Priceline Hotel: Hotel During Taste of Chicago 2011 Help

[StephanieY]

I was hoping for some guidance from the Chicago folks on the board.

My boyfriend and I would like to go to Chicago this summer and I was hoping to catch the Taste of Chicago. We are flexible on dates so either weekend 6/23 to 6/26 or (preferred weekend) 6/30 to 7/3.

Realistically what should I expect to pay in the Mag Mile/ Loop area? Are there areas to consider besides these two? We are comfortable using CTA and always get the $14 pass when there.

Right now the rates are averaging 200 ish for 3.5+ star hotel. Will the prices calm down as the event gets nearer? Should we pick a different set of dates? Is $100 a night before taxes feasible for any summer dates in Chicago?

Previously we've gotten Hotel Sax and Hyatt on Wacker in the winter and spring of 2011 for between $60 and $80 a night. I know that isn't feasible for the summertime, but any tips on what to expect would be appreciated.

[AaronJB]

A few notes:

1. Rates are definitely higher in the Summer months although rates vary from day-to-day - what would be your desired max budget per night? There is no way to know if rates will come down closer to the dates; if current trends are any indicator, my guess is that they will be flat-to-up from current levels.

2. My guess in terms of 6/30-7/3 is that you're probably looking at anywhere from $95-115 +/- for a 4* in either of the two main downtown zones. If you are driving in, the suburbs are cheaper and offer free parking.

3. Are you interested in both the River North-NMA and Millennium Park-Loop-Grant Park, or just the latter, which is closer to Taste?

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

[StephanieY]

Max budget is $110 base w/o taxes.

Proximity to the festival doesn't matter- but obviously would rather be closer. Would even be willing to go down to 3 stars. I'll have to look at the hotel list on here - but I'm thinking 3 star downtown isn't a dive.

We are willing to go to the following neighborhoods (as identified by Priceline):

1. Greater Chicago

2. Lincoln Park

3. Millenium Park/Loop/ Grant Park

4. North Michigan Ave

Basically we are willing to sacrifice location as long as it's easy access via CTA bus/subway - 25 minutes or less. I would rather not be bothered with Metra Rail. We want to be close enough to the hotel that we can be out all day and go back to the hotel for a quick clean up/shower and then go back out for the evening.

I'm coming in via Amtrak and boyfriend is flying into Midway so we won't have a vehicle.

Thanks for your help - this forum is great!

[AaronJB]

I would definitely recommend staying away from the Greater Chicago area as the majority of it is inconvenient from a tourist perspective. I'd also suggest staying away from Lincoln Park - while a wonderful area, there are very few hotels in that area, and discounts are often limited.

In terms of the downtown area, the 3* level in the River North-NMA area is actually quite nice. Would you prefer trying for the most reasonable 3* or would you be interested in trying to push towards your max for a 3.5*/4*? I do think you should be able to stay at or under $110 + taxes, although at the 3.5*/4* level, you may have to push to near/at that $110 level.

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

[StephanieY]

Thanks for the info about Lincoln Park. I was going to strongly consider it, but having an educted opinion on things is nice.

I think I'm going to try for the 3 star level as I've been dissapointed w/ the priceline star rating in Chicago. I'm ok w/ a chain like Double Tree or Marriott. The importants are clean w/ updated interior (ie. flat panel TVs etc) but not necessarily lux. I didn't think the Hotel Sax should have been given a 4 star rating (should I update my post from December 2010 with that info?). It was rated the same as the Hyatt on Wacker and they were worlds apart in my opinion.

I always seem to screw up my bidding process. To ultimately get a 3 star for $100 in North - NMA what bidding order do you suggest?

I get two 'free' bids by starting at 4* + Mag Mile, then 4* + Mag Mile & Loop (Increasing my offer price). Then I should lower to 3.5 and increase price and finally lower to 3.0 stars while increasing price. Will that sequence of 4 bids be allowed in one 24 hour period? Can I only change star level and price while keeping my locations the same?

Finally, we are still two months out. Should I start bidding now or wait till closer in June?

ETA - I looked further on this thread and saw that 3 stars bids on priceline seem to be getting the Hotel Essex. I went to that website and wasn't too thrilled. Found these 3* listed in the hotel list:

3* Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Mag Mile (Ontario St)

3* Courtyard by Marriott Downtown River North (Hubbard St) REVIEW / tripadvisor review

3* Four Points

3* Hilton Garden Inn

3* Holiday Inn at the Mart

3* Homewood Suites

3* Hotel Indigo Gold Coast

3* Residence Inn Mag Mile (East Walton Place)

Is the hotel Essex comparable to these properties? I'm thinking I should go with 3.5*. What other 3 stars should I google before bidding? I'd prefer a 3* chain vs. 3* independent like Essex or the Hotel Indigo.

