AaronJB

Glad I could be of assistance. :) Thank you very much for posting your win and enjoy your trip! :) Some basic tips: If you want to get a good bite to eat and don't want to walk too far, head to the corner of Michigan Ave. and Wacker Drive (about a block West of the hotel.) A few steps further West on Wacker and you'll see Corner Bakery right there, facing the river. Corner (http://www.cornerbakerycafe.com/ for menu) provides a very nice menu for breakfast/lunch dinner. In terms of Chicago Pizza, there is a Giordanos essentially a couple of blocks from the hotel at 135 E. LAKE (312)616-1200. If you need snacks/toiletries, head West from the hotel to Michigan Ave. and start heading South. A few blocks South, there's a CVS Pharmacy (205 Michigan Ave.)

The Allegro is a nice hotel that is, like the Burnham and Monaco, a Kimpton Hotel. You do get some perks, such as free wine reception (which is also at the Burnham/Monaco) and, even better..(drumroll).."All the Tootsie Rolls you can eat at the front desk." :) The location in the West Loop (it's about 4 blocks West of the Burnham) isn't bad, but expect it to be fairly quiet/quiet at night. It is an older hotel (like several other hotels downtown, such as the Burnham, Palmer, Knickerbocker, W City Center, etc. etc.) and, as such, go in expecting a small/smaller room. There's a very nice "L" station right there if you need to take public transit anywhere. The Allegro's $189 on its website, so $92's a pretty good deal. While Chicago is quite walkable and there's plenty of public transit, is there an area you need to be in? If you need to be in the North Michigan Ave. area, for example, the Allegro would not be your best choice. I've rarely seen the Sofitel come up (usually, one of the other, cheaper 4*s in that area, such as the Knickerbocker, comes up.) The Monaco and Burnham have the same amenities listed on HOTWIRE, but the majority of the time it seems to be the Burnham that comes up. In terms of listings changing on hotwire, I was looking at a listing yesterday that I thought was the Embassy Suites and was all set to get it. Went to get a snack and by the time I got back a few minutes later, it wasn't there. While it usually doesn't happen that quickly, I do recommend locking in a hotwire reservation if you see something that you're really interested in. Like the TV show, it's very "Deal...Or No Deal?" :)

If nothing works with Priceline, the Whitehall may not be a bad keeper, as it's a smaller, European-style boutique, which your guests may enjoy. I'm rather stumped as to why your dates are so expensive, as it's one of the few sets of dates in Oct./Nov. in Chicago where convention traffic in the city seems very light. It may be an instance where prices go down closer to your date.

Oh, ok :) If you do want to be right near the River North/NMA area, than the Hotwire Hyatt rate would likely be the best option for that date, as prices are rather high for 9/30 and priceline inventory (I've helped a few other people looking for that date, all of whom have bid very reasonably, given the regular rates, and not gotten anything) seems to be very limited.

Personally, I'd recommend staying in the Northbrook area if you are looking for a place outside of the city. It's a lovely, upscale 'burb not too terribly far North of downtown, and Metra Train stations are nearby. There's also a couple of big malls (Northbrook and Old Orchard) not far away, and if you happen to be in the mood for a Wintery nature hike, there's the Chicago Botanic Gardens (chicagobotanic.org), which are in a nearby burb. HOTWIRE has a 3* with a Suite icon in Northbrook for $65 for the 17th, and that would likely be the Wyndham Suites Glenview. From there, you could drive to the nearby Glenview Metra station, park for $2 and take the train into the city. HOTWIRE also has a 3* in the same area for $61 for your other date, but it appears to be a different hotel (likely the other frequent Northbrook 3*, the Radisson. Could also head to the nearest Metra station from here to park-and-ride. $45 would seem like a reasonable starting bid for 3* Glenview/Northbrook.

That would very likely be the Hyatt. The Hyatt is the largest hotel in downtown Chicago - it's essentially the definition of a "convention hotel." The service is not great (with over 2,000 rooms, the staff sometimes seems a bit overwhelmed) and the 4-star rating is a bit much (3* is more reasonable.) Still, good location, decent rooms and not bad for Hotwire/Priceline prices. However, wouldn't recommend paying full price. The Hotwire price is a little less than half of the Hyatt's reg. rate. Personally, if you are willing to be *anywhere in the loop area* (South of the river), I would recommend bidding on Priceline for a 4* in the Millennium Park/Loop/Grant Park area instead. There's a bunch of nice hotels in that zone that could potentially come up - but, worst case scenario, you could potentially get the Hyatt for less than what Hotwire is offering. $105 would be a reasonable starting bid. If you have any questions, please ask.

Thank you for reporting your purchase to the board. Hope you enjoy your stay! :) There's two nice grocery stores (Jewel on the NW corner of Clark and Division and Treasure Island on the SE corner of Clark and Elm) right nearby if you want to pick up snacks. There's also a Walgreens half a block South and a CVS Pharmacy on the SE corner of Clark/Division. The nearest subway station is also @ Clark/Division.

HOTWIRE has $31 (2*, possibly Homestead?) and $38 (2.5*, a ? given that the La Quinta - which is a 2.5* in the area - does not appear to have Laundry, which is the only icon showing) hotels in the Oakbrook area for your dates.

