Frogger85

Been working this one for a while...failed 3 or 4 times going as high as $88. Busy St. Pats weekend in Chicago, rates seem pretty high. Everything on Hotwire is going for over $100. Was very close to taking the 4.5* Sutton Place on HOTWIRE, but thought I would give PRICELINE one more shot. Standard bidding..had 2 bids left...got the Hyatt Regency for $85. While I do believe the Sutton Place is well-worth the extra $30, the Hyatt's location on the Chicago River is the place to be this weekend. Used both the HOTWIRE and PRICELINE links in finding a hotel. Regards

I see you got some nice deals...All I can say is you will have to keep plugging away on PRICELINE as long as you have time. You may want to look at the 3 star hotels as well. Their pretty well rated and some have pools. In your first post, I saw that Last Minute Travel was metioned. You may have checked it out. As stated, they do give you pictures, so you can figure it out with a little searching. But also if you look at the features section most list the floors and number of rooms. So this may be an even faster way to figure it out. Example: LMT clues, 4 star hotel in The Loop/Chicago with 298 Rooms Now Google the keywords "Chicago Hotel Loop 298 Rooms" and you'll get results listing the The Wit. Then match the pictures. Most of the hotels list there floors/rooms on the LMT site. I don't know if the 4/3.5* rates will work for your trip, but mabey if there is a real good deal on a 3 star you'll be able to know the hotel first. LMT's prices are very close to Hotwire and they seem to have more hotels to choose from. There is also the site Book It that Hotwire will link you to. The 4.5 mystery hotel they show is the Swissotel. There are other mystery hotels listed as well with clues in the details section. Regards

Pretty standard bid..I went very low and did not check Mil/Loop/Grant Zone as it seemed like the Hyatt would be the result (like the Hyatt but have stayed there plenty). Started $1 over low bid warning...$49...was down to last big..went for $60. Won the DoubleTree Mag-Mile. One of my better wins thanks to PRICELINE link.

I agree with all those preaching caution, when you bid..you get what you get. Using this sites calenderofwins is very important. It seems like some hotels free up rooms once in a while (an example is the Mag-Mile Marriott..it will just show up some times). So all you can do is look for the commmon winners. But sometimes a new one may show up. From only what I see..it seems to be the same hotels play lowball the most on PRICELINE and HOTWIRE. By lowball I mean that they are being won for decent amount less than a comparable hotels. Priceline: Fake examples: 4* star Hyatt Regency is won for $63...while the *4 Sheraton Towers..is got for $78 4* Pamer House Hilton is won for $82..the 4* Swissotel is going for $98 4* Felix Hotel is won for $69..the Affinia Hotel ends up at $105 Hotwire: Rule of thumb is a $10 or more per night for the same hotel since your getting some clues. You need to study the common winners and make sure they could work for you. Some commons winners on both Priceline and Hotwire that lower priced than others. 4*: Hyatt, Felix, Sheraton Towers, Allerton, Knickerbocker, and Palmer. 3.5 *: DoubleTree Mag-Mile, Club Quarters, Sheraton Suites, and Silversmith. The safest thing you can do is to only bid in the Mill/Loop/Grant Zone at the 4* level and start at wherever the red low bid/no chance warning stops. Just use your rebids and creep up. Don't add *3.5 at all unless you can live with Club Quarters or Silversmith...if you add NMA/River North you may get the Felix instead of the DoubleTree Mag-Mile. If you have used free rebids this site has the info on how to do it. My advice can only be taken in the vain of saving money...This site is great and has helped me pretty much get the lowest rates possible..but I get what I get. Good luck once again.

One overall last comment...If you bid in the Mill/Loop/Grant and NMA River North Zones at the 4/3.5 and even the 3 star levels you really can't miss..there all nice hotels.

This may not apply..but if you plan on parking..it's going to cost you. The best deals are the Millenium and Navy Pier garages (average of $25 per 24hrs). The Hyatt is about 3 blocks for the Millenium Park Garage's north exit (it's a huge underground garage with the park on top). Navy Pier would be an option if you stayed at the DoubleTree Mag-Mile. I hope this info is not needed.