[thereuare]

I think I'm going to try for the 3 star level as I've been dissapointed w/ the priceline star rating in Chicago.

If you've been disappointed with other star levels in Chicago, what makes you think that you won't be disappointed with the lower star levles? While higher rated hotels may disappoint in terms of decour and service, lower rated hotels are more likely to disappoint in terms of cleanliness, imo.

I didn't think the Hotel Sax should have been given a 4 star rating... It was rated the same as the Hyatt on Wacker and they were worlds apart in my opinion.

Both Expedia and Travelocity rate the Hotel Sax 4*, but the 'problem' is that ratings are highly subjective, so while you may prefer the Hyatt over the Hotel Sax, there may be others who think the exact opposite. As well, within each star rating there are those at the top of the range (and ready to get bumped up to the next star level) and those near the bottom (perhaps ready to get downgraded to the next star level)... but until an upgrade/downgrade occurs, both are rated the same.

I get two 'free' bids by starting at 4* + Mag Mile, then 4* + Mag Mile & Loop (Increasing my offer price). Then I should lower to 3.5 and increase price and finally lower to 3.0 stars while increasing price. Will that sequence of 4 bids be allowed in one 24 hour period?

Above you mention starting at the 3* level (and then later mention perhaps starting at the 3.5* level)... but then your bidding strategy mentions starting at the 4* level. What star level is it that you want to try for first?

Finally, we are still two months out. Should I start bidding now or wait till closer in June?

See the related link in our PRICELINE FAQ.

ETA - I looked further on this thread and saw that 3 stars bids on priceline seem to be getting the Hotel Essex. I went to that website and wasn't too thrilled. Found these 3* listed in the hotel list... Is the hotel Essex comparable to these properties? I'm thinking I should go with 3.5*. What other 3 stars should I google before bidding? I'd prefer a 3* chain vs. 3* independent like Essex or the Hotel Indigo.

If you've read the reviews of the Hotel Essex and are not pleased with that property, then you should restrict your bidding to higher levels. There is no way to only bid on larger chains vs. independent properties, but if you want to have more control over the hotel you receive then HOTWIRE may be a better option for you then PRICELINE. HOTWIRE usually costs a little more than PRICELINE, but you can take an educated guess as to the hotel you may receive based upon the amenities shown before your purchase.

Let us know how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

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

[AaronJB]

I mentioned the 3*'s in the River North/NMA area; I actually think a number of those properties (including the Indigo, which is a chain) is very nice. A issue with the Essex is that it starts to get pretty far South in the South Loop. There is going to be varying levels of quality at any star level in any city (which is what one has to accept when using PRICELINE, otherwise I'd suggest paying more on the mildly less risky HOTWIRE or paying full price) I like the 4* level in the Millennium Park-Loop-Grant Park zone, and like the 3*, 3.5* and 4* levels in the River North-NMA area. Again, there are varying levels of quality at every level and hotels that one person may like and another may not, but again, that's an issue with using PRICELINE in any city.

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

[StephanieY]

Thanks for the info - I have been talking this over with the boyfriend and we've had a slight change of plans.

Can someone recommend a good suburb? I am OK w/ the chain properties at 3 stars like Hilton etc, but can't guarantee them, nor do the prices for the 4 stars look doable.

So we are thinking about driving (boyfriend is still flying into midway).

I'm not as familar w/ the suburbs - I've stayed at Schaumburg (Hyatt) to shop, but it's rather far from the city.

What suburbs would you recommend that are cheaper, don't necessarily charge you to park a car (like the O'Hare or Midway properties) and are less then a 35-40 minute ride?

Another poster metioned Park Whiz - can anyone comment on that? I'd prefer a suburb w/ Metra, but I may use Park Whiz to park downtown.

[AaronJB]

I often recommend the North Burbs, which are about a 35-40-45 minute (depending) trip into the city on the Metra, and they have a few different sights, including the Chicago Botanic Garden (chicagobotanic.org; in the 'burbs, despite the name - the Botanic is giant) and the famed Ravinia Music Festival (ravinia.org; a historic outdoor music festival that lasts through the Summer and attracts a number of big name acts), as well as some smaller sights and a few shopping areas. Unfortunately, with Chicago the issue is that once you leave downtown it's a ways until you get to more hotel-intensive areas. Most suburban hotels offer free parking.

