Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (Airport ORD OHare South) Hyatt Regency

[Hello87]

Hi there,

I've been having issues booking a Chicago hotel for a trip thats coming up soon (next week). Been trying every single day this week. I think the length of the stay may be an issue (it's from July 15th to July 21st) 6days. So today I tried to split it up still with no luck (this time it boots me out to show me the deals on priceline after my second rebid) - I've used this forum before and I've been successful in other cities, just having an issue here.

We would prefer to stay in NMA, however the Loop area is also okay. Would be willing to go up to $100 (before taxes&fees). I would also even be okay with a 3* or 31/5* - the higher the better of course:P

We also wouldn't mind staying in two different places - one from the 15th to 18th and the other from the 18th to 21st if that makes it easier.

Any help on bidding and strategy would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome <officially> to BetterBidding!

I've used this forum before and I've been successful in other cities...

It would be appreciated if you shared your future wins with the board so that the information can help others, just as those who posted before you have helped with your purchases. :)

Have you already bid up to $100 for the complete stay at the 4* level in both the NMA and Loop zones? (or just the NMA zone so far) Have you also bid up to $100 at the 4* level for the split stay? Both zones? No 3.5* bidding yet, correct?

Please confirm the above and we'll have a closer look at these dates.

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

[Hello87]

Yes I will definitely post - this is actually the first time i've ever posted on any type of board.

Thanks for the reply

- so far,

For the full stay:

- we have gone up to $98 for 4* NMA (with the other re-bid areas) and no luck

- we have bid up to $90 for a 3* NMA (with the other re-bid areas)

- then we added the Loop area with the above tries

For the Partial try:

- I just tried the 15th to the 18th - pretty much every possibility as mentioned above and went up to $98 for a 3* NMA

Preferrably we would like to stay NMA (even if its a 3*)

I don't remember the exact tries we had - I've just summarized them above, I'm willling to try any other combinations. I will let you know what the result is once I try.

Hopefully we can secure something. Thanks again!

[thereuare]

There is a 10K person conference ending on the 15th and another conference later in the week (7/18-7/20) with 20K attendees... this, along with any other events in town (i see there is a food festival as well) are likely driving up hotel rates and i don't think anything in the $100 range is going to be successful for a 3* and higher property.

Do you have any back-up plan? What if you're not able to secure a hotel in this area at ~$100... would you lower the star rating further, increase your maximum bid, stay out by the airport or a suburban zone and commute in, cancel the trip, etc?

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

[Hello87]

Okay that's good to know.

We don't mind staying in the suburbs from Thursday July15th to Sunday July 18th - we get in on Thursday, we're going to be driving to the outlets on Friday and Saturday we can take a train to downtown if needed.

I have to be downtown from Sunday (18th) night to Wed (21st) morning for work so I don't mind bidding on a downtown hotel on these days and going over the $100 mark

I'm hoping to save some money and pay less in the suburbs ie. $80ish to offset.

I'm not familiar with the other areas of Chicago - any suggestions on where to bid outside of downtown?

[Hello87]

Just tried again for July 18th to July 21st:

4* $80 NMA

3.5* $85 NMA

3.5* $90 NMA + Franklin Park

3.5* $101 NMA + Franklin Park + Hyde Park

3* $105 NMA + Franklin Park + Hyde Park

Then closed the browser, tried again:

4* $80 Loop

3.5* $85 Loop

3.5* $90 Loop + NMA

3.5* $101 Loop + NMA + Hyde Park

3.5* $109 Loop + NMA + Hyde Park + Franklin Park

3* $115 Loop + NMA + Hyde Park + Franklin Park

Unfortunately No Luck.

Was able to get a few more rebid zones by mixing it up since I'm fairly indifferent between NMA + Loop (although I would prefer NMA)

[AaronJB]

I'd highly recommend the 'burbs - especially the North 'burbs.

