Hotwire Hotel: Help Identifying Hotel

[funeralman17]

I'm taking my family to Chicago Dec 25 - 31. Have checked Hotwire and find a 4* in the Streeterville Mag. Mile area for $69. Amenities are Fitness, Restaurant, Business Center, High Speed Internet and spa. It's recommended by 95% of customers. Find a 4.5 star for $105 with smoke free, fitness, restaurant, business ctr and internet recommended by 90% of people. Can you help me with identifying these hotels. I'll have my wife and 2 teenage dtrs so a we're looking for a family friendly hotel close to shopping and the theatre. Any other pointers would be helpful. I've really enjoyed using this board for resarch on our trip. I've found lots of helpful tips. I will book through this site when I decide. Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

So we can replicate your offers above, are you searching HOTWIRE for 1room/2adults/2children?

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

[AaronJB]

When searching for 2/2, I'm seeing the 4* listing mentioned above for $69, and that would likely be the Hyatt. The 4.5* w/smoke free for $105 would likely be the Intercontinental.

I'd actually go a different route and suggest the Embassy Suites Lakefront, which is $119 ($109 + $10 extra person fee) for a suite w/2 beds via Expedia (and then Expedia coupon FESTIVE10 should take $10 off = $109).

While not a 4*, that's a well-located 3.5* w/breakfast and evening reception, plus larger suite room. Additionally, there's a very large grocery directly across the street, so you could grab anything additional there and bring it back to the refrigerator in the room (or bring back leftovers if you have dinner out.)

Do bring warm clothes, as while it's been a strangely warm Winter so far in Chicago, it can certainly change at any time.

Please do let me know if you have any questions about the city.

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

[funeralman17]

Yes I was looking for 1 room with 2 beds 2 adults and 2 children.

How far is this Embassy Suites from shopping on the Mag Mile? I'm anticipating cold weather so the closer the better. Also planning to see Wicked and Billy Elliott while we're in town. How far to the theatre district?

[AaronJB]

In terms of the potential Intercontinental on HOTWIRE (the $105 4.5* in the Mag Mile area), I think that's a great, old world hotel right on Michigan Ave. However, I think the ES offers a bit more and more space for about the same price - and the ES is essentially behind the Intercontinental, so not much of a location advantage.

I think the benefit of the ES is that if there is very cold weather and you get a later start or come back early, there is more space in the room, but there's also the rest of the hotel to hang out in during the morning and evening reception. Plus, there's a giant movie theater and bowling alley in the same complex (the entrance is out the door and around the corner.)

The ES Lakefront is between Navy Pier and Mag Mile shopping. I'd say it's about 3 blocks or so East of the Mag Mile - definitely not a long walk, and there's a number of restaurants in that area.

It is farther away from the theatre district, but if you're staying up in the general North Michigan Ave. area, I'd recommend taking a cab to the theatre district - it won't be a long cab ride. Or if the weather isn't bad, what you would do is this:

1. Walk South on Columbus from the Embassy to the river. Look West and you should see a large walkway that goes around the NBC Tower. Walk through using the walkway to Michigan Ave. on the other side.

2. Cross the river and then head west on Wacker, which is the first E/W street that you get to when you cross the river. Head West on Wacker until you get to State, then head South on State. A couple of the main theaters are on or off State, but it depends which one you are going to.

If your teens are looking for clothes, they may like looking through the Buffalo Exchange at 2875 N. Broadway. You can read more about it here That is a very popular resale store chain geared towards 20-30'somethings that has been on the Today show and other major media. It may be fun for them to search there and see if they can find any gems. That's in a neighborhood on the North Side, but it's easy enough to get to. Let me know if you would like directions. You could also work the nearby Lincoln Park Zoo into a visit to this area.

While there is more shopping on Michigan Ave, I'd also recommend Nordstrom Rack and Filene's in the State St. area, as those are likely better for bargains and may provide more surprise finds than other stores.

The teens may also like Reckless Records on 26 E. Madison. That's a used record chain; while this location is not quite as epic as the one on the North side, Reckless stores usually have a remarkable selection of used music/movies at reasonable prices.

I'll note that I would recommend going to museums early, given that they can be crowded during the holidays. With 6 days, there's definitely time to see/do a lot. Again, any questions about the city at all, please feel free to ask.

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

[funeralman17]

Thank You so much for the information. I think I am going to wait until the week before we go to book a hotel. I understand this is not a busy time and it will not be difficult to find a room. I'm concerned about the weather. By then I should be able to look at a long range forecast and make sure there isn't going to be a blizzard coming. Don't want to spend our vacation snow bound in a hotel. I will definitely use this site to book and will continue to monitor for further information and deals. Again. Thank You!

[NWChiTown]

How far is this Embassy Suites from shopping on the Mag Mile? I'm anticipating cold weather so the closer the better. Also planning to see Wicked and Billy Elliott while we're in town. How far to the theatre district?

One bit of sad news - Billy Elliot is closing at the end of November. Wicked will be wonderful though.

If you need help locating other great shows, let me know.

[funeralman17]

We've seen Wicked 3 times. We were actually going to see Billy Elliot. I thought it was there through mid January. I don't know of anything else really good in the area at that time. Any suggestions?

[NWChiTown]

We've seen Wicked 3 times. We were actually going to see Billy Elliot. I thought it was there through mid January. I don't know of anything else really good in the area at that time. Any suggestions?

Lots of possibilites:

Your girls might like "Lion King"

"Traces" is half theatre, half circus and getting good reviews

We've enjoyed the humorous 'rapping' Shakespeare shows at Navy Pier - currently "Funk It Up About Nothin' " :)

Consult centerstagechicago.com and chicago.metromix.com

And for filling in those last minute gaps, try hottix.org when you are here for 1/2 price, day of show (or day before) tickets. Usually lots of good options.

[funeralman17]

After consulting with family I think we are going to pass on Chicago over Christmas Holidays. Not sure of weather and girls had their hearts set on seeing Billy Elliot. We're theatre buffs. They are now saying let's go to Florida and see the new Harry Potter theme park so I guess I'll start researching deals in Orlando. Thanks for all your help. We will probably come back to Chicago this summer when the weather is more predictable and they have some new shows opening.

[thereuare]

Thanks for closing this thread.

Let us know if/how we can be of help with your Florida plans.

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