The Skokie-Evanston-Niles zone in the North burbs is a bit closer (although still probably around 25-30 minutes) to the city, but I would not recommend bidding under 3.5* in that zone and this is one suburban instance where you would quite possibly have to pay parking (although not as bad as downtown.) A bit further North on PRICELINE are the North Shore zone and the Deerfield zone. I think the Deerfield zone's 3.5* level is a particularly good choice. In terms of SW of the city, the Oakbrook-Downers Grove area has quite a few options.

In terms of staying 30-40 +/- minutes outside of the city, what level of deal would you look for in order to make the travel time worthwhile?

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

[StephanieY]

In terms of staying 30-40 +/- minutes outside of the city, what level of deal would you look for in order to make the travel time worthwhile?

I was hoping for no more then $55 a night to make driving worth while. Is that realistic for a 3 star or better?

[AaronJB]

I definitely think that's realistic in the North Burbs and very likely realistic in the South Burbs, although I think the issue with the South Burbs is that prices can vary rather significantly, while the North Burbs are more stable/consistent in terms of prices. While I recommend the North Burbs for the reasons noted above, I think the issue is that if you are coming into Midway, the SW burbs convenience-wise would be a better choice rather than heading all the way North. In that case, the main option is the Oakbrook-Downers Grove zone. Just to confirm - are your confirmed dates 6/23-26 or 6/30-7/3?

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

[StephanieY]

We are flexible on dates. I'm pushing for 6/30 - 7/3, but boyfriend still needs to decide on his schedule. I hadn't thought about staying south - but it does make sense since I will be picking him up at Midway. I know there's a large mall in Oak Brook - what are your thoughts on Elmhurst as a zone?

[StephanieY]

Closing this thread - thanks for the help.

I found a Priority Club Rewards Point Breaks at Crowne Plaza in Northbrook for only 5,000 points a night. I have enough points so all three nights are free.

I will of course continue to use the links from this board for all of my travel.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for closing the thread.

A few notes:

1. If you go to Taste, I recommend going early. Less people, easier to get around/less hectic. Also, less hot earlier in the day (and given the direct sun where the booths are, it certainly gets hot on a sunny day.)

2. If you drive South on Milwaukee to Lake and head East on Lake to Harms, then a short bit South on Harms, Hackneys is on the East side of the street. It's hard to see because it's off the street in a residential neighborhood, but there is a sign. Hackney's is a great burger joint that has been there for quite a few decades and they're known for both burgers and their onion rings, which are in a loaf. Good food and one of those places that people in the area come back to and it looks the same as it did years and years earlier. If you sign up for their email program on their website, you get $10 off (although I believe it's $10 off $30 and expires a few weeks after issue.)

3. Right before you get to Lake/Harms, Wagner Farm is on Lake/Wagner. That is a historic farm that is actually a working farm turned into a farm/mini-museum by the park district. Cute to walk around for a few minutes if you pass by, and rather fun to see a farm in the middle of a the Chicago burbs.

4. Don't stop at Harms/Lake and continue going East on Lake and you'll get to Skokie Blvd. Continue South on Skokie Blvd and you'll soon get to Old Orchard Mall. Old Orchard is a very nice/upscale outdoor mall with a lot of the same or same type of stores on Michigan Ave. Nice environment and it offers the new concept restaurant from Rick Bayless, Frontera Fresco.

5. If you head over to the Botanic Garden (chicagobotanic.org), there is a $20 parking fee, but no admission, so you can almost think of it as admission. The Garden is giant and really beautiful during the Summer months. Worth seeing if you have time.

If you are in the mood for a unique and interesting experience, Super H-Mart is not too far from the Crowne Plaza. Super H-Mart is a gigantic Asian grocery store/market, complete with additional booths/mini-stores selling everything from beds to clothes to soap to housewares and more. There's also a pretty sizable food court, as well. Tons of imported items. Yelp photos, Yelp reviews. Head South on Milwaukee from your hotel to Oakton/Milwaukee, then East on Milwaukee to Milwaukee/Waukegan. Head a bit South on Waukegan and H-Mart is on the East side of the St.

You can head over to the Metra Station in Glenview., or there is another station further South in downtown Glenview. During the week, I would recommend leaving earlier in the morning to catch one of the express trains (the schedule is available on the website) downtown. There are also express trains heading the other way during the evening rush (4-6:30 time period or so.) The trains on this line end at Union Station downtown, which is a nice place to wait for a train back.