Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (NMA-River North) Hotel Felix

[happyface]

Just tried to book a room through PRICELINE and completely botched up! Yes, I got my bid for $83, but I thought I was requesting a hotel with a pool....as I clicked on that amenity right before I then hit the Name Your Own Price button. I cannot believe I could be so stupid! The ONLY request my family wanted for our vacation was a pool, spent hours researching that, and wham, I messed it up. Not only did I mess up on the pool, but I most likely have a teeny tiny shoebox room for 2 at the Hotel Felix, instead of bed space for 4 people.

I am sick to my stomach and in tears. The priceline customer service rep couldn't even believe how stupid stupid I was to use priceline for more than 2 people and advised me not to do that again. Why didn't I spend more time researching at better bidding first?!!!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Sorry to see this didn't work out as you had planned. You might want to give the hotel a call and inquire regarding if a room has been assigned, and potentially see if any upgrades are available to rooms with two beds (or one bed and a sofabed).

I can't help too much regarding the pool, but with just two days in Chicago i'm sure you'll find plenty to do to keep you busy around the city... save the pool for the resort vacations, and take this opportunity for you and your family to explore what the city has to offer :)

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... hope it all works out and you're able to make this work for your needs.

[AaronJB]

Sorry to hear that you're disappointed with the result, but this is a nice location for exploring the city, both near the River North area (which has quite a bit in the way of restaurants) and near the NMA area. I'll also note the Whole Foods a couple of blocks due East is a good option for snacks/drinks to take back to the hotel. Please let us know if you have any city questions.

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

[happyface]

Thanks for the positive words! I did call the hotel to check availability of double beds. I was informed that they only give 1 bed rooms to priceline and that I would have to purchase a separate room when I get there. That's not really going to work with 1 adult and 3 children. So, if that is truly the case upon arrival, I will walk and try to book somewhere else....and have to eat the cost. Live and learn!

[AaronJB]

I'd call PRICELINE and see if there's anything that they can do in terms of contacting the hotel - plead the case that you didn't know there wouldn't be space for 4 and that you'd be willing to pay the difference between the 1 bed room and the 2 bed room - you don't want to cancel, just have enough bedding. They may say no, but wouldn't hurt to try.

Or you could call the hotel to see if there is a rollaway, or maybe see if you could talk to someone else next time you call (or bring your own mattress.) It would just be too bad to have to eat the cost. :)

In terms of a pool, if you do rebook, I'd use HOTWIRE, as there is no way to guarantee a particular amenity when bidding.

Let us know what happens if you do contact PRICELINE or the hotel.

[thereuare]

I would also check the hotel's own website and see the difference in cost between booking a room directly for double occupancy vs. quad occupancy... whatever that difference is, offer to pay that amount per nite to the hotel for the 'upgrade' to quad occupancy (and explain how you derived at that number... if the front desk clerk says no, i'd ask to speak to the manager, simply because the front desk clerk may not have the authority to agree to such a deal)

Good luck.