Priceline Hotel: 4* Chicago (Millenium Park - The Loop - Grant Park) Hilton Chicago

[curlygirl819]

Hi

We’re doing a last minute road trip to Chicago this weekend (8/17-8/19). Traveling with 2 adults and 3 small kids (8,6, 10 months). Would like a nice 3* and above somewhere downtown Chicago (or close by) not too far from some of the major attractions, restaurants, shops, etc. Hoping not to go over a budget of $100/night (knowing that parking for many of the hotels will be an extra $40-50/night). Any advice or strategies to secure something through either Hotwire or Priceline? Also any advice on other areas that may be better for a family (we will have a vehicle so distance is really not a major factor, but would definitely perform to let the kids experience downtown).

We’re planning to get the go card, so we would like to be able to walk or take the bus opposed to driving (visiting the aquarium, skydeck, navy pier, lincoln park zoo, etc)

Thanks in advance,

Angie

[AaronJB]

Welcome to Betterbidding. :)

A few thoughts:

1. The Children's Museum is at Navy Pier, but otherwise I'm not a huge fan of it - it's expensive, crowded and I just don't think there's that much terribly memorable about it. It does have great views, the Children's museum and IMAX. However, I'd rather suggest the combination of Lincoln Park Zoo (free) and the Peggy Notabert Nature Museum (moderate admission, and a great butterfly exhibit.) If you do go to the Shedd, go early - it can get crowded in the Summer and I just don't think it's as enjoyable when it's jammed.

2. PRICELINE only guarantees 1 bed/double occupancy and HOTWIRE only guarantees quad occupancy and there should be bedding for the entire party (2 beds or 1 + rollaway or 1 + sofabed) when using HOTWIRE. However, with five, it is a bit of a risk and I would not make it obvious that there are five in the party at check-in (part of the party can wait outside, for example.)

3. Hotel parking is $40-65. However, city parking is generally around $20-25 + city taxes. Navy Pier and Millennium Park are city lots - suburban hotels (with only a few exceptions, such as the hotels in Evanston) are free parking.

4. I'm seeing what appears to be the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza or Four Points Mag Mile for $95 on HOTWIRE when searching for 1 room 2a/2c for these dates. If this is of interest, please let us know and we would be happy to point the listing out. The price you see may vary slightly.

5. I'm seeing a 3.5* in the North Burbs (Northbrook/Glenview/Deerfield area) for $55 (parking would be free.) So, it really would be $55 + free parking and a 33-42 minute train ride or doing a drive in versus $95 + $20-25 for parking. Let us know which option would be of interest. The North burbs are quite nice and offer some additional sights - the Chicago Botanic Garden (despite the name, it's in a burb), Wagner Farm (a very small operating farm in the middle of suburbia) and Ravinia (a very famous outdoor music festival that attracts big names throughout the Summer), as well as the historic town of Long Grove. It's also easy to get to the beach. The North burbs are very nice, with a lot of shopping and restaurant options.

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

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

[curlygirl819]

Thanks so much for the welcome and the info! I was actually only looking at the Chicago go card for admission to Shedd (you get fast pass access with the card and access to most of the add on experience except the 4D shows I believe) and Lego Land so Navy Pier was just an added benefit. I’m wondering now if the card is worth it. I can get 1 day pass thru my work at a discounted rate of $60/adult and $43/kid.

Yeah that parking is a drag with the downtown properties but seems to be the most convenient and I really didn’t want to be too far out of the city. If you could point out the Hotwire listing for downtown for $95 that would be awesome.

I’m also open to lower rated hotels perhaps a 3* if the price is right! I mainly just would like to be somewhere nice, clean and comfortable, I’m not too big on a bunch of elaborate amenities (although would appreciate them for the right price !!

[AaronJB]

Unfortunately, the HOTWIRE listing that was showing earlier is now showing at $132. Given that, unfortunately, HOTWIRE rates downtown are all over $100 for these dates - generally $130+

Given that PRICELINE only guarantees 1 bed/double occupancy, is that an acceptable risk? (You can call and request two beds, but the hotel may say no.) Given the HOTWIRE rate change, PRICELINE would be the remaining option to try to get under $100 for these dates.

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

[curlygirl819]

Thanks for the update, I'm on Priceline now. I'll try the rebidding tips listed here on this site and hopefully I can get something good. I'll keep you posted and thanks for your help!

[curlygirl819]

Just wanted to send a quick update, I won a bid of $95/night @ the Hilton Chicago (a 4* per priceline)!! It took a couple of rounds of bids for me to get there and thanks are definitely due to the rebidding information I read here! Many thanks again to you for all of your help! Hopefully the stay will be worth all of the effort (and if not it's still at an awesome price)!!

Angie

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you won a bid and are pleased with the results... hopefully all will go well with the room assignment/bedding arrangements.

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.