I checked this sites calenderofwins for your travel dates from last year. There is a bunch of wins for the Hyatt with a low of $54 and a high of $65. So even if it turns out to be a busy weekend I can't see it being more than $70 per night. Plus if you bid now I bet you will get a better price. The Hyatt has to be priceline's number one hotel, it's all over the calender of wins. In fact, I have to avoid the Grant Park zone or I would win it everytime unless I overbid on purpose (which I don't do). Ignore the published rate for the Hyatt it means nothing in regards to the amount you bid. The Palmer is in the same zone but seems to be more of the $80-90 winning bid range. You will win the Hyatt first if you go low. Granted there are no sure things, but the Hyatt is a close as it gets for Downtown Chicago. Every zone has 1 or 2 hotels that dominate the bidding with lowball rates. The Hyatt is the hotel in the Grant Park Zone, NMA/River North is a bit more competitive but the Hotel Felix is common (you don't want that hotel..very small)and it seems like the DoubleTree Mag-Mile has emerged as a great deal (that hotel would work for you) perhaps they have decided to go the Hyatt route and go lowball to fill rooms. My advice would be to bid at the 4* level in the grant park zone, use your rebids but don't go higher that $65. If you add the NMA zone you'll have to add 3.5 * to get the DoubleTree Mag-Mile. But if you add the NMA zone you risk the Felix but $65 is a bit low for that Hotel. Last thing, considering that number of nights..I gotta tell you that you should split your stay (2 nights/3 nights). I think a 3 rooms/5 nights is a tough bid, that's like 15 rooms at a lowball rate for a hotel...that might not happen. You may have to bid on 2 nights first then the last 3. This is what I would do. I've won the Hyatt 2 nights in a row before. Just bid the same way..or mabey you might want to switch hotels..5 nights is long time in the same hotel. P.S. The Hyatt is right in the middle of Downtown, the perfect jumping off point for site seeing...Regards

This may be helpful..But if I was leading a group in Chicago..I would use the PRICELINE link and go for the Hyatt Regency on Wacker. This forum will give you advice on how to bid. This is a full-service 4 star hotel (check out the website) but the big thing is it's a huge hotel that host conventions with multiple dining options ect.. The smaller hotel (boutique) would not be the best for students they are much smaller and low-key (so to speak) so your going to stand out. People that pay published rates of over $150 per night might not be keen on students. The Hyatt had huge groups of tourists and the like so a group of students is nothing new. Which I've seen all the time when I have stayed at the Hyatt. I've stayed in downtown Chicago many times and the Hyatt is just as good as any other 4/3.5 star hotel. And you might win it for under $65 per night which would save you some money for other stuff (Downtown Chicago is not cheap). Also getting double bed rooms should not be a big deal since the hotel is huge. Last, this is the Hyatt on Wacker (In the center of Downtown Chicago on the river) not the Hyatt Mccormick Place (to far away from downtown) or the Park Hyatt (which is near the Water Tower and is a 5 star hotel and priced that way). Anyway good luck

This is the follow up to my 4.5*/Unknown post. Keep searching Hotwire..to see if anything would pop up. Based on comparing rates for the weekend of 12/10/11 it did not seem like there would be a big price drop by the next weekend. So if a good deal was there I was going to take it. Like I said I was checking every so often....I checked around 2:30 pm but saw no new deals, if fact rates had gone up (Priceline had as well). Checked back around 5:30pm and a 3.5*/MM-Street appeared for $81. It listed Business Center, Fitness Center, and Internet Access and nothing else. The big clue was the 100% Hotwire guest approval and lack of restuarant(s). I was 98% sure this was the Amalfi. It is the 16th ranked hotel in Chicago on Trip Advisor but has no resturant. The truth is it does not have an in-house resturant but in-room dining is available from Harry Carey's Steakhouse. So it kinda evens out. So I went for it..and it was the Amalfi..seems like a pretty nice deal for two rooms. Also by the way, I checked the HOTWIRE link as I was posting this and this deal is no longer listed. So I guess waiting would not have paid off for me. Regards PS: My search was for 2 rooms: Rm 1: 2A 0C, Rm 2: 1A 1C

Used HOTWIRE link and kept checking...Got the Amalfi for $81..will post details.

I'm going to keep checking..yeah that 3.5*/NMA for $54 you saw looked like an outstanding deal..but I must have missed it. If it pops up again I'm going to grab it using the HOTWIRE link. Regards

Thanks alot...This gives me a good idea. I'm going to wait for now. I think the deals will get better closer to the date. Thanks

Yeah I just looked, The Mag MIle with pool is gone but now NMA/Gold 4* with pool is showing for $95. They seem to changing fast. I used the HOTWIRE link..Thanks

