Priceline Hotel: 3.5* Chicago (Millennium-Loop-Grant Park) Hotel Allegro

[thedevine1]

I've been trying to PL a hotel (3.5-4*) in Chicago (NMA & Loop) for April 15-17, 2011 for about a week and a half now and just can't come up with anything. Below is what i've been bidding. If anyone has advice, it would be greatly appreciated. Should I try rebidding in a different order/fashion? I started out shooting for mainly a 4* and dropping to include 3.5* if I had to, but I'm completely ok with both now that I'm having such a hard time landing a deal.

FYI, i'd like to stay under $200 total (including taxes). That that's toping me off at about $80/night. I'm ok with going over that if I MUST, but rather not. Thanks!

Bid Date Time Star Price Win/Lose Area

1 Sunday, January 16, 2011 5:26 PM 4* $46.00 Rejected NMA

2 Sunday, January 16, 2011 5:28 PM 4* $48.00 Rejected NMA, Midway Airport North

3 Sunday, January 16, 2011 5:32 PM 4* $51.00 Rejected NMA, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park

4 Sunday, January 16, 2011 5:35 PM 4* $54.00 Rejected NMA, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park

5 Sunday, January 16, 2011 5:48 PM 4* $57.00 Rejected NMA, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park

6 Sunday, January 16, 2011 5:51 PM 4* $60.00 Rejected NMA, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park, Loop

7 Sunday, January 16, 2011 5:55 PM 4*, 3.5* $62.00 Rejected NMA, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park, Loop

8 Monday, January 17, 2011 8:39 PM 4* $52.00 Rejected NMA

9 Monday, January 17, 2011 8:42 PM 4* $55.00 Rejected NMA, Midway Airport North

10 Monday, January 17, 2011 8:48 PM 4* $57.00 Rejected NMA, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park

11 Monday, January 17, 2011 8:50 PM 4* $60.00 Rejected NMA, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park

12 Monday, January 17, 2011 8:52 PM 4* $64.00 Rejected NMA, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park

13 Monday, January 17, 2011 8:54 PM 4* $66.00 Rejected NMA, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park, Loop

