Hotwire Hotel: Help identify 3* Chicago Loop Theatre District

[cycloner]

Hi. Just found this site - excellent! Is there any way, on Hotwire, to guarantee we get a hotel suite that has the beds in a totally separate room with a door? We have two kids and they will never get to sleep if their beds are not in a separate space that can be totally closed off (e.g. a half wall is not satisfactory).

We are looking for a room in Chicago, preferably Millenium Park area or close, with an indoor pool, from July 22nd to 25th.

Thanks!

Len

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

There are some areas (primarily Orlando) where some 2BR condo-style listings (not an upgrade, but what the property offers in general) are available. However, the service does not offer suites where a suite would be an upgrade at a property. Unfortunately, there would be no way to ensure a 2BR suite on HOTWIRE in Chicago - the only property that comes to mind that offers 2BR is the Residence Inn on Walton, but it is an upgrade (the base level rooms are studios.) There are some 1BR suite properties in the city, but they don't often appear on HOTWIRE.

I'd be happy to offer other suggestions - what would be your desired max budget per night for this stay?

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

[cycloner]

Thanks for your prompt reply! I'd like to find something for under $200/night. We are sightseeing in the Millenium Park and Downtown area mostly, and are hoping to not rent a car, so close to public transport is key. The other requirements are that some/all of the beds are in a separate room with a door (is that the definition of a 2-bedroom suite?) and there is an indoor pool.

[cycloner]

One additional question... my wife just said she' be willing to live with a partial separation if necessary, so my new question is, if "suite" is listed as an amenity, does that guarantee that the room we receive will be a suite? What is the definition of a suite? Could one large room without even a half wall be considered a suite?

[AaronJB]

Thanks for your prompt reply! I'd like to find something for under $200/night. We are sightseeing in the Millenium Park and Downtown area mostly, and are hoping to not rent a car, so close to public transport is key. The other requirements are that some/all of the beds are in a separate room with a door (is that the definition of a 2-bedroom suite?) and there is an indoor pool.

Would 2 separate rooms (they may not be right to each other, but you could request that with the hotel) be acceptable?

I'm not seeing any all-suite hotel listings on HOTWIRE, so HOTWIRE and PRICELINE would be an option if you would be okay with two separate rooms. With PRICELINE though, you would not be able to guarantee a pool. With HOTWIRE, you could look for listings with pool.

In terms of options with two separate bedrooms, unfortunately, the only thing I'm seeing available is the Residence Inn on Walton for $319. In terms of 1BR suites, I'm seeing the Embassy Suites Lakefront for $189/2 beds in the BR and the Hilton Suites for $175 for 1BR/2 beds in the BR.

I'm seeing what appears to be the Doubletree Mag Mile for $93 per night on HOTWIRE for these dates, but the issue with that is that it's an outdoor pool.

Let us know your thoughts and we would be happy to offer further suggestions.

Additionally, the suburbs are cheaper or much cheaper (and quite nice), but I wouldn't recommend the burbs unless you are driving.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches. Please use the Hilton link on the site's Support Page for the Embassy or Hilton Suites.

[AaronJB]

One additional question... my wife just said she' be willing to live with a partial separation if necessary, so my new question is, if "suite" is listed as an amenity, does that guarantee that the room we receive will be a suite? What is the definition of a suite? Could one large room without even a half wall be considered a suite?

I'm not seeing any properties on HOTWIRE showing with a suite icon for these dates, but a suite *may* mean a "studio suite", depending on the property - the base room level at most Residence Inns, for example, is a studio suite. Unfortunately, there are not many all-suite properties in downtown Chicago - there's 2 Embassy Suites, a Homewood Suites, a Springhill/Residence combo, a Residence Inn (that property is a former apartment building and does have some rooms with 2 separate bedrooms, but they are expensive), a Hilton Suites and Comfort Suites.

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

[AaronJB]

If you go to the Support Page, then click on the Hilton link, search for Chicago for your dates, and the Hilton Suites Mag Mile and Embassy Suites Lakefront should be two of the possibilities. Both are in very nice locations, although the Embassy - which provides free breakfast and evening reception - would be a better value.

[cycloner]

Please help me identify the hotels associated with the following Hotwire results. I searched for 2 adults 2 kids for July 22 - July 25th.

HOTEL #1

Chicago Loop (Theatre District)

- 4*

- $131 ($254 other sites)

- recommended in 90% of Hotwire customer reviews

Amenities:

- Indoor Pool(s)

- Fitness Center

- Pool(s)

- Restaurant(s)

- Business Center

- High-Speed Internet Access

- Spa Services

- Accessible for the blind

- Accessible for the deaf

- Accessible path of travel

- In-room accessibility

- Accessible bathroom

- Handicapped parking

- Roll-in shower

HOTEL #2

Magnificent Mile Area - River North

- 4*

- $148 ($239 other sites)

- recommended in 90% of Hotwire customer reviews

Amenities:

- Indoor Pool(s)

- Fitness Center

- Pool(s)

- Restaurant(s)

- Business Center

- High-Speed Internet Access

- Spa Services

Thank you!

[AaronJB]

The 4* Loop/Theater would be a possible match for the Palmer House. The 4* MM-River North listing has not yet been ID'd, but my guess would be a new amenity set for the W Lakeshore.

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

[cycloner]

Any idea which Theatre District hotel this is?

July 22 - July 25

$144 ($199 elsewhere)

3*

Recommended in 75% of hotwire reviews

Amenities:

Fitness Center

Pool(s)

Restaurant(s)

Business Center

Laundry Services (self-service)

High Speed Internet Access

Access for the Blind

Access for the Deaf

Accessible Path of Travel

In-room Accessibility

Accessible Bathroom

Handicapped Parking

Roll-in Shower

thanks!

[AaronJB]

My guess would be the Holiday Inn Downtown on Harrison, which is a location I wouldn't recommend - especially when there's better options available for at or around the same price; I'm seeing what may be the W Lakeshore for $148 this morning and the Palmer for $132.

Please keep all posts regarding this stay within this thread. Thanks. :)

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

[cycloner]

Thanks for your insight. The challenge we are facing is that for medical reasons, we really need to have a refrigerator in our room to cover breakfast and lunch and the few hotels that are showing up in the Grant Park/Millenium/Theatre District/Mag Mile area with a pool do not have refrigerators. Any suggestions? Is there another area besides those that provides equal accessibility via public transportation and is in a desirable area to enjoy the area around the hotel?

[AaronJB]

Chicago has a lot of hotels, but unfortunately, many of them are more business-oriented and not too many that are more family friendly that would offer refrigerators (Embassy Suites, Residence, etc.) There are properties that may offer refrigerators upon request, but may charge extra or may not have any available. Or, you could possibly clear out the minibar (let the front desk know) and use that, or possibly pick up a cooler in the city and ask for ice at the hotel.

The Embassy Suites Lakefront - which does have a refrigerator - unfortunately is no longer available completely for these dates, but it is available for $189 for the first two nights only, which would require moving for the last night.

Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE or Hilton link on the site's Support Page.

[thereuare]

I've also mentioned in the past that on a multi-nite stay it could also pay to buy a small/cheap refrigerator (dorm style) for $50-$60 at Target, Walmart, etc. For a 3 nite stay it's an additional $20/nite added on to your hotel cost... if you save more than that by using PRICELINE / HOTWIRE, then you're still ahead of the game.

If you're driving you can then put it in your car and use it for the next trip when you're driving OR if you're flying/train and it's not feasible to take it back home with you, donate it to a local charity/organization in the city you have visited.

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