Priceline Hotel: 4* NMA 10/13 - 10/16 4 rooms - advice please

[4bigeasy]

Hi, I'm bidding for a group of 8 adults needing 4 rooms on 10/13 - 10/16. For the past week I started bidding for a 4* in NMA zone, then adding the Loop and increasing my bid by $5, then adding 3.5* to rebid. I've gone as high as $90.

Is there a convention in town on those dates, or is it just too early for hotels to open rooms?

Also, we don't have to be in the same hotel, is it easier to get a room at a great price if buying one at a time instead?

Thanks for any help!

Becky

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

Unfortunately, the Chicago area does become somewhat-to-moderately more expensive in the October period due to more reasonable temps, conventions and other events (the Marathon, which I believe happens a few days before this on 10/9 this year.) It's not too early at this point to look for hotels for October, and breaking your group into multiple purchases would not likely be a benefit and could definitely be a negative. What would be your desired max budget per night for this stay? Additionally, when bidding for lower star ratings, are you starting your bids lower? For an explanation of re-bidding using additional re-bid zones, please click here: Priceline re-bidding.

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

[4bigeasy]

I don't think I did lower my bid when adding the lower star rating, I'll try that tonight when I rebid. I was hoping to stay at $100 or under per night. Would you advise contacting the Hyatt (for example) directly and asking for 4 rooms at a Priceline- type price?

-Thanks!

[thereuare]

Under $100 doesn't seem realistic based upon current rates for these dates... nor would calling the hotel directly and asking for a PRICELINE rate.

What is the best rate you're able to find thru traditional booking channels?

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

[4bigeasy]

The cheaper rate I found was $129 at the Whitehall. What hotels are in the zone Priceline considers "greater Chicago?" Also, are there bus routes in this area?

Thanks!

[thereuare]

You can see all hotels reported to the board in each zone in this Priceline Chicago Hotel List.

AaronJB knows this area well and i'm sure will comment as to bus routes in that vicinity once he sees this thread.

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

[AaronJB]

My issue with the "Greater Chicago" area is that it extends quite a ways South of the city and SW of the city; some patches of these areas aren't great and I would advise caution for those unfamiliar with the city, as there are parts of these areas where it might be fine right around the hotel, but 5 blocks in another direction may be a different story. Additionally beyond that, you're dealing with a fairly sizable trip into the city in some cases from the few hotels that are in this zone. All of these issues may be more difficult when trying to coordinate with a larger group, as well. I definitely understand trying to keep within budget, but personally, I really would not recommend this zone. Where are you finding the Whitehall rate?

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

[4bigeasy]

Thanks for the heads-up Aaron, I don't want to end up in a dicey area.

The Whitehall rate I found was on Hotwire on Sunday. I just checked and it's no longer

there.

Do you think bidding up to $175 for a 3.5* or 4* in the NMA or Loop area will be successful?

[AaronJB]

A couple of questions:

1. What would be your desired absolute max per night? Rates are high for these dates, but I don't think $175 will be necessary. There is a 4* in the Mag Mile on HOTWIRE for $164.

2. If you could fit eight people into two suite rooms rather than four regular rooms, would that be of interest?

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

[AaronJB]

I'll also throw out the idea of the Columbus Plaza apartments on Orbitz. I have not stayed here myself, but great location and $125 on Orbitz - that is not a hotel, you'd be renting in a downtown apartment building right by the river and right near Michigan Ave. The benefit would be a kitchen and apartment features. That would be 1 queen + sleeper sofa, according to Orbitz. Again, I haven't stayed there, but location couldn't be any better and price is very good in comparison to what else is available. Coupon code ORBITZ5 also should work for a small discount, although it may only take a % off one of the rooms if you are booking multiple. Again, not a hotel and I haven't stayed there (no tripadvisor reviews, either), but great location and very good price, plus some elements of it (kitchen, etc) would be a benefit.

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

[4bigeasy]

Columbus Plaza looks awesome! I am booking through the Orbitz link on this site. Where do you provide the discount code?

[4bigeasy]

Never mind, I found it and saved $75! The total for each room is $405.03 with the tax. I booked 4 rooms and it's going to be a great trip! I'll post a review when we're back.

Thanks Aaron, I really appreciate the tip and all your help! You too, thereuare!

[AaronJB]

There should be a promotional code box or link during the checkout process and then you click that (if it is a link), and then enter the code.

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

[4bigeasy]

Thanks again, I just checked and their are no rooms available, I got ours just in time!

[AaronJB]

You lucked out! I was surprised when I searched for four and there were even that many available, as these condo properties (there are a number of them downtown) that occasionally appear on Orbitz rarely have much in the way of inventory.

Enjoy your stay - this is certainly a fantastic location (right next to the Hyatt and across from the river) and staying in an apartment in the city can be a neat experience, especially if any of these rooms have views (and given the location, depending on the direction they are facing, they may have nice views.) Having a kitchen will be good for any leftovers, as well, or if everyone wants to stay in and cook rather than heading out to eat. You should be able to walk out onto Wacker and there should be a staircase right about across the street that will lead down to Columbus. Once you get down to Columbus, you can continue North over the river and then go from there to the NMA area. If you cross the river and get to Illinois on the other side, I recommend Fox and Obel Market and Cafe (fox-obel.com), which is a couple of blocks East on Illinois at the corner of Illinois and McClurg.

Thank you for using the site's Orbitz link to start your purchase.

Enjoy your stay.