14 Wednesday, January 19, 2011 9:18 AM 4* $53.00 Rejected NMA

15 Wednesday, January 19, 2011 9:20 AM 4* $56.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

16 Wednesday, January 19, 2011 9:23 AM 4* $58.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North

17 Wednesday, January 19, 2011 9:26 AM 4* $61.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park

18 Wednesday, January 19, 2011 9:28 AM 4* $64.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park

19 Wednesday, January 19, 2011 9:31 AM 4* $67.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park

20 Thursday, January 20, 2011 9:40 AM 4* $55.00 Rejected NMA

21 Thursday, January 20, 2011 9:47 AM 4* $58.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

22 Thursday, January 20, 2011 9:56 AM 4* $62.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North

23 Thursday, January 20, 2011 9:59 AM 4* $65.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park

24 Thursday, January 20, 2011 10:02 AM 4* $69.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park

25 Thursday, January 20, 2011 10:08 AM 4* $72.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park

26 Friday, January 21, 2011 10:20 AM 4* $56.00 Rejected NMA

27 Friday, January 21, 2011 10:21 AM 4* $58.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

28 Friday, January 21, 2011 10:26 AM 4* $61.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North

29 Friday, January 21, 2011 10:28 AM 4* $65.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park

30 Friday, January 21, 2011 10:31 AM 4* $68.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park

31 Friday, January 21, 2011 10:38 AM 4* $72.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park

26 Saturday, January 22, 2011 4:12 PM 4* $55.00 Rejected NMA

27 Saturday, January 22, 2011 4:14 PM 4* $58.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

28 Saturday, January 22, 2011 4:15 PM 4* $63.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North

29 Saturday, January 22, 2011 4:17 PM 4* $66.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park

30 Saturday, January 22, 2011 4:20 PM 4* $70.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park

31 Saturday, January 22, 2011 4:22 PM 4* $75.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park

26 Monday, January 24, 2011 11:15 AM 4* $56.00 Rejected NMA

27 Monday, January 24, 2011 11:17 AM 4* $59.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

28 Monday, January 24, 2011 11:20 AM 4* $64.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North

29 Monday, January 24, 2011 11:22 AM 4* $67.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park

30 Monday, January 24, 2011 11:24 AM 4* $71.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park

31 Monday, January 24, 2011 11:26 AM 4* $75.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park

32 Tuesday, January 25, 2011 11:44 AM 4* $56.00 Rejected NMA

33 Tuesday, January 25, 2011 11:46 AM 4* $58.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

34 Tuesday, January 25, 2011 11:48 AM 4*, 3.5* $60.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

34 Tuesday, January 25, 2011 11:50 AM 4*, 3.5* $63.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North

35 Tuesday, January 25, 2011 11:52 AM 4*, 3.5* $66.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park

36 Tuesday, January 25, 2011 11:54 AM 4*, 3.5* $71.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park

37 Tuesday, January 25, 2011 11:56 AM 4*, 3.5* $75.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park

38 Wednesday, January 26, 2011 12:38 PM 4* $56.00 Rejected NMA

39 Wednesday, January 26, 2011 12:44 PM 4*, 3.5* $59.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

40 Wednesday, January 26, 2011 12:46 PM 4*, 3.5* $63.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

41 Wednesday, January 26, 2011 12:48 PM 4*, 3.5* $67.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North

42 Wednesday, January 26, 2011 12:50 PM 4*, 3.5* $72.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park

43 Wednesday, January 26, 2011 12:52 PM 4*, 3.5* $76.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park

44 Wednesday, January 26, 2011 12:54 PM 4*, 3.5* $80.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park

Again, any advice is greatly appreciated!

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

With HOTWIRE rates for 4*'s at around $105-110, I think you're likely really quite close - a 4* in either of the two main downtown zones may take around $85-90, but you could try $82, $85, $88.

There is a 4* in the NMA/WT zone on HOTWIRE for $103, with a 4.5/5 tripadvisor rating (the TA logo w/shaded circles towards the bottom of the detail page, not the HOTWIRE rating %); my guess for that would be Sutton Place. Do check that you also see the 4.5/5 tripadvisor logo and circles.

While that would be above your desired budget, it is a very nice property in the Gold Coast area, which is just a couple of minutes walk from the North end of the NMA shopping area.

Otherwise, I really think you're not far from a likely win on PRICELINE.

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

[thedevine1]

Sorry the columns are all jumbled together. Apparently you can't insert "tabs" in the post. Hopefully you can sort it out!

And thanks for the reply AaronJB. I'll keep going at it for a few more days and bump it up just a little more each time. I've never used Hotwire, so that may be a last resort type thing. I'm not familiar at all with how to score a good deal on it.

I would hate to win at $85 knowing that I could get it for less. I've gotten the Hyatt before for high $60's. Of course, i'd rather pay $85 for more of a boutique hotel rather than a mega-hotel......but I'll take what I can get!

Thanks again......and of course, I'm using the PRICELINE link above! :)

[AaronJB]

Rates unfortunately can vary substantially by dates. Now looking at mid-April, regular rate prices really now do seem to reflect the higher rates that one does see closer into Spring. While there may be some variation between now and then, rates could certainly stay at the levels that I'm seeing if demand warrants.

Any Chicago hotel (or city) questions, please do let me know. :)

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

[thedevine1]

Man this has been a headache, but I finally got a win.

