Micdawg Posted August 30, 2012 Report Posted August 30, 2012 I am looking for the best rates for November 19-25th ( but could add an extra day if I got a 7 night discount ). Any advice to get the best rate? Looking to spend as little as possible. Only requirement is a mini fridge, no bugs, and in a decent neighborhood ( preferably downtown district with all the businesses and stuff ). Please help!
AaronJB Posted August 30, 2012 Report Posted August 30, 2012 Welcome to Betterbidding.The issue with PRICELINE is that there is no way to specify kitchenette. HOTWIRE does show a kitchenette amenity on the listing if the hotel offers one, but those hotels in Chicago (such as the Embassy Suites) are not seen often. What would be your desired budget per night for this stay? Are you seeing a listing with kitchenette on HOTWIRE when searching for these dates?Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
thereuare Posted August 30, 2012 Report Posted August 30, 2012 Welcome to BetterBidding!Looking to spend as little as possible.So we don't suggest/investigate anything that is more than you'd like to spend, what is your maximum budget per nite for this trip?Only requirement is a mini fridge...Is this a need or a want, as you can't guarantee a room with a mini-fridge when using PRICELINE (it's possible thru HOTWIRE but this will greatly limit your options which in turn will also mean you won't necessarily get the lowest rate for a hotel in the area(s) you're considering). However, if you win a hotel that doesn't have a fridge, you could stop by a nearby Target, K-Mart, Wal-mart, etc. and buy a small dorm-style fridge for $40-$60... if you amortize this over the length of your stay it's only ~$10/nite, and you should be able to save this much by using PRICELINE. (and when you're done you can take it home if you're driving OR if flying/train donate it to a nearby organization that could use it)...in a decent neighborhood ( preferably downtown district with all the businesses and stuff ).Which zone(s), by PRICELINE (or HOTWIRE) name, are you willing to accept? Is both NMA-River North and the Loop acceptable... or only one of these?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... and your searches too! (please click each of these previous links before replying)Let us know the information above and we'll take it from there. Please use this HOTWIRE and these PRICELINE LINKS: HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, and AIRFARE to begin your travel purchases
Micdawg Posted August 30, 2012 Author Report Posted August 30, 2012 Welcome to BetterBidding!So we don't suggest/investigate anything that is more than you'd like to spend, what is your maximum budget per nite for this trip?Is this a need or a want, as you can't guarantee a room with a mini-fridge when using PRICELINE (it's possible thru HOTWIRE but this will greatly limit your options which in turn will also mean you won't necessarily get the lowest rate for a hotel in the area(s) you're considering). However, if you win a hotel that doesn't have a fridge, you could stop by a nearby Target, K-Mart, Wal-mart, etc. and buy a small dorm-style fridge for $40-$60... if you amortize this over the length of your stay it's only ~$10/nite, and you should be able to save this much by using PRICELINE. (and when you're done you can take it home if you're driving OR if flying/train donate it to a nearby organization that could use it)Which zone(s), by PRICELINE (or HOTWIRE) name, are you willing to accept? Is both NMA-River North and the Loop acceptable... or only one of these?Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases... and your searches too! (please click each of these previous links before replying)Let us know the information above and we'll take it from there.As far as budget, I would like to stay under 700 for 6 nights but am willing to go up to 1000 if it's worth it. ( I am a total cheapskate, I only ever think "we are only sleeping there" lol ).The fridge is more of a want. I just didn't want leftovers to ruin or anything due to not having a fridge, but hey, we can just go out again! I didn't think about buying a fridge. That is very true, and might actually save me money, very awesome idea!As far as the zone, I am really unsure, I have tried looking at maps and things but I don't know where the bad areas are in Chicago. To be honest, I am from a small town in Arkansas and really have no idea. I just know I would like "downtown" and it looks like Magnificent Mile, Lincoln Park, and the loop don't seem like they would be bad ( Hotwire location letters : D, G, H, K, J, L, Priceline locations : Loop and Downtown ). Hotwire location F might not be bad either if cheaper. I just want to be within 10-15 minutes of downtown without feeling like I'm putting the safety of my family at risk. But if there is another location I'm not seeing that fit that criteria, I'm pretty flexible.
AaronJB Posted August 31, 2012 Report Posted August 31, 2012 Lincoln Park is a neighborhood area to the North of downtown. It's a nice place to visit, but there are few hotels there and it's a fairly large zone. Best case scenario you're not a terrible walk from the top end of the Michigan Ave area. Worst case scenario, it's a looooong walk (you'd best take the "L". In Winter, I'd just rather not suggest staying in that zone.Chicago's two downtown zones (on PRICELINE)1. River North-NMA: Lots of shopping, lots of restaurants. A fair trek to museums (or public transit.)2. Millennium Park-Loop-GP: some shopping, some restaurants. Some areas of it are more of a business district, and can get quiet late/r at night.There are not "bad" areas in either area. However, city rules apply: be aware of your surroundings. I would not recommend staying in the areas surrounding downtown unless there aren't other options, and especially wouldn't in Winter.Your dates are generally pretty good, with the exception of 11/24 - people coming in for Black Friday shopping the next day downtown (at least that's been the issue on Thanksgiving and the day after traditionally.)In fact, is there any way you could move your date/s back one night? If so, rates for 11/18-23 are cheaper than 11/19-24. For 11/18-23, I see what appears to be the Intercontinental on Michigan Ave downtown for $476 (and that's with taxes - $400 before taxes.)In terms of family, are there more than 2 people in your party? If so, do you need 2 beds? If that is the case, I would suggest HOTWIRE.
Micdawg Posted August 31, 2012 Author Report Posted August 31, 2012 Yes, there are 3 people, my wife and I, and I am taking my mom since she has never been to Chicago and has always wanted to go. I can't leave a day early because I am getting back from my friends "man vacation" early early morning on the 19th. I am going to the Formula 1 races in Austin, TX. 475? That's awesome!! I do need 2 beds, so I will try hotwire and use those specific areas, and of course use the HOTWIRE link. You guys are awesome! Thanks for making my trip that much better. Any other tips or tricks I need to know? Restaurants I must try?
AaronJB Posted August 31, 2012 Report Posted August 31, 2012 Please let us know if you have any questions regarding specific HOTWIRE listings. As for restaurants, there's so many great places downtown - please let us know more about what you're looking for in terms of experience (style, cuisine, etc)Thank you for using the site's HOTWIRE or PRICELINE links to start your purchases and searches.
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