Hotwire Hotel: ID Help for 9/18-21

[E C]

New to board and really like all features and your recommendations. First time with hotel bid in mind. I will be in Chicago for Sept 18 to 21. I've booked cancellable reservations at the Belden Straton for Sunday and Monday but Saturday was not an option at time of booking. The B-S seems pretty far north of city but it was chosen because my husband has business near DePaul.

Since we were able to book the B-S at $129/nite it seemed reasonable.

Anyway back to bid suggestion. For Sept 18 I would like to be convenient to city sights. Hotwire has 3 star hotel in Loop at $129 with breakfast, pool, business, fitness, internet, and laundry. Since it reads 95% satisfaction, I would be happy if it was Homewood, Embassy, BW River, or even Comfort Suites. Can you give me the ID of Hotwire hotel mentioned?

Thanks for all info. This is a huge benefit to consumers in this economy.

Liz

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

A few thoughts:

Unfortunately, these dates are on the expensive side. The 3* in the Loop would be a possible match for the La Quinta. This is a newer property in the West Loop; this area is going to be very quiet at night, and it is a bit of a trek to most sights from the West Loop. If you're going to be out at night, you may have to take a cab back, depending.

You could:

1. Take this particular option; the location isn't convenient but it's the most reasonable HOTWIRE listing for these dates and you would get breakfast.

2. Bid for these dates and see if you could get a comparable hotel for cheaper or a higher star rating and better location for a similar price. However, when using PRICELINE, there's no way to guarantee particular amenities. If you were able to get something cheaper at a hotel that doesn't have breakfast, there are a lot of nice breakfast options around the city.

3. The second and third nights of your stay are considerably cheaper; you could try breaking up your stay in order to get a better overall deal.

Let us know your thoughts.

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

[E C]

So I've tried PRICELINE for the 2nd day. Started at $85 yesterday. $90 today but both rejected.

I am still searching including ALL the big travel sights. Best price (without bidding) is via Easyclicktravel.com at $167 for Palomar or Wyndam. I'll follow prices for about a week.

Thanks for your help.

I will follow up when I know more, OR have questions.

Liz

[thereuare]

So I've tried PRICELINE for the 2nd day. Started at $85 yesterday. $90 today but both rejected.

What star level you are bidding?

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

[E C]

ThereUR

Priceline bids were at 4 star, then 3 1/2 star to include NMA, then Mag Mile.

I'm also looking into Hotwire for these dates (sept 18-21) and find Hotel Indigo at $129 and possibly Sheraton at $139.--Reads 4 star, No Smok, fitness, pool, restaur, business, HSI with 90% reviews.

Found Hotel Palomar at $167 from EasyClickTravel and not sure (including above) if there are any better deals out there.

Thanks for any input.

Liz

[AaronJB]

If you would like us to try to confirm the Indigo, please provide the amenity icons showing.

I'm not a fan of the Sheraton - while I didn't think it was a terrible property, I found it to be rather underwhelming when I stayed there. I really like the Indigo, both in terms of the Gold Coast neighborhood it's located in and in terms of the hotel itself. Unfoirtunately, regular rates are pretty high - coupons on Expedia or Orbitz could be used, but would not bring regular rates down to the level of the Indigo deal on HOTWIRE.

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

[E C]

Re: AaronJB

If you would like us to try to confirm the Indigo, please provide the amenity icons.

---------------------

It's 3 1/2 star and 90% review listed as:

Boutique, fitness,restaurant, business, golf, tennis, spa.

Wyndham could be booked at $149 as comparison. (Not as bid but prepay).

I'm still trying to figure out 1 night close in with 2 nights at Lincoln Park area OR 3 nights close to metro connections so husband can get to Children's Hospital near DePaul for Mon and Tues meetings. We will walk or metro most of stay.

There is another on Hotwire listed at $174 with 3and1/2*** with 95% review in NMA with no smoke, fitness, pool, restaurant, business, HSI, and tennis.

Thanks,

Liz

[E C]

OR this

**** NMA At $159

Boutique, fitness, restaurant, business, HSpI, golf

with 90% review

Sorry I do get different results when I put in one day rather than 3 days.

OOPs now I can't pull it up again. I don't think it was the 70% review that shows now, and I know NOT to pick that.

[AaronJB]

I'm seeing - when searching for 9/18-21 - a 3.5* in the NMA area w/Boutique, Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Golf, Tennis, Spa. That would likely be the Indigo.

In the case of the Indigo, there's a Red Line subway station about a block and a half away at Clark & Division. You could get on that to head North to Fullerton, get off at that stop and then Depaul is a short walk.

I'm seeing a 4* in the NMA area w/Boutique, Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Golf - that would likely be the Whitehall - I'd definitely recommend the Indigo over the Whitehall.

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

[E C]

Re: booking from Sept 18 to Sept 21 in area convenient to either metro or proximity to DePaul, but I will be a daily tourist of the city.

Close to booking Hotel Indigo, but guess I was hoping for more excellent feedback. This hotel hasn't made it into this site's Hotel review link so I've been scanning thru this site to find more info.

You have given me good feedback, but my concern from other travel site reviews would be room size, 'cutesiness', and is there anyway to get input on their breakfast room service. My husband will need a quick pick up breakfast before heading to his morning meetings.

Does the area being suburbs rather than city central appeal to alot of people?

I have appreciated all feedback. You folks are SO helpful to keep us from going in 'blind'.

EC

[E C]

There is another (NMA) on Hotwire listed at $174 with 3and1/2*** with 95% review in NMA with no smoke, fitness, pool, restaurant, business, HSI, and tennis.

This one pops up on occasion, but not sure what it is. The 95% review makes it appealing.

EC

[AaronJB]

The Indigo is in the city - it's in the Gold Coast neighborhood, which is a few minutes walk from Michigan Ave. When the Indigo brand first came out, I wondered if they would pull off the sort of "beach house" style, but I was surprised to find that it was better in person than in pictures. I think the Indigo's a wonderful hotel and the Gold Coast area is very nice - I would strongly suggest against ordering breakfast in-room in the city when there are perfectly fine options a block or two away - there's a very nice Corner Bakery two blocks from the Indigo, which would be a better - and cheaper - option. It's like this for many properties in the city - there's perfectly good breakfast options a block or two from most hotels. The cost of breakfast for one person at many city hotels could probably be enough for breakfast for two at a nearby restaurant.

Room size is going to be an issue at most city properties - the rooms at the Indigo were not huge, but they were not small/cramped. As "regular"/non-upgraded rooms in the city go, they are probably about average.

I'm not seeing the 3.5* for $174 when searching. Please let us know if it starts appearing again.

Personally, I'm seeing what appears to be the Indigo (3.5* NMA/WT/GC /Boutique, Restaurant, Fitness, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Golf, Tennis, Spa) for $129 (the price you see may vary), and that would be my recommendation in this case.

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

[E C]

AaronJB

Your comments are so helpful.

Re:

"There is another (NMA) on Hotwire listed at $174 with 3and1/2*** with 95% review in NMA with no smoke, fitness, pool, restaurant, business, HSI, and tennis.

This one pops up on occasion, but not sure what it is. The 95% review makes it appealing."

EC

I find this one (above) when I just put in Sept 18 with check out next day. I might split up my stay depending on hotel options.

[AaronJB]

The 3.5* has not yet been ID'd/reported to the board. My guess is that the other 3.5* for 9/18 only MIGHT be the Hilton Suites, or the Crowne Plaza Avenue if that property was downgraded to 3.5* from 4*.

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