Priceline Hotel: Newbie seeking Chicago 4* for Sep. 17/18

[Zimby]

I'm a complete newbie to all of this, so please bear with me.

Looking for a 4* hotel for Sep 17 and 18 near the Magnificent mile area (doesn't have to be right in it, but in a nice, reasonably quiet area within either walking distance or short cab ride).

Questions: Four adults (two guys, two gals, all platonic so require 2 rooms each with 2 beds). I know that Priceline (haven't checked Hotwire) doesn't guarantee you'll get separate beds. In your experience, are most hotels pretty cool about giving you that (assuming the hotel isn't packed) for free, or for a minimal charge?

Was thinking I'd bid $75 per room, and would eventually settle for $100 if need be. Is that realistic? Should I bid even lower to start? Don't think there are any conventions at around that time...

Should I start with North Michigan Ave - River North Area, or should I use Millennium Park, Loop & Grant Park Area as well? Any unsafe areas within those 2 zones?

Are there any crappy hotels in either of those zones that i could end up in if I bid $75, or am I safe?

Any advantage/disadvantage to bidding so soon for mid-September?

Is there a way to know in advance which hotels I'm likely to end up with?

And if there's anything else you feel I should know, please don't hesitate! Thanks very much!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

I know that Priceline (haven't checked Hotwire) doesn't guarantee you'll get separate beds. In your experience, are most hotels pretty cool about giving you that (assuming the hotel isn't packed) for free, or for a minimal charge?

It mostly depends upon occupancy levels at the hotel and what is available at the time of check-in. However, there are some hotels where the 'standard' room is a room with one bed and rooms with two beds arec considered to be an 'upgrade'. You are correct that with PRICELINE all that is guaranteed is double occupancy (with no indication of bed type), but with HOTWIRE you can search for up to quad occupancy per room, and indicating 3-4 per room ensures separate sleeping accommodations (usually this means 2 beds, but in some circumstances can mean one bed + a sofabed, rollaway, etc)

Was thinking I'd bid $75 per room, and would eventually settle for $100 if need be. Is that realistic? Should I bid even lower to start? Don't think there are any conventions at around that time...

That's a plan, although at the moment if successful i think it will be closer to $100 than $75... and may take a little more than $100, but plenty of time to bottom fish to try to catch any low hanging fruit.

Should I start with North Michigan Ave - River North Area, or should I use Millennium Park, Loop & Grant Park Area as well? Any unsafe areas within those 2 zones?

Depends upon which zones you want and what you're looking for from this stay. NMA-River North is more in the 'action' and has more nightlife, restaurant, etc... whereas the Loop can get quiet at nite.

Are there any crappy hotels in either of those zones that i could end up in if I bid $75, or am I safe?

Any advantage/disadvantage to bidding so soon for mid-September?

Is there a way to know in advance which hotels I'm likely to end up with?

You can see the hotel reported to the board in the respective Priceline Hotel List and Hotwire Hotel List. With PRICELINE there is no way to target, or avoid, a particular hotel in the zone... but with HOTWIRE you can often take an educated guess based upon the amenities shown before your purchase. The trade-off is that PRICELINE is usually a little cheaper than HOTWIRE.

I recommend starting to bid once you know your plans are firm, trying to lowball at first, and increase as you get closer to your arrival, the whole time making sure you don't overbid. See the related bid "early or late" link in our PRICELINE FAQ.

I think the first step for you is to determine what is more important to you... the lowest price (usually thru PRICELINE) or being able to take an educated guess as to the hotel prior to purchase and the ability to search for separate sleeping accommodations (thru HOTWIRE)

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know your thoughts on the board and how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.