:) Good one

If you aren't successful in getting anything downtown, there are some options on HOTWIRE for the O'Hare area (West) and Northbrook (North) for those dates. From there, you could take public transit in.

If you would like to make a refundable back-up reservation (so that you have something in case Priceline/Hotwire doesn't work out), http://www.easyclicktravel.com has the Whitehall for $150 for your dates. That hotel is in a great location - literally half a block from North Michigan Ave. shopping and the Hancock.

I'd recommend going with the Indigo. Very nice hotel in a nice area and the HOTWIRE price is about half of what the hotel's regular rates are for those dates on the Indigo website.

The hotel has not yet been identified, but if I had to guess, I'd say it's very possibly the Best Western Grant Park. I would definitely recommend going with the 3.5* Boutique/Restaurant/Fitness/Business for $92 that's showing for those dates (likely the Allegro) instead.

There do not appear to be any major conventions during your dates, although prices appear to be mildly higher than normal. Hopefully it's an instance where rates will drop (and priceline inventory will open up) closer to the dates. In terms of 3* River North/North Michigan Ave commonly seen Priceline hotels, either Holiday Inn would work fine, but you may run into small rooms if the Allerton is the win.

Don't know if you got my message, but the Swiss is $189/$199 (199 for Lakeview) via Expedia.com. I believe Fairmont was $149 for your dates. Definitely look into the Westin River North ($180, Expedia), as well. Monaco (also in the same area, as the Swiss and Westin RN) would be another good choice for $170. Best of luck with your decision and please let us know if we can be of any help deciding.

Here's a text history for the hotel: http://www.icchicagohotel.com/history/history.cfm

Thank you for reporting your win. I think everyone's entitled to their opinion when it comes to hotel reviews, but this is one instance where I wouldn't pay too much attention to the reviews. The Intercontinental offers a great location right on Michigan Ave. and a lot of history. The pool and pool area are absolutely stunning - it's one of the first higher-floor pools and an element in place since the building was the Medinah Athletic Club (which opened in 1929.) The ballrooms are beautiful and the lobby is quite lovely. I'd recommend taking a look at the history page on the hotel website - it's pretty interesting. Personally, I'd be happy if I got it as a win, as I'd definitely prefer it over at least 3-4 of the other 4* River North/NMA properties and think it's definitely not the worst of the 4* River North/NMA possibilities. Tip: Walgreens is across the street and a little ways South. That's your best bet for snacks and toiletries cheaper than the hotel.

Congrats on your wedding! What would your budget be? Chicago hotel prices are often quite high, but December (or at least most of it) is definitely one of the cheaper time periods. While Priceline (and Hotwire) are options, it may be worthwhile to consider what's available regular rate. Let me know what you are looking to bid (or spend) and I'd be happy to offer some suggestions on how to proceed.

Thank you for reporting your hotel win and details. Hopefully the hotel will be close to the meeting you mentioned in your original post. Enjoy your stay! Also, as I mentioned in the other thread, you may want to make use of the automatic check-in in the lobby and see what it has to offer in terms of rooms.

The hotel has automatic check-in, which should offer you at least a couple of different room options, depending on how busy it is that day.

Indigo has been reported as 3* in the area, with the amenities Restaurant, Fitness, Spa, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Golf, Tennis. Indigo does not have a pool. I'm still going to bet it's the Affinia (formerly known as the Fitzpatrick), which is certainly in a good location.

Not on the list, as you mentioned. However, it could also definitely be potentially something else, such as the Holiday Inn Express on the West part of the Northbrook Zone. It would definitely be a risky buy, as if it is that Holiday Inn (and it very well could be, as it does appear to be a match), that would not be a great location in terms of convienience. On the other hand, for your dates, the 3* (Northbrook; Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Laundry - although the pool is seasonal and closed) showing during 9/21-26 is likely (although not guaranteed) the Radisson Northbrook. The 4* (Fitness/Restaurant/Business/Pool) in Northbrook is likely (not guaranteed) the Renaissance North Shore - that hotel does (at least their website says they do) have a shuttle to the nearby Glencoe train station - you'd take that downtown. There's also a pizza place across the street of the Renaissance (and the Chicago Botanic Garden is on the other side of the highway, in the town of Glencoe), but not much else around it. As for public transit and the Radisson, you would likely have to shuttle to the nearby Glenview train station or catch a quick cab ride to the nearest station.

As for the Starwood properties in the city, I'd say the Westin River North (formerly a Hotel Nikko) is the nicest of the bunch, if you do decide to book conventionally (if you do book there conventionally, try to get a river view room on a high floor - stellar view.) On the other end, I was rather disappointed in the Sheraton Towers and I only paid $65. Both of the main downtown zones in Chicago on PL have a couple of so-so 4* properties, but quite a few nice ones.

That one has had me stumped, as well, but the only thing I can guess it might be based on the information given and what is known about the other hotels in the area on Hotwire is that it's (definitely NOT guaranteed) the Affinia. As thereuare noted, please let us know what the hotel is if you do decide to book it.

<<Is there a reason you want/need a Starwood property? Since you would not be able to earn miles anyway. >> True. If you really do want/need a SW property, Priceline is probably not the best way to reserve. A little surprised that nothing came back though, as your dates are one of seemingly only a few in September and October that aren't busy/very expensive in Chicago. If you are willing to include Millennium Park/Loop/Grant Park, I would start over at $90.