Priceline Hotel: 3.5* Chicago (NMA-River North) Doubletree Mag Mile

[kizzeith]

I've been using Priceline for a couple of years and for the first time decided to read through the entire "rebid process" FAQ and I think I finally have a grasp on it, but I'm worried about trying it until I hear someone confirm that I understand it :)

I'm headed to Chicago from 12/9-12/13 and would like to stay in the Northern Michigan Avenue area. Millennium Park wouldn't be the end of the world, but the GF really wants to stay by NMA.

So far we've done this in this order:

• I bid $60 on 4* in NMA
  
• She bid $65 on 4* NMA
  
• I bid $60 on 3.5* in NMA/MP
  
• She bid $65 on 3.5* in NMA/MP
  

No win yet.

If I were to rebid today, at $75 on 3.5* in NMA, and added Lincoln Park as a rebid zone, would I be safe? When I go back to PL and select Lincoln Park, it greys out 3.5* and 4*.

Obviously we have some time and our backup plan is to keep trying slowly. However, I have no patience and want to get this booked ASAP!

Any advice would be IMMENSELY appreciated!

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Please start by reading your messages

Few comments regarding your bidding...

Rates are not high for these dates so i suspect you should be able to get something in the NMA zone within your budget... so if this is the zone you prefer, i'd only bid the NMA zone and not include the Loop zone in your bidding at this point in time. (assuming you're willing to pay a little more to stay in the NMA zone vs. the Loop)

You appear to have the concept of re-bidding understood, as well as how to determine your re-bid zones, but these need to be checked before every bidding cycle, so to confirm, you have FIVE re-bid zones available at the 4* level adn THREE re-bid zones available at the 3.5* level. See if you can determine all the re-bid zones at each and confirm them with the board or ask questions if you hit a stumbling block and are unsure.

Once you have confirmed your re-bid zones let us know your maximum bid and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

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

[kizzeith]

Thank you for your response! I have read my messages and will be sure to use your link when bidding. I will also keep posting my bidding info on here for the benefit of others.

I would be willing to pay up to $75/night to stay NMA at 3.5*, so I'll keep trying to bid in that zone for the time being.

Just to confirm, this is what I find for rebid zones:

4*

Midway Airport Area

Skokie-Niles-Evanston

Franklin Park

Hyde Park

Lincoln Park

3.5*

Franklin Park

Hyde Park

Lincoln Park

Does that look correct?

[thereuare]

Yes, you have your re-bid zones correct... but always doublecheck just before bidding to confirm that nothing has changed since you last checked.

Taking into account your previous bidding, i would use your THREE re-bid zones at the 3.5* level and try as follows: (this assumes you are not willing to pay more for a 4* vs. a 3.5* and that your goal is the least expensive 3.5* or better for this stay... if you would actually be willing to pay a little more for a 4* vs. a 3.5* don't bid the following but instead post back for a revised strategy):

Select 3.5* NMA...

Bid $68, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $70, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $73, if rejected add re-bid zone...

Bid $75

Any questions feel free to ask.

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

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[kizzeith]

Success! I bid $68 at 3.5* for NMA, and it was rejected. Added rebid zone at 70, rejected. 73, rejected. 75 was accepted by the Doubletree Magnificent Mile and I'm very excited about my trip! Of course, I was sure to use the BB PRICELINE link.

I'll be back with a hotel review :)

Thanks for all of your help!

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Really, really nice deal for this well-located property. This used to be a Holiday Inn, then was an indie property then was renovated a couple of years ago to become a Doubletree. It's superbly located about halfway between Michigan Ave. and the Lake.

Additionally, I'll highly recommend Fox and Obel Market and Cafe (fox-obel.com), which is a few minutes walk SE, on the corner of Illinois and McClurg. Walk a couple of blocks East from the hotel to McClurg, then a couple South on McClurg. Very nice market, but also a great breakfast/lunch/dinner cafe.

There's also a giant Dominicks Grocery on the opposite corner from the hotel, which is a way cheaper option for drinks/snacks.

Some rooms at this property, especially on higher floors, do have a nice view of the surrounding area. There's no guarantees when using PRICELINE because of the discount, but it is worth writing ahead or asking at check-in if you can get a higher floor room on the front/South face of the building as you may get at least a partial view.

Thank you for sharing your win and using the site's PRICELINE link.

Enjoy your stay.