jatromley Posted August 9, 2011 Report Posted August 9, 2011 I'm a betterbidding newbie and need some help!I'll be in Chicago on Sept 16th & 17th. We're going up for a Cubs game and will literally just need a hotel to sleep and that's it - we will probably only be there 8-10 hours, so I'm trying to find the best deal I can. From looking at the zones on Priceline, I think that the River North, the Loop, and Lincoln Park look like my best options as far as their proximity to Wrigley.Do you have any suggestions for a betterbidding/Priceline first timer? Thanks!
thereuare Posted August 9, 2011 Report Posted August 9, 2011 Welcome to BetterBidding!What is your desired star rating and maximum bid price?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... and please click this PRICELINE link before replying.Thanks. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
AaronJB Posted August 9, 2011 Report Posted August 9, 2011 A couple of questions/notes:1. Are you checking out the 17th or 18th?2. Are you primarily going for the Cubs game? What other activities are you planning on?3. If you are only going to be in the room for a little bit, I think the suburbs are something worth considering. If you are staying downtown for 9/16-18, I think based upon the HOTWIRE rates that you're probably looking at $110-125+ for a 4* in either of the two main downtown zones on PRICELINE and possibly $135-145+. In the North suburbs, there is a 4* on HOTWIRE for $69. for the same dates (and a bid on PRICELINE would require less), plus free parking vs $25 for city lots downtown or $40-50 per night for hotel parking.However, it becomes if the savings are worthwhile to you, and that is going to be different to everyone. Staying in the North burbs (which are very nice - the Chicago Botanic Garden is out there, as is a lot of nice restaurants shopping) would require taking public transit downtown, which is a 35-45 minute trip on the Metra train (metrarail.com) and depending on which hotel you got, driving a little bit to the nearest station. Additionally, the trains do not run as often on the weekends and do stop heading outbound around Midnight. If those issues do not sound bad, then you could consider the 'burbs and then trek into the city and save substantially vs. staying downtown.There are very few hotels in Lincoln Park, and given the few hotels in this area, discounts are often not as substantial. Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
jatromley Posted August 9, 2011 Author Report Posted August 9, 2011 1. We're checking in on the 16th and out on the 17th. 2. We're going for Day 1 of my sister's Bachelorette Party - just to the Cubs game and then out and about around Wrigley. No shopping or restaurants planned...ballpark and pub food will be fine! We'll probably just stay downtown because we'll be leaving around 11-12 on the 17th for our next destination.3. The cheaper north burbs and cheaper parking sound great, but downtown would be more logical as I'm not sure what time we'll be ready to head back and don't want to be bound by the train schedule.Thank you both for replying...just one more question. When should I book? Should I go ahead now or wait until closer to time?
AaronJB Posted August 9, 2011 Report Posted August 9, 2011 I would start researching and making initial bids now. What would be your desired budget per night?Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
thereuare Posted August 10, 2011 Report Posted August 10, 2011 ... and please click this PRICELINE link before replying. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
jatromley Posted August 10, 2011 Author Report Posted August 10, 2011 I hoping for $100-$125. I'll start my bidding this weekend! Thanks!
thereuare Posted August 10, 2011 Report Posted August 10, 2011 ... and what star rating are you seeking?If less than 4*, are you willing to pay more for a higher rated hotel, or would the goal be the least expensive property at the minimum star rating you choose. Also, i assume you've bidding NMA and the Loop zones?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
AaronJB Posted August 10, 2011 Report Posted August 10, 2011 Personally I wouldn't bid less than 4* for the Millennium Park/Loop/Grant Park area, but I think the 3*/3.5* levels in the River North-NMA area actually hold some very nice hotels (one or two iffier ones - such as the Allerton - and one somewhat inconveniently located one - the HI Mart Plaza) but otherwise, I think the 3*/3.5*'s in the NMA-River North area are worth considering, especially if you're not going to be in the room all that much.Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
coryhat Posted August 11, 2011 Report Posted August 11, 2011 If you stay downtown Chicago, you can take the L-Train's Red Line and there's a stop 100 feet from Wrigley. My wife and I always stay downtown and catch the red line when we go to Cubs games. 15 minute train ride for $3.25.
AaronJB Posted August 11, 2011 Report Posted August 11, 2011 Totally agree on the Red Line - in fact, I really wouldn't go any other way. I would, however, suggest going early in order to get ahead of the crowds. If you get to Wrigley 45 minutes early, there's plenty of great restaurants/shops/etc - it's a nice area. Sluggers Bar and Grill nearby has batting cages.
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