Priceline Hotel: 3.5* Chicago (Skokie-Niles-Evanston) Hilton Orrington

[Morda]

I'm attempting to book one night at the Hilton Orrington in Evanston for July 2nd. Tonight was my first attempt at Priceline, so thought I would post my progress here. This is my first time, so be gentle. Also, I'm welcome to any suggestions. Am I low-balling too much for July 4th weekend? Should I have done bigger steps ($2 increments?)

Bidding history:

Day 1, 3.5*

$45 Skokie-Niles-Evanston

$46 + Franklin Park Area

$47 + Hyde Park

$48 + Lincoln Park

$49 + Midway Airport North

--Unsuccessful so far--

Will post again tomorrow. TIA for any help!

[AaronJB]

I don't think you're low-balling it, given that the Orrington has a history of lower-priced wins in this general price neighborhood, when it has been seen. However, the issue is that it may or may not have discounted inventory for these dates. (additionally, please provide the exact dates you are considering -1st-4th, 2nd-4th, etc.) At last check (star ratings can change at any time), the Orrington is the only known 3.5* in the area and I wouldn't recommend bidding lower than 3.5* in this zone.

Looking at 7/2-4 as an example, those dates are not busy (the Orrington's regular rate is $115, which would be near the lower end of its range.) Again, there is no way to know if the hotel has discounted inventory, but I would try up to $55 and see if that is successful.

Otherwise, I'd also suggest the suburbs further North (the Deerfield zone's 3.5* level has some very nice options, I wouldn't recommend the 3.5*'s in the North Shore zone, as much, although the 4*'s in that zone are fine), which are very nice and hotels there do not charge for parking. You may be able to get a 3.5* in the Deerfield zone for below the level you'd bid up to for a 3.5* in the Evanston zone.

If you plan to go downtown during your stay, Evanston is convenient though, with both CTA and Metra stations. Further North burbs do only have Metra stations.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

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

[Morda]

Thanks for your input. I'll amend my post--I'm planning to stay just 1 night, July 2-3. I really want to get into the Orrington since that is where the wedding will be held, so I'll stick to bidding 3.5* in that zone.

I won't be able to try again until a while, but I'll post my results!

[Morda]

Tried bidding again today.

Day 2, 3.5*

$51 Skokie-Niles-Evanston

$52 + Franklin Park Area

$53 + Hyde Park

$54 + Lincoln Park

$55 + Midway Airport North

-->Rejected<--

I'll try again tomorrow!

[AaronJB]

Sorry to hear that your bids weren't accepted, but hopefully - given rates - you are not far off and I would continue going upwards slowly (by $1's.) Additionally, if you plan to stay in the area later on the 3rd, there is a nice Fireworks display one town North of Evanston in Wilmette, at Gilson Park (which is right along the lake, and I believe the fireworks display is over the lake.)

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

[Romelle]

If you start getting up higher than you think the hotel should be, you could adopt a slightly different technique. The hotel might not yet have placed rooms in the Priceline inventory. But if it does on a day when you are bidding - say $60, and it places them in at $50, you will win but you will overbid.

You can use sort of a "sweep" technique. Each day start lowish, and then use a bigger increment. Say $2 for a while - $52, 54, 56, 58 and 60. Then the next day $54, 56, 58, 60 and 62, etc.

And if you still aren't hitting, you can start maybe $3 or $4 increments - $52, 55, 58, 61 and 64 as an example.

This way you always recheck the lower ground, but still inch on up. At worst you will overbid only a dollar or so.

My numbers are just examples of the idea. You get to pick your own.

Romelle

[AaronJB]

There is a point with this property where it would start to be apparent there may not be inventory ($60-65), and at that point you may want to consider alternative options or continue to bid with a "ceiling" ($60-65, then start over again and work up to that point.) Unfortunately, I don't much care for the 3* option in this zone, as while the Doubletree is fine, the Holiday Inn is not.