Thanks for the reply. Let me narrow it down. I'm looking for a 4/4.5 that is not the Hyatt or Felix (since I know I can get them on Priceline)and that's about it. This is what I'm seeing: I think the 4.5/Mag is the Conrad (which would be fine) it's at $93 right now. The 4*/Loop with a Pool is the Plamer House I'm sure. So these are the other choices that I need help with. (I know there not the Hyatt or Felix, but would not mind a clue) 4*/Mag-Street: Fitness Center,Business Center, Pool(s), Resturant(s), High-Speed Internet Access. Was $146, Now $83 4*/NMA-GC: Smoke Free Rooms, Fitness Center, Business Center, High-Speed Internet Access, Resturant(s). Was $183, Now $80 Thanks

Thanks for the reply..I have checked the list..they all seem the same. Thought mabey the rating and price may give someone a clue. As far as ameities...They are all the same..except the non-smoking room thing (but all the hotels are smoke free anyway, so I don't think this matters) The only real clue is Pool(s). This gives you only two 4* options which seem to be Palmer House in the Loop zone and either the Hilton Towers or the Hyatt McCormick Place in the Museum zone. My goal is this...I know the best deal is going to be the Hyatt Regency on Wacker (should be under $60) on Priceline. The Hotel Felix is also being won for a nice price, but since I stayed at these hotels a few times I looking for a change. The first option is to overbid on Priceline ($75 or more) and hope to get something else, but that is a risk. So I'm looking at Hotwire and trying to find something I know is not the Hyatt or Felix. I'm willing to pay a little more to try something new. The Palmer House Hilton seems like good deal for $82 but the retail is $109 right now. So it's not the best deal. The 4.5* looks like the Conrad it's going at $104 right now with a retail of $146 an example of a better deal. Thanks

I have some more: Mag/Street: 4*/95% (Same as first, no smoke free, Best Value) Was $153, Now $75 Mag/Street: 4*/95% (Same as first, no smoke free, Best Value) Was $132, Now $75 NMA/Gold : 4*/90% (Same as first) $77 Loop: 4*/90% (Same as the above Loop Listing) Was $154, Now $81 Thanks

Any help would be great: Mag/Street: 4.5*/95% (Smoke Free, Fitness, Restuarant(s), High-Spedd Internet & Business Center) $102 (Mabey the Conrad Hilton) Mag/Street: 4*/90% (Same as above, but no smoke free room listing) Was $132, Now $75 Mag/Street: 4*/90% (Same as first)Was $169, Now $77 Chicago Loop: 4*/90% (Same as above, but has Pool(s)/Spa) Was $146, Now $81 (I think this is the Palmer House Hilton) Thanks

I have stayed at The Felix 3 times in the past year. The hotel is nice but the rooms are small. All three rooms were not the same. The first room was small (but not tiny) and was on the 6th floor facing the front, it was not bad. Second time I got a larger room (not huge but decent) on the 10th floor facing the front, this was pretty nice. The third time I got a very small room on the 4th or 5th floor facing the inside corner of the hotel, this room was not great. This may explain the mixed reviews. All three times I was there the hotel was booked, so I don't know why I got a better one time and lesser another. As far as a review: Pros: Lobby very nice, staff is great, nice bar/restaurant, great location, and the rooms have the 4* stuff. Cons: Rooms seem to very in size with none that I would call large. Kinda plain decor. No coffee/tea in rooms (in the lobby). Parking: I would not use the ramp across the street from the hotel...it's pricey and the stalls are tiny..like can't open your door all the way tiny. The best option is the lots that are 2-3 blocks away ($24 per 24hrs). Otherwise use the Hotel Felix's valet. If you are going to need your car at any point use the valet because no public lot will give you in/out parking. So your get nailed twice (like $12 for the 1st hour) and end up paying Valet rate anyway. Anyway...This is a nice hotel...I would ask for a higher floor facing the front of the hotel. I doubt they would be booked solid on your night. Also...This area has plenty of great places to eat..If that's something that interests you. You'll want to get a reservation though otherwise your taking your chances. If you want to just walk in seems like 4:30-6:00pm would be the best time, after 6pm stuff starts getting busy, by 7pm your odds of getting a table seem bleak unless you go for late supper after 9pm. Regards

This was a quick bid, that worked out nice. Checked MP/Loop/GP zone 4 stars...bid $51 (the lowest without red box low bid warning). I thought I would get shot down fast, but it was seaching a long time which in my expierence means your close. Result, I was counter offered $62..which was a nice price but I had plenty of rebids to do better. Two rebids later...I won with a bid of $55. I have won the Hyatt before but never this low (best was $65)..in fact this is the lowest bid I've ever gotten for Downtown Chicago (best Hotel Felix $61, but it was January). Regards

