Hotwire Hotel: 4.5* Chicago (NMA-Water Tower-Gold Coast) Sofitel Chicago Water Tower

[m4ha7m4]

Hey guys, I'm a first time betterbidder and Hotwire user. Proposing to the ladyfriend at Navy Pier Park this weekend and wanted a nice hotel somewhat nearby. I initially wanted a Kimpton hotel, ut Allegro (3.5* on priceline) was in the $188s, and the other Kimptons were much higher.

Hotwire had a 4.5* for $145/night (really $177 for 10/29, $118 for 10/30) and thanks to you all I knew it was the Sofitel, with the possibility of John Hotel or Conrad as they were listed by name on Hotwire.

I really didn't want to bid on priceline or go for a 4* due to the uncertainty of the hotel I'd get. I knew someone bid on priceline for the W Lakeshore for $100 during the same time period. I was fine with spending extra to get any of the 4.5* hotels, so I bit the bullet.

I'm hoping Sofitel will help me set the room up due to the special occasion without charging me an arm and a leg. Any suggestions on what to ask for or even what to do?

After my stay I'll be happy to post a review (and hopefully an updated marital status), but might need a reminder :)

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Congratulations on your success! (and hopefully on your upcoming engagement)

Not sure if Navy Pier has some significance for you, but i would find some place cooler to propose, imo... eating late lunch (when it's much quieter) at the Signature Room... even the lounge at the Signature Room with a fantastic view of the city; i'm sure there are plenty of other 'nooks and crannies' that would create a memorable experience.

If you talk to the concierge at the Sofitel i'm sure s/he has handled similar situations in the past and can likely make some suggestions on room amenities and proposal locations.

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... and good luck :)

[AaronJB]

First, congrats and best of luck on proposing! :)

I will also note to maybe consider other places besides Navy Pier. The Signature Room is definitely a good suggestion, and in terms of public places, I think even areas in Lincoln Park (around the pond over by Cafe Brauer, with the city in the distance) or even Millennium Park are a bit more fitting. The Peggy Notabert Nature Museum has a large room that serves as a live butterfly exhibit - would be a pretty setting.

The Botanic Gardens in the suburbs would be an awesome, A+ place for it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Botanic_Garden), but would be a trek to get to (train for about 45 minutes, then getting over there takes a bit of time.) Beautiful, beautiful place, though (and a pretty cafe.)

[m4ha7m4]

Thanks for the suggestions! Actually PFC Milton Olive Park is the end point with a gorgeous view of the sunset behind the Chicago skyline, not the Navy Pier itself. And the entire day she will be a scavenger hunt by herself with about 5 stops, each important to us in some way and each with a clue to the next stop. We are long distance and I have a crazy work schedule so she won't expect me to be waiting for her at the park. Plus most of the stops are near the city center, so it won't make sense to venture into the 'burbs.

If it's too cold, or if Navy Pier is too 'halloween'd out,' I was going to have her end up at the hotel. But I just made dinner reservations at the Signature room so that might be where I surprise her. Thanks guys!

And funny you mention the Botanical Gardens, because that's where we had our FIRST date! It was early April and quite frankly very boring because there was not a single flower in sight and it was freezing! We had a blast anyway and I might make it one of the stops, but I'm assuming it won't be too lively at the end of October.

Also, the next day we are going to do a Chicago Greeter tour: http://chicagogreeter.com/ . You have a personal local tour guide, they customize it to your interests, its got great reviews and best of all it's free! I've asked for a romantic tour, we'll see what they come up with.

Thanks again!