley/Back Bay hotels are a lot closer to Fenway Park than the EnVision is. The Sheraton and Hilton are about 15 minutes, the Westin Copley Pl. and the Marriott are about 20 minutes walking. The EnVision is quite a lot further and its neighborhood is probably not what you're looking for. You're right that the Commonwealth would be perfect but during baseball season they don't have a lot of unsold inventory!

Good luck.

7 hours ago, bobbyblue said:

Thanks again for helpful information. Yes, we are absolutely willing to drive to the Metro.   I heard from co-workers that Brookline, Worcestor and Natick are good choice areas to stay for access to the T. I'll search the express deals for the our room choice and see what I come up with. I'll also be sure to post it on your link if I lock something in- thanks again!

 

Hi, I'm kind of a local.

Brookline would be a very easy T ride into downtown and you could even walk to some parts if the weather holds up, but I think it's going to be very expensive.

Natick is quite a bit further, and you'd have to take the commuter rail (which is like Chicago's Metra).

I would definitely not recommend staying in Worcester. That would be a much longer trip: about two hours including the commuter train and then a T ride.

If you're willing to stay over an hour away, then I would seriously consider staying in Providence, Rhode Island instead -- that's a bit over an hour by train, and it's a nicer city. (Well, I suppose it's a matter of taste, but I'm pretty sure most people would say so.) You could also try Peabody and Danvers.

I think you're running into the figure skating event, by the way, that's why prices are so astronomical.

I was recently in the same situation.

The Langham is in the Downtown-River-North region, and its amenities are almost the ones you list, but I believe your listing is the Trump. The Smoke-free Rooms amenity seems to distinguish them.

I got the Trump. It was fine -- I mean, it was very nice, a genuine 5* hotel -- but I wanted the Langham.

Well, anyway, once my trip was definite I thought I had better just pull the trigger on the River North 5* at $192, even though I didn't have a good ID for it. Turns out it was the Trump.

Free Internet, Indoor pool(s), Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Spa services

I was hoping for the Langham, but maybe I'll be happy with the Trump.

I don't have a "maximum budget". I will spend more if what I get seems worth it.

It is not definitely confirmed but looks good. I'll know in a few days but want to be ready to pull the trigger.

I see now from their maps that Riverwalk is south of the river, east of Dearborn, north of Randolph. Cut mostly out of the Park zones.

That's maybe my ideal location. My plan is to attend a conference at the Palmer House, but to stay somewhere with a more nightlife (and better rooms and maybe a view!). I guess my top choices would be the Langham and the Fairmont.

I am now searching just for two adults. Is this (5* River North) the Langham?

FULL AMENITIES: Free Internet, Indoor pool(s), Smoke-free rooms, Fitness center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business center, Internet access, Spa services

Do you recognize the Fairmont among those hotels, or the Swiss?

Okay, there's a good chance this trip is back on!

I'm looking again, at 4.5 and 5* near the river. But the zones have changed! What is the "riverwalk" zone? Oy, just when I felt like I was on top of this stuff...

Anyway, I know you'll help me out -- but what are the boundaries of the Riverwalk zone, and which other zones is it cut from?

It looks like this trip is on HOLD. :-(

I may get to revive it, but better consider the thread closed. Thanks for the help anyway.

One more question.

You said the Pet Friendly 4.5* in the Millennium Park region you guess is the Fairmont. What else might it be?

It's a great deal if it's the Fairmont. I might take the chance if the other possibility is also very good, but the Burnham's rooms are too small for my purposes, and the Blackstone is a bit out of the way...