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

[World Travel]

Hi,

Just to update, I am trying to book a hotel through PRICELINE (used link above) in the Loop for the 5th to the 7th of november, 4 star. I started at $75.00 and moved up to $100.00 with no luck. I used up all of my additional zones, so I have to wait to try again.

Let me know if you have any more luck...granted it is Friday today, and im not sure if that affects the lowest bid amount.

I'll keep trying and updating as I go

Thx

[AaronJB]

Please provide a follow-up with the name of the hotel in this prior Priceline Toronto thread (post what you decided for that stay within that thread).

In terms of this Chicago stay, unfortunately rates are definitely on the high side - 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.

[World Travel]

Hi, I updated that Toronto stay. thanks for the reminder.

FOr chicago, based on what I am seeing for other winning bids, I would like to pay no more than 100 in one of the 4* in the loop. I know this is a bit further ahead than most would bid. What seems to be the time before a trip that bidders are getting this $80-100 range? 2 weeks?

Thanks

[AaronJB]

Rates do vary by dates and can really vary significantly from day-to-day. In terms of getting a better closer to the date/s, that is not always the case - there is a longer discussion of that in the FAQ under the timing section.

At this point, I'm seeing rates on HOTWIRE, including a 4* for $231 in the Loop, a 3.5* in the NMA area for $300, a 3* for $158 in the Mag Mile area and a 4* in the NMA for $172. Regular rate, a number of 4*'s are $300+, some are $400. A number of hotels are sold out. 4*'s in the Loop are also in the $300-400+ range in a number of cases.

The one regular rate property that is strangely way cheaper than anything else is the Embassy Suites Lakefront at $139 on Expedia, which is actually a nice Embassy Suites property. It's not a 4*, but given all I'm seeing, I actually think this is a pretty good deal for this weekend, plus free breakfast/reception.

Everything else is pretty expensive. There are a few mid-sized conventions during this period, but nothing too major.

Unfortunately, at this point, I'm guessing $100 will not be enough for a 4* in the Loop and will likely take quite a bit higher.

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

[World Travel]

Thanks for the advice...I guess that I am willing to go to about 150 a night, and was hoping to stay in the Loop area, however I have read your response on some other posts and you recommend the River North Area. I do not know that much about Chicago, but we are looking for shops, restaurants, bars etc that are within walking distance, or very short cab ride.

Would you recommend this area in order to save a little and still have all those amenities?

Also, If I did not have to go 4*, how are the 3* or 3*+ in this area?

Thanks again

[thereuare]

You can see the Priceline Hotel List to see the 3*/3.5* properties which have been reported to the board to get a feel for how you feel about them and how these would work for your needs (keep in mind the comments at the top of the hotel list regarding you could receive a new hotel not yet reported to the board or a hotel already reported but at a different star level.

Basically the zones come down to cost vs. convenience... the NMA zone would be more convenient and you would be able to walk to most/many restaurants, bars, etc... whereas the Loop zone would be a short cab ride away. However, currently rates for these dates are somewhat high so it comes down to what is more important to you, budget vs. convenience.

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

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll advise accordingly.

[World Travel]

Thanks, this is great. I was reading the other thread http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showtopic=143209& and this is essentially the route that I think I will take as well. paying ~150 a night to be in a more happening neighbourhood is more appealing to me. I will follow up and post my results.

again, thanks to you all for being so helpful

[AaronJB]

The Loop zone is right next to the River North-NMA zone, but there is the chance that you get a property on the South/opposite end of the Loop zone (such as the Hilton or Blackstone Renaissance), which would be a longer cab ride to the NMA area. Some of the 3.5*'s in the Loop area (the Allegro) are also somewhat out-of-the-way.

If you plan to be out later at night and nightlife/restaurants are going to be important, then - within reason - it's worth paying a bit more to get something in the NMA area versus taking cabs (and the cab rides between NMA and Loop hotels wouldn't likely be terrible, but would be an added cost that would depend on which hotel you got.)

The 3.5*'s in the NMA area are also *generally* good/very good/excellent. There's only a couple of so-sos (the Allerton, and if you got the Allerton at least that's a fantastic location.)

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

[World Travel]

Quick question, when you say there is a chance I may get a 3.5* in the loop, do you mean only if I bid on that zone right? I am more leaning on just bidding in the river north zone only. Correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks

[AaronJB]

In terms of the Loop area, that is only if you choose to bid on that area. If you only bid for the River North-NMA area, then you are only bidding for hotels in that area.

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

[World Travel]

Success finally! I booked two rooms at a rate of 160 a night at the sutton place hotel for the 5th to the 7th.

I was bidding on 3.5+ hotels, starting at 130. went up to 151 with rebids and still no luck, so on my last bid I moved up to 160 and it was accepted, all while being bumped up to a 4-star. (others start bidding at 155 perhaps?)

I never mentioned that I was trying to book 2 rooms at once, which I am told will also increase the minimum bid? Is that right?

It has great reviews it seems and is in an area that is perfect for what we need. Good nightlife within walking distance? Not sure if this is a deal or not? This weekend just seems to be expensive

Thanks

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Wow! Great deal for this upscale property during a busy period. This is a very nice property in the Gold Coast neighborhood, which is a couple of minutes walk North of the North tip of the NMA area. There is quite a bit of nightlife and a number of restaurants nearby.

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

Enjoy your stay.

[World Travel]

thanks for all your help AaronJB.