For 7/15-18, HOTWIRE has a 3.5* in the Northbrook zone for $56 (price may vary slightly) w/smoke-free, fitness, pool, restaurant, business, laundry, internet, golf. This has not yet been ID'd/reported to the board, but it may be the new Sheraton Northbrook, or possibly the Hilton. In either instance, you could drive to a nearby Metra station and take the metra train (Metrarail.com) downtown.

I put together a little guide for the 'burbs on another page. This is the portion I put together for Northbrook.

Area: This is a particularly nice area just a bit further North of Evanston/Skokie/Niles and offers a more suburban feel, with a lot of terrific restaurants and a number of attractions, such as:

A. Wagner Farm. This is an actual working farm in the middle of suburbia. There are a few exhibits, as well as a variety of animals. The Glenview Farmers Market also takes place at the farm during the Summer months. Not a big place, but a fun place to stop and browse around. The Farm was originally built in the mid-1800's, and was taken over by the local Park District. Free.

B. Chicago Botanic Garden. While the name is Chicago, this is actually a very large property in the North suburbs. This is an absolutely beautiful and magnificently maintained garden that stretches across 385 acres and is broken up into many different and varied garden areas. This is one of only 10 gardens in the US recognized by the American Association of Museums, and one of the most visited gardens in the US. It does include a cafe and indoor exhibits, so that one can get out of the sun and take a break. There are often garden shows, demonstrations and other special events going on at the garden. It is also open in the winter and has some impressive holiday displays. Free admission, but rather pricey parking. See also: Chicago Botanic Garden wiki

C. Ravinia Music Festival This is a famed outdoor Music Festival (the oldest outdoor music festival in the US) that runs from late Spring into the early Fall. Ravinia attracts a variety of major acts, although they are largely geared towards an older audience (acts such as Duke Ellington, Crosby Stills/Nash, Bob Dylan, Beach Boys, Steve Martin, Moody Blues, Sheryl Crow, Sting, Counting Crows and many others), with some exceptions (Carrie Underwood). There are reasonably priced family concerts during the day and a wide variety of local performers. The main difference with Ravinia versus most other venues is that it actually does allow guests to bring in outside food. During most major concerts, there are reserved seats available in the Pavilion area, and cheaper lawn seats. Parking is a bit of a nightmare if there is a big act, but if the lots are full, there are also park and ride locations nearby.

D. Long Grove is a particularly appealing stop just to the North of this zone. This is a quaint, old-fashioned little town (complete with covered bridge) that offers occasional festivities and popular stops, such as the Long Grove Confectionery Candy Store.

Additional notes: those up for a drive can head North along I-94 to the Premium Outlet Mall, just over the border in Wisconsin. Also just over the border is the famed Mars Cheese Castle. There is also a number of additional suburbs nearby that offer shopping and great restaurants, such as Highland Park, Highwood, Lake Forest and Vernon Hills.

Overall, the Northbrook/North Shore/Deerfield area is a fine choice and rates are often quite reasonable. Two different Metra lines run through this area, although the primary one is the Milwaukee District North Line.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[AaronJB]

Additionally, if you didn't mind which hotel you got, you could bid for a 3.5* in either the North Shore or Deerfield area for $40-45 and see if that's accepted (and it definitely might be.) Otherwise, the "mystery" Northbrook HOTWIRE property does appear to get good reviews (there is a 4/5 tripadvisor rating on the bottom of the detail page for that listing.) If you were able to get something for 45-55, that would be quite a bit of offset for 7/18-21 downtown.

[Hello87]

Thanks AaronJB for the detailed info!

I was able to secure a hotel for the 18th to 21st - 4* Hyatt Regency O Hare $45 so I'm happy about that.

I tried again for NMA/Loop and followed the same bidding scheme and went up to $120. I will keep trying an increase my bid as I go.

Thanks again!

[AaronJB]

Congratulations on your success. :)

Glad you are pleased with the deal for this airport Hyatt - impressive discount as the rates for these dates are about $205 on average. The Rosemont CTA station is not far away.

Thank you for sharing your result with the board and using the site's PRICELINE link.

This thread will be used for your Hyatt win; please start a new thread for your 7/15-18 stay. Thanks. :)

Enjoy your stay.