Hotwire Hotel: Fiduring out which hotel - willing to contribute towards "taking

[makhdoom]

Reference to my searches below, I have noticed a number of Hotwire properties which have not been identifed yet and/or are not listed in the pinned Hotwire list on this site.

If someone else is planning to stay in the Northbrook, IL area, then I am willing to contribute a small amount (say $20 per stay) to help identify some yet-to-be-identifed properties. I am planning a longer (2-3 week) stay in the area in August 2011 and more data points will help me make a more informed purchasing/bidding decision. I live in North-Central NJ (Edison/Piscataway area) and I'd be willing to return the favor (for anywhere in the NJ area) if it helps anyone.

Apologies if its against the site's policy / practice, if if this kind of thing is otherwise frowned upon here; I have done some quick scans but did not find anything that would indicate so.

My Hotwire searches and yet-to-be-idetified properties list in the Northbrook, IL area

Check-in: 8/19/2011 , check-out: 8/20/2011, 1 room, 2 adults, all areas unchecked except Northbrook

Unidentified A: 3*, Amenities: Fitness, Restaurant(s), Laundry

Unidentified B: 2.5*; Amenities: Complimentary breakfast, Restaurant, Laundry

Unidentified C: 2* Amenities: Complimentary breakfast, Fitness, Business center, High-speed Internet

Check-in: 8/19/2011 , check-out: 8/20/2011, 1 room, 2 adults + 2 children, all areas unchecked except Northbrook

Unidentified D: $84, 4* - Amenities: Smoke-free, Fitness, Pool, Restaurant, Laundry, Business center, High-speed Internet (Recommended by 95% hotwire customers)

Unidentified E: $48, 3.5* - Amenities: Fitness, Pool, Restaurant, Business, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Golf nearby, Tennis nearby (Recommended by 85% hotwire customers)

Unidentified F: $68, 3* - Amenities: Restaurant, Business, Laundry, Hi-Speed Internet, Golf nearby

Unidentified G: $39, 2.5* - Amenities: Smoke-free, Complimentary breakfast, Fitness, Pool, Restaurant, Business center, Laundry, High-speed Internet (Recommended by 100% hotwire customers)

Check-in: 8/22/2011 , check-out: 8/23/2011, 1 room, 2 adults, all areas unchecked except Northbrook

Unidentified H: $71, 3* - Amenities: Fitness, Restaurant, Laundry (Recommended by 95% hotwire customers)

Unidentified I: $47, 2.5* - Amenities: Complimentary breakfast, Restaurant, Laundry (Recommended by 100% hotwire customers)

Check-in: 8/22/2011 , check-out: 8/23/2011, 1 room, 2 adults + 2 children, all areas unchecked except Northbrook

Unidentified J: $126, 4* - Amenities: Smoke-free, Fitness, Pool, Restaurant, Laundry, Business center, laundry, High-speed Internet, Golf nearby (Recommended by 95% hotwire customers)

[AaronJB]

Not all properties on HOTWIRE have been ID'd and I'd be happy to try and take a look and make some guesses as to what these properties may be.

However, personally, I'd highly recommend using PRICELINE instead. The "known" properties at the 3.5* level in the Deerfield zone (which is just a touch North of Northbrook) are the Marriott Suites, the Hyatt (which is actually a pseudo-suite property - I guess you could call them "Junior Suites") and the Embassy Suites. I've stayed at all three and, quite honestly, would be happy to stay at any of the three again. All three are very nice properties + larger rooms + refrigerator (and Microwave at the Embassy + Marriott.) I also find the Renaissance (a 4* in the nearby North Shore zone) to be fine.

However, after staying at the three 3.5*'s in the Deerfield zone, I (personally) really don't want to bid any differently when staying in this zone for future stays. There can always be changes to star ratings or zone boundaries, but so far, these three are the only hotels reported in the Deerfield zone at the 3.5* level (and still appear to be the three at the 3.5* level.) I would not bid 3.5* for the nearby North Shore zone. While rates can change from day-to-day (and especially if there's a convention or event nearby), the 3.5* level in the Deerfield zone generally takes between $37-55 (but higher if there's something going on.)

You will need a car to get around in this area.

How many people in the party and what are the date/s of travel?

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

[thereuare]

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

[scottlevin]

You may want to try lastminutetravel.com, where the hotels can be identified VERY easily.

[makhdoom]

Aaron,

I appreciate your input regarding 3.5* Priceline properties in the Deerfield zone. I'd be happy with Embassy or Mariott Suites. Many of the recent wins have been for Hyatt, but that would be acceptable too. There will be two adults and two kids (9 and 7) in our party. We will be visiting relatives in nearby Glenview. Trip will be for 2-3 weeks in August, and dates are flexible.

I have stayed at Wyndham Glenview Suites which appears to be only 3* in the priceline North Shore/North Shore zone. Was thinking about bidding for that but hesitating because I see few recent wins for this specific property, and some upgrades to 3.5* Hilton Northbrook also. I realize that kind of thing is par for the course.

Thanks again,

Mustafa

[AaronJB]

The Hyatt rooms have a mid-sized sitting area and a TV/shelving unit in-between the bed and the sitting area. The TV can be moved to face either way. Very nice, upscale public areas and while I like the even larger rooms of the Marriott (which I think is a very nice property with big rooms) or Embassy (which is a pretty Embassy w/a river running through the middle and the usual breakfast/evening reception/large rooms) better, the Hyatt's a nice option. All three are in office parks, but a lot of hotels in this area are sort off "off on their own".

In terms of guesses, one of the unID'd 3*'s on HOTWIRE in the Northbrook area may be something like the Courtyard Glenview or one of the Deerfield Courtyards. One of the 4*'s may be the Westin North Shore or possibly an alternate amenity set for Renaissance North Shore. The Sheraton Northbrook is a possibility not yet reported at the 3.5* level in the area. The Hyatt was also last reported to the board at 3.5*, but hasn't been seen as a HOTWIRE win in ages. I wouldn't recommend going for unknowns below 3* in these zones.

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