Hotwire Hotel: ID help and Recomendation

[Dewey17]

My wife and I are traveling to Chicago and looking to stay in the Magnificent Mile area August 22-26. Looking for 4* or better and Hotwire has 2 options listed below. Can someone please help identify and recommend between them. First time to the area and using Hotwire.

$99 4* - Mag Mile area features: Boutique, smoke free, fitness, restaurants, business center, Internet

$133 4.5* - Mag Mile area features: smoke free, fitness, restaurants, business center, Internet

Thanks for any help.

D.

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

The 4* is a possible match for the Sax or Felix, while the 4.5* is a likely match for the Intercontinental.

I'd like to suggest two completely different ideas: the new (opened in April) Palomar (a Kimpton boutique property that has gotten exceptional reviews) is on sale for $119 via Expedia, and coupon RELAX10 takes another $10 off per night - $109 (plus free wine reception at night.) Rather than the possible Intercontinental, I'd suggest the Amalfi for $138 (and you can use the RELAX10 coupon again) for $138 (-10 = $128), another extremely well-reviewed boutique property. The Amalfi offers free breakfast (on each floor)/evening reception. Either of these options would be terrific alternatives to the possible HOTWIRE offerings, and within the same price range.

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

[Dewey17]

Thanks AaronJB,

Seriously considering your recommendation on the Palomar as the reviews are stellar and we are big fans of boutique style hotels. Not knowing the area at all can you comment on the location for me in relation to other Mag Mile hotels?

Thanks again.

D.

[AaronJB]

The Palomar is in a terrific location on State in the River North area. The River North area is just a few blocks away from the North Michigan Ave. shopping area. The River North area includes a good deal of nightlife and a very wide variety of restaurants - everything from casual (Portillo's hot Dogs) to fancier fare (Brasserie Jo, Frontera, etc.) and much more. There's a Red Line subway nearby, and the Michigan Ave. shopping area is a few blocks East. The River is a few blocks South. Overall, the Palomar is certainly in a wonderful location. If you do decide to go this route, please use the Expedia coupon to get $10 off per night.

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

[Dewey17]

Thanks for the input and the help. I just booked the Palomar through the provided Expedia link. Looking forward to seeing Chicago for the first time.

D.

[AaronJB]

$109 is an absolutely awesome deal for this well-reviewed new boutique (and the location is just fantastic.)

Glad to hear you were able to take advantage of the deal on Expedia.

Enjoy your stay.

[Dewey17]

We have another couple, my wife's parents, now looking to join us and the Palomar is back up to $178. Any ideas on something close by that is a great deal like what we booked at the Palomar?

Thanks.

D.

[AaronJB]

I'm seeing the Palomar for $135 for these dates (8/22-26) when searching for 2 people on Expedia (and coupon RELAX10 would take $10 off.) The Amalfi is still at $138 (and offers breakfast/evening reception), and the coupon would work for $10 off. What would appear to be the Intercontinental is showing for $139 on HOTWIRE, although given the added value offerings of the Amalfi and the outstanding reviews and newness of the Palomar, those would seem like more appealing offerings in the same price range. Were you looking for an option with all 4 people in one room?

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

[Dewey17]

Sorry AaronJB they would be coming in the following day, the 23rd so that may be what is making the difference. Any help would be appreciated and thanks again for the reply.

D.

[AaronJB]

Ah, no prob! :)

Let me take another look.

[AaronJB]

Options:

Amalfi: $147, Orbitz (coupon code HOTEL15 takes 15% off). Breakfast, evening reception, very close to the Palomar.

Sutton Place $150, Expedia (10RELAX takes $10 off, $140). There is a promotional deal that is available with this particular property where you get a $50 debit card sent 4-6 weeks after your stay. Definitely read the fine print for the promotion, which is available on Expedia. The issue would be that this is in a different area; it's in a very nice location, in the Gold Coast area just a couple of minutes North of the NMA area. This would be a trek from the Palomar or a quick subway trip.

OR: The Sutton is also $150 on Orbitz, and coupon code HOTEL15 takes 15% off.

With the Sutton, you could either take the better Orbitz coupon or the somewhat lesser Expedia coupon and the $50 4-6 weeks after.

I'm also seeing the Intercontinental for $129 on HOTWIRE.

Another option would be the Doubletree Wit, which is $149 on Expedia and Orbitz and coupons should be able to be used; This is a new Doubletree boutique property in the Loop just a bit South of the river. This is a nice location during the day, but it is quiet at night. This property has gotten excellent press since opening.

The Amalfi would be the closest option, and offer some very nice added bonuses. The others are

further away, but certainly worthwhile options, too.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE, PRICELINE, Expedia or Orbitz.com links.

[Dewey17]

Thanks AaronJB. Last question before I book them something. I see a 4* on HOTWIRE for $99 with fitness, resteraunt, business centre, Internet and Spa in the Mag Mile area.

Any idea what that might be?

D.

[AaronJB]

This would likely be the Hyatt Regency (on Wacker.)

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

[Dewey17]

My in-laws waited too long to book so I am going to do it for them.

I looked at hotwire for Aug 23-26th for the Mag mile area

I see two deals can you help identify and let me know which is closest to the Palomar where my wife and I are booked.

4.5* with non-smoking, fitness center, restaurant, Internet access, business center recommended by 90% of Hotwire customers

4* with fitness center, restaurant, Internet access, business center and Spa recommended by 90% of Hotwire customers

Any help would be appreciated so I can help them out.

D.

[AaronJB]

The 4.5* would likely be the Intercontinental. The 4* would likely be the Hyatt.

While the prices you see may differ, I'm seeing (when searching for 8/23-26) the 4.5* for $107 and the 4* for $102. I'd definitely recommend the potential Intercontinental over the Hyatt. The Intercontinental would be a bit closer to the Palomar, as well.

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

[E C]

To AaronJB

Considering such a boatload of information in this post, I wanted to ask if any of these hotel prices and or coupons are available for a Sept 18 -Sept 21 stay in Chicago. Best I've found so far is Palomar at $167 (but no coupons).

Thanks for your help.

(I might be able to get Hotel Indigo at $129 or ?Sheraton at $139 on HOTWIRE for these dates).

Also need to ask if the area of the Belden- Stratford is convenient to Metro while husband's business is at Childrens Hospital (near DePaul) or will he commute as easily by staying in NMA area.

Liz

[thereuare]

E C,

Please keep all posts regarding specific information for your own stay in your current Hotwire Chicago thread.

Thanks.

[Dewey17]

Was reminded that I didn't post back what we chose.

My wife and I stayed at the Palomar on our recommendations from this site and my in-laws I booked at the Intercontinental which i booked through this site. Both were great hotels and this ste was extremely helpful.

Dewey

[thereuare]

My wife and I stayed at the Palomar on our recommendations from this site and my in-laws I booked at the Intercontinental which i booked through this site.

Were either / both of these booked thru PRICELINE or HOTWIRE? What was the room rate? If HOTWIRE, what were the amenities shown before your purchase?

For HOTWIRE you can still view this information by going to HOTWIRE and clicking the MY ACCOUNT link near the top right of their home page... for PRICELINE you can still view by going to the MY PROFILE >> MY TRIPS link near the top right of their home page.

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

Thanks.