Priceline Hotel: help with chicago 7/30/ - 8/2 budget

[Eric22]

I've tried bidding and have had no luck. I'm looking to stay in the Millennium Park, Loop & Grant Park Area but would also consider the North Michigan Ave - River North Area. Basically as cheap as possible. I've been satisfied with two stars and would even consider a one star if they aren't too ratty. I've had successful bids in the past of $50 for a two star but can't get that again now. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[AaronJB]

Please post a follow-up to your NYC Priceline thread (post what you decided for that stay in that thread), then reply to this thread and we would be happy to look into the above dates. There is a marathon on 8/1 that is causing some trouble in terms of higher rates, as well as higher traffic and overall prices in Chicago this Summer.

Additionally, if possible, I'd recommend keeping bidding on 2*'s to the NMA-River North area only.

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

[Eric22]

Just replied to old thread. Sorry about that.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for the follow-up! :)

What would be your desired max bid per night for these dates? If you are driving and are flexible on where you stay, there is no shortage of good deals in the suburban areas outside the city. If you need to be downtown, prices are above-average for these dates.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[Eric22]

I had originally was hoping for $50 but that doesn't seem to be working. $75 would be about as high as i would go.

[AaronJB]

My only concern with the 2* level in the Millennium Park-Loop-Grant Park area is the Congress, which has never been reported to the board (although could possibly be at any time) but that property has had a lot of problems over the years, with a main one that the workers have been on strike - called the "longest hotel strike in the history of America" (not sure if that's true, but it might be: it's been at least several years at this point) on the strike website. Reviews have improved a little bit lately, but this property - which is quite old - is in definite need of a restoration.

Again, that property has not yet been reported to the board, but could be a possibility. The Travelodge is an older 1* across from the Congress, but has not been reported to the board in quite some time.

At the 2* level in the NMA-River North area is the Red Roof. The Ohio House Motel is a 1*, but has never been reported to the board; the Ohio House would at least offer a really good location in River North.

What star rating have you bid for so far? 3*? or 1*/2*?

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.

[Eric22]

Thanks for the info. I have bid 1*, 2*, and 2.5*.

[AaronJB]

You could try up to $75 for a 2.5* and under, although I think unfortunately 2.5* would be unlikely for all 3 nights together, given availability and higher rates. Looking at the Red Roof website right now, that's unfortunately sold out for the second two nights, so unfortunately that complicates bidding further and may require trying to split this stay between different hotels. While the Lincoln Park area hotels look similarly pricey/full, that may be another option in this case if that area is acceptable.

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

[Eric22]

I bid up to $65 for a 2* and $50 for a 1* and was unsuccessful an. Will try again in 24 hours. Thank you.

[thereuare]

As your budget doesn't seem likely at the moment, do you have a back-up plan? What will you do if you're not successful at $50-$65 in the Downtown area?

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links for your bidding.

[Eric22]

As your budget doesn't seem likely at the moment, do you have a back-up plan? What will you do if you're not successful at $50-$65 in the Downtown area?

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links for your bidding.

I went up to $85 for a 2* and $55 for the 1*. We are in town for two weddings, both in the south loop / grant park area. Our backup plan would likely be to suck it up and stay in the hotel where one of the weddings is occurring. I'm not sure which one that is but it's about $150 plus taxes.

[Eric22]

I went up to $85 for a 2* and $55 for the 1* with no luck. We are in town for two weddings, both in the south loop / grant park area. Our backup plan would likely be to suck it up and stay in the hotel where one of the weddings is occurring. I'm not sure which one that it is but it's about $150 plus taxes.

[AaronJB]

Are you driving? There are some really nice options in the burbs for $50-60 (and that's HOTWIRE, you could likely get cheaper using PRICELINE) and the 35-45 minute Metra (which are different from CTA and much more comfortable) train ride's not that bad into downtown.

On the flip side, if you can go to $150 to stay in the wedding hotel and do really prefer to stay downtown, personally, I'd just try to keep moving higher on PRICELINE. If you can get something for $100 (for example) in the Loop and save $50, it's a very quick cab ride from the South Loop across the Loop.

Overall, plenty of options anywhere from the $40's-60's (and free parking in most situations) in the burbs, but there's the trip downtown. City's probably twice as much, but close to the wedding.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.