pipe77 Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 Looking at these on Hotwire and trying to figure out what they are, for 7/7/11-7/10/11:3* Mag Mile-Streeterville $111FitnessPoolRestaurantBusiness CenterLaundryHigh Speed Internet Access90% recommendedMy guess is either Sheraton Four Points or Holiday Inn Mart Plaza.4* Mag Mile-Streeterville $118FitnessPoolRestaurantBusiness CenterHigh Speed Internet AccessTennisSpa90% recommendedMy guess is Swissotel.4* NMA-Gold Coast $118Smoke-FreeFitnessRestaurantBusiness CenterHigh Speed Internet Access80% recommendedMy guess is Allerton or Westin Michigan Ave.Can anyone assist and toss in any other potential matches before I pull the trigger? For the 3*, I'd be happy with the Four Points, but i think the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza is a bit too out of the way I think (wanting to be easy walk to Mag Mile and Navy Pier). Nice location if you get a river view, but a Hotwire discounted hotel I'm sure they'd likely give you a room with not-so-great view.
AaronJB Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 If you've not been to Navy Pier, I wouldn't recommend devoting too much time to it. I just think the Lincoln Park area (w/Lincoln Park, LP Zoo, the nearby Old Town area, shopping in Lincoln Park, Peggy Notabert Nature Center, North Beach, Green Farmers Market if it's going that day, Chicago Historical Society, etc etc) offers more and the zoo is both great and free.Otherwise, the 3* is a possible match for the HI Mart Plaza or Four Points. You could try and ask for an upgrade if it is the HI Mart, but no guarantee. The 4* Mag Mile is likely the Swiss, while the 4* NMA is a possible match for the Allerton/Westin. If you are staying at the Doubletree the night before, then I'd say the potential Swiss would be the most optimal choice.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
pipe77 Posted June 3, 2011 Author Report Posted June 3, 2011 It appears the 3.5* DoubleTree Mag Mile (pretty sure it's the DTree anyway) is now back for $124 for these dates. Since I'm already booked there for 7/10/11-7/12/11, i might just add on the additonal 3 days. Would be interesting to try 2 different hotels, but maybe not worth the hassle of switching halfway through the trip. Any advice/recommendations? Would the DoubleTree be a good place to stay for a full 5 day trip?
AaronJB Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 The Doubletree is certainly a fine property (and a nice location), but if you wanted a somewhat more upscale property for a few bucks less and the 4* Mag Mile is the Swiss, that's only a few minutes walk away. The hotel should (can't guarantee 110%, but most likely) be able to hold baggage if you cannot check in early. To toss another idea in, the Hilton Suites is $129 regular rate via Expedia, and coupon BRIGHT11 takes $10 off per night. Great location and suite.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE, PRICELINE or Expedia links to start your purchases and searches.
pipe77 Posted June 3, 2011 Author Report Posted June 3, 2011 Thanks Aaron. I will take a look at the Hilton Suites. Its a bit north, how is that area for pubs, restaurants, etc? We're going to the Dave Matthews festival for a day and to a Sox game another day, so will have 2 other full days to wander around. Navy Pier is on the list, but I do enjoy my craft brew beers (especially at reasonable prices), and coming from Canada I'm very interested in sampling a few brews (American craft brews are fantastic). Also tend to enjoy pub food. So looking for pubs with character (not necessarily anything fancy, dive bars can sometimes be the best IMO). Spent a week in Boston last summer and loved some of the pubs in the back bay area. Anyone have any suggestions for pubs?
AaronJB Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 There are definitely pubs/bars to the West in the River North area (the Green Door is a very historic one) and there's a good deal of bars in the Gold Coast area (which is a few minutes walk to the North of the Hilton Suites) and there are a few in the Loop (Miller's Pub, down from the Palmer House.) Navy Pier is fine for a brief visit, but it is what I would classify as a tourist trap. Prices are high, there's nothing hugely interesting and if it's hot out, it's hotter there. But, again, it's just overpriced and not terribly memorable (i think.)The Hilton Suites is on the North half of the North Michigan Ave. shopping area. Lots of shopping, restaurants (and the Gold Coast area is a few minutes away.) HOTWIRE essentially splits the North Michigan Ave. shopping area into two halves - Mag Mile/Streeterville (South half) and North Michigan Ave.-Water Tower-GC (North half.) PRICELINE combines these zones into the River North-NMA zone.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
pipe77 Posted June 4, 2011 Author Report Posted June 4, 2011 Booked on 6/3/11.Amenities:Fitness CenterPool(s)RestaurantBusiness CenterHigh-Speed Internet AccessThis is part 2 of my hotel bookings (part 1 is in this Hotwire hotel thread). Booked the Doubletree for 2 of the nights, decided it would be best to stick with one hotel for the 5 day trip. Too much hassle to move.
thereuare Posted June 4, 2011 Report Posted June 4, 2011 Congratulations on your success!Glad to see the Doubletree re-appeared for your remaining nites and that you won't need to change properties for this stay.Thank you for sharing your win with the board.Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.Enjoy your stay. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
AaronJB Posted June 4, 2011 Report Posted June 4, 2011 I'll note there's a nice Dominicks on the opposite corner (grocery for drinks/snacks to have at the hotel) and I often recommend Fox and Obel Market and Cafe (fox-obel.com), which is a couple of blocks SE on the corner of Illinois/McClurg.
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