I do like the suburbs to the North (especially Deerfield at the 3.5* level), but that is a drive. Still, if you're working up to $65 in the Evanston zone and if you could possibly get a 3.5* in the suburbs to the North for $40-45, then is saving $20-25 worthwhile? If not, then continue to try for the Evanston 3.5*.

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

[Morda]

Decided to try Romelle's suggestion today (using the PRICELINE link, of course :) ).

Day 3, 3.5*

$52 Skokie-Niles-Evanston

$54 + Franklin Park Area

$56 + Hyde Park

$58 + Lincoln Park

$60 + Midway Airport North

-->Rejected<--

I think my "ceiling" will be $66. So tomorrow I will start at $50 and do three dollar increments. I think that will be final offer and I'll just keep trying that until I either get a room or don't!

[Romelle]

One other minor suggestion - if you only bid every other day, you don't have to be so rigid about remembering when that 24 hour mark is. And you don't get quite so frustrated by the rejection.

Be very glad you have the multiple bids. I was working on several small towns recently, and there was only one zone so I just got one shot a day.

If you do get a counter offer, best to just ignore it and keep with your original strategy. The take-away from it is just that there really is something out there, somewhere between your bid and the offer.

You might also take a peak at HOTWIRE from time to time. Usually PRICELINE will do better by you, but once in a while Hotwire can beat (looking at the total after fees and taxes).

Romelle

[Morda]

Day 4, 3.5*

$50 Skokie-Niles-Evanston

$53 + Franklin Park Area

$56 + Hyde Park

$59 + Lincoln Park

$62 + Midway Airport North

-->Rejected<--

Bummer! I will continue to try with roughly the same numbers, luckily I have some time before my travel dates. I won't bother posting anymore unless (until!) I have a win. Thanks for the help, everyone.

[AaronJB]

Do keep us updated and please let us know if you need help with alternatives if the Orrington continues to not seem to have discount inventory.

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

[Romelle]

Always a good idea to have a back-up cancelable reservation. Then you can stubbornly persist more calmly up until the very last.

Hope things work out for you. Persistence and stubbornness are good things.

Romelle

[Morda]

After 15-20 tries, I finally had success today!

Tonight I accessed Priceline via my phone, which I haven't done previously. Interestingly, when I put in my location and dates, it popped up a list of potential properties and what looked like recent wins (although I couldn't be sure of that), including a 3.5* in Skokie for $77. It gave me the chance to "Name My Price" with $77 pre-filled into the box. I proceeded as follows:

1) Bid $65 Skokie-Niles-Evanston

2) I was offered a free rebid if I increase by bid $20, which I declined

3) I was then transferred from their mobile site to the regular interface, where I could add rebid zones.

3) Added Franklin Park Area, increased bid to $68

And my bid was accepted. I was very happy, so I had to come update. I'll update my subject too, once I figure out how.

Thanks everyone for all their help. This was my first big Priceline win! :)

Edited to add: My winning hotel was indeed the Hilton Orrington. Forgot to mention that. Winning bid was $68, with taxes and fees the total was $85.95.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success and thank you for sharing your win with the board.

Glad to see you were ultimately successful and that the board was helpful with your purchase.

PLEASE NOTE that you can use the search box on the top right of the board from any smartphone and still be able to use the full html version of PRICELINE.

Enjoy your stay.

[AaronJB]

Very good deal for this Evanston property - I'll note that while it's not the best Asian food, Flat Top Grill around the corner is a fun stop (707 Church st) - it's an all you can eat stir fry restaurant. You pick out the ingredients, they prepare it and bring it to you - then you can go back (if you select unlimited) as much as you want and try different combinations. Quince (American) is a good, more upscale choice nearby, as well. There's tons of great restaurants nearby - Evanston's really quite a nice place to stay and the nearby CTA/Metra makes it convenient to get downtown if need be.