Sota327

I was very happy with my stay at the Hilton Chicago through Priceline. I knew before I arrived that the hotel was not full and that there were rooms with 2 double beds and 2 bathrooms aviallabe. I was traveling with my two sisters and this type of room was our goal. Upon check-in, I requested the 2 double/2 bath room with a lake view. I was told it would cost $25/ni for the upgrade. I politely responded that I had never been charged for that type of room in the past and the receptionist gave it to us at no cost. (I also mentioned that I was a Hilton Honors member, knowing full well that I would not be allowed to get points for a priceline stay, but I always think it helps to let the hotel know if you are part of their rewards program, I stay at Hiltons all the time for business travel, but this was a leisure trip and the group wanted to bid via Priceline). The room was perfect for 3 women. The second bathroom allowed us to quickly get ready each day. The room did not have a direct view of the lake, but it could be seen from the window. I am a nursing mother and was traveling without my child for 3 days. The hotel was more than happy to send up a regrigerator at no cost. The refrigerator was quite large, and allowed us to store sodas and beers that we picked up at the liquor store on the back side of the hotel. The hotel is within a block of both Starbucks and Caribou, for morning coffee runs. The hotel is across the street from the Park, where there was live music each night. The hotel is within 5 blocks of CVS -- you can get almost antying at CVS, including ponchos for the rainy Saturday morning. This hotel is just 3 blocks from the redline, which made travel to the River North and Mag Mile areas (and other further north areas) very easy. It was also a reasonable $12 cab ride to Old Town. I admit I was a little hesistate about having won the Hilton because it is so far sourth of the Mag Mile, but in the end, it worked out perfectly. This was an exceptional deal for $90/ni! I would recommend this hotel to anyone. It was a very suitable homebase for leisure travel in Chicago! We did not dine at the hotel or use the pool. We were there to be in the city, not the hotel. This was excellent!

Just booked Hilton Chicago for 8/18 - 8/21. I have been trying for the last two weeks for these dates, and a few times I even went over $100 in both the Loop and NMA/River North with no success. The Hilton would not have been my first choice (I would have preferred the Palmer House or Hyatt), but at the end of the day, I saved some money. For a girl's weekend, with little time in the room, this is perfectly acceptable for a weekend in Chi-Town. I started at $75 and went up by $5 and $3 with one rebid left had I not won at $90/ni. P.S. The St. Louis Cardinals are in town against the Cubs this weekend, so I am happy to have won at $90. Offer Price: avg. per room, per night $90.00 Rooms: 1 Nights: 3 + Add nights for the same rate! Room Subtotal: $270.00 Taxes & Fees: $51.45 Total Charged to Card: $321.45 I also got an offer to "extend the stay" at the same rate. Finally, I used the PRICELINE link on this forum.

The subway line in NMA/River North Area is really limited to the redline, which runs along state street, which is only 3 blocks west of Michigan Avenue. If you get a hotel on the west side of Michigan Avenue, you should be within a few blocks of a trains stop on the redline. If you end up on the east side of Michigan avenue, it will be a little bit further of a walk, but I still think it is an option. I am always happy in either NMA/River North or the Loop and always take the train from ORD. Now, if the commute from ORD is of a big concerne, you will have to make a transfer to get on the red line (if you end up in NMA/River North hotel). This can be somewhat of a pain. Last time I won the Embassy Suites Downton, along STate STreet, I just took the Blue Line to Clark/Lake and walked the 10 blocks because I didn't want to hassle with the transfer to the redline. Maybe others have additional and/or better advice.

Shuluo, was this bid strategy all in the same day? That is very interesting result. Hopefully one of the moderators will comment.

Not to take away from Priceline, but I saw a special on Travel Zoo for the Wyndham Chicago, valid your dates. They are offering a 700 sq. ft. King room with sofa bed for $149/ni. I think it technically only sleeps 4, so if you are a party of 5 you will have someone on the floor. I've pasted the Link below. You will see the travel zoo rates in the results. Just something to consider . . . and you know what hotel you are getting. This is not a "advance payment" reservation either. It says it can be cancelled up to the day before your arrival with no penalty. http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/ORDDT/main.w...p;ref=251111213

How do you know you will get a room in the Tower? My concern about the Royal Lahaina has always been that I would get one of the Cottage Rooms, which are not favorably reviewed, old, dated and apparently in need of repair.

I had a similar experience looking for cars in NY over Thanksgiving (offers were made to me and Priceline was not letting me make re-bids without logging out). I think it has to do with inventory. My guess is that it is Priceline's way of saying, "don't waste your time with rebidding, we have no 'name your own price' inventory").

I am planning to use Priceline (via link on betterbidding.com) to book an upcoming stay in Maui. I am interested in Priceline's resort category, and I know that most of the resorts will charge an additional $15-25/day "resort fee" in addition to what I pay for Priceline's name your own price. My question is: If I book 2 rooms, will the resort charge me $25/day on the entire booking, or $25/day, per room (meaning $50/day). I need to know so that I can consider what bid amount fits within my budget. Thanks.