I have stayed there, I thought is was very nice. Lots of stuff on North and South Milwaukee Ave, including both Superdawg drive-ins. Rooms were huge and had all the 3.5/4* stuff. I guess the word would be classy. Regards

Quick review: After staying here I really wish I had went for 2 nights right away. This is a very nice hotel. The rooms are huge..you could put 4 king beds in it plus it had a connecting door to another room so if you booked 2 rooms it would be like having an apartment. Bed was nice, room was clean, nice staff, all the extras, and free parking. You can see the downtown from the hotel (3 miles) and it's located in a shopping area that has some nightlife. I would call this a true 3.5 * hotel, not as fancy as some of the 4* hotels in downtown Minneapolis. But that is a matter odd taste. Thanks

This is a follow up to A 7/22/11 priceline win of the 3.5* DoubleTree Park Place win...tried to add a night and was shot down. I should have bid for 2 nights in the first place. There are more hotels listed for 22 + 23 and few for just the 23...sort of a 2 night minimum thing perhaps. Still, I'm sure you'd be bidding for Sat more so than Fri. I bid at the 3.5/4 star level, used every rebid zone but 2 (Eagan, Woodbury) Woodbury was too far, I pretty much knew the Crowne Plaza MOA was the last shot I had. I had check so many 3* star zones that I could not try that level since I could end up anywhere in MSP. Still I did not want to overpay for one hotel by shooting for another so I bid $75. Had I lost I would have used the HOTWIRE link as I did with the PRICELINE link. Got the Crowne Plaza Mall of America, have not stayed there. The reviews are mixed, but their is a shuttle to the light rail station. Not one of my better wins, but still less than HOTWIRE rates I saw. Thanks

Won the Crowne Plaza Mall of America will post details: Priceline Minneapolis winning bid

Update: I was checking Doubletree's website for Sat/23 rates and there was no rooms...bad sign. So I used the PRICELINE link and tried for another night, no luck. So now I will be bidding hard for the Downtown at first. If that does not work..I'll will be trying for another hotel in the west zone. I'm up for any advice on last minute bidding for the downtown....The plan is the bid late Thursday night or should I wait till Friday morning? How close has anybody cut it? (In general..not MSP per say) Thanks

Started with PRICELINE link and HOTWIRE link. Been working the MSP Zones for a while trying to get Downtown Minneapolis for 7/22-7/23. That's not going to happen. This is one time where waiting may have hurt me. With the Twins playing a home series this weekend plus the Aquatennial Festival going on it is going to be busy, but after U2 announced their concert at TCF Stadium on Sat (7/23) the rates went through the room. Had I booked sooner I might have been able to get a downtown *4 star for $75-80 but I held out. Anyway, within the last week everything downtown for Saturday is getting booked, this has to be because of the U2 show. I should have bid 2 months ago... but I still tried all the angles: 2 night bid (22/23)....went to 82 with no luck 1 night bid (22..with hope of adding a night) went to 92!! no luck. 1 night bid (23) have not tried, but Priceline has only 2 hotels left at any star level for Downtown Minneapolis, seems bleak. Note: Hotwire has one hotel Downtown (3* ) for $111 for both 22/23...for the 22nd there are a few starting at $123..for the 23rd there is 1 for $151 (which I think is the Hyatt Regency..a nice place.. but not $151 nice.) Of course Hotwire might change but I think $110 is the floor this weekend. Back to the bidding...MSP has a bunch of Zones...so you can really bid. I stayed at the 4* level the whole time because I did not want to get the 3.5* Millenium Downtown Minneapolis (That hotel should be 3*.. there are some nice 3/3.5* hotels in Downtown Minneapolis but your 95% certain to get the Millenium if you check the 3.5* box.) Enough ranting.. I was down to 3 zones (MSP Airport and Bloomington/MOA and Eagen). I was not going to check Bloomington/MOA because I do not want the 3.5* Sheraton/Doubletree (a nice value, but much better hotels at the 3.5 *level in MSP for $15-20 per night ) or the *4 Sofitel that is right by it in a rather boring/isolated location (you can't really walk to anything..lots of traffic). I checked MSP Airport and clicked on the 3.5 * level box, the three 3.5* zones that were active were Downtown, Minneapolis West and MSP Airport. Went with a bid of $52. Won the 3.5* Doubletree Park Place. Seems like a solid deal..the new Priceline win page had it a 41% savings. I have never stayed here, but it is in a nice shopping/dining area and only 4 miles from Downtown Minneapolis. I will most likely add a second night, I may still try a last second bid for the Downtown on Sat the 23rd. I'm sure I will not win.