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

[ns_guy]

Hi,

New to the forum and Priceline. Have booked last minute flights to Chicago for a quick vacation (from Calgary). I would appreciate some help for a hotel in the North Michigan Avenue or The Loop area for May 19 - May 26 in a few weeks. I would like try for a 4* first, then maybe move on to 3.5* if I have to. I see on HOTWIRE the following:

4* Magnificent Mile North - Water Tower area hotel - $125

4.5* Magnificent Mile North - Water Tower area hotel - $170

4* Chicago Loop - Theater District area hotel - $184

I have bid the following so far on NMA on Priceline:

Bid 80 NMA

Bid 85 NMA + Hyde Park

Bid 90 NMA + Hyde Park + Lincoln Park

Bid 98 NMA + Hyde Park + Lincoln Park + Franklin Park

Bid 103 NMA + Hyde Park + Lincoln Park + Franklin Park + Skokie

Bid 107 NMA + Hyde Park + Lincoln Park + Franklin Park + Skokie + Midway Airport North

Bid 112 NMA + Hyde Park + Lincoln Park + Franklin Park + Skokie + Midway Airport North + MDW Area

Before continuing, I was wondering if anybody could suggest my next set of bids (I will complete them tomorrow night)? Not really sure what a realistic price might be? I understand I should bid The Loop next, then move to NMA+Loop. Left this a little lit booking, but opportunity came up last minute.

Thanks. Used the better bidding PRICELINE links to start.

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

If you haven't yet, please read your messages.

Based upon current rated i'd guess that a 4* hotel will run you in the $145-$165 range (i have a suspicion the HOTWIRE 4* above may be a 3.5* rated hotel on PRICELINE, thus the reason i think a 4* will take more than the $125 hotel above, but can't be certain which is why we would star low and increase gradually) ... if you lower to 3.5* you may be looking at the $90-$110 area.

If you wanted to include the Loop now you could do s since you have not yet included that zone. All of these would be completely valid even before you've waited 24 hours:

Bid xx Loop

Bid 80 Loop + NMA

Bid 85 Loop + NMA + Hyde Park

Bid 90 Loop + NMA + Hyde Park + Lincoln Park

Bid 98 Loop + NMA + Hyde Park + Lincoln Park + Franklin Park

Bid 103 Loop + NMA + Hyde Park + Lincoln Park + Franklin Park + Skokie

Bid 107 Loop + NMA + Hyde Park + Lincoln Park + Franklin Park + Skokie + Midway Airport North

Bid 112 Loop + NMA + Hyde Park + Lincoln Park + Franklin Park + Skokie + Midway Airport North + MDW Area

However, doing so will re-set your 24 hours clock, so you may want to just wait for a complete strategy and follow that 24 hours after your last bid.

To move forward, and taking into consideration the price points above, what are your goal(s) for this trip?

What is your maximum bid at the 4* level before you consider lowering your star rating to 3.5*?

Are you willing to pay more to stay in the NMA zone vs. the Loop zone OR is your goal the last expensive in either zone?

If you bid 4* NMA first and that is rejected (as it was above), are you then interested in a 4* Loop hotel or a 3.5* in the NMA zone?

Let us know the above and we'll take it from there.

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

[AaronJB]

I'll note that there are some really nice 3.5*'s in the NMA zone as well (the Allerton is an older property that gets a few mixed reviews, it's in a terrific location.) Otherwise, I like all the 3.5*'s and actually, I think the 3*'s in the NMA zone are really quite nice, especially the Indigo and Homewood. The 3* Holiday Inn Mart Plaza is rather out of the way in the zone, but it's a nice hotel. My concern with the 3.5* level in the Loop is the Allegro, which is a very nice hotel but in an area that's both out of the way from a tourist perspective (good from a business traveler perspective) and that's going to be quiet at night.

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

[differenceofopinion]

I just won on Priceline the 3.5 Double Tree Mag Mile for $75 on the 22-25th. Keep in mind the NATO Summit is going to be in Chicago the 20th-21st. Several events will be at the Chicago Hilton which is in the Loop district.

[ns_guy]

Thanks for the tips. From what I've read, the NMA area appears to be a more desirable location to stay in, but I would be OK with a 4* Loop if the NMA bids get rejected. Thanks for the advice on the 3.5* in the Loop - I will try to avoid that as I would not want to stay out the way of transportation and the atmosphere.

I'm going to let my last bid session expire, and then rebid as suggested above.

[ns_guy]

Hello - just wanted to update that I won the 4* Hotel Felix Chicago for $115.00 a night May 19 - 26, 2012. I've read mixed reviews on this hotel (small rooms), but I'm quite happy that I managed to get a well-located property for that rate.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

While perhaps not your first choice of hotel in the zone, glad to see you're pleased with the results.

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.