45 Thursday, January 27, 2011 1:22 PM 4* $57.00 Rejected NMA

46 Thursday, January 27, 2011 1:24 PM 4* $62.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

47 Thursday, January 27, 2011 1:26 PM 4*, 3.5* $69.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

48 Thursday, January 27, 2011 1:28 PM 4*, 3.5* $75.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North

49 Thursday, January 27, 2011 1:30 PM 4*, 3.5* $80.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park

50 Thursday, January 27, 2011 1:33 PM 4*, 3.5* $84.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park

51 Thursday, January 27, 2011 1:37 PM 4*, 3.5* $88.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park

52 Friday, January 28, 2011 1:51 PM 4* $62.00 Rejected NMA

53 Friday, January 28, 2011 1:52 PM 4* $70.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

54 Friday, January 28, 2011 1:55 PM 4*, 3.5* $76.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

55 Friday, January 28, 2011 1:58 PM 4*, 3.5* $82.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North

56 Friday, January 28, 2011 2:00 PM 4*, 3.5* $85.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park

57 Friday, January 28, 2011 2:02 PM 4*, 3.5* $88.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park

58 Friday, January 28, 2011 2:04 PM 4*, 3.5* $90.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park

59 Saturday, January 29, 2011 2:29 PM 4* $66.00 Rejected NMA

60 Saturday, January 29, 2011 2:31 PM 4* $72.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

61 Saturday, January 29, 2011 2:32 PM 4*, 3.5* $78.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

62 Saturday, January 29, 2011 2:34 PM 4*, 3.5* $83.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North

63 Saturday, January 29, 2011 2:36 PM 4*, 3.5* $86.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park

64 Saturday, January 29, 2011 2:38 PM 4*, 3.5* $89.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park

65 Saturday, January 29, 2011 2:40 PM 4*, 3.5* $92.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park

66 Monday, January 31, 2011 9:15 AM 4* $69.00 Rejected NMA

67 Monday, January 31, 2011 9:19 AM 4* $74.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

68 Monday, January 31, 2011 9:23 AM 4* $79.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North

69 Monday, January 31, 2011 9:24 AM 4*, 3.5* $82.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North

70 Monday, January 31, 2011 9:27 AM 4*, 3.5* $86.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park

71 Monday, January 31, 2011 9:28 AM 4*, 3.5* $89.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park

72 Monday, January 31, 2011 9:31 AM 4*, 3.5* $92.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park

73 Tuesday, February 01, 2011 9:34 AM 4* $73.00 Rejected NMA

74 Tuesday, February 01, 2011 10:23 AM 4* $78.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

75 Tuesday, February 01, 2011 10:25 AM 4*, 3.5* $82.00 Rejected NMA, Loop

76 Tuesday, February 01, 2011 10:28 AM 4*, 3.5* $86.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North

77 Tuesday, February 01, 2011 10:31 AM 4*, 3.5* $89.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park

78 Tuesday, February 01, 2011 10:33 AM 4*, 3.5* $92.00 Rejected NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park

79 Tuesday, February 01, 2011 10:45 AM 4*, 3.5* $95.00 Accepted NMA, Loop, Midway Airport North, Hyde Park, Franklin Park, Lincoln Park

So, I won the Allegro Chicago:

Your Offer Price Per Room, Per Night: $95.00

Subtotal: $190.00

Taxes & Fees: $38.12

Total Charges*: $228.12

I wish it could've been a little cheaper, but after trying for 16 days and getting nothing, I'm just glad I finally secured a room. I also looked into hotwire and it looked like the best deal was $102/night for the Sutton Place (I think). So, i'm cool with this place I guess. Does anyone have any thoughts on this hotel?

And of course, I used the PRICELINE link above. Thanks for all the advice guys!

[yellowdog]

Congratulations on your success!

Thank you for sharing your win with the board and using our PRICELINE link to begin your bidding :)

Good work :)

We hope you're satisfied with the outcome and will like the Allegro.

Enjoy your stay.

Yellowdog.

[AaronJB]

This property is in the West Loop, which is primarily a business district and quiet at night. However, it's a nice Kimpton property that was given a renovation a couple of years ago and public "L" transit is easily accessible. I'll also note there's a Corner Bakery a couple of blocks East, which is good for a quick breakfast stop.