Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (Millenium-Loop-Grant Park) Blackstone Renaissance Hotel

[phntm3]

Hello all,

I was planning on bidding on Priceline or utilizing Hotwire to book a hotel for a 4 night trip in November. I was hoping to keep the cost under $140 a night, including taxes/fees. First choice would be the two zones just north of the river, but would be okay with a good hotel in the loop/park zone.

Anyhow, Priceline has a $67/night deal right now for a 4* hotel in the loop/park zone. Any clue which hotel this could be? Claims guest rating is 9.0 and lists Ammenities as follows:

24-hour fitness center, walking distance to millennium park and the chicago river, multiple restaurants, plasma tv, in room safe, deluxe bedding.

Just FYI: Trip date is Nov 9-13. Trip is an annual anniversary trip... last year we visited NY, this year Chicago. Itinerary will include a bit of siteseeing, blue man group, museums, shopping, etc. Last two visits to Chicago included stays at Hilton Garden Inn (Magnificent Mile) and the Hyatt Regency.

[thereuare]

Please follow-up your previous Priceline NYC thread with whatever you ended up doing for that stay... then click each of these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links and reply to this thread, we'll then have a look at your post above.

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

Thanks.

[phntm3]

These tasks have been completed. So.... any ideas about this year's travel questions?

[thereuare]

Anyhow, Priceline has a $67/night deal right now for a 4* hotel in the loop/park zone.

Where are you seeing this offered?

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

[phntm3]

Where are you seeing this offered?

It's a Last Minute Pricebreaker Deal, under Hotels.

[AaronJB]

The fine print on the deal page that I'm seeing: "Stay between September 26 - October 10, 2011 to get this great deal."

There is no way to know which hotel this may be (although - this is just different in that the price required is defined rather than the bidding method. November - with Holiday shopping and other events - is going to be more expensive, although should still be within your desired budget. My guess - a 4* in the NMA-River North area is likely going to require between $85-105. I would start at $80 and work higher by $5's.

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

[phntm3]

The fine print on the deal page that I'm seeing: "Stay between September 26 - October 10, 2011 to get this great deal."

I've gotten as far as hitting accept to make the purchase... even with my desired travel dates. Would this area and price be worth it?

[AaronJB]

If you could actually get $67 for a 4* in the Millennium Park-Loop-Grant Park area for these dates, then it would be absolutely worth it.

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

[phntm3]

Thanks for the help. The fine print did in fact kick in... I found it weird the system allowed me to make it through a few screens with my travel dates, but it denied the deal on the final step.

Any bidding ideas for the same dates, 11/9 - 11/13. Prefer 4 star on the mile, but as mentioned would be comfortable in park zone and the other zone just north of the river.

[AaronJB]

November - with Holiday shopping and other events - is going to be more expensive, although should still be within your desired budget. My guess - a 4* in the NMA-River North area is likely going to require between $85-115. I would start at $80 and work higher by $5's using re-bidding. The Loop looks similarly expensive for these dates.

I'll also note as an alternate idea that the Public Chicago is $135 regular rate on Expedia for these dates regular rate; that is a new boutique property from legendary hotel operator Ian Schrager that opens 9/12 and appears to be offering lower rates throughout the Winter - possibly to get people in the door to try it out (it's a 4* property, but it's the cheapest 3* and up property North of the river for these dates on Expedia.)

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

[phntm3]

November - with Holiday shopping and other events - is going to be more expensive, although should still be within your desired budget. My guess - a 4* in the NMA-River North area is likely going to require between $85-115. I would start at $80 and work higher by $5's using re-bidding. The Loop looks similarly expensive for these dates.

Updating Hotel Search: Started the bidding process last night.

NMA (4*) - $79

NMA and Park/Loop (4*) - $85

NMA and Park/Loop (4*/3.5*) - $85

No winners. Yet. Determined to score a deal. Still aiming for 4*... would be fairly happy with 3.5*.

Anyone have thoughts or tips before round 2 of bidding begins?

[AaronJB]

I'd try to keep 3.5* bidding in the NMA-River North area only; the 3.5* level in the Millennium Park-Loop-Grant Park includes the Allegro and Wyndham Blake as possibilities; while fine properties, they are in the West (Allegro) and South (Blake) Loop areas, which are quiet at night and more business-oriented areas in general.

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

[phntm3]

Thanks for that advice. I really appreciate the heads up. Made two quick bids tonight to no avail:

NMA 4* -$90

NMA and Park/Loop 4* - $99

Which zones can I use as dummy zones to allow for additional bids each night?

And, does anyone have an opinion on something less than 4* in NMA? Plus, anyone have an opinion on anything in Lincoln Park?

[thereuare]

Which zones can I use as dummy zones to allow for additional bids each night?

You should know how to check these on your own as they can change at any time and should therefore be checked just before every bidding cycle. See Priceline Re-Bidding Explained and if you're still confused post back and we'll break it down further for you.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... please click this PRICELINE link before replying.

Thanks.

[phntm3]

We have a winner! My first succesful bid.

After a 4* NMA was declined for $105 ($110 with $5 bonus cash), I added Parks/Loop and won with $105 ($110 with $5 bonus cash).

Our hotel is The Blackstone. It's a bit further south than I've stay before, but the reviews seem great and the pictures look amazing.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

While not the ideal location you would have chosen, glad to see you're quite pleased with the hotel and deal you received and are looking forward